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Target puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and more with InStyle’s tested picks. Rotary Airless Bottle
Whether your vanity looks like the shelves of Sephora or you’re a skincare minimalist, an eye serum fits into any anti-aging skincare routine. “Under eye serums, when applied regularly, can protect your delicate skin from the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize the look of puffiness and dark circles, and allow for a more even makeup application,” explains Yael Gatenio, MD, a board-certified optometrist.
The skin under the eyes is especially thin compared to the rest of the face, so it’s imperative to be cognizant of the products we apply to the area. Luckily, we tested 27 eye serums for several weeks, evaluating a variety of concerns. Ahead, find the best under-eye serums to address signs of aging, puffiness, dark circles, or whatever your priority may be.
What We Love: The tightening formula is penetrated with a cooling metal applicator.
What We Don’t Love: Firming is seen over time.
StriVectin’s Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum earned the top spot for our favorite under-eye serum. The formula is packed with tightening peptides that work to improve overall firmness under the eye. Meanwhile, caffeine, an under-eye favorite, is tasked with awakening and brightening the eye, and we found that the reviving results were nearly instantaneous.
Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist, credits peptides and caffeine as two of the most important ingredients to look for in an eye serum to target puffiness. The gel-like formulation coupled with the metal applicator created a cooling sensation and awakening effect for our dark circles. After just one use, we found that the formula brightened the eyes and visibly improved the dullness of the area.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, peptides | Size: 1 oz
What We Love: This renewing serum is designed to slow signs of aging. What We Don’t Love: It takes a bit of time to fully absorb into the skin.
This formula marries two unfailing skincare ingredients: retinol and niacinamide. Retinol is beloved for its ability to improve smoothness and diminish the appearance of fine lines, and luckily Sunday Riley’s Eye Serum is filled with the workhorse ingredient. The brand’s signature retinol blend stimulates and supports natural collagen production, combating signs of aging like fine lines.
Alongside retinol, niacinamide targets discoloration. We felt that this formula improved hydration, resulting in a soft and supple under-eye. And after multiple weeks of testing, we noticed an improvement of fine lines and smoothness under the eyes.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide | Size: 15 ml
What We Love: This serum is great for depuffing and smoothness.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a bit on the thicker side for a serum.
Tula’s Eye Renewal Serum earned our stamp of approval apropos of its hydrating, smoothing, and cooling properties. Its hyaluronic acid, sea algae, and blend of prebiotics and probiotics improve dryness and texture by hydrating and smoothing the skin. We especially love the formula to treat dry or puffy under eyes, thanks to these moisturizing ingredients.
And not only does it make the eyes look good through smoothness and hydration, but also feel good, courtesy of its cooling tip and dryness-defying ingredient list. We found that the formula absorbed immediately and made the skin plump and soft to the touch.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, probiotics, prebiotics | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: This ultra-hydrating formula made the under eyes softer with just one use. What We Don’t Love: Since its recommended use is nightly, you might want another daytime eye serum.
U Beauty’s skincare products have become synonymous with luxury, and the Return Eye Concentrate is no exception (it’s even infused with the brand’s signature diamond powder). The formula is filled with a bounty of active ingredients including skin-renewing glycolic acid, as well as marine plankton and hyaluronic acid that penetrate deep into the skin to improve radiance and hydration.
The multifaceted product simultaneously targets signs of aging like fine lines and uneven texture through skin renewal and smoothness. It revived our under eyes with ease by supplying hydration and softness to the delicate under-eye area.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, marine plankton, diamond powder | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: This eye serum absorbs quickly and layers extremely well with makeup.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a bit on the watery side.
Vitamin C serums are beloved for their brightening and collagen-stimulating powers, and the superstar ingredient stands at the forefront of this eye serum from Dermalogica. Eye creams with vitamin C work gradually to address fine lines, dullness, and dark circles in the long run.
We found that this lightweight formula had noticeable brightening abilities after just a few uses. Its lightweight and hydrating properties also allow it to absorb into the skin effortlessly– no residue here. We especially love that it plays well with makeup and other skincare products.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, mushroom extract | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: We love the affordable price point. What We Don’t Love: The serum isn’t clear, so make sure it absorbs fully.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum is one of the best eye creams for puffiness because of its moisturizing ginseng and cooling abilities, our eyes felt refreshed and awakened while puffiness was visibly diminished.
Plus, the formula’s retinal ingredient (a strong version of retinol) works to promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while still being gentle enough to use on sensitive skin types.
Key Ingredients: Ginseng, retinal | Size: 1 oz
What We Love: This formula is super hydrating and visibly softens fine lines.
What We Don’t Love: The product contains fragrance.
Puffiness and dark circles – a duo that tired eyes are no stranger to. Perricone MD’s Brightening Eye Serum utilizes a form of vitamin C to address dark circles and promote collagen production. For an added dose of prevention, vitamin E derivatives work as antioxidants to protect the fragile skin around the eye.
We found the formula to be extremely lightweight and easily absorbed into the skin, courtesy of squalene and a resulting liquid-like consistency. However, those with sensitive skin should be aware of the presence of fragrance in the formula.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: The roller ball allows for an even product distribution.
What We Don’t Love: Might not be best for those with acne-prone skin.
The KORRES Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel is reminiscent of a spa day for your under eyes. The lightweight gel formula is infused with probiotic-rich Greek yoghurt and hyaluronic acid for suppleness and hydration. The formula also features reviving caffeine to awaken the eye area and peptides that target dark circles and firm fine lines. Could we ask for much more?
The product is complete with a roller tip that easily glides and deposits the formula across the eye area, which makes for an optimal cooling mechanism. The marriage of a lightweight formula and soothing ball applicator results in the formula melting into the skin seamlessly.
Key Ingredients: Greek yoghurt, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Size: 10 ml
What We Love: Green tea and caffeine make for an awakening combination. What We Don’t Love: Doesn’t layer very well with eye makeup.
Not only is this lightweight serum deeply hydrating (thank you, hyaluronic acid), but it also boasts a blend of soothing green tea and caffeine to keep the eyes looking and feeling awake for all-day wear. This brightening eye cream is complete with niacinamide to address dullness and improve skin discoloration over time.
The amalgamation of a reviving ingredient list alongside the depuffing metal applicator treats and relaxes the eye with equal measure. We appreciate that the formula delivers on hydration and is gentle enough to be used twice a day.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea, caffeine | Size: 10 ml
What We Love: This antioxidant-heavy formula protects the fragile under eye skin.
What We Don’t Love: The retailers are limited.
Environ’s Skin EssentiA Eye Gel comes highly recommended by Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist, and after extensive testing, we stand with her guidance. A blend of peptides and antioxidants is tasked with smoothing, firming, and strengthening the under-eye area. And we found the formula to keep our skin hydrated and smooth, all while supplying a plumping effect to the eye.
The formula absorbed quickly and layered well with other products. Plus, we were able to use it morning and night without it being too heavy or irritating.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, antioxidants | Size: Not listed
What We Love: This skin-softening formula is packages in an airless pump container. What We Don’t Love: Those with mature skin might want a stronger dose of retinol.
For those looking to reap the benefits of retinol without the risk of irritation, let us introduce you to Drunk Elephant’s A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum. The formula contains a vegan retinol with a .1 percent dose of the ingredient, tasked with targeting fine lines and loss of elasticity. Anti-aging peptides also acts as an antioxidant and promotes collagen production in the delicate area.
And unlike stronger retinol formulas, this product is gentle enough to use both morning and night, which is why we love that the serum is powered by caffeine to awaken and brighten the eyes upon application. We found this low-risk and gentle formula to smooth and depuff the eye area with ease.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, copper peptides | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: It includes ingredients to address puffiness, hydration, and brightening in one tube.
What We Don't Love: The immediate effects are more subtle.
According to Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group and Dr. Gatenio, Caffeine is a vital ingredient in under-eye creams and serums to immediately address puffiness. Luckily, this formula is chock full of the energizing ingredient. Squalene and niacinamide also make this formula ideal for hydration and smoothness across the under-eye area.
We found that the Mario Badescu Brightening Eye Serum provided a glow-like brightening effect to the under-eye area, so when we didn't use concealer we naturally looked more awake.
Key Ingredients: Squalene, niacinamide, caffeine | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: It can be used all around the eye area.
What We Don’t Love: May be too strong for younger users.
Despite a near-weightless feel, this serum packs a lot of benefits into one serving of its firming and hydrating formula. This product features wrinkle-busting retinol, along with collagen-stimulating bakuchiol, rambutan, and ferulic acid, for plenty of anti-aging benefits in an eye cream.
When using this product morning and night, we found that the eye area felt smoother, softer, and more supple.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid | Size: 15 ml
What We Love: Not only is this an eye serum, but it also improves lash health
What We Don’t Love: Eyelash growth results are not immediate
French skincare brand Vichy is beloved for its luxe and efficacious formulas at an affordable price and this eye serum is nothing short of innovative. Filled with restorative peptides and rhamnose (one of the brand’s favorite plant derivatives to fight signs of aging), the formula doesn’t skimp on its firming and smoothing properties. Plus, hyaluronic acid and glycerin allow for skin-smoothing hydration.
If you’re anything like us and love a hybrid product, good news: this serum simultaneously works to strengthen the lashes as it treats the under eye area.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, volcanic water | Size: .5 oz
What We Love: This serum visibly smoothes fine lines in minutes
What We Don’t Love: The formula may pill or crack underneath makeup
Peter Thomas Roth makes some of our favorite under-eye masks, and this Instant FIRMx Eye Treatment is no exception. A firming formula that improves smoothness and puffiness in minutes? Sign us up. With just a pea-sized amount, this product tightened and firmed our under eyes in less than three minutes. Alongside the brand’s signature Firm-A-Tite silicates, the formula boasts peptides and plant extracts that work to improve signs of aging over time.
While we found this formula to provide an effective quick fix for the under-eyes, it might not be ideal for those looking to wear the product underneath makeup. We found it to sit on top of the skin rather than sink in.
Key Ingredients: Seaweed extract, peptides | Size: 1 oz
“Skincare ingredients need to be tailored to the individual's specific needs,” explains Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and each of the aforementioned under-eye concerns will require different ingredients to address them.
When applying eye serums it’s important to avoid getting it into your eyes,” warns Dr. Gatenio, “put a few drops of serum into the tip of your ring finger and tap lightly under the inner corner of the eye, forming a circular pattern outwards.”
“Eye serums are different from eye creams mostly because of the texture and ability to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin,” explains Dr. Gatenio. “Serums are usually lighter than eye creams with a higher concentration of active ingredients that allow for quicker absorption,” explains Dr. Reszko. She adds that eye serums “can be used as an alternative stand-alone product for anyone who doesn’t like the feeling of cream products around their eyes and prefers a lighter more watery texture.”
All of our experts agree that eye serums should be used every day, and “ideally are used morning and night for best results” explains Dr. Gatenio.
Jasmine Hyman is an InStyle contributor. Her work has also appeared in Byrdie, People, Brides, and more. For this article, she extensively researched ingredient lists, utilized hours of product testing, and gathered insight from experts Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Yael Gatenio, a Doctor of Optometry, and Dr. Rachel Nazarian a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Clear Airless Bottle Additional reporting done by Erin Lukas, Emily Belfiore, and Hillary Maglin.