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Best for Wrinkles
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream
Pros
- Visibly reduces the look of crow’s feet
- Provides significant hydration
- Good for use under makeup
Cons
- Comes in a jar; must apply with fingers
- Can feel a bit sticky
Key Specs
- Skin type: All, sensitive
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C
- Packaging: Jar
- Fragrance: None
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream is a popular eye cream for addressing eye wrinkles for good reason. “This is one of the best eye creams I’ve ever tried. It delivers immediate results and pairs well with makeup, which I can’t say of all eye creams,” says Everyday Health editor Nicole Bonaccorso. She saw a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles in the skin around her eyes in less than one month.
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Best Gel
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
Pros
- Unique gel-cream hybrid
- Lightweight yet moisturizing
- Absorbs well
Cons
- Less potent for deep wrinkles or dark circles
- Some report burning sensation
Key Specs
- Skin type: All
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Packaging: Squeeze tube
- Fragrance: None
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream is engineered with a unique hybrid texture that combines the deep moisturizing properties of a cream with the lightweight, fast-absorbing nature of a gel. This makes it ideal for all skin types, but especially those who prefer a lightweight, cooling texture that’s also creamy enough to hydrate any dryness that can creep up around the eyes, making fine lines more noticeable.
“It felt refreshingly cool right after I applied it to my skin, with no residue or stickiness,” says editor Lili Ladaga, who tried this cream for us. She describes the texture as “lightweight and silky” and notes that gel-cream hybrids are great at preventing the heavy, greasy feeling sometimes associated with thick creams.
While this did not happen to Ladaga, in our research we found that some people experience a burning sensation in their under-eye area after using it. If you have especially sensitive skin, it’s something to keep in mind before buying.
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Best for Dark Circles
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Pros
- Slow-release retinol is effective, with minimal potential for drying
- Lightweight formula
- Easily absorbed
- Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic
Cons
- Might require gradual introduction
- Must use sunscreen with product
Key Specs
- Skin type: All, dark circles
- Key ingredients: Retinol
- Packaging: Squeeze tube
- Fragrance: None
Writer Sarah Stankorb says she saw improvement while testing this cream. “It lightened my dark circles and alleviated fine wrinkles,” she says. She also liked how her skin absorbed it quickly: “It is refreshing, and while it doesn’t go on as thick as some other eye creams, it works really well.” It comes in a squeeze tube for easy and hygienic application.
Stankorb, who habitually uses products with retinol in them and can tolerate it well, cautions that retinol newbies may experience sensitivity to it at first. “If you are not used to retinol, you should ease in, but I had no problem using it morning and night,” she says. Stankorb was enthusiastic about how a little of it goes a long way, saying, “Despite the small size, it lasts as long as some much larger packages.”
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Best for Puffy Eyes
Grace & Stella De-Puffing Eye Elixir
Pros
- Cooling roller ball provides instant soothing
- Caffeine rapidly addresses fluid retention
- Portable for reapplication during the day
Cons
- Hard to tell how much serum you’re applying
- Serum doesn’t provide much moisture
Key Specs
- Skin type: All, puffy
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinimide
- Packaging: Roll-tip applicator
- Fragrance: No
I tested this eye cream and still use it first thing when I wake up and before I apply a thicker cream at night. When my eyes are extra heavy, itchy, or swollen, I use this several times a day for an instant cooling sensation. I saw results within two weeks, and with continued use, puffiness is no longer a concern for me.
My only complaints: It does not moisturize as well as thicker eye creams, and the packaging doesn’t let you see how much product you have left.
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Best Multitasker
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
Pros
- Peptides help with skin elasticity
- Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture
- Spreads easily
- Absorbs well
Cons
- High price point
- Long ingredients list
Key Specs
- Skin type: Mature, dry, all
- Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Packaging: Jar
- Fragrance: None
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme Synchronized Multi-Recovery is highly effective for brightening, depuffing, and moisturizing the skin around the eyes. Everyday Health writer Grace Gallagher says the cream “really helped tamp down the bags” she had under her eyes after being up all night feeding her new baby.
“I noticed my under-eye circles were less pronounced,” Gallagher says after three weeks of using the eye cream. “It works better than most other eye creams I’ve found.”
Though the website notes this product is free of synthetic fragrance, lavender is listed as an ingredient, so those with any sensitivity, even to natural fragrance, may want to patch-test before using it on the delicate skin tissue around the eyes. We should note that Gallagher detected no fragrance during testing.
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Best for Fine Lines
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Pros
- Formula smooths and softens skin
- Peptides help support skin repair
- Caffeine helps to de-puff
Cons
- Some pilling of product can occur
Key Specs
- Skin type: Mature, puffy
- Key ingredients: Peptides, caffeine
- Packaging: Fine-tip tube
- Fragrance: None
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream contains active ingredients to help repair the appearance of thin, fine lines around the eyes. Having tried this myself, I like how this product smooths fine lines, spreads nicely, absorbs quickly, and leaves my skin feeling soft. The texture is rich but not sticky, lightweight yet still hydrating.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Axis-Y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Cool metal roller-ball applicator
- Absorbs well
Cons
- Not as creamy as some products on our list
- Results are subtle
Key Specs
- Skin type: Sensitive
- Key ingredients: Collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Packaging: Metal pump roller-ball applicator
- Fragrance: None
Axis-Y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum is an excellent formula for those with sensitive skin because it contains gentle hydrators delivered via a cool, metal tip. Writer Julia Childs Heyl enjoyed using this roller ball, going so far as to say it worked better than an eye roller from a luxury brand three times its price.
Heyl, who has dark circles, liked the product’s short ingredients list, too. “I’m all about clean beauty, and this product’s package definitely aligned with that branding,” she says. The sensitive skin–friendly formula includes sources of vitamins C and A, peptides, and collagen to help support skin laxity and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, making skin appear plumper and diminishing fine lines.
Heyl didn’t experience any sensitivity with this fragrance-free product. Over time, she noticed a subtle brightening of dark circles and says she looked “more awake.”
Heyl also liked the unique pump applicator roller ball. “In the past, I’ve used eye products that just have the roller ball, and I felt like I could never tell if it was actually pushing out any product,” she says.
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Best for Day Use
Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream
Pros
- Gentle formula is suitable for day use
- Metal applicator helps reduce the look of puffiness
- Layers well under makeup
Cons
- Severe dark circles might need a stronger formula
- Not meant to diminish look of wrinkles
Key Specs
- Skin type: Normal
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Thiamidol
- Packaging: Metal applicator
- Fragrance: None
Eucerin Radiant Tone Eye Cream hydrates the delicate under-eye area and improves its appearance using light-reflecting pigments. Its lack of retinol makes it ideal for daytime use, and the formula’s illuminating effect helps brighten dark circles on light-makeup days.
Everyday Health editor Ashley Ziegler, who enjoyed testing this hyaluronic acid–based formula, says she liked using the cooling applicator tip to dispense and spread the cream under her eyes. “I ended up using my fingers to really get it to blend in. It absorbed in under a minute,” she says.
As for value, this affordable product also “squeezes well, so I don’t think there would be a ton of wasted product at the end,” Ziegler says. If you’re looking for a gentle, daytime product that layers well and keeps your eye area moisturized during the day, this is ideal.
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Best for Under Eye Makeup
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Temporary Eye Tightener
Pros
- Provides a dramatic, instant tightening and smoothing effect
- Visibly reduces puffiness and crow’s feet immediately
- Creates a flawless, noncreasing base for makeup application
Cons
- Effect is temporary
- Requires 3 minutes to set properly
Key Specs
- Skin type: Mature, all
- Key ingredients: Silicates, peptides
- Packaging: Squeeze tube
- Fragrance: None
I tested this product. It went on silky and smooth, like a makeup primer. I was surprised by how quickly it diminished my fine lines. The formula takes about three minutes to set completely before you can apply concealer, but it went on easily and lasted for eight hours without creasing. Do note that a little of this product goes a long way. When I overapplied, it felt sticky.
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Best With Sunscreen
EltaMD UV AOX Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Pros
- Provides nonirritating SPF 30 coverage
- Contains skin-healthy antioxidants and peptides
- Airless pump dispenser
Cons
- Might be too heavy under makeup
- Sunscreen needs to be applied every 2 hours for prime efficacy
Key Specs
- Skin type: All, sensitive
- Key ingredients: Zinc oxide (SPF 30), antioxidants, peptides
- Packaging: Airless dispenser
- Fragrance: None
Because sun protection and proper application of sunscreen are the most effective ways to prevent signs of premature aging, EltaMD UV AOX Eye is ideal for daytime use. This product combines broad-spectrum mineral protection with targeted eye care. It contains zinc oxide for physical sun protection and includes antioxidants and peptides to help smooth existing fine lines and wrinkles.
Writer Jen Sinclair, who has sensitive skin, had a positive experience with this product. She didn’t experience any irritation and describes its texture as “lightweight” and “silky and smooth.” Sinclair appreciated that it layers well with makeup. She applied it with her fingers “since it’s tinted and needs to blend in with the rest of my skin or makeup.” She notes that it did take a bit of time to absorb.
For those looking to use a tinted sunscreen in lieu of concealer, Sinclair thinks this would be an excellent choice, saying it worked well as a light concealer to cover dark circles “with a slight sheen.” It’s a great choice for those who like a minimal makeup look with a bit of SPF 30 “shimmer.” We also love the airless pump dispenser that ensures the product’s freshness when using it.
Why Trust Everyday Health
Jill Di Donato
Author
Jill has over 15 years of experience writing about women's health, wellness, and beauty. She has deep knowledge of buzzy products and what makes them popular with consumers. She's tested hundreds of skin care products, tools, and medical aesthetics procedures throughout her career, and she has interviewed top dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and holistic physicians to stay on top of the latest in skin health and wellness.
Jill is the former associate editorial operations director of the beauty group at Dotdash Meredith, where she worked on brands such as Shape and Byrdie, editing health, fitness, skin care, wellness, and body care commerce content.
She's also a former sex and relationship writer, and has made national television appearances to discuss sexual wellness topics for women. In addition to anything beauty and sexual wellness, Jill specializes in writing about body neutrality and mental health.
Jill has a degree in sociology, with a focus on gender studies and she has taught sociology classes at Barnard and Columbia University.
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.
Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.
Orlando de Guzman
Fact-Checker
Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary films about war and trauma, health, sanitation, and the changing climate around the world. His interest in health and medicine started after an early career as a medical and legal translator.
De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.
Sabrina Rojas Weiss
Editor
Sabrina Rojas Weiss has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years, 12 of which she's spent in the health and parenting space. Her work has appeared in Parents, Verywell, Yahoo, Greatist, Healthline, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and more. Her real expertise is in diving headfirst down research rabbit holes to see what actual experts have found about any given topic.
Sabrina lives in Brooklyn with her husband, nearly teenage son, and feisty rat terrier mix. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, reading too many novels, and visiting museums.
Jill Di Donato
Tester
Jill has over 15 years of experience writing about women's health, wellness, and beauty. She has deep knowledge of buzzy products and what makes them popular with consumers. She's tested hundreds of skin care products, tools, and medical aesthetics procedures throughout her career, and she has interviewed top dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and holistic physicians to stay on top of the latest in skin health and wellness.
Jill is the former associate editorial operations director of the beauty group at Dotdash Meredith, where she worked on brands such as Shape and Byrdie, editing health, fitness, skin care, wellness, and body care commerce content.
She's also a former sex and relationship writer, and has made national television appearances to discuss sexual wellness topics for women. In addition to anything beauty and sexual wellness, Jill specializes in writing about body neutrality and mental health.
Jill has a degree in sociology, with a focus on gender studies and she has taught sociology classes at Barnard and Columbia University.
Grace Gallagher
Tester
Grace Gallagher is a writer with nearly a decade of experience writing about health and wellness, focusing on hair, sexual wellness, pregnancy, and parenting. She also works full-time as the lead hair health writer for the Hims blog.
Grace received a bachelor's degree from Hobart William Smith College and an MFA in creative writing from Hunter College, and her work has appeared in Health, Shape, Verywell Mind and Verywell Health, Parents, Romper, Healthline, Greatist, and more.
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW
Tester
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.
In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.
Lili Ladaga
Tester
Jen Sinclair
Tester
Jen Sinclair Is a freelance health and wellness writer who has spent the last two years writing feature articles and reviews of mental health and medical services and products. Her work has been published by Verywell Mind, Verywell Health, Health, and Parents. Prior to this, she worked for six years as a copywriter and blog writer for several legal and healthcare businesses, and as a paralegal for 15 years.
Jen currently lives with her husband and children in St. Augustine, Florida, where she enjoys spending time outdoors paddling waterways, driving around with the top off her Jeep, or trekking around with her writer hiker pals.
Katie Tuttle
Tester
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.
Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.
When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.
Ashley Ziegler
Tester
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies' and kids' health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites including The Bump, Health, Pregnancy & Newborn, People, Parents, Romper, Scary Mommy, and more.
Before transitioning into her full-time writing career, Ashley worked in the departments of pediatric cardiology and general medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and later at the North Carolina Medical Board. During undergrad, she majored in communications at Purdue University and then earned her master’s degree with a concentration in healthcare management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Ashley lives with her husband and two young daughters in North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, taking barre classes, and catching up on her favorite podcasts.
Nicole Bonaccorso
Tester
Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.
Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.
In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.