The 8 best eye creams to brighten, depuff and smooth delicate under-eye skin
Whether you want to smooth fine lines or brighten up dark circles, these are the best eye creams our beauty team has ever tried
A category that's evolved massively over the past 10–20 years, today the best eye creams can address a huge range of skin concerns. The cleverest can smooth fine lines, hydrate deeply and help to boost radiance, all while complementing different skin types. So how do you know which one ticks your boxes in both areas? Fortunately, innovative and effective eye creams happens to be one of our specialist subjects at woman&home.
Like the best face moisturisers and best facial sunscreens, the right eye cream for your skin's type and needs will end up be a key player in your skincare routine. The skin around our eyes is more fragile than the rest of our face and where the visible signs of ageing tend to show up first. Of course, no topical product can completely reverse or eradicate deep lines, but a well-formulated cream – packed with actives and nourishing ingredients – can help to smooth them over and de-puff.
Whether you want to upgrade your current eye cream or are convinced that adding one to your routine would be beneficial, our beauty team has tested hundreds between them. Here, they've shared detailed reviews of their favourite formulas to help tackle dullness, fine lines, dry skin and more – with options for various budget levels. But first, here are a few of the best eye cream discounts our savvy shopping experts have spotted...
The best eye cream deals to shop now
The 8 best eye creams for every concern and budget, reviewed by our beauty experts
RRP: £45 | Targets: Dark circles caused by poor circulation, sun damage, inflammation | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, algae and light-reflecting minerals
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
First things first: If dark circles aren’t a concern, then Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector may not be for you. If they are, then I urge you to snap it up ASAP (as long as you can afford to, that is) because it is hands down the best eye cream for dark circles I've tried so far.
The key ingredient here is ascorbic acid, the most potent form of vitamin C, kept stable and potent by the inclusion of another antioxidant called glutathione and a vitamin C derivative called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD). These three work in tandem to stop the dulling, collagen-degrading, pigmentation-causing effects of environmental damage in its tracks. There's also niacinamide, another tone-brightener, plus plumping hyaluronic acid, two forms of algae, and zero artificial fragrance. The texture is nice, if a little unusual: firmer than expected with a golden tone that instantly colour-corrects and blurs for an added boost of eye brightening.
See our full Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector review
Pros
- Powerful brightening ingredients
- Stable formulation
Cons
- Primarily focuses on dark circles
RRP: £72 | Targets: Fine lines, dullness | Key Ingredients: Japanese white peony, silk & whey proteins and Hadasei-3 (Tatcha's proprietary complex of double-fermented Akita rice, Uji green tea, and Okinawa algae)
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
As a long-time fan of several of the best Tatcha products, I had a feeling I would like this eye cream. I have quite dry skin, especially around my under-eyes, and so I'm forever hunting for a rich, ultra-hydrating formula that nourishes texture while being gentle and working well under makeup (with no pilling or separation). All of which Tatcha's Silk Peony cream delivers and more.
Its thick formula cushions the delicate skin, with ingredients like Japanese white peony, silk and whey protein instantly working to moisturise the area, fortifying and smoothing it. Immediately after applying, the skin around my eyes looks more radiant, plump and hydrated – an effect that lasts throughout the day. Even when I apply it in the evenings, my skin still retains that dewy smoothness. It really does feel just as luxurious on the skin as it looks in its cute little pot, and the spatula allows for a very intentional application, though it can be a bit cumbersome if you're in a rush.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Works under makeup
- Gorgeous packaging
Cons
- Pricey
- Packaging can be fiddly
RRP: £45 | Targets: Visible signs of ageing, dullness | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, pearlisers, longevity patent
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Being totally honest, I will only use an eye cream if it's something super targeted. For example, a retinoid that's been specially designed to be less irritating for this delicate area of skin. I'm also very prone to milia, which are often triggered by heavier and more nourishing eye cream formulas.
Not so with this clever one from Caudalie, though. The entire Premier Cru range contains a longevity patent created in collaboration with Harvard University. This patent stimulates proteins in our skin cells to help them act "younger", and works alongside a plumping ingredient that helps perk up the skin. There's also a blend of pearlisers in the formula to add instant, visible luminosity, while the cooling applicator is nice and soothing – both ideal for tired, dull eyes. I'm a big fan of both this and the moisturiser; they're nourishing without being too heavy or greasy, playing well with my oilier skin. Easily two of the best Caudalie products in my book.
Pros
- Nourishing but not heavy
- Smooths and plumps
- Illuminates thanks to pearl particles
Cons
- Expensive for the size
RRP:£28 | Targets: Tired-looking eyes, dark circles, dullness, rough texture | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, jojoba seed oil, soft-focus pigments
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
The first thing I noticed about OLEHENRIKSEN's Banana Bright Eye Crème is its perky yellow colour. The fruity hue is based on banana powder, an old makeup artist’s hack for colour-correcting under-eye shadows. Here, the pigment does pretty much the same job, lightly counteracting dark circles and providing a smooth and even canvas for makeup to sit on top of.
For long-term skin benefits, this packs in three types of vitamin C, a known brightener and powerful antioxidant (although it would be more stable in airtight packaging, rather than a jar). We also get softening jojoba and tamarind seed oils, and emollients; shea butter and coconut alkanes, to trap moisture into the skin. The texture is absolutely beautiful – glossy, spreadable and a joy to apply.
See our full OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème review
Pros
- Both instant and long-term brightening
- Works under makeup
Cons
- Fragranced
RRP: £44 | Targets: Fine lines, puffiness, signs of fatigue | Key ingredients: Plant stem cells, algae and peptides
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream includes an impressive cocktail of active ingredients – things like cell-energising peptides, a retinol derivative for texture and lines, brightening vitamin C, moisturising saccharide isomerate tag-team with Winter Daphne stem cells to boost the skin’s barrier function. All this comes without compromise on texture, either: Think buttery and nourishing. Oily or younger skin might find it a little bit too rich, but it would suit drier skin types who love an emollient feel on their face after applying their product.
As with other jar-based creams, I would be remiss not to mention that vitamin C and retinol can be destabilised by light and air, but as part of such a complex cocktail, it's forgivable. And, oh, what a jar she is! Chunky and luxurious with rose-gold details, you certainly wouldn’t hide this away in a drawer. You also probably wouldn’t squeeze it into a gym or holiday bag either, but in today’s world, vanity-table allure trumps portability anyway.
See our full Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue review
Pros
- Plenty of active ingredients
- Glamorous look and feel
Cons
- Jar packaging could destabilize ingredients
RRP: £110 | Targets: dark circles and fine lines | Key Ingredients: tri-peptide formula, albizia bark extract, hyaluronic acid and ceramides
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
This MZ Skin Eye Cream is the epitome of luxury in a tube. The formula glides on and seamlessly melts into the skin, immediately quenching any parched feeling, which makes sense as it’s enriched with the hydrating powerhouse ingredient, hyaluronic acid. I noticed how it left my under-eye region visibly hydrated and plumper, which makes a great base for makeup. Not to mention, my overall eye region appeared noticeably brighter and smoother after application.
That said, we can’t not mention the elephant in the room, this eye cream's eye-watering price tag. However, you only need less than a pea-sized amount to thoroughly cover the entire eye region. All in all, it’s a great option for those specifically seeking a luxurious formula, or if your budget stretches that far.
Pros
- gentle formula
- works to plump and hydrate the under-eye region
- great underneath makeup
Cons
- very pricey
RRP: £44 | Targets: Lines, hydration, environmental ageing | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, natural antioxidants
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
This brand is as good at creating desirable, well-made skincare as it is at idiosyncratic yet undeniably memorable names. That means this light-textured cream-serum packs in all sorts of good stuff: cell-energising peptides, niacinamide, a form of hyaluronic acid that’s able to hydrate more deeply than your average HA.
I found the texture to be typical of your modern eye cream, which means it's light and easily absorbed with enough ‘slip’ to give yourself a good old massage should you choose. As with all Drunk Elephant products, the packaging is exceptional, not only in terms of appeal but also in the experience of using it. The matte spearmint-tipped cuboid has the pleasing look and feel of a grown-up Duplo block, with a unique twist-up head and airless pump dispenser. This means you get the perfect amount each time, every drop of product is prized out and, crucially, the ingredients are never exposed to air so have no opportunity to oxidise. Alas, the downsides: It is pricey, so that’s the first. If you're someone who prefers a very light liquid or gel texture, you may also find this too rich, especially considering it brands itself as a serum.
Pros
- Excellent ingredients
- Clever packaging
Cons
- More cream than serum in texture
RRP: £52 | Targets: dark circles, dry skin | Key Ingredients: Arctic Norwegian arnica, rosehip oil and natural vitamin E
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
This eye cream arrives in an innovative balm consistency, which I found to feel incredibly rich and luxurious. It is intensely hydrating, making it a great option for those with dry under-eyes that are seeking an instant hydration hit. I can often experience patches of dry skin around my eye region; however, my skin laps this up, and even after one application, I noticed my dryness was visibly improved. For more context, I also have a very sensitive complexion, especially in the delicate eye area. However, this formula is very gentle and kind to the skin, without causing any irritation.
It has been created with 0% water, which means it’s quite a potent formula that you only need the tiniest amount of – a little sure does go a long way. However, this can make it feel fairly greasy on the skin, so it might not be the best option for those with oily skin types. I must also mention, it can leave a slight orange tinge on the skin if not thoroughly blended into the skin.
Pros
- rich, kind-to-skin formula
- a little goes a long way
Cons
- Can feel greasy - may not be suitable for oily skin
- can leave an orange tinge if not blended properly
How to choose the best eye creams for you
"As with any skincare product, it takes around six to eight weeks of regular use to really see the results," says Alise Mihai, senior practitioner at Skin+IQ.
However, as Dr Kaywaan Khan, Aesthetic Doctor and founder of Hannah London, points out, it depends on ingredients. "Hyaluronic acid is instant, you can see the plumping and hydrating results on every application. Retinol takes longer to work as it has to convert itself into retinoic acid from vitamin A before it starts stimulating collagen production," explains Dr Kaywaan.
Typically, a good eye cream should have one or more of the following active ingredients.
- Caffeine: Many eye creams include caffeine as an ingredient. “It’s a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood cells, which is thought to help reduce the appearance of puffy eyes and dark circles,” says Dr Kaywaan.
- Retinol: It’s no surprise that retinol, the over-the-counter form of retinoid, is an anti-ageing godsend. In an eye cream, “it helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. It also speeds up cell turn over, making it great for mild to moderate pigmentation,” says Alise.
- Humectants: “Humectants attract water molecules and draw moisture from deeper layers of the skin to the surface, thus keeping skin well-moisturized,” says Alise. Hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, glycerin and Aloe vera are popular humectants used in cosmetics.
- Peptides: Peptides are naturally occurring amino acids in the body that protect skin from damage, improve skin health, and minimise the impact of premature aging. When applied topically, they send messages to skin cells telling them to carry out specific tasks, like building collagen, elastin, keratin and other essential proteins.
- Antioxidants: Used in skincare for their ability to fight free radicals (unstable atoms from UV/ozone exposure, smoking, pollution, or chemical exposure), “Antioxidants can brighten dark circles, improve pigmentation and also prevent damage from UV light exposure,” says Dr Kaywaan. Common antioxidants in skincare include vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, and CoEnzyme Q10.
How we tested the best eye creams
As with our guide to the best face masks, our team has tested every cream first-hand, applying each formula day or night (depending on the recommended usage), over a few days or weeks to measure their efficacy and benefits. Many of the eye creams featured in the final guide are also personal favourites of the team, some of which they've been using for months – if not years.
Meet our expert panel
As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona McKim has tried countless beauty products, from hydrating serums to foundations, so it's safe to say she knows a good formula when she sees one. Fiona joined the team as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013, working under industry legend Jo GB, and has since covered every corner of the industry, from interviewing dermatologists and celebrities to reporting backstage at Fashion Week and judging the woman&home Beauty Awards. For this guide, Fiona primed and slathered her undereyes with many of the latest and greatest formulas, sharing her expertise on which are truly worth investing in.
Naomi has worked in the beauty industry for over four years now and has been in her role as Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home for two. She covers everything from skincare to nail trends and has tested and reviewed a whole host of formulas for both the channel and in her role as a judge for the Woman&Home Beauty Awards. As someone with quite dry and sensitive skin, she takes a keen interest in hydrating creams and serums, which she puts to good use in this eye cream guide.
As Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, Sennen tests a plethora of beauty products each week, meaning she knows a good formula when she tries one. Aside from sharing the latest beauty launches and tried and tested product recommendations, Sennen is also a judge for the annual woman&home Beauty Awards. For this guide, Sennen shared her tried and trusted favourites and the formulas that are best suited for dry under-eyes.
Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist and self-confessed skincare aficionado with more than eight years of experience. Since graduating from Leeds University in 2011, Emma has worked for some of the UK's leading women's titles, including ELLE, Grazia, Stylist and of course woman&home, sharing her expertise for all things skincare, makeup and wellness. For this guide, Emma tested and reviewed some of the top eye creams on the market and shared her expertise on which is really worth adding to your routine.