10 Of The Best Eye Creams and Serums Right Now
“It’s a thin layer of skin and muscle, there is no layer of fat like other parts of your face. The eye area also has fewer oil glands,” Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant ophthalmologist, oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic practitioner points out. This makes the eye area particularly sensitive which is why it ages first and calls for eye-specific formulas.
“While ingredients in your eyecare may be similar to face creams, they will be present in a lower concentration to allow for the delicate skin around the eye,” Dr Hawkes adds. Searching for the best under eye cream for you? You’re in the right place.
How to choose the best eye cream
Firstly, your skin type informs the formula that will work best. “If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free cream whereas dry skin will need something specifically hydrating,” Dr Hawkes notes. Across the board, she suggests choosing eye creams that are light and formulated for daily use: “These don’t clog up glands and cause issues such as milia.”In terms of the active ingredients, these should be chosen based on the concerns you are looking to rectify. For instance, the best eye cream for wrinkles contains retinoids, the best brightening eye cream comes with vitamin C and the best firming eye cream will include caffeine. If you’re looking for the best plumping eye cream, choose peptides whereas the best hydrating eye cream comes packed with an old favourite, hyaluronic acid.
Lastly, a note on naming, eye cream, eye serum and eye treatment can all be used interchangeably. These products all serve the eye area and should be applied at the same time in your routine as your normal face serum or moisturiser, after cleansing and before SPF.
The best eye creams and serums to try now
Sunday Riley
Autocorrect Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream, £60.00
Best for eye cream for puffiness
This thick cream feels luxurious to apply and works wonders to hydrate the delicate eye while also depuffing and reducing dark circles. This is all thanks to its formula packed with horse chestnut, ginseng root and caffeine.
Kiehl's
Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, £30.00
Best eye cream for dry skin
Not just good topped on toast, this velvety formula is packed with super nourishing avocado oil. This is the best under eye cream for instantly relieving dryness. Over time it also improves hydration levels and fades fine lines.
NATURIUM
Multi-peptide Eye Cream, £18.00
Best for eye cream for brightening
Bouncy skin requires bountiful collagen and peptides have been proven to give a helping hand. This formula boasts a multi-peptide blend that includes matrixyl 3000, argireline amplified and vegan squalane to boost collagen levels for a smooth and glowing eye area.
Medik8
Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3, £42.00
Best for eye cream for fine lines
This evening eye treatment from Medik8 is powered by retinaldehyde, a potent form of retinol that works to increase skin cell turnover and decrease fine lines. If you’re searching for the best eye cream for wrinkles or the best eye serum, this is a good option.
Biossance
Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream, £43.00
Best for eye cream for dehydration
One of the best hydration creams out there, you can cheat a solid night’s sleep with this refreshing formula. Plant-derived squalane delivers long-lasting and weightless hydration while the marine algae peptide complex works hard to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Ren Clean Skincare
Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream, £49.00
Best for eye cream for dark circles
This weightless formula harnesses the power of the humble elderberry plant, an antioxidant packed flower that neutralises damaging free radicals which can bring on dark circles and puffiness. The result? One of the best brightening eye creams.
Caudalie
Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream, £32.00
Best for eye cream for cooling
With its ceramic applicator and refreshing texture that glides effortlessly over skin, this winning duo is a cooling treat for the under eye area. The colour-correcting formula also works on both blue-purple and brown-black dark circles.
Drunk Elephant
Ceramighty™ AF Eye Balm, £55.00
Best for eye product for sensitive skin
Packed with ceramides, a crucial component of the skin barrier, this is the best eye serum for strengthening. These ceramides work in the deeper layers of the skin to restore elasticity while vitamin F and omega-rich plant oils provide long-lasting hydration.
Hourglass
Equilibrium Intensive Hydrating Eye Balm, £78.00
Best eye cream for plumping
Rich in emollients and cocoa seed extract, Hourglass’ eye balm feels instantly nourishing on the skin while lipids reduces the appearance of fine lines. If it’s plumping you’re after, this is one of the best firming eye cream options.
Murad
Retinal ReSculpt™ Eye Treatment, £92.00
Best eye cream for deep-set wrinkles
Packed with Retinal, the most efficacious form of vitamin A, this is the best firming eye cream. With pharmaceutical-inspired encapsulation, it’s potent enough to make visible difference without irritating the delicate eye area.
Read More
• What is Double Cleansing?• The Best Hydrating Face Masks
• What Is Retinol?
• Can you use vitamin C with retinol?
• The Best Cleanser for Every Skin Type
