Our guide to the best eye creams, serums
Not looking to spend loads of cash on a fancy eye cream? This one is "lightweight, hydrating and fast absorbing" - and will cost you the same as your mid-week lunch.
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It’s one of the most hotly debated topics in the world – at least among skincare experts.
Is it really necessary to use an eye cream or serum, or is it simply a “clever marketing scam” to make us buy more products?
Search “is eye cream necessary?” on Google and you’ll bring up more than 200 million results from people split on the topic.
Naomi McCullum, cosmetic doctor and founder of skincare brand Dr Naomi Skin and The Manse Clinic, believes the debate on eye creams could be down to the fact that “there’s a spectrum of effectiveness and quality in eye creams”.
This is something I personally can attest to, both as someone who trials beauty products for a living and as a lover of skincare.
The results from the majority of eye creams I’ve tried over the years have mostly varied from meh to just OK, but definitely not good enough to warrant repurchasing.
But don’t despair, I promise there are good eye creams out there. Whether you're looking for something to correct fine lines, hydrate the skin or improve the look of dark circles, here's what we recommend.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST EYE CREAM: EDITOR’S PICKS
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $20.99 at Adore Beauty
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Why we love it: Affordable price point and works great for very dry skin types, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
What to consider: This eye cream does not have an immediate brightening effect.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types, especially dry skin and sensitive skin types | Size: 14ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au Shopping Writer
I’ve been religiously using CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream on and off for about three years. It’s my holy grail eye cream for when the temperature drops because it does a fantastic job at hydrating the skin and keeping it smooth and soft.
Like most of us, dry skin is a super annoying issue for me come winter time, and for some reason, I suffer it worst on my eyelids.
To combat the dry, flaky and sometimes painful skin, I use the Eye Repair Cream every night and all my problems are solved. The blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help to treat the delicate skin under the eye and improve my skin barrier.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the sort of eye cream that’s going to magically brighten dark circles and firm fine lines and wrinkles. It does exactly what it says it’s going to do – which is to hydrate the delicate under eye area.
It’s suitable for all skin types and formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
The eye cream is super lightweight and fast absorbing. I especially like the price tag sitting at just $20, because I’m not looking to spend loads of cash on a simple eye cream.
Go-To De-Crease Retinal Eye Serum, $55 at Go-To Skincare
Why we love it: Reasonable price point for a retinol eye cream.
What to consider: This retinol eye cream may not be the texture some may thought - it's a gel.
Formulation: Gel | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Claudia Coy, news.com.au checkout Social Media Producer
As soon as I heard Zoe Foster Blake (my Queen) had come out with an eye serum I immediately needed to know more. My first impression of the De-Crease is how beautiful the product is itself.
Just one pump (that’s all you need according to the instructions) and the golden gel comes right out. On the skin it feels like a combination of melted butter and your favourite serum. It truly just glides right across your skin, no pulling, no dragging.
While I’ll have to wait to see if the results measure up to the Zoe’s promises (anti-aging, lifted eye area, an improvement in dark circles, etc), the actual process of putting the product on feels like self-care in itself. It’s relaxing, it feels lovely on the skin and makes me feel like my life’s in order.
Dr Naomi Catfish Blurring Eye Cream, from $89 at Dr Naomi Skin
Dr Naomi Catfish Blurring Eye Cream
Why we love it: A brightening eye cream that blurs the skin and targets fine lines.
What to consider: High price point for an eye cream.
Formulation: Firming eye cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
OK, full disclosure: I was very sceptical about whether eye creams really worked until I tried this eye cream from Dr Naomi. I bought it after seeing multiple beauty influencers rave about it on Instagram and can definitely say it lives up to the hype and actually works.
“When we formulated our eye cream, Catfish, we had two main purposes, the first was to create an immediate blurring effect, so users could see results from the first application,” Dr McCullum said.
“We also wanted the secondary benefit of improvement of the skin in the longer term, improving dark circles, fine lines and skin texture. We also formulated it to be a good makeup primer.”
In the last few years I’ve developed fine lines under my eyes and while I know that ageing is normal (and a privilege) it’s something I’ve felt self-conscious about at times, as my makeup now doesn’t sit quite as well as it used to.
Catfish Blurring Eye Cream not only smooths out your lines instantly thanks to its balm texture (making it a great under-eye makeup primer), but with consistent use I’ve noticed an improvement in the appearance of my fine lines and skin firmness in general. This eye cream also helps to brighten those pesky dark circles, thanks to Dr Naomi's brightening cocktail of hyaluronic acid and peptides.
The only downside is the price, $119 for 15ml (or $89 for 10ml). It is at the more expensive end, but a little really goes a long way – you really only need the tiniest amount.
It’s also the best performing eye cream for targeting fine lines that I’ve used and I’ve tried a lot. So if it’s a concern of yours and within your budget, I can’t recommend it enough.
Caffeine Eye Cream, $19 at Sephora
Why we love it: Affordable price point for an eye cream.
What to consider: This hydrating eye cream will not work if you have hereditary dark circles.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Trialling the Caffeine Eye Cream I was blown away by how well it worked – not only is it really hydrating but it’s also lightweight, making it ideal for layering under other skincare and makeup.
The caffeine helps to combat under-eye puffiness and dark circles (great for making you look more awake when you’re definitely not) while the addition of Matrixyl 3000 peptide in this eye cream helps to combat fine lines.
The best bit? You really only have to use the tiniest amount, meaning one tube lasts ages.
BEST BUDGET EYE CREAMS
Bondi Sands Eye Spy Vitamin C Eye Cream, $17.99 at Myer
Bondi Sands Eye Spy Vitamin C Eye Cream
Why we love it: Affordable price point for an eye cream and great at brightening dark circles, thanks to the addition of vitamin C.
What to consider: Some may not like the illuminating particles in this eye cream.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types, including sensitive skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer
This TikTok viral illuminating eye cream often gets compared to Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Creme. It's formulated with vitamin C, green coffee bean and carrot oil to soothe and hydrate tired eyes.
While it’s not as creamy and nourishing as the Ole Henriksen version, it definitely offers the same brightening effect for your dark circles. It’s packed with these tiny illuminating particles that look super lovely and brightening on the skin.
This is a complete must-have in your morning skincare routine, especially if you’re shopping on a budget for an eye cream.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum, $39.50 at Myer
Why we love it: Users report a visible difference from using this eye serum.
What to consider: Some may not like the water-based formula of this eye cream.
Formulation: Eye serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
What You Need To Know
This might be at the more expensive end for The Ordinary but I can guarantee you’re getting great value for money. This eye serum was the first product to come out of the company’s O-Lab, an in-house incubator that sets out to deliver the latest science innovations in skincare. The hyaluronic acid and peptides promise to help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet while niacinamide and ash bark work to reduce dark circles.
“I love how smooth this goes on, a tiny bit goes a long way. It’s super moisturising and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin around my eyes,” one five star review reads.
“It has smoothed out the skin around my eyes too. I love this brand and am really enjoying the eye serum.”
BEST HYDRATING EYE CREAMS
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, $65 at Kiehl’s
Why we love it: Nourishing avocado extract is very hydrating.
What to consider: This eye cream may feel too thick for some.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types, including sensitive skin types. | Size: 14g
Tried and Tested by Dani Maher, previous Shopping Writer
For me, the main priority when it comes to eye cream is hydration. Each morning I pack on a whole lot of concealer to cover the dark circles under my eyes, and if that skin isn’t smooth and moisturised, then I end up with a patchy job that’s settled into the fine lines and creases by lunch.
The Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment is the only eye cream that I’ve found to be up to the task.
Each night I dab a tiny amount onto my ring finger and then along the contours of my under eye area and eyelid, and in the morning I wake up with smooth, hydrated skin that’s prepped for all that concealer.
BEST BRIGHTENING EYE CREAMS
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème, $64 at The Iconic
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
Why we love it: This illuminating eye cream does a fantastic job at hydrating and brightening dark circles.
What to consider: This vitamin C eye cream may feel too thick for some.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
When it comes to searching for the right eye cream, Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème has icon status for good reason.
The yellow undertones of the eye cream promise to counteract dark circles, and that’s exactly what it does. It's also formulated with gold complexed vitamin C which helps to treat the delicate under eye skin.
After immediate application, my under eye looks brighter and more illuminated. Dull skin be gone!
I also love how hydrating and nourishing the formulation is, it really does a great job at prepping my under eye before makeup.
Youth To The People Dream Eye Cream, $83 at Sephora
Why we love it: This eye cream does a great job at smoothing and hydrating the delicate eye skin.
What to consider: Some users claim this eye cream dried out in the jar.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
To start off with some context, I am a 24-year-old with thankfully no visible fine lines or wrinkles that I am currently worried about.
I was still keen to try the Youth to the People eye cream as I do have quite puffy under eyes and sometimes have dark circles that I wouldn’t mind sorting out.
The first thing I noticed when I popped the eye cream on was how rich it was. It felt super restorative and hydrating.
BEST EYE CREAM FOR FIRMING AND FINE LINES
Beauté Pacifique Puffy Eyes Gel, $99 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: This vegan eye cream is great for all skin types.
What to consider: High price point for an eye cream.
Formulation: Gel | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
Don’t be fooled by the basic packaging, this Danish skincare brand is a favourite of many a beauty editor and is stocked at some of the best facialists in Australia, so you know it’s good. I’ve been dying to try out the range and I can now safely say their Puffy Eyes Gel did not disappoint. There’s not many eye creams that could make me stray from my beloved Catfish, but Beaute Pacifique’s formula did exactly what it promised. It smoothed out lines and dehydration under my eyes and my under eye area looked less puffy with continued use. It works just as well as coffee at waking me up in the morning!
Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel, $96 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
Why we love it: This eye cream is great for all skin types, especially mature skin.
What to consider: High price point for an eye cream.
Formulation: Gel | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Susannah Hardy, news.com.au checkout Parenting Shopping Writer
First up, I love Dermalogica and have used it for years.
I was keen to try the Awaken Peptide Eye Gel, as I get a bit of puffiness around my eye area. And so far, so good. This eye cream is easy to apply and feels so refreshing and calming on my skin – and I feel like it’s helping to soothe the puffiness and counteract dark circles.
I find eye creams sometimes get in my eyes during the night, but I haven’t had that problem with this one. Definitely going to keep using it to see how it goes!
BEST MAKEUP HYBRID EYE CREAMS
Why we love it: Great for all skin types, especially mature skin.
What to consider: Not a large range of shades.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 15ml
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
OK yes, this is technically more of a concealer than an eye cream, but its super nourishing ingredients will leave your under eye skin feeling better than they did before applying. I really struggle to find an eye concealer that doesn’t crease or dry out my under eye area and this provides a lovely subtle amount of coverage, while ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid keep your under eye area happy. Say goodbye to dark circles!
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick, $48 at Adore Beauty
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick
Why we love it: This colour correcting eye serum is packed with banana powder inspired pigments to brighten and hydrate.
What to consider: Some users claim it did not correct their dark circles.
Formulation: Cream | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 3.7g
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout Editor
This is Ole Henriksen’s latest addition to its best-selling vitamin C infused Banana Bright range. Available in an inclusive shade range the stick acts as an intensive eye treatment and colour corrector.
At first I was worried that the chapstick-like product would be too drying for my under eye skin but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was both hydrating and blurring. The stick helped mellow out my dark circles and sat well under my foundation and powder.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN EYE CREAM
When choosing eye creams to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Consistency: You could opt for a cream, gel or serum consistency, depending on your personal preference.
Skin types: If you have dry skin, you may want to look for an eye cream that's specifically formulated for dry skin types - think hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Price: Budgets vary and you can find lots of different eye creams for different price points.
Formulation: If you want to counteract dark circles, you should look for a brightening eye cream, maybe something packed with vitamin C. Anti-ageing concerns? Opt for a retinol eye cream that addresses fine lines and deep wrinkles. Dry skin? Get an eye cream packed with ceramides, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of products available, it’s impossible to test every eye cream out there. To help you find the best one we tested a range of well-known brands at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best eye cream from premium to budget to help you find the right one for your skin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW TO APPLY EYE CREAM
“Twice daily is ideal. A blurring eye cream is great to apply in the morning, as users want the blurring effect all day, rather than during sleep,” Dr McCullum said.
“For skincare order, we recommend to cleanse and use serums and then apply eye cream.
“For our eye cream application we recommend dotting it under the eye on the lower lid and gently across the brow bone.”
As well as applying eye cream in the right order and time of day, it’s also crucial to use the right amount.
“One thing I’ve noticed on social media when I see people posting their application of our eye cream is they’re using way too much product,” Dr McCullum said.
“Some are using about three times the amount required or more.”
WHAT ARE THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR EYE CREAMS?
“Hyaluronic acid and antioxidants are fantastic. Brightening ingredients like niacinamide are important for this area to help improve dark circles,” Dr McCullum said.
“Wrinkle smoothing ingredients are popular of course, for crow’s feet and under-eye crepiness.
“Some of the anti wrinkle ingredients that we chose (for Dr Naomi Catfish) were Kangaroo Paw Flower extract and Hexapeptide 8.
“Soothing and conditioning of this delicate eye area is vital, so we use ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E for that purpose.”
WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD YOU AVOID NEAR YOUR EYES?
“Fragrances and perfumes can cause problems to the eye area. We love actives, but care is needed when using them on the delicate and fine skin near the eyes,” Dr McCullum said.
It’s also important to only use skincare products for their “designed purpose”, she added.
“If a skincare product is not designed to be used around the eyes then don’t use it there,” Dr McCullum said.
To make sure you get the best deal on every purchase, including your next favourite eye cream, stop by news.com.au Coupons – there, you’ll find a huge range of discounts on top beauty retailers.
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