The 13 Best Eye Creams for Every Need

Selena Gomez is a big fan of this skin-smoothing eye gel cream that “visibly” firms and depuffs the undereye area. Antioxidant-rich resveratrol is the star ingredient. Along with firming powers, it’s also proven to reduce the look of wrinkles. In addition to its clean formula, it’s also fragrance-free, making it ideal for the sensitive skin around our eyes.

For targeting overall aging concerns like crow’s feet, wrinkles, dark circles and drier skin, you can’t go wrong with SkinCeuticals’ dermatologist-recommended eye cream. “It helps with hydration and overall signs of aging,” confirms Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Jill L. Hessler, MD. Its rich and balmy texture delivers instant relief from dryness and a visible plumping effect. Plus, users, including Hilary Duff, swear the luminous formula brightens dark circles on contact.

Dermalogica’s freshly-launched Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream is expert-approved to treat the entire eye area—including drooping upper eyelids. Its formula also firms and visibly reduces signs of eye aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, dryness and loss of elasticity. According to the brand, it takes just one use to see measurably lifted eyes.

For a budget-friendly (and Sarah Jessica Parker–loved) pick that boasts retinol, the superstar anti-aging ingredient, in its formula, grab this tried-and-true cream from RoC. (One tube sells every 30 seconds.) A pea size amount applied twice a day address the three most common signs of eye aging—puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles—while it smooths skin instantly.

Another effective and affordable eye cream comes recommended by makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “Its unique peptide, squalene and hyaluronic acid blend plumps up and brightens the area making it perfect for makeup application or even to face the day bare skinned! The plumping properties of the under eye cream allow concealer to glide right on and not sink into fine lines and expression lines!”

Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg calls this caffeine-rich eye cream “a gem.” According to Greenburg, it wears especially well under makeup “because it reduces puffiness and the appearance of dark circles” thanks to its blend of caffeine and hyaluronic acid-infused peptides, which help plump up fine lines and wrinkles with hydration.

Harnessing the power of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and CBD, there’s little this eye perfector doesn’t address. Five percent pure, ultra-stable vitamin C brightens undereyes instantly, hemp oil calms inflammation resulting in visible depuffing, hyaluronic acid hydrates and green tea extract stimulates collagen to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Several dermatologists recommend SkinMedica’s TNS Eye Repair. Glenn Dale, MD dermatologist Valerie Callender, MD names it her favorite because its formula “hydrates the skin around the eyes and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” Delray Beach, FL dermatologist Janet Allenby, MD explains, “When a hollowness between the eye and orbital bone causes a depression, and therefore shadow, I use products that improve the way light reflects off the tissue to mask the shadowing, like this one that brightens the tissue.” “It is a wonderful product for hydrating the delicate eye area,” agrees New York plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD.

If you’re looking for an eye cream that helps to firm the skin under your eyes and render wrinkles unnoticeable, this is the product for you. Bakuchiol, a firming retinol alternative, peptides and orchid stem cells work their magic to effectively blur fine lines and wrinkles around the eye, resulting in smoother, tighter-looking skin instantly.

Sunscreen protection is essential skin care, but we sometimes forget that also extends to our undereyes. EltaMD’s eye formula has you covered with 100 percent mineral SPF 30, plus skin-enhancing antioxidants that visibly reduce signs of aging, dark circles and puffiness. With its universal tint, it may replace under-eye concealer altogether.

Supergoop’s mineral SPF eye cream isn’t chalk-white like you’d expect from a non-nano zinc oxide formula. Instead, the universal hue instantly brightens the entire under eye area. With wild butterfly ginger flower, caffeine, probiotics and green tea extract, it also bocks blue light and depuffs tired skin.

Melville, NY dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD says the peptide technology of this eye creams helps stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the skin. “If we improve the quality of our skin and rebuild collagen, this can help reduce the transparency of skin, which helps reduce some of the appearance of discoloration and promotes healthy skin turn over,” she explains. “What is great about this cream is it does not dry out the skin,” adds the expert. New York plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD is also a fan of the peptide- and antioxidant-rich formula for firming and brightening.

Shoppers in their 40s swear this eye gel works overtime to revive tired eyes.  Thanks to a blend of caffeine, peptides, rosemary leaf extract (known for soothing and minimizing swelling) and lactic acid (hello, smooth skin), we can see why. Whether you’re up with kids, working late or enjoying a night on the town, this formula will awaken your eyes in just 10 minutes, according to the brand.