Look No Further: These 17 Eye Creams Will Sharpen Tired, Puffy Eyes

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES™ Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream, 111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2, IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream, FENTY SKIN Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream
GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES™ Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream, 111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2, IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream, FENTY SKIN Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream

If eyes are the first thing people see when they look at you, wouldn’t you want yours to be in tip-top shape? Luckily, there are so many beauty tools, skincare ingredients, and products on the market that can help revive tired, sleepy, and drab eyes. You just need to know where to look (no pun intended). Although eye creams can be pricey, there are a few stand-out ingredients to look for to make shopping for them easier, and they can be found in products of all price ranges. And before you ask, yes, you do need eye cream. Why? Because the skin around your eyes deserves the utmost TLC—but we’ll let the skincare expert explain. 

"The skin around your eyes is very delicate and needs more of a tailored approach than an eye cream can provide,” says Kendra Joseph, PA-C, a certified physician's assistant at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Usually, they are formulated to contain fewer irritants and more hydrating ingredients compared to a moisturizer."

So what’s the easy way to shop for eye creams? Keep your eye out for ingredients like "peptides, which help to lift and smooth sagging skin; growth factors, which stimulate collagen; antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, or K; ferulic acid, or green tea extract, which helps to brighten and prevent further sun damage; and retinol to help generate collagen and smooth out the skin," says Joseph.

Below, we've highlighted a few of the best eye creams to start incorporating into your skincare routine—all of which have been reviewed by Ipsters who’ve received these products in past Glam Bags. Whether you're looking to minimize dark circles or de-puff sleepy eyes in the a.m., there's a formula in here for you.

Meet the Expert

Kendra Joseph is a certified physician assistant at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

1. Best Retinol Eye Cream:

MURAD Renewing Eye Cream

MURAD Renewing Eye Cream
MURAD Renewing Eye Cream

This brightening and firming eye cream uses a blend of peptides and retinol, two power ingredients when it comes to remedying the under-eye area. Retinol promotes cell turnover, which can help firm and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It's also a proven antioxidant, which means it protects against free radical damage, brightens the skin tone, and boosts collagen production. Meanwhile, peptides can minimize the look of dark spots and depuff tired eyes.

"Since the pandemic, I have been focusing more on skincare and this eye cream has helped with my dark circles and helps me look refreshed without makeup," says one Ipster.

2. Best Plant-Based Eye Cream:

GOLDFADEN MD Plant Profusion Eye Cream

GOLDFADEN MD Plant Profusion Eye Cream
GOLDFADEN MD Plant Profusion Eye Cream

We love that this eye cream is packed with comfrey stem cells, which are found in the symphytum plant that’s said to have healing and restorative properties. Plus, it has quinoa seed extract, white tea leaf, and ruscus root extract to help smooth out any fine lines. 

One Ipster said that just a small dab goes a long way with this eye cream, which will save you money in the long run. Plus, they said it’s “not shiny or glossy like some eye creams can be.”

3. Best Eye Cream for Puffy Under-Eyes:

BALANCE ME Wonder Eye Cream

BALANCE ME Wonder Eye Cream
BALANCE ME Wonder Eye Cream

Here's another formula that uses trusty hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump, and protect. It also incorporates botanical ingredients like chamomile, cucumber, witch hazel, and aloe vera. Aloe and witch hazel team up to create a de-puffing eye treatment while cucumber and chamomile soothe the sensitive area.

"I've never used an eye cream before, but I naturally have darker bags under my eyes, and let me tell you, within seconds of applying this I actually saw results–less darkness and puffiness," writes Ipster oceanalaidlaw.

4. Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream:

KAT BURKI Nutrient C Eye Cream

KAT BURKI Nutrient C Eye Cream
KAT BURKI Nutrient C Eye Cream

If you want to reverse the damage your eyes have taken over the past few years, this is the eye cream for you. It contains reishi mushroom, which helps not only reduce the appearance of fine lines, but also full-blown wrinkles. Since it has vitamin C and caffeine, it’ll help protect the delicate skin around your eyes each time you step foot outside (aka every day!).

“I can feel my eyes just drinking it up,” writes on Ipster. “The skin around my eyes feels like velvet.”

5. Best Eye Cream for Skincare Newbies:

GOLDFADEN MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate

GOLDFADEN MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate
GOLDFADEN MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate

This eye concentrate is a solid everyday option that'll leave your under-eye area looking brighter, plumper, and smoother (three things we know we’re always looking for). The four primary ingredients here are hydrating hyaluronic acid, de-puffing arnica, firming soy peptides, and vitamin-rich apricot kernel oil. Together, these ingredients have got all your under-eye needs covered. If you're new to under-eye treatments, this is a great place to start.

"My allergies have been at an all-time high," writes one Ipster. "I put it in the fridge and in the morning I dab it under my eyes and voila! In minutes, my huge bags under eye bag have disappeared. I highly recommend it!"

6. Best Protective Eye Cream:

VERSO SKINCARE Eye Cream

VERSO SKINCARE Eye Cream
VERSO SKINCARE Eye Cream

Like most of the formulas in this list, you'll find hyaluronic acid listed here as a primary ingredient. This fan-fave skincare ingredient is also paired with lipids and ceramides, both of which work to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, helping to keep the under-eye area plump and hydrated for longer.

"I love the moisture this product provides," writes Ipster tuzenew. "I tend to have dark under-eyes, but not with this eye cream. It helps a tired mom have a rested, refreshed look."

7. Best Eye Cream for All Skin Types:

IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream

IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream
IT COSMETICS Confidence in a Cream

This winning formula has a lot going for it: Its star players are hyaluronic acid, squalane, collagen, and peptides. Hyaluronic acid and squalane are both effective hydrators that your skin knows and loves, while collagen and peptides are two ideal ingredients for firming skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Additionally, you'll also find licorice root, avocado oil, ginseng, and green tea here, all of which combine to further firm, energize, and hydrate all skin types.

"I've actually noticed a difference in the redness and wrinkles since using this daily," writes Ipster beka0302. "My eyes are brighter and less tired looking."

8. Best Eye Cream for a Mega-Hydration Boost:

FIRST AID BEAUTY Hydrating Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid

FIRST AID BEAUTY Hydrating Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid
FIRST AID BEAUTY Hydrating Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid

If you’re on the hunt for a hydrating product, you need to look for the holy grail ingredient in the beauty industry: hyaluronic acid. We love this eye cream from FIRST AID BEAUTY because it has caffeine to help de-puff, plus colloidal oatmeal to help soothe dry and cracked skin around the eye area. If your eye area peels during the winter (or whenever!), this is the eye cream to reach for. 

One Ipster with sensitive eyes said, “This did not irritate them & made the skin feel hydrated.”

9. Best Eye Cream for Experienced Eye-Cream Users:

BELIF Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream

BELIF Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream
BELIF Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream

The hero ingredients in this velvety smooth eye cream are made from Finland's mineral-rich herbal peat water and peat extract. If you've tried many eye creams and haven't had much luck, give this unconventional formula ingredient a shot. Peat is a natural antioxidant with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to regulate cell turnover while also improving skin elasticity. Another bonus: This formula is super fast-absorbing, making it ideal for a.m. use before your makeup. 

"I absolutely loved this product," writes Ipster dbutrfly81. "My eyes instantly looked better. By the time I finished the little jar the fine lines around my eyes were barely visible and easily covered with concealer."

10. Best Eye Cream to Layer Under Makeup:

111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2

111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2
111SKIN Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2

If most eye creams tend to feel too thick to apply under your makeup, try something like this luxe eye gel. 111SKIN's gel is packed with NAC Y2, a custom ingredient complex designed to stimulate strong antioxidant activity within the skin. The focus here is all about repairing and strengthening the skin—aka just what you want for the delicate eye area. Expect powerful anti-aging benefits in the form of minimized fine lines and visible plumping.

"My skin sucks this right up," says one Ipster. "Leaves it feeling plumped and makes my wrinkles less visible."

11. Best Eye Cream for Tired-Looking Eyes:

FENTY SKIN Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream

FENTY SKIN Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream
FENTY SKIN Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream

As Joseph says to look for an eye cream with peptides to help revive the eye area. We can’t get enough from this eye cream drop from FENTY that has the skincare trifecta: hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and niacinamide. And, of course, Miss Fenty herself thought of everything when making this eye cream, as it can be worn alone on skin or under makeup without smudging it. 

12. Best Eye Cream for Crow’s Feet:

KATE SOMERVILLE® Age Arrest Eye Cream

KATE SOMERVILLE® Age Arrest Eye Cream
KATE SOMERVILLE® Age Arrest Eye Cream

If you struggle with the breakout of lines around the corner of your eyes, you’re not alone and you don’t need to rush for injections either! We’re obsessed with this at-home fix by KATE SOMERVILLE that targets crow’s feet with their own blend of revolutionary Telo-5 technology that begins to tackle lines and wrinkles as soon as you put it on the skin. 

One Ipster loves it so much because they “already saw some improvement in a week.” 

13. Best Eye Cream to Fake a Good Night's Sleep:

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES™ Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES™ Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream
GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES™ Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream

Sometimes getting a full eight hours of sleep just isn't going to happen. If you only got three hours of shut-eye, try this morning eye cream which not only uses depuffing and awakening ingredients like caffeine and hyaluronic acid but also ultra-fine illuminating pigments to brighten and boost glow. When the gentler eye creams just aren't enough to help you look fake-awake, this anti-fatigue eye cream really goes the extra mile. 

"Love this product," says Ipster Smurffy_D68712. "Just before I started using it, my family commented how tired my eyes looked. After using it, I've gotten so many positive compliments on how much better I look."

14. Best Eye Cream for Skincare Minimalists:

THE ORGANIC PHARMACY Lip & Eye Cream

THE ORGANIC PHARMACY Lip & Eye Cream
THE ORGANIC PHARMACY Lip & Eye Cream

Can't bear to shell out for a cream that can only be used on the eyes? We hear you. Here's a multitasking formula that can be applied to both the eye area and the lips. This nourishing formula uses trusted moisturizers like squalane and aloe vera to keep these two delicate areas of your skin hydrated, while organic extracts like frankincense, bilberry, and fennel work to brighten, boost elasticity, and calm inflammation. 

"Loved that this is for both lips and eyes—great to take when you travel," one Ipster writes. Another adds, "Ipsy has gotten me hooked on this brand! I love their products. They're so nourishing and make my skin feel healthy."

15. Best Firming Eye Cream:

VERIPHY SKINCARE 20/20 Eye Cream

VERIPHY SKINCARE 20/20 Eye Cream
VERIPHY SKINCARE 20/20 Eye Cream

We love an eye cream with clean ingredients! This stunner by VERIPHY gives you eyes that look as sharp as your vision. Niacinamide, licorice root extract, peptides, and cucumber extract all work together in this cream to help soothe stressed-out eyes, minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and grant hydrating protection around the eyes all day long. 

One Ipster says it tackles multiple issues, saying, “If you want something for that middle age eye sag, this is it! Something for dark undereye circles? This does it!”

16. Best Eye Cream for Counteracting Screen Time:

SKYN ICELAND Icelandic Relief Eye Cream

SKYN ICELAND Icelandic Relief Eye Cream
SKYN ICELAND Icelandic Relief Eye Cream

We get it; screens are life, but evidence of your doom scrolling doesn’t have to show up on your face. This eye cream by SKYN ICELAND has glacial flower extract to help revive tired, droopy skin around the eyes. 

"WOW this stuff is the best, I visibly noticed a difference in my eyes after a week," one Ipster says. "I bought the full size instantly!"

17. Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin:

LABORATOIRES FILORGA Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream

LABORATOIRES FILORGA Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream
LABORATOIRES FILORGA Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream

For those with mature skin looking to diminish the appearance of fine lines and deep-set wrinkles, try this treatment that uses a unique lifting complex to define and lift your eye contour. As you gently massage in this time-rewinding eye cream, you'll immediately see a reduction in crepey skin and eyelid sagging. It even includes a lash-enhancing complex that helps your lashes look more voluminous.

"I use this every morning and night. It seems to add color and life back to the skin around my eyes. It makes me look more awake," says Ipster kla_2006. "I don’t have trouble with puffiness so I can’t attest to that but the color has improved. BONUS: it has made my eyelashes grow longer and thicker. Love it!"

Want to discover even more eye-opening skincare products? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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