What our reviewers say: “My criteria for eye cream are a little odd—I need them to be the right amount of moisturizing and not leave tacky residue on my skin, and not give me these weird little white bumps around my eyes. You’d be surprised how many creams I have tried, including fancy ones, do not fit thr bill. But this Sunday Riley cream goes on great, hydrating with no residue, and leaves my eyes refreshed and even a little dewy,” says Glamour senior editor Stephanie McNeal.
Best Lightweight: NassifMD Age Defying Eye Renewal Serum
Original video from Christa Lee testing NassifMD Age Defying Eye Renewal Serum
- What we love: The non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, making it suitable for use under makeup
- What could improve: Some users found that the product is difficult to dispense
What experts say: NassifMD Age Defying Eye Renewal Serum is a lightweight cream that is packed with peptides and hyaluronic acid to smooth fine lines, brighten dark circles, and calm puffiness. It also has pullulan, a plant-based sugar that creates a temporary tightening layer on your skin for that instant firming, lifted feel. “It has something called Eyeseryl Solution B, a peptide complex that targets puffiness as well as darkness to give an overall more rejuvenated look,” says Dr. Weatherall.
What our reviewers say: “I found the texture elegant and silky—it glides on smoothly and layers nicely with the rest of my skincare products or under makeup. I started seeing results after about a month of consistent use. While puffiness isn’t my main issue—I struggle more with dryness under my eyes—this managed to tackle both well. The packaging was a bit finicky, though. Sometimes it dispensed too much product, other times I had to pump it a few times to get anything out, so it was hard to tell if I had emptied the tube,” says Glamour contributor Christa Lee.
Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream
- What we love: Targets signs of aging; reduces the look of dark circles instantly
- What could improve: Higher price point for size
What experts say: From vitamin C serums to wrinkle creams to dark spot correctors, there’s always a SkinCeuticals product topping our Glamour “best of” lists and their A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream is no exception. “It uses caffeine and various optical diffusers to depuff as well as brighten the eyelid area,” says Dr. Reed. “It’s a thicker cream, but also has peptides to help stimulate collagen.” With proxylane, glycyrrhetinic acid, and a powerful peptide complex, it tackles puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles in one silky swipe. Stick with it, and you’ll start to notice your eyes looking smoother, brighter, and more rested.
What our reviewers say: “Eye creams absolutely help reduce the common signs of aging! Really, truly. I’d never used them regularly before, and after doing so, I’ve seen a major difference in the skin around my eyes, especially with SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye. The brand claims it’s an ‘anti-wrinkle eye cream to fight the appearance of crow’s feet lines, puffiness, and dark circles,’ and after about 10 days of use, I definitely see a big improvement in both lines and puffiness. The cream has an interesting texture—almost wax-like—so I recommend warming it up a bit on your hand before applying to make it creamier. It also takes a little time to absorb, so be mindful of how much you use if you plan to apply makeup afterward. But honestly, it’s worth it,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine.
Best for Oily Skin: Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream
What experts say: Clinique All About Eyes is a long-standing dermatologist favorite for tackling undereye puffiness. “It’s powered by caffeine to depuff the eye area within minutes and formulated alongside key ingredients that hydrate, brighten, and, over time, boost collagen and elastin production for long-term results,” says Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and resident and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT. The cream-gel texture feels silky and lightweight, with added vitamin C to brighten the skin and whey protein to help firm it. “The eye area is susceptible to topical irritants, so I love that it’s dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested, allergy tested, and fragrance free,” she says.
What our reviewers say: “What I enjoyed most about it is that it absorbs super quickly and creates a firm, smooth surface for makeup, almost immediately after application. I did notice a little less puffiness and darkness, but nothing extremely striking. Bear in mind, I have mature skin, some drooping on my eyelids, and fine lines, so maybe I just can’t see as dramatic a difference as users with younger skin might,” says Twine.
Best Budget-Friendly: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
- What we love: Affordable price point; fast-absorbing formula
- What could improve: Some users report dryness or irritation, possibly due to the higher caffeine concentration
What experts say: If you’re looking to de-puff your undereyes to the sweet tune of less than $10, then The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG might just be your new go-to. This lightweight, serum-like formula uses a high concentration of caffeine to help constrict blood vessels and visibly reduce swelling, while EGCG—a green tea–derived antioxidant—calms and protects. “This is my favorite budget-friendly product,” says Dr. Weatherall. “It’s a great starter for undereye dark circles and puffiness to see if a product like this will work for you. I tell patients to start with this one before spending more, since not all eye creams work for everyone,” she says.
What our reviewers say: “I like using this in the morning when I wake up because I have serious puffiness post slumber. Since it’s technically a liquid instead of a cream, it can get a little messy, but I do notice it soothes and hydrates effectively,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best Dry Skin: Colorescience Total Eye Firm and Repair Cream
Original image by Brie Schwartz Colorescience Total Eye Firm and Repair Cream
- What we love: Rich, hydrating texture and a gentle formulation
- What could improve: May feel too thick for some skin types, and can be tricky to dispense due to the pump
What experts say: You won’t find any pointless filler ingredients in Colorescience Total Eye Firm & Repair Cream—it’s all about efficient ingredients packed with purpose to target puffiness, dryness, and fine lines. This ultra-nourishing, anti-aging balmy formula is packed with caffeine to visibly de-puff and energize tired eyes, plus Aldavine 5X and peptides to firm and smooth fine lines by boosting collagen. It also contains meadowfoam seed oil, a moisturizing plant oil that helps lock in hydration and soothe dry, delicate skin. “It’s a richer or thicker feeling cream,” says Dr. Weatherall. “It’s probably the most hydrating of all the ones that I recommend. It’s great for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.”
