If you’ve clicked on this article we’re going to assume you’ve already got a decent face cream (or are at least pinching one from the other side of the sink), and are looking to step up your game with an eye cream.
Do you really need one, you ask? Well, it definitely couldn’t hurt.
The reality is that the skin on top of your orbital bone requires special treatment: it’s especially thin — this makes it more susceptible to becoming looser and thinner, and developing fine lines and wrinkles. A good eye cream can help you improve your skin texture, enhance clarity and boost your collagen production (that’s a good thing, trust us).
Another reason you might need an eye cream is to brighten up those dark circles after that all-nighter you pulled for work last night, or reduce the puffiness after you partied a little too hard over the weekend. Or maybe it’s nothing that specific, just that you noticed the skin around your eyes looks a little sallow or dry or dark.
Either way, a good eye cream will contain ingredients that target the issues specific to this fragile, easily damaged area of skin.
Here are our pick of the best for 2024.
Best affordable eye cream
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
This multi-purpose eye cream contains all the ingredients you want in an eye cream like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides to help reduce puffiness and dark circles and keep the skin around your eyes hydrated and happy – all for for under $20.
Best overall cream
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye
This retinal eye cram visibly lifts and firms delicate eye contours, all while smoothing the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet. Pop it on at night and it will brighten the look of dark circles for awakened eyes by the morning.
Best eye cream with SPF
Coola Day SPF 30 & Night Organic Eye Cream Duo
Coola Day SPF 30 & Night Organic Eye Cream Duo
This organic eye cream helps mitigate free radical damage from blue light, pollution, and fatigue. It’s Vitamin C-infused, SPF 30 and helps reduce the look of dark circles and fine lines.
Best cooling eye gel
Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel
For those who’d like to put a little more pepper into their salt and pepper, there’s the Mr. Smith Pigment Charcoal. This colour treatment is extremely easy to use, and offers a cool-toned, ashy effect on grey hair. It’s a very temporary colour, meaning you can either try a little something new or maintain your existing tones. Hydrating, softening and caring as well bringing colour and gloss to the hair. Too good.
Best vitamin c eye cream
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Eye Serum
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Eye Serum
This lightweight eye cream packs a powerful punch of vitamin C to dramatically brighten the under eye. Perfect if you’re looking to reduce dark circles, puffiness and fine lines around the eye area.
Best eye cream for dark circles
Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
This ultra-hydrating yet still lightweight gel formula is packed with niacinamide to help reduce discolouration under your eyes, caffeine to increase circulation and perk up tired eyes, and peptides to help reduce puffiness.
Best eye cream for sensitive skin
Burt’s Bees Calming Eye Cream
This lightweight, hypoallergenic eye cream is infused with softening Cotton Extract and soothing Aloe to naturally hydrate the delicate eye area reviving tired eyes without causing redness or irritation.
Best eye cream for puffiness
Kiehl’s Eye Fuel Cream
Just like your morning cup of coffee, this easy-to-apply gel contains caffeine to wake up your eyes after a long night. It quickly de-puffs the under-eye area to make them look more alert and uses the power of Vitamin B3 to reduce dark circles.
Best retinol eye cream
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream
When it comes to eye cream, the last thing you want is something that makes your eyes feel heavy and greasy. This rich cream is surprisingly lightweight and sinks in quickly with hardly any residue. Plus, it’s fragrance-free to minimise potential irritation on the sensitive eye area and it still contains retinol to help with anti-ageing.
Best eye cream for wrinkles
Clarins Total Eye Lift
Total Eye Lift was specifically created to enhance the entire eye area from temple to temple by smoothing uneven texture. It’s suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, too.
What ingredients should I look for in eye cream?
To alleviate dark circles, head straight for anything touting vitamin C, and for those creeping crow’s feet, up the ante with retinol (the only active ingredient proven to plump fine lines). Soothe easily irritated skin with a simple plant-oil formula and banish puffiness with caffeine.
How do I apply eye cream?
The best way to apply eye cream is by using your ring finger and using a gentle tapping motion (you want to be very gentle because the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate). Follow under your eye, then work up to the corner and finally up to just under your brow bone (think of it as a big circle around your eye).
What age should I start using eye cream?
It’s never too late to start, so if you’re just starting to notice crow’s feet or dark circles, it is fine to start at any age.
Menshealth.com.au provides reviews and recommendations to help you find the right product. Products you purchase through links on this page may earn us a small commission.
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