This Hydrating Eye Cream De-Puffs My Under-Eye Bags in Minutes (2024)

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Best Eye Cream Overall

Biossance Squalane + Peptide Brightening & De-Puffing Eye Gel

If you struggle with swollen eyes, meet your new holy grail eye cream. This product uses plant-derived technology along with squalane, peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid to quickly de-puff and plump the under-eye skin. With just a small drop of this lightweight gel, your eyes will look well-rested and hydrated. Not to mention, it's vegan, cruelty-free, and uses recyclable packaging.

Key Ingredients: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, caffeine, squalane

Size: 0.5 ounces

Texture: Lightweight gel

What We Love: Great for sensitive skin; works fast; no pilling; great hydration or wearing under makeup

What We Don't: Doesn’t last too long

Review for MC: “This light-weight eye gel de-puffs my eyes like magic. I’m constantly waking up with swollen eyelids and puffed-up under eyes, but this eye cream never fails to save the day. After applying the product to my delicate under-eye skin and a little on the lids, the swelling decreases immensely within a few quick minutes. I never have to stress about waking up early and rushing out of the house with puffy eyes thanks to Boissance!” — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer

Best Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin

U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate

In an independent, third-party clinical trial, 93 percent of participants reported a decrease in under-eye puffiness, so you know this eye cream is legitimate. It takes a 360-degree approach to under-eye concerns, protecting against environmental effects, stress, and the look of fatigue. The fanciest ingredient in the formula is pure diamond powder, which gives the under-eye skin an illuminating glow.

Key Ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, diamond powder

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture: Smooth, yet thin concentrate

What We Love: Luxurious texture; shows results instantly and over time; not irritating on sensitive skin or eyes; refreshes the look of the under-eye contour

What We Don't: Has a high price point

Review for MC: “I've always been pretty ambivalent toward eye creams. For a while, I thought a thin layer of Vaseline was just as good at locking hydration as any higher-priced alternative. Everything changed as soon as I incorporated U Beauty into my routine. The formula is gentle enough for my sensitive skin and eyes (almost every other product irritates them), but still has powerful actives that have noticeably faded by dark purple circles and helped with morning puffiness. The littlest pump goes such a long way too, making this well worth the investment.” —Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor

Best Eye Cream for Dryness

Fenty Skin Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream

Rihanna can do no wrong—and this Fenty Skin eye cream is proof. The thick cream texture provides intense hydration for those who struggle with dry under eyes, using hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and illipe butter. Plus, it has some peptides and caffeine in the mix, so it will help brighten and reduce the look of puffiness.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, illipe Butter

Size: 0.5 ounces

Texture: Ultra-thick cream

What We Love: Intense hydration; multi-purpose; great for under makeup

What We Don't: The packaging is slightly difficult to use

Review for MC: “As someone with dry skin, this eye cream has saved my flaky under eyes. The extra-thick—or should I say, thicc—formula hydrates my skin like no other, and makes my dark circles appear much lighter and brighter. I especially love using the product before applying concealer, as I find it works as the perfect base for a seamless blend and brightened look.” — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer

Best Lightweight Eye Cream

Babor Instant Fresh & Smooth Eye Serum + Patches

This serum and eye patch duo is a travel must-have. The hydrating aloe vera-based gel is weightless, and the under-eye patches ensure the product will fully soak into your skin. The best part? The patches are made of silicone, so they're completely reusable. Simply pat the product under your eye and lay the patches on top, and your bags will disappear in no time. The serum even contains delicate glow pigments that leave your eyes bright and radiant.

Key Ingredients:Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture: Thin serum and silicon patches

What We Love: Reusable patch and serum duo; lightweight; hydrating; fast-acting

What We Don't: Have to thoroughly clean and dry patches after each use

Review for MC: “This summer, I had a lot of work travel in sunkissed cities that were filled with loads of adventure, tons of sun and not enough sleep. The result: my under eye bags (my long-standing concern) got darker in color. As a big Babor fan, I was excited to see how their eye patches would live up to my intense travel schedule. And I’m happy to say, they did. Not only does it come with super lightweight eye serum, but the patches are reusable and a great option for long hauls (yes, I’ve worn them on the plane — they’re really cute!) and week-to-longer trips. But most importantly, they’re effacious. After just 15 minutes, my under eye area appear less dark and I look like I’ve slept my regular nine to 12 hours a night.” — Natasha Marsh, Freelance Beauty Writer

Best Luxury Eye Cream

Lancôme Absolue L'extrait Elixir Wrinkle Reducing & Smoothing Eye Treatment

Every now and then, you deserve to splurge on skincare, right? This eye cream may be pricey, but with its multi-purpose formula and luxuriously creamy texture, it just might be worth it. The product uses botanical extracts and salicylic acid combinations to target wrinkles, dark circles, and hollow, dull eye bags. Lightly swirling this around the eye—yes, it works for your eyelids, too—leaves you with bright and refreshed-looking eyes all day long.

Key Ingredients:Rose extract, blackbiosis extract, capryloyl salicylic acid, proxylane

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture:Lightweight cream

What We Love:De-puffs; immediate brightening; anti-aging; lightweight

What We Don’t: Expensive

Review for MC: “Sometimes products are pricey for a reason—and this is one of those times. This eye cream addresses every problem area. It combats my constantly puffy eyes, brightens up my dark circles, and even reduces wrinkles in the long run. I pat the product around my eyes morning and night, and the results have blown me away. I’ve found that consistent use of this eye cream makes the biggest difference.” — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer

Best Eye Cream With Vitamin C

Beauty Pie Youthbomb 360° Multi Action Eye Repair Night Serum

Both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Zeichner agree that Beauty Pie's eye creams can't be beat. This particular option has a light texture that helps to firm, smooth, brighten, and de-puff your under eyes. Garshick boasts that by "combining pina-retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin C with the three percent Eyeliss (an ingredient that reduces fluid buildup), this eye serum helps to reduce puffiness while also soothing the skin."

Key Ingredients: Pine-retinol, niacinamide, vitamin C, eyeliss, tremella fuciformis

Size: 0.5 ounces

Texture: Gel-like serum

What We Love: Dermatologist approved; lightweight consistency; multi-purpose; great or all ages and skin types

What We Don’t: Some reviewers with sensitive skin found the product too strong

Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles

RoC Correxion Retinol Line Smoothing Eye Cream

RoC Skincare has somehow figured out how to package retinol in a way that won't irritate the eyes and sell it at an affordable price. Powered by pure retinol, wrinkles and fine lines are instantly smoothed and visibly reduced. Don't let the stereotypically irritating side effects of retinol deter you—this cream is gentle enough to use daily. "It is specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, making it a great option for all skin types as it is also hydrating on the skin," Dr. Garshick explains.

Key Ingredients: Retinol

Size: 0.5 ounces

Texture: Light cream

What We Love: Firms fine lines and wrinkles; Brightening; Dermatologist-tested; Gentle enough for sensitive skin.

What We Don't: Some reviewers note the packaging could be improved.

Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles

SkinCeuticals A.g.e. Advanced Eye

This eye cream is an anti-aging powerhouse. It's going to fight crows' feet, dark circles, and puffiness. How it does this, you ask? A combination of proxylane, blueberry extract, and peptides boost radiance and create a youthful appearance. This product counts Hilary Duff as a fan, too. “I am obsessed with this,” she previously told New Beauty. “It’s super velvety and moisturizing and has immediately brightened my dark circles.”

Key Ingredients: Pryloxane, caffeine, Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Size: 0.5 ounces

Texture: Dry-finish balm

What We Love: Great for mature skin; celebrity-approved; reduces wrinkles

What We Don't: Some found the product difficult to fully rub in

Best Morning Eye Cream

Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum With Niacinamide

This lightweight under-eye serum is the perfect brightening and de-puffing eye cream for on-the-go application. With hyaluronic acid and caffeine, this product reduces swelling and hydrates your skin fast. And the cooling, roll-on ball applicator not only adds an extra de-puffing factor but also makes swiping the product under your eyes incredibly quick and easy. With the addition of niacinamide, the serum also helps brighten the look of dark circles.

Key Ingredients:Green tea, caffeine, niacinamide

Size:0.33 ounces

Texture: Lightweight serum

What We Love: Under $50; hydrating; depuffing; brightening; easy-to-use cooling applicator

What We Don't: Can tingle upon application

Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream

Botanicals backed by science? Count us in. This cult-favorite eye cream's new-and-improved formula now tackles dark circles in addition to firming up wrinkles. Green brown and red algae slow wrinkle formation, while a blend of extracts (mukurossi, chlorella gambir, turmeric) helps conceal the appearance of those already formed. A peptide complex highlights the skin's softness and enhances elasticity, while ginseng extract brightens eyes and reduces dark circles. A little goes a long way, too, so this jar will last you months and months.

Key Ingredients:Peptides, squalene, ginseng extract

Size:0.51 ounces

Texture: Cream

What We Love: Smooth and creamy texture; reduces wrinkles and dark circles in just one week

What We Don't: Has a light fragrance

Best Multi-Use Eye Cream

SkinBetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

This dermatologist-tested eye cream really does do it all. Designed for overnight use, the product improves the appearance of dryness, crepiness, puffiness, wrinkles, and darkness around the eyes. With a patented mixture of retinol and alpha hydroxy acid in combination with antioxidants, it can provide defense against environmental stressors. Apply a rice grain amount to clean dry skin under and around the eye, and dab eye concerns away.

Key Ingredients:Retinol, alpha hydroxy acid, antioxidants

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture: Thicker cream

What We Love: Addresses every under-eye concern; dermatologist-tested; award-winning

What We Don't: Takes four to 12 weeks to see full results

Best Firming Eye Cream

Alastin Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment

Powered by a green tea extract, a peptide complex,niacinamide, and the brand's proprietary TriHex technology, this anti-aging eye cream is equipped to tackle all your pain points. Dark circles will be diminished, bags will be firmed, wrinkles will smooth, and puffiness will be effectively de-puffed. The texture is more silky than creamy, which makes it a great option for every day use. Unlike some other options, this is safe to use on the eyelid too, resulting in smoother skin texture and less wrinkles from top to bottom.

Key Ingredients:TriHex Technology, green tea extract, niacinamide

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture:Silky cream

What We Love:Very multi-benefit product with a texture that’s very easy to spread out; jar lasts a long time; sanitary dispenser; hypoallergenic and fragrance-free

What We Don’t:Sometimes the pump doesn’t want to work

Best Brightening Eye Cream

Revision Skincare C+ Brightening Eye Complex

As a medical-grade brand, Revision Skincare's eye cream is bound to produce great results. With the help of antioxidants and MelaC+™ Technology, this eye cream works wonders for brightening up your dark circles. Add 10 percent of potent vitamin C to the mix; this tube will surely leave your eyes brighter than ever.

Key Ingredients:Vitamin C, peptides, antioxidants

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture:Lightweight cream

What We Love:Cooling metal applicator; immediate brightening effect; dermatologist-approved

What We Don’t:Recommended to be used twice daily

Best Night Eye Cream

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Eye Gel-Cream

Do you want to wake up looking like you slept for 12 hours every day? Allow me to introduce this multi-power product, which reduces dark circles beautifully with consistent overnight use. The silky gel-cream formula contains potent vitamin E and antioxidants, targeting both blue/purple and brown under-eye circles.

Key Ingredients:Antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture:Gel-cream

What We Love:Lightweight; fast-absorbing; works overnight and throughout the next day

What We Don’t:Takes two weeks to see results

Best Budget Eye Cream

The INKEY List Caffeine De-puffing + Dark Circle Eye Cream

I've long been a fan of The INKEY List for their no-nonsense formulas at affordable prices, and their Caffeine De-puffing + Dark Circle Eye Cream is no exception. For just $11, you get a hydrating eye cream that works magic on dark circles and puffiness thanks to its star ingredient: caffeine. Even in just one use, this cream depuffs, brightens, and creates a smooth base for makeup, meaning this cream would be especially useful in your morning skincare routine.

Key Ingredients:Caffeine, peptides, Albizia Julibrissin bark extract

Size:0.5 ounces

Texture:Lightweight cream

What We Love:Immediate de-puffing results; great price point; really effective on dark circles

What We Don’t: Runs out quickly

Best Lifting Eye Cream

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream

Last but certainly not least, this eye cream is the best on the market for lifting and firming those pesky under eye bags. Though expensive, it holds more product than most, comes with a cooling, metal spatula, and has a luxurious silky texture that glides onto the skin effortlessly. It targets loss of firmness and elasticity, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, and dark circles using their beloved Caviar Premiere moisturizing formula.

Key Ingredients:Caviar extract

Size:0.7 ounces

Texture:Silky cream

What We Love:Luxurious texture; intense hydration; visibly lifts and firms skin around eyes

What We Don’t: Very expensive

Dr. Marisa Garshick

Marisa Garshick,MD, FAAD is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan, New York at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, as well as an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell - New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Garshick provides a wide variety of cosmetic and medical procedures and services including treatments for acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, moles, psoriasis, rosacea, signs of aging, skin cancer, skin tags, vitiligo, and wrinkles.

She completed her undergraduate education at Emory University and attended medicalschool at Tufts University School of Medicine, where she graduated with Research Honorsand Alpha Omega Alpha. As a medical student, Dr. Garshick was awarded the prestigiousDoris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, during which sheperformed dermatology clinical trials and research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Shewas also awarded the American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin AcademicAchievement Award for graduating in the top of her class and the William DameshekAward for Research Excellence. Dr. Garshick’s post-graduate training in dermatologybegan with an internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed herdermatology residency at Cornell’s New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she served asChief Resident in Dermatology.

A leader in the industry, Dr. Howard Sobel is a board-certified dermatologic cosmetic surgeon at Sobel Skin. He encompasses over 25 years of experience, knowledge, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care.

Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Sobel brings his passion for dermatology and cosmetic surgery to Park Avenue on the Upper East Side. He has been recognized by both Castle Connolly and New York Magazine for21 consecutive yearsas the area’s top Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon.