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‘The eyes are the window to the soul,” as the saying goes. Yet as well as communicating what we’re thinking and feeling, they can also reveal clues about our age, lifestyle and health – presented as some of the most common eye concerns, including puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.
The good news is that today’s eye cream and serum formulations can go a long way to address those issues when used as part of a daily skincare routine. Many products do more than simply hydrate the area around the eyes; next-generation formulas work harder and smarter, combining science-backed ingredients with skincare tech.
However, is it really necessary to invest in a dedicated eye cream, I hear you ask? In short: yes. Face serums can be too potent and moisturisers too heavy for use around the delicate eye area, and doing so could see you make your eye concerns worse.
At a glance
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Best eye cream overall:
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye
£42 at Cult Beauty -
Best budget eye cream:
The Inkey List Caffeine eye cream
£7.95 at Sephora -
Best eye serum for puffiness:
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery eye serum
£47 at Sephora -
Best eye cream for dark circles:
Tatcha The Brightening eye cream
£64 at Space NK -
Best eye cream for fine lines:
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye
£105 at Look Fantastic
Why you should trust me
I’m an experienced beauty journalist, and am regularly sent products to test. I’ve been evaluating and writing about skincare for 16 years – so, as you can imagine, I’ve tested a lot of eye creams and serums.
Perhaps what qualifies me most to give a verdict on eye creams and serums is that I’m afflicted with the issues the formulas below are designed to address. With undereye bags and dark circles revealing themselves when I haven’t had enough sleep and fine lines that began to appear as I hit my 40s, I’m the perfect candidate to put these products through their paces.
What dermatologists look for in an eye cream
Skincare experts agree on one thing: if you’re looking for an effective eye cream or serum, pick one that is made up of hard-working, science-backed ingredients that target your particular concerns. Retinoids, for example, are key players for fine lines, wrinkles or discoloration and are best known for their anti-ageing benefits. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and are generally prescription-strength. Retinol and retinal are milder types of retinoid and tend to be available as off-the-shelf products.
“Retinoids prompt surface skin cells to turn over quickly, making way for fresh skin underneath,” says Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic doctor. “It helps to slow the breakdown of collagen and thickens the deeper layer of skin to help prevent wrinkles.”
If dark circles are a problem, then you need to start by identifying their cause. “Dark circles may be caused by the appearance of blood vessels under the thin skin,” says Dr Miriam Adebibe, cosmetic and regenerative doctor. “Working on collagen production and skin thickness can reduce them.”
Shadows beneath the eyes can also be the result of an accumulation of melanin, which causes pigmentation. In this case, Adebibe and Hawkes agree that reaching for a formula with skin-brightening powerhouse vitamin C would be the best bet. It’s a powerful antioxidant, which when paired with SPF can even protect the area from ageing in the first place.
Puffiness is another common concern, and I’ve had great success with caffeine eye creams to reduce my undereye bags. By constricting blood vessels and decreasing inflammation, caffeine creates a temporary tightening effect, making the skin beneath the eyes look fresher.
We shouldn’t forget hydration, which is crucial for overall skin health. Consultant dermatologist Dr Alia Ahmed name-drops hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide as some of her favourite ingredients for maintaining moisture in this delicate area.
How I tested
To make the process as simple as possible, I turned to the formulas I have emptied, replaced or bought on repeat. When you test products for a living, it’s a big deal for a beauty editor to finish and/or stick to a product. I tested (or re-tested) 25 eye creams, each for a minimum of two months, for this article. I used them daily in my morning and evening skincare routines, apart from the eye creams containing retinol (or retinoids): they are suitable only for PM use because the active can cause sensitivity and irritation when exposed to sunlight.
Here are the 10 products that performed best in my tests.
The best eye creams and serums in 2025
Best eye cream overall:
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye
£42 at Cult Beauty
From £42 at Medik8
Medik8 has a simple philosophy for a results-driven skincare routine: “CSA”, which stands for vitamin C and sunscreen by day, and vitamin A by night. Accordingly, the brand offers some of the best retinoid formulations on the market, including this advanced retinal eye cream.
Why we love it
Forget retinol, it’s all about retinal (with an “a”) these days – and this cream has plenty of it. An advanced retinoid, retinal is known to work 11 times faster than standard retinol, according to Medik8, while being more gentle on the skin. As such, you’re less likely to experience some of the side effects associated with using retinoids, such as redness or peeling. I can testify that I haven’t had any irritation while using this eye cream.
Medik8’s formula is available in three strengths (three, six and 10), but if you’re new to this class of product, I advise starting with the three because low and slow wins the race with retinoids. Over time, it will work to speed up the skin’s natural renewal process and boost collagen and elastin production. You’ll see it plump crow’s feet, erase discoloration and firm the eye area.
It’s a shame that … on a personal note, I didn’t start using this from an earlier age.
Size: 15ml
Use: PM
Vegan: yes
Recyclable packaging: yes
Active ingredients: retinal (retinaldehyde), ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Best budget eye cream:
The Inkey List Caffeine eye cream
I’ve gone through two or three tubes of the Inkey List’s effective and affordable Caffeine eye cream. My puffy eyes struggle to wake up without its star ingredient.
Why we love it
This lightweight, non-greasy formula is easy to apply and feels refreshingly cool on the skin – even more so if you store it in the fridge as I do. It’s fast absorbing, too; I give it only a minute or so to sink in before applying my concealer.
You can almost feel it getting to work as you apply it, the caffeine stimulating blood flow and temporarily tightening skin. Other hard-working ingredients include hyaluronic acid to draw hydration to the area, squalane to keep it locked in, and a powerhouse peptide called Matrixyl 3000 that plumps fine lines with time. All in all, this effective cocktail of ingredients delivers plenty of bang for your buck.
I’ve seen improvement after just a single use, with that improvement continuing when used more regularly as part of my day and night-time skincare routine.
It’s a shame that … it doesn’t come with an eye-cooling applicator like the one included with Charlotte Tilbury’s eye serum, but that might be an ask too far for its often-sub-£10 price.
Size: 15ml
Use: AM and PM
Vegan: no
Recyclable packaging: yes
Active ingredients: caffeine, peptide Matrixyl 3000 and squalane
Best eye serum for puffiness:
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery eye serum
£47 at John Lewis
£47 at Charlotte Tilbury
Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s eponymous beauty brand is as much-loved for its skincare as its makeup, helping to propel the status of the brand. In my opinion, this eye serum, which was inspired by the cold therapy that she uses on models backstage at shows, is one of her best.
Why we love it
As well as the benefits of caffeine, this serum comes loaded with cryotherapy-inspired ingredients that work wonders to de-puff skin by constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation. The formula’s effects are further enhanced by the cooling metal tip applicator with which you apply the product; it glides over the eye contour smoothly, without dragging the skin.
It felt soothing and cool and appeared to instantly reduce the puffiness of the skin around my eye. So much so that I’ve taken to using the massaging applicator throughout the day too, especially after a long evening or a perimenopausal night of tossing and turning.
It’s a shame that … if the skin around your eyes is particularly dry like mine, then you’ll likely need to use a more hydrating product overnight.
Size: 15ml
Use: AM and PM
Vegan: yes
Recyclable packaging: no
Active ingredients: caffeine, peptides and hyaluronic acid
Best eye cream for dark circles:
Tatcha the Brightening eye cream
Infused with brightening powerhouse vitamin C, I’m awarding this Tatcha launch the best eye cream for dark circles because it helps on two fronts. As well as guarding against the daily aggressors that cause ageing, neutralising free radicals and protecting the skin against the sun, it also repairs damage already present, brightening the skin and boosting collagen production for firmer, plumper skin.
Why we love it
It perked up my tired-looking eyes instantly and over time. The instant gratification is thanks to the inclusion of light-reflecting pigments that create the illusion of brighter eyes. However, the real magic happens because of the hefty dose of vitamin C, which releases slowly over time without irritating the delicate area.
Evidence shows that vitamin C may help brighten skin, and using this cream twice a day saw the area around my eyes looking more refreshed and radiant after just a week. With continued use, skin felt firmer and fine lines looked reduced after about a month.
It’s a shame that … you have to be realistic with your expectations; while such products can improve the condition of skin, they can’t completely eradicate dark circles.
Use: AM and PM
Size: 15ml
Vegan: no
Recyclable packaging: no
Active ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide and antioxidants
Best eye cream for fine lines:
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye
£105 at Look Fantastic
£105 at SkinCeuticals
The reason top dermatologists often line their glass cabinets with this luxe beauty brand is that it gives professional-grade results. More recently, this corrective eye cream has reaffirmed that there’s far more to SkinCeuticals’ lineup than just its viral C E Ferulic vitamin C serum (although there’s no denying it’s worth its hype).
Why we love it
As soon as I applied this silky cream to the skin, optical diffusers flooded my undereye area in light to bring instant radiance and make my dark circles appear less noticeable. It reduces puffiness, too, thanks to its dose of caffeine.
However, what elevates this eye cream is its ability to smooth the look of fine lines and address firmness when used longer term. It achieves this by targeting advanced glycation end products (or AGEs, hence the product’s name) with SkinCeuticals’ patented active proxylane. AGEs build up in our skin as we get older, or as a result of poor diet and lifestyle, degrading collagen and elastin.
It’s a shame that … it has such a hefty price, though its multitasking benefits are worth the splurge – so think of it as an investment.
Size: 15ml
Use: AM and PM
Vegan: no
Recyclable packaging: yes
Active ingredients: proxylane (a patented active), peptides and caffeine
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The best of the rest
Kiehl’s creamy eye treatment with avocado
From £30 at John Lewis
From £30 at Kiehl’s
Best for: moisturising
A cult beauty product contender, you’ll often find beauty editors raving about Kiehl’s eye treatment, with even professional makeup artists praising it as an eye primer (which I can vouch for). With its rich and creamy texture, I’m only here to add to its rave reviews; it’s one of the most hydrating eye creams I’ve ever tested.
The not-so-secret star ingredient is, of course, avocado oil. Along with shea butter, it nourishes and softens the eye area to provide all-day hydration, while beta-carotene provides antioxidant protection. It’s had a little upgrade, and now includes caffeine, which will work to reduce puffiness. The results? The skin around my eyes is instantly smoother and less tired-looking.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it may be too rich for some, especially if you’re prone to milia (small white cysts).
Use: AM and PM; size: 14ml; vegan: no; recyclable packaging: yes; active ingredients: caffeine, antioxidants and avocado oil
Murad Retinal ReSculpt eye treatment
Best for: mature skin
ReSculpt eye cream is formulated to target more advanced signs of ageing (think deep lines, wrinkles and sagging eyelids) and uses retinal to improve the condition of skin more quickly, without irritation.
It shows: after just a week’s use, my undereye area felt revitalised and much smoother. Best results are noticeable after about a month, when lines start to look less visible and the brow bone looks lifted for a more youthful, well-rested eye area.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s more than double the price of Medik8’s retinal eye cream. However, if you’re looking specifically for lifting benefits, it’s worth it.
Use: PM; size: 15ml; vegan: yes; recyclable packaging: yes; active ingredients: retinal, gentian root extract and glycerin
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Eye
£40 at Cult Beauty
£20.90 at Amazon
Best for: instant but temporary results
If you see the viral before-and-after videos on TikTok showing the dramatic results after use, you’ll want to get your hands on PTR’s eye cream ASAP – it’s what convinced me to try it. Often termed “botox in a bottle”, I was sceptical about its performance. However, just seconds after applying, it started to smooth, firm and lift the eye area; after minutes, it had reduced the look of lines and puffiness. I was impressed!
The effect is down to Firm-A-Tite, a blend of skin tighteners that you can feel working their magic. I found that achieving the best results took trial and error; use it sparingly to avoid any residue, and remain expressionless while it dries (this is the hard bit). You also must wait until it’s fully dry before applying makeup.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its results are temporary, which in my eyes makes it feel more like makeup than skincare.
Use: when needed; size: 30ml; vegan: no; recyclable packaging: yes; active ingredients: Firm-A-Tite and peptides
CeraVe Skin Renewing eye cream
Best for: value
Promising to pack more of an anti-ageing punch than its popular counterpart (CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream), I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this new product from the purse-friendly skincare brand. With an ingredient list including hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for hydration, caffeine for de-puffing, ceramides for skin-barrier strengthening and skin-plumping peptides, it didn’t disappoint.
The silky, balmy texture of this cream proved instantly refreshing on application, de-puffing and smoothing my tired morning eyes, ready for makeup, for which it makes a great base. It tackles fine lines over time when used twice a day, but for more dramatic results, you’d be better opting for a formula containing retinoids.
It didn’t make the final cut because … personally, I didn’t see enough rejuvenation of the eye area with continued use.
Use: AM and PM; size: 15ml; vegan: no; recyclable packaging: yes; active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides and peptides
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Eye
£14.60 at Notino
£17 at Look Fantastic
Best for: Eczema
Eyelid eczema (or eyelid dermatitis) is commonly caused by allergens and irritants – not only those you might apply to your skin, but even your nail polish or jewellery could be to blame. If you’re suffering, as I have recently, then go back to basics with this soothing, skin-repairing formula that also removes makeup well.
This ceramide-rich cream instantly calmed irritation and soothed discomfort, and after a few days of use, I saw redness reduce, and crepey, scaly skin return to its former smooth feel.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s not comparable with the other eye creams and is only for very dry and stressed-out skin.
Use: AM and PM; size: 100ml; vegan: no; recyclable packaging: yes; active ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides
What you need to know
How to apply eye cream
The most important thing to remember when applying product to the eye area is to be gentle. The best way to achieve this is using your ring finger; it’s the weakest digit, so it prevents you from applying too much pressure. In terms of how much eye cream to use, think less is more. A pea-sized blob should be enough to cover both eyes.
Apply by patting the cream or serum into skin, working from the inner to the outer corners of your eyes and along the orbital bone, or eye socket. If you’re looking extra puffy, “Start with 10-20 press pats on your lymph nodes in front of your ears (you will be able to feel the slight dip after the bone and before the cartilage) and apply your cream downwards,” says clinical facialist Kate Kerr.
Do you put eye cream on before or after moisturiser?
The general rule is to apply your skincare from the thinnest to the thickest in consistency. This is to avoid the larger molecules of thicker formulas blocking the smaller ones of lighter products and preventing them from being absorbed into the skin. I always apply my eye cream before my richer moisturiser for this reason.
Is it better to use eye cream in the morning or evening?
“During the day, it’s about prevention and protection. This is where your antioxidant-rich serums and sunscreens come in, helping to fight pollution and damaging oxidisation, as well as protecting the skin from the damaging effects of light,” says Kerr. “Come night-time, it’s about correction and stimulation. Use targeted serums focusing on your individual skincare needs, such as plumping or reducing dark circles.”
Sabine Wiesel is a freelance beauty editor. Having reviewed skincare products for more than 16 years, she should have the smoothest and brightest eyes in the business. Alas, good old genetics and a misspent youth in the sun without SPF make her tired-looking eyes the ideal testing area for eye creams and serums
