Eye Creams that Actually Work, Tested By Skin Scientists

When it comes to eyes, fine line and wrinkles are the biggest concern for 85% of women, according to a ishonest Institute Beauty Lab survey of over 1,000 readers. And those two worries are followed closely by lack of firmness, dark circles and under-eye bags. Enter the best eye treatment products like serums and creams, tailored to address these stubborn issues.

How we test eye creams

When testing eye creams and treatments, GH Beauty Lab scientists recruit real women across the country to help evaluate formulas across price points. Each consumer tests a label-masked product as part of their skincare routine for four weeks, then provides feedback on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction. Beauty Lab pros also track changes in attributes like lines and wrinkles around users' eyes using a 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 measured over six hours using a Corneometer machine, which gauges skin's moisture content.

Finally, all the data points are compiled (over 5,900 in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent eye treatment test!) and results tallied to definitively find the best eye creams on the market. Many of the eye creams below are so great that they also earned the ishonest Seal, our guarantee that they work as claimed. Here, the GH Beauty Lab's best-tested eye creams that actually work for everything from bags to dark circles, crow's feet and wrinkles, whether you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond:

Best Overall Eye Cream Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream

Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye cream test, proving worth the splurge for hydrating and firming. The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture, by 41% over six hours and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use. Several testers said they could see a noticeable difference: "My bags are almost gone," said one.

  • Highly moisturizing
  • Measurably firms skin
  • Pricey

Best Drugstore Value Eye Cream SkinActive Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream

The most affordable winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging eye treatment test, Garnier’s silky shea-butter-and-caffeine cream was a tester favorite as well as a fantastic skin firmer and softener. The formulation came in second for firming, with a 32% increase, and hydrating, with a 31% uptick, though it didn’t visibly reduce wrinkles in Lab assessments. It got great scores from testers for its pleasant scent. “I loved it!” said one while another noted that “others noticed and asked what I’d done.”

  • Effectively firms skin
  • Increases skin hydration
  • Bargain price
  • May not reduce wrinkles significantly

Best Firming Eye Cream for Bags 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. The light formula raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Lab's test, and moisture levels by 18%. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved the appearance of bags. Users rated the formula nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “Finally, an eye treatment that actually delivered on its promises,” one tester raved. “The best I’ve ever used.”

  • Firms skin and minimizes bags
  • Reduces wrinkles
  • Effectively hydrates
  • Pricey

Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm Eye Renewal Cream

This ishonest Seal star from Mary Kay 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 some product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth onto skin. The immediate cooling sensation helps depuff eyes.

  • Smooths dry, crepey skin
  • Cooling metal applicator

Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles TimeWise Age Minimize 3D Eye Cream

Shine a light on shadows and deflate bags with this GH Seal star Mary Kay cream containing skin tone-evening niacinamide, also a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s eye cream test. It received the highest marks in Lab digital imaging analysis for improving the look of dark circles and among testers for decreasing puffiness and undereye bags. The treatment also upped hydration 24% and firmness 20%. “No more morning puffiness,” a tester revealed. “A magical product!”

  • Visibly improves dark circles
  • Decreases bags and puffiness
  • Hydrates and firms skin

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Eye Cream

RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue in GH Beauty Lab 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 it also helped improve the look of crow’s feet and under-eye fine lines. “I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes were diminished,” one said.

  • Firms and hydrates skin
  • Measurably reduces wrinkles
  • Brightens and depuffs
  • Good value

Best Eye Serum Eye Serum

For a lightweight, less greasy feel around the eyes, seek out a faster-absorbing eye serum, like this formula from Epara. It contains licorice root extract to brighten and botanical oils like apricot to soften, and also works on the delicate eyelids.

  • Lightweight
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Pricey

Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream

Tiny tube, big benefits: Made with smoothing peptides, No7 rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab's test 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 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and more hydrated by 30%. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported.

  • Measurably reduces wrinkle size
  • Effectively firms and hydrates skin
  • Good value

Best Brightening Eye Cream Eyes Brightening Eye Cream

With its makeup-like effects (thanks to light-reflecting minerals), GH Beauty Lab test winner and GH Seal star Olay blurs eye-area imperfections in seconds. “This was like a primer, quickly diminishing the wrinkles at the corners of my eyes that can interfere with makeup,” one reported. “It even lifted my upper eyelids, which had started to sag,” another said. The most-liked formula among testers, it firmed skin long-term by an impressive 29%, though it wasn’t as hydrating as others in Lab calculations. Plus, it also has over 1,600 five-star reviews on Amazon!

  • Instantly blurs and illuminates eye area
  • Effectively firms skin over time
  • Good value
  • Less hydrating than other formulas

Best Moisturizing Eye Cream 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 was the most hydrating of all eye creams evaluted. It increased eye-area skin hydration by an impressive 34% over six hours and earned near-perfect scores for texture and fragrance.

  • Highly hydrating
  • Gentle formula
  • Great texture
  • Pricey

Best Natural Eye Cream Renewal Smoothing 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%. You’ll likely want to apply it overnight, since its thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin. One tester said, “It left my eye area much more moisturized, and made it much easier to apply eye makeup!”

  • Effectively moisturizes and firms
  • Rich formula
  • Great value

Best Retinol Eye Cream Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream

In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from dermatologist-recommended brand La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly, reduced the appearance of fine lines, and diminished under-eye puffiness with powerhouse anti-aging ingredient retinol. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, our Lab testers didn’t report any issues. “I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one,” a tester noted. Be sure to only use this at night, then apply sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity.

  • Reduces lines and puffiness
  • Absorbs quickly
  • Not irritating

Best Eye Cream for Oily Skin Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream

This GH Beauty Lab bargain favorite from Neutrogena is perfect if you’re looking for a lighter formula without compromising hydration. The unique gel-like texture absorbs quickly into skin and keeps the delicate eye area moisturized for up to 12 hours. Plus, it’s oil- and fragrance-free, making it great for nearly every skin type, from oily to sensitive.

  • Lightweight, fast-absorbing gel
  • Oil-free
  • Bargain price

Best Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin Age Perfect Eye Renewal

L’Oréal’s affordable eye cream performed well across the board in GH Beauty Lab testing, moisturizing, firming, and decreasing the look of fine lines over four weeks. Testers loved that it was so gentle that it didn't cause any redness or irritation. “I've never had an eye cream work as effectively as this one,” a tester said. “My skin is very sensitive and most eye products irritate it. This one didn't bother my skin at all!”

  • Measurable anti-aging effects
  • Gentle on skin
  • Good value

Best Lifting Eye Cream Lift & Luminate Triple Action Eye Cream

No7’s cream, a GH Seal star, visibly improves three of the top signs of aging in the eye area: wrinkles, lack of firmness, and uneven skin tone. A study showed that consumers noticed improvements in as little as two weeks.

  • Minimizes sagging and wrinkles
  • Evens skin tone
  • Fast-acting results

Best Sunscreen Eye Cream Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50

Formulated specifically for the delicate eye area, this SkinCeuticals sunscreen, a past GH Beauty Award winner, is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. The gentle mineral formula not only offers UVA and UVB protection, but also hides dark circles with its sheer tint. "No stinging, tears, or irritation," GH Beauty Lab evaluators reported.

  • Gentle on skin
  • Mineral SPF
  • Sheer tint blurs dark shadows

Best Nourishing Eye Cream Do Not Age Triple Peptide Eye Cream

This dense, luxurious balm-like Dr. Brandt eye cream is packed with skin- nourishing and smoothing shea butter, amino acids, and peptides. "One of the best formulas I've tried, it soaks into crepey eye-area skin like butter, making it feel plumped and fortified," GH's beauty director says.

  • Deeply nourishes delicate skin
  • Rich texture
  • Pricey

Best Soothing Eye Cream Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

Cool and calm tired eyes on contact with Tula's eye balm stick, great for waking up sleepy skin in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up. It's made with reviving, tightening caffeine, plus soothing aloe. "The stick instantly cools around the eyes and helps me feel bright and awake," a Dermstore reviewer said.

  • Instantly refreshes skin
  • Cools on contact

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