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Dark circles, bags, dryness, crow's feet, puffiness...we've all been plagued with one (or more) of these pesky eye skin issues some point, if not every day. A Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab survey of over 1,000 women found that lines and wrinkles are the top concern, followed by lack of firmness, dark circles and undereye bags.
Eye-area skin ages faster than the rest of the face, Olay research has found, and the skin around the eyes is the thinnest with the lowest elasticity and moisture. So while you can apply many face creams around your eyes, choosing an eye-specific treatment is key.
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The GH Beauty Lab has a long history of testing eye creams from expensive luxury formulas to drugstore bargains both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumers, who report their feedback on product ease of use and results. In the most recent eye cream test, Beauty Lab scientists collated more than 5,900 data points to find the best eye creams that really work and are worth it.
Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream
Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye cream test, proving it's worth the splurge for hydrating and firming. The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture in Lab Corneometer measures, by 41% over six hours, and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use in Cutometer calculations.
Testers rated it the best texture and it earned a perfect score for not irritating eyes, though it didn't soak into skin quickly. Several users said they could see a noticeable difference: "My bags are almost gone," one said. "The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my undereye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use," another marveled.
Renewal Firming Eye Cream
A great drugstore buy packed with plant extracts, this Burt’s Bees formula is luxe-feeling and rich. GH Beauty Lab evaluations showed it improved skin’s moisturization by 21% and increased firmness by 18%.
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The cream may be best for applying overnight, since its thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin. “It was soothing and left my eye area much more moisturized," one tester said. Another reported, "My skin did look smoother with less fine lines and puffiness."
Squalane + Marine Algae Firming & Lifting Eye Cream
Smooth on this plush Biossance eye cream with moisturizing plant-based squalane and firming peptides to fortify delicate eye-area skin. The GH Beauty Award winner, which is made without fragrance, a common irritant, came out on top in Lab evaluations for hydrating immediately.
Testers also gave it a perfect score for its "wonderful" texture, however it takes time to absorb so may not work as well under makeup, one noted. Two commented on the "soft glow" and "dewy finish" it imparted. “It feels cushiony and my skin is plumped with hydration after applying it,” said Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
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RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
UV AOX Eye Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
The dermatologist gold standard sunscreen brand EltaMD has now created an SPF just for the eye area. This formula is made with only mineral sunscreen active ingredients, which are gentle for the sensitive eye area, including zinc oxide, known for its soothing properties. Although it's a splurge, the sunscreen has a transparent tint that blends into skin, giving a "subtle blurring and skin tone-evening effect," GH's beauty director says.
RELATED: Best Sunscreens for Face
Instant Puffiness Reducer
Need an instant eye fix? Turn to Mary Kay's fragrance-free eye cream, a Good Housekeeping Seal star formulated to speedily reduce puffiness and help smooth undereye skin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluations confirmed that it works quickly to decrease puffiness and blur the appearance of fine lines without irritating eyes. While Beauty Lab experts were impressed by the fast-acting cream, the tube is on the smaller side given the price.
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RELATED: What Causes Puffy Eyes
Pure Retinol Eye Cream
No7’s overnight eye treatment, a GH Beauty Award winner, provides the wrinkle-diminishing effects of retinol in a formula infused with soothing ingredients that’s safe for use around the delicate eye area. After six weeks of nightly application, 80% of consumer testers thought their wrinkles were reduced and their skin felt firmer, and after eight weeks, 91% said the product was gentle on skin, a study found. Note that it takes daily use over a longer time period to see results with the formula.
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Restorative Eye Treatment
The powerful eye serum from Alastin includes actives like peptides and niacinamide, which are designed to support the production of new collagen in skin. GH's beauty assistant loves it for brightening dark circles and treating lines and puffiness: "I can see a distinct improvement in the fine lines under my eyes since I started using this," she said. "My undereyes also look brighter in photos and in person." A drawback: It can sting a little when applied.
Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
For days you wake up with puffy, tired eyes, grab Dermalogica's eye gel, which contains peptides and caffeine. "I tap this under my eyes and even on my eyelids in the morning when my eyes look exhausted, puffy and droopy," GH's beauty director says. "Almost instantly, my eye area looks visibly smoother — I've tried many eye treatments and have never seen such noticeable results so quickly." However, note that this pick is more expensive than some other options out there and can possibly separate and need to be shaken over time.
Multi Correxion Even Tone + Lift Eye Cream
RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue in GH Beauty Lab anti-aging eye cream testing, increasing firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reducing wrinkles by 10%, brightening dark circles and depuffing — all with a price below the average treatment! Testers said the vitamins C and E formula had an appealing texture, but a few thought it was "heavy" and "greasy."
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"I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes (puffiness, dark circles and fine lines) were diminished," one said. A second agreed: "This eye cream firmed the skin around my eyes and faded away my wrinkles."
RELATED: Best Anti-Aging Creams
Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream
Made with smoothing peptides, this No7 drugstore pick rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab testing at diminishing crow’s feet and creases. In digital imaging with the Lab’s Visia Complexion Analyzer, the lotion minimized eye-area wrinkle size and severity by an impressive 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and 30% more hydrated.
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Although it was overall well-tolerated, one tester did develop irritation after two days of use. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported. "It noticeably decreased my fine lines," another echoed.
Le Lift Crème Yeux
With this rich, luxurious Chanel eye treatment, you get what you pay for: A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the gentle formula with hyaluronic acid and peptides was one of the most hydrating of all eye creams evaluated. It increased eye-area skin moisturization by an impressive 34% over six hours and earned near-perfect scores for its "smooth" texture and "light" scent.
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"This is flat out amazing," a tester raved. "I love the way it made the lines and wrinkles soften from around my eyes — my skin there feels baby smooth." Another commented: "My eyes did appear brighter and younger." This product is pricier than many other options, however, and note that some testers experienced a slight tingle upon application.
RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
Infused with collagen-stimulating retinol, Murad’s serum was the strongest in GH Beauty Lab testing at tightening slack skin around the eyes. It raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Lab's test, and was the only product to show visual improvement in undereye bags. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved moisture levels by 18%, although it didn't have as strong brightening effects.
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Users rated the formula best for its lightweight texture and nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “The best eye treatment I’ve ever used and really delivered dramatic and noticeable results," a tester marveled. A second said: "It helped the bags under my eyes."
Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 5% with powerhouse anti-aging ingredient retinol. It didn't perform as well at moisturizing and firming skin, though. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, Lab testers didn’t report any issues.
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“I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one — very impressive,” and "this cream made my eyes appear well-rested and younger-looking," two commented. Be sure to only use this cream at night, then apply face sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity.
RELATED: Best Retinol Eye Creams
TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm Eye Renewal Cream
A GH Seal star, Mary Kay's eye cream reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes dry, crepey mature skin for up to 12 hours. The tube also has a smart design; squeeze out the product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth the cream onto skin. The immediate cooling sensation helps depuff eyes. However, some users said they thought the texture was a bit too thick.
K-Ox Eyes Cream
Thanks to a potent combination of ingredients, this Isdin formula is a favorite of Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Despite its higher price, "I suggest this for my patients concerned with undereye circles, as it contains peptides to help build collagen, vitamin K to help with darkness and visible blood vessels, and antioxidants to help protect the delicate eye skin in a hydrating hyaluronic acid base," she says.
Eye Serum
A GH Sustainable Innovation Award winner, this splurge BL+ serum formula helps minimize eye area puffiness, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and vitamin C, plus a built-in rollerball dispenser. “So light and hydrating, it keeps my skin plump and tight during the day," GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann found. "I also like the roller applicator as it cools the undereye and helps depuff."
RELATED: Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Derm Correxion Dual Eye Cream
Unlike many eye creams that are meant only for undereye use, this GH Beauty Award-winning dual-sided Roc jar holds two formulas to treat all around eyes. One side contains a firming retinol gel for eyelids and the other, a nourishing peptide cream to smooth lower-eye lines and brighten. (Some users complained about the small amount of product, however).
“After the first application, we noticed a slight lift and smoothing of the lids and refreshed feeling from the gel and skin softening from the cream,” Wizemann reported. "The cream texture appears rich, but when applied melts into skin with no trace of residue."
How we test the best eye creams
When testing eye creams and treatments, GH Beauty Lab scientists recruit consumer testers across the country to help evaluate formulas across price points, from drugstore to luxury brands. Each tester uses a label-masked product as part of their daily skincare routine for four weeks, then provides feedback on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction.
In the Lab, experts track changes in skin attributes like lines and wrinkles using the Visia Complexion Analyzer after four weeks of eye cream use. Skin firmness is assessed using the Cutometer, a device that measures skin's elasticity. Hydration effects are also calculated over six hours using the Corneometer machine (below), which gauges skin's moisture content.
GH Beauty Lab scientists recorded 2,334 Cutometer data points 3,000 Corneometer measurements and 1,793 consumer survey questions, then compiled all the data points to identify the best eye creams you can buy.
What to look for when shopping
It depends on the eye area issue you are aiming to address. To treat multiple eye area issues, look for a combination of ingredients targeted to your needs.
✔️ For wrinkles and sagging, look for formulas that include peptides and retinol.
✔️ For puffiness, look for caffeine, advises Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
✔️ For dark circles, "vitamin K can help," says Dr. Robinson. You can also seek out niacinamide or vitamin C, which "help brighten dark pigmentation," Wizemann adds.
✔️ For dryness, Dr. Mraz suggests looking for "hyaluronic acid [to help] with hydration." Glycerin also "temporarily plumps papery skin," Wizemann notes.
Do eye creams really work?
Yes, GH Beauty Lab testing has found that some eye creams produce measurable and noticeable results. "Eye creams differ from face creams because they're formulated specifically for the delicate eye area. It's important to use one to keep skin hydrated and plump," explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.
"Eye creams can have immediate and long-term effects," Wnek says. "Our Lab studies over the years have shown that anti-aging eye creams can keep skin hydrated over six hours as well as firm and improve the look of wrinkles with daily use over a four-week period."
"It is not only long-term use of these products that can produce benefits," she explains. "Eye creams can contain pigments that can immediately brighten or color correct dark circles upon application and cooling applicators that can soothe and temporarily relieve puffy eyes."
How do you use an eye cream?
✔️ Apply eye cream every morning and night to clean, dry skin (using clean hands) to replenish moisture and treat the skin with problem-specific skincare ingredients, the GH Beauty Lab recommends. Smooth it on before your face moisturizer, Wizemann suggests, which helps you reap the benefits of the cream because it has direct contact with the skin. An exception: Swap the order if the product contains retinol and you are sensitive to the ingredient, Wnek says. "That way, it has a little bit of a base/buffer and can be released into the skin a bit slower."
✔️ Read your product directions thoroughly because not all eye creams are meant for eyelids. Reading the directions will ensure you are using the product correctly, Wnek notes.
✔️ Be gentle: Pulling and tugging around the eyes when applying skincare products can promote wrinkles and sagging in the long-term, explains Mona Gohara, M.D., a dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Instead, apply eye cream using gentle tapping motions, covering the entire shadowed area, Wizemann recommends.
✔️ Don’t forget SPF...even around the eyes. People miss about 10% of their faces when applying sunscreen, primarily on and around the eyelids (where in addition to skin aging, an estimated 10% of skin cancers occur), a study in the journal Plos One found. Apply a broad-spectrum face sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher around the eyes each morning, Wizemann advises. Look for mineral-based sunscreen active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which tend to be gentler.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Director April Franzino wrote and researched this story in collaboration with the GH Beauty Lab, conducting interviews with experts. She has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann and Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek executed the Beauty Lab's eye cream tests and provided insights for this piece. They have both researched and tested thousands of skincare products for over a decade at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn worked closely with the GH Beauty Lab to update this story.
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