While there are in-office and professional treatments that can help address eye woes like dark circles, sagging, fine lines, and puffiness, a good eye cream can do wonders at the end of the day. But a top-performing eye cream doesn’t have to break the bank.
Shop the Best Drugstore Eye Creams
Experts say drugstore eye creams have just as effective ingredients and actives (think retinol, caffeine, and vitamin C) as luxury options.“Puffiness under the eyes caused by variation in fluid retention and lymphatic flow is also a reason to choose a dedicated eye cream that contains things like caffeine or potent antioxidants like arnica or vitamin C,” board-certified dermatologist and TRNR Skin co-founder Ryan Turner tells Bazaar. “Treatment of dark circles is challenging, so look for dedicated active ingredients that focus on hyperpigmentation or fragile blood vessels.”
You could just dab on a little more of your daily moisturizer to treat the area, but eye creams typically contain specialty formulas that target the delicate area and deliver deeper nourishment. Whether you’re looking to treat specific concerns or need daily hydration that won’t cause irritation, round out your facial routine with one of the best drugstore eye creams from the list ahead, all of which come dermatologist-approved.
Pros
- Formula doesn’t pill
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
Board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Margarita Lolis counts CeraVe’s peptide, caffeine, and ceramide eye cream among her favorites. It sinks into the skin to deliver deep hydration that reduces the appearance of crow’s feet and dark circles over time.
- Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, caffeine
One satisfied customer writes: “I love this eye cream! It is great for tired eyes! I can put it on before bed and wake up looking refreshed no matter how little sleep I had. I’ll definitely be buying it again!” —Amber
Pros
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
- Over $30
Dermatologists recommend this top-rated formula from Avène for sensitive under-eyes since it contains soothing ingredients like chamomile and thermal spring water to keep the area hydrated while calming irritation. Plus, it’s also approved by the National Eczema Association to minimize itchy, dry skin.
“Avène’s Soothing Eye Contour Cream is great, especially for patients with ocular rosacea or sensitive skin that becomes easily irritated,” Lolis says. “It heals and soothes the area while reducing puffiness at the same time.”
- Key ingredients: Avène thermal spring water, chamomile, hyaluronic acid, photostable vitamin E
One satisfied customer writes: “This eye cream is very light but hydrating. I have eczema on my eye lid and this helped soothe that area very well. It is worth it.” —Erika R.
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Pros
- Great for firming
Cons
- Retinol may be irritating to those with sensitive skin
Experts and Bazaar editors agree: The Inkey List’s Retinol Eye Cream is a steal at under $15, based on its potency level. Both Lolis and Turner recommend its slow-release retinoid formula to smooth under-eye skin without irritation.
- Key ingredients: retinol
One satisfied customer writes: “Really nice product, excellent value with everything you expect from a retinol. I have sensitive skin and this is non-irritating; easily used on a daily basis as part of night time regimen.” —Cherie67
Pros
- Aims to brighten under-eyes in one week
- Features a cooling metal applicator tip
Cons
- May be too strong for sensitive skin
A trio of retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C work in tandem in this expert favorite from L’Oréal Paris to brighten and tighten under-eyes quickly. “Revitalift’s formula contains a form of retinol to treat signs of aging, caffeine to help depuff, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate,” Turner says. “What’s particularly special is the cooling tip. In addition to being refreshing, this helps facilitate fluid drainage to keep the area looking taut.”
- Key ingredients: pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
One satisfied customer writes: “I didn’t even realize it was working until about two weeks in. Then I just had a no makeup day so I really looked. Amazing! A really big line under my eye has smoothed out. I'm impressed!” —6will7
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Pros
- Pregnancy-safe
- Works on oily eyelids
Cons
- May not be ideal for those who prefer traditional creams
As its name suggests, Versed’s under-eye formula has a lightweight texture that doubles nicely as a primer for eye makeup to reduce discoloration. It also nicely cools on contact, which helps keep the area feel more tightened and refreshed.
- Key ingredients: vitamin C, coffee extract, ginseng root extract, niacinamide
One satisfied customer writes: “I’ve used every fancy eye cream and gel on the market and nothing has worked this well and this fast to both brighten and tighten up around my eyes.” —Jaime R.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Provides up to 24 hours of hydration
Cons
- May not be ideal for those who prefer a traditional eye cream
Here’s an eye gel serum that aims to reduce the appearance of fine lines in two weeks and uses purified peptides as a retinol alternative to avoid skin irritation. It also features ingredients like edelweiss and rice lees to reduce dullness and discoloration that can make the eyes look tired.
- Key ingredients: peptides, glycerin, Niacinamide, Shea butter
One satisfied customer writes: “I have sensitive eyes and this eye gel did not bother them. The gel rubbed in easily and wasn’t greasy feeling afterward.” —Lillya
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Pros
- Anti-aging
- Developed with dermatologists and plastic surgeons for effectiveness
Cons
- May not be ideal for those looking for a single product
The skin on your eyelids is slightly different from what’s below the eye, and thankfully, this popular retinol treatment contains two creams: one that addresses each. The upper lid option focuses on lifting, while the under-eye cream simultaneously tackles dark circles and fine lines.
- Key ingredients: retinol, peptides
One satisfied customer writes: “I saw improvement in about a week both on my eyelids as well as under-eye. It has really helped under-eye puffiness as well as dark circles and my eyelids seem to be less ‘baggy’. Highly recommend!” —Cheryl S.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for senstive eyes
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- May not be ideal for those looking for a traditional eye cream
This gel-cream hybrid eye cream smooths the under-eye area while also adding brightness to the under-eye area to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles, courtesy of bark extract and damask rose petal extract (the latter creates an illuminated finish).
- Key ingredients: Damask Rose petal extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, organic bark extract of Terminalia arjuna, vitamin A, vitamin E
One satisfied customer writes: "I used it the night I received it and could definitely notice the difference in my puffy under-eye area in the morning. It's not greasy or irritating. The price is a bargain compared to high end brands and has great results. Definitely worth a try if you have tried other products without quick, visible results." —Tammy
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Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not vegan
We’re betting you’re already familiar with CosRx’s viral Snail Mucin Essence. Its eye cream version is just as effective and contains a hefty dose of mucin—which contains collagen, elastin, glycolic acid, and allantoin—to soothe and tighten skin, along with niacinamide to brighten it.
- Key ingredients: snail mucin, Niacinamide, 5 peptide complex, adenosine
One satisfied customer writes: “It is very light weight, goes on easily and is absorbed quickly so there is no creeping into my eyes. I have already noticed a reduction in allergy eye irritation and morning swelling. Another added benefit is no perfumes or odor.” —Kate F.
Pros
- Features a cooling metal applicator tip
- Brightening
Cons
- Over $40
Depending on your skin tone, dark circles can appear as either blue or brown—this brightening treatment from La Roche-Posay tackles both types. It uses phe-resorcinol as a main ingredient to reduce the melanin production that causes under-eye darkness, along with caffeine to stimulate blood circulation.
- Key ingredients: phe-resorcinol, caffeine, pearl pigments
One satisfied customer writes: “I use this nightly on a clean face before bedtime. It goes on easily and doesn’t have a scent. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t irritate at all. I notice a difference in the puffiness and circles under my eyes. The tube lasts awhile so it’s worth the price.” —Alysia T.
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Best used at night
If you’re new to using eye cream on a regular basis, Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream is a great place to start. The fragrance-free favorite contains a low percentage of retinol and hyaluronic acid to brighten and plump under-eyes, with a featherweight texture that doesn’t feel greasy.
- Key ingredients: retinol, hyaluronic acid
One satisfied customer writes: “I like this product. It goes on smoothly. My eyes do look more radiant after applying Neutrogena retinol eye cream. I recommend this product if you have dryness or slight lines under your eye. It moisturizes and smooths my under eye area, and it’s lightweight.” —K. Williams
Pros
- Unscented
Cons
- May not be rich enough for dry skin
Over 13,000 Amazon shoppers are giving this gel cream from Vichy five stars, which aims to lock in hydration for up to 24 hours. Its formula also helps strengthen fragile skin around the under eyes with a blend of volcanic water, hyaluronic acid, and firming caffeine.
Key ingredients: caffeine, hyaluronic acid, mineral-rich volcanic water
One satisfied customer writes: “Have been majorly insecure about my hereditary dark circles as long as I can remember. Been using this for a month and see a dramatic difference. I now feel comfortable going to work without any concealer/corrector. Has not irritated my sensitive skin and is great under eye cream or makeup.” —Lauren G.
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Pros
- Non-greasy
- Reduces puffiness and dark circles
- Under $15
Cons
- Formula may not be heavy enough for those who prefer thicker creams
This lightweight eye cream is like a glass of water for your under-eyes—a combination of peptides and hyaluronic acid hydrate and plump in one step. The formula instantly sinks into the skin, so you can apply makeup right on top of the eye cream.
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides
One satisfied customer writes: “One of the things I like about this eye cream is it doesn't ball up when I put make-up and concealer over it. I use it mostly at night now but can definitely use it under makeup as well. Feels amazing on the skin." – KKapowski
Meet the experts
- Ryan Turner, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and co-founder of TRNR Skin.
- Margarita Lolis, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New Jersey.
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How is eye cream different from other skincare essentials?
According to experts, the skin around our eyes is thinner than what’s found on the rest of the face, making it more sensitive. “Eye creams are specially formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes. Therefore, they have a gentler formulation, lower concentration, and strength of certain active ingredients—such as retinol and vitamin C—and fewer irritants,” Lolis explains.
Eye creams can be especially beneficial if you have eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, rosacea, or a similar skin condition since their formulas are generally more gentle. (Of course, check with your dermatologist first.)
Which ingredients should you look for in the best eye creams?
While many of the ingredients in the best eye creams are also found in other skincare staples, eye creams contain lower concentrations of them, making them safer for sensitive skin. Lolis adds that eye creams also use highly targeted ingredients (such as peptides, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and vitamins) specifically chosen to treat dark circles, fine lines, and more.
Caffeine
One of the most common ingredients in eye creams is caffeine. “Caffeine is an antioxidant, so it helps to provide defense against free radicals that hasten the skin aging process,” Turner says. It also helps promote circulation and temporarily constrict blood vessels, reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness caused by fluids pooling in the tear troughs.”
Vitamin C
Another common eye cream ingredient is vitamin C, one of the most powerful antioxidants used in skincare. It not only defends the skin against free radical damage but also promotes collagen production (for firming and smoothing) and inhibits tyrosinase, preventing hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Finally, hyaluronic acid is ideal for under-eye treatments because it helps draw water into the skin to keep it plump and hydrated. “This can be especially valuable under the eyes, where the skin is so thin. Plumping it up with hyaluronic acid can really improve the appearance of fine lines,” Turner says.
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Shop more Bazaar-approved skincare favorites
- The 2024 Bazaar Skincare Awards
- The Best Reusable Under-Eye Patches You’ll Use Every Day
- The Best Eye Creams That Actually Brighten, According to Dermatologists
- The Best Drugstore Sunscreens That Won't Break the Bank
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Nykia Spradley
Nykia Spradley is a beauty journalist with over 10 years of experience. She has served as the interim beauty director at Elle.com, commerce editor for Allure, and beauty editor at Essence. Nykia’s writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Coveteur, TZR, and more. She holds a master’s degree in digital journalism from Columbia University. Nykia is a red lipstick and hot sauce enthusiast (respectively) and forever lover of ’90s R&B. Keep in touch on Instagram @nyksprads and learn more at nykiaspradley.com.
Katie Intner
Katie Intner is the associate beauty editor at Harper’s Bazaar across print and digital, where she covers (and tests) everything from the latest aesthetic treatment your dermatologist loves, to science-forward fragrances, to the biggest beauty tech innovations and at-home tools. When Katie is not working on a story or connecting with brands to delve into the latest and greatest formulas, she can be caught scouring a French pharmacy in Paris, or checking out a buzzy new spa or wellness haven. Before joining the Harper’s Bazaar team, Katie held fashion and beauty positions at Nylon, The Zoe Report, and People.