We tested and selected the best eye creams of the year. During testing, we considered application, texture and feel, skin comfort, and the effectiveness of the eye creams.

Best Eye Creams of 2026

• Best Eye Cream Overall: Musely Eye Serum
• Best Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin: OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream
• Best Hydrating Eye Cream: DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream
• Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles: SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream
• Best Eye Cream for Fine Lines: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
• Best Budget Eye Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
• Best Vegan Eye Cream: Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Best Eye Cream Comparison Table

Cream	Type	Key Ingredients	Best For	AM or PM Use	Size
Musely Eye Serum	Serum	Depends on the prescription	Fine lines and dark circles	Brand doesn’t say	Not publicly available
OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream	Cream	Biometric vegan collagen peptide, caffeine, algae extract	Elasticity and firmness	AM and PM	0.67 fl oz
DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream	Cream	Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), vitamin E, peptides, allantoin	Crow’s feet, fine lines	AM or PM, or as directed by your doctor	0.50 fl oz
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream	Cream	Concentrated proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid blend, matrixyl 3000	Crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt	Cream	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8	Lifting and sculpting around the eye area	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream	Cream	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid	Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream	Cream	Micro hyaluronic acid, Caudalie longevity patent, 100% natural pearlizers	Wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz

Musely Eye Serum
Type	Serum
Key Ingredients	Depends on the prescription
Best For	Fine lines and dark circles
AM or PM Use	Brand doesn’t say
Size	Not publicly available
OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	Biometric vegan collagen peptide, caffeine, algae extract
Best For	Elasticity and firmness
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.67 fl oz
DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), vitamin E, peptides, allantoin
Best For	Crow’s feet, fine lines
AM or PM Use	AM or PM, or as directed by your doctor
Size	0.50 fl oz
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	Concentrated proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid blend, matrixyl 3000
Best For	Crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8
Best For	Lifting and sculpting around the eye area
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid
Best For	Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Type	Cream
Key Ingredients	Micro hyaluronic acid, Caudalie longevity patent, 100% natural pearlizers
Best For	Wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz

Best Eye Cream Overall: Musely Eye Serum

Our Thoughts on Musely Eye Serum

Musely Eye Serum is our pick for the best overall eye cream because it has a targeted, prescription-only approach to caring for the skin around your eyes. Ingredients will be tailored to your skin concerns and may include tretinoin, caffeine, hydroquinone, and more. The tube packaging makes this eye serum easy to travel with, too, which is great for professionals on the go.

Paige, who has acne-prone, dry skin, tested Musely Eye Serum. Before testing, Paige clarified that her primary skin concerns include fine lines and wrinkles along with dryness. Paige rated the application of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “The packaging is very easy to use and intuitive, too,” she said. “The metal tip on the package is cooling and distributes the product well. It did take a few pumps to get the product to start coming out, but each pump was more than enough to cover the surface area around each eye. The packaging tube is very thin and would be easy to store and travel with,” Paige said.

She also rated the texture and feel of this eye serum a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s a thin cream consistency that spreads well and is very breathable. It’s white and does take a bit of effort to rub in and absorb, but once it does, it’s very lightweight without being oily or sticky. This serum left my eyes feeling refreshed and moisturized.”

In terms of effectiveness, our tester was pleased. “The areas around my eyes felt way more hydrated with a few uses of this product,” she said. “I saw some improvements with fine lines and puffiness. I think this would continue to improve with more long-term use. The active ingredients are prescription-strength and helpful with these issues. I didn’t have to wash my face off in the morning to apply makeup, and it layered well with other products,” Paige said.

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Depends on the prescription
• Best for: Fine lines and dark circles
• Cruelty-free: Unclear

Best Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin: OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream

OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream is our pick for the best eye cream for sensitive skin because it’s non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. The texture is a bit thicker than a gel eye cream, and a little goes a long way, so this product may last longer than other eye creams. It also layered well with makeup, making it suitable for your morning routine ahead of work.

Annie tested OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream. She has combination skin with some fine lines showing on her forehead and around her eyes. Her skin is evenly textured and not very sensitive. Her primary skin concerns are general hydration and maintenance. She rated the application of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “It uses a pump. There’s a clear lid that’s easy to remove, and then you can dispense the product,” she said. “Only a very little bit of product is needed, as the eye cream is thick and will cover the entire area around your eyes. I would say one pump per eye is all needed, but I prefer to go on the lighter side since the cream is so thick. The cream spreads very easily, and I like to gently pat it in.”

She rated the texture and feel of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s a dense, creamy texture, but it does not leave any unwanted sensory feeling behind. The cream does not feel oily, greasy, or sticky; however, it does take a few minutes to feel like it is fully absorbed rather than still sitting on top of my skin.”

Annie is a fan of the effectiveness of this eye cream. “My under-eye area feels significantly more hydrated after using this product,” she said. “I don’t have a ton of fine lines under my eyes, but more so on the sides, and I noticed those looked reduced as well. I mainly feel like the product provided a ‘lifting’ sensation, like the skin around my eyes was more supple. Makeup also layers very well over the cream; it provides a nice foundation for other products,” Annie said. She rated effectiveness a 4.5 out of 5.

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Biometric vegan collagen peptide, caffeine, algae extract
• Best for: Elasticity and firmness
• Cruelty-free: Unclear

Best Hydrating Eye Cream: DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream

DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream is our pick for the best hydrating eye cream because it absorbed quickly into our tester’s skin and had a non-greasy finish. It also layers well with makeup, which is great for folks who work in-person and need a quick eye cream that easily fits into their morning skincare regimen.

Helen tested DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream. Her skin type is normal, and her primary skin concerns include fine lines and wrinkles, along with loss of firmness. She rated the application of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “The bottle pump is very easy to use,” she said. “It does seem to dispense slightly more than what’s needed, but it spreads very easily and absorbs well.”

She rated the texture and feel of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “It’s lightweight and absorbs very quickly—it’s easy to apply and has a lovely color to it before it absorbs, so you can see exactly where it’s been applied. It doesn’t leave the skin sticky or greasy at all,” Helen said.

Our tester noticed that this eye cream has improved “both puffiness and dark circles,” but that it’s too early in testing to tell if fine lines are also being improved. “There’s no significant improvement with wrinkles. This eye cream absorbs well, so there’s no issues with using makeup over it or any heaviness on my skin,” she said. Helen rated effectiveness a 3 out of 5. 

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), vitamin E, peptides, allantoin
• Best for: Crow’s feet, fine lines
• Cruelty-free: Yes

Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles: SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream

SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream is our pick for the best eye cream for dark circles because it includes 0.5% caffeine, which may help reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles. However, it may not be ideal for all professionals because the eye cream comes in a jar, not a bottle with a built-in applicator. The texture is quite rich, and it costs $125 per jar (which is just 0.50 fluid ounces, so it comes out to $250 per ounce). 

Meredith tested SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream. She has oily/combination skin with some acne. Her primary skin concerns are fine lines and wrinkles, along with uneven skin tone. Meredith rated the application of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “The packaging of this eye cream feels very luxurious and high quality,” she said. “The cream itself is more of a solid texture in the container that turns into a cream when you run your fingers over it—it spreads very easily and doesn’t require a lot of product.”

She rated the texture and feel a 5 out of 5 too. “It’s definitely the thickest eye cream that I’ve used; it’s probably one of the best textures. It only requires a small amount and absorbs quickly. It doesn’t leave my eyes feeling heavy; however, the area around my eyes feels extremely hydrated from the very rich texture,” Meredith said.

Our tester rated the overall effectiveness of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “The hydration that I’ve noticed is unlike any other eye cream I’ve used before. It also lasts for a long time. My entire under-eye area looks and feels smoother and less dry. I noticed visible improvement on day one of using this product,” she said.

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Concentrated proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid blend, matrixyl 3000
• Best for: Crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles
• Cruelty-free: Unclear

Best Eye Cream for Fine Lines: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt

Our Thoughts on Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt is our pick for the best eye cream for fine lines because it includes both high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to “soften the look of fine lines,” and also has hexapeptide-8, which the brand says is there to smooth the appearance of lines caused by facial movement.

Charlotte tested Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt. She has oily skin and took Accutane® in 2024, so while her skin has “changed for the better,” she still struggles with discoloration, scarring, and occasional breakouts. Her primary skin concerns are dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. Our tester rated the application of this eye cream a 4 out of 5. 

“The packaging is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use,” Charlotte said. “It’s a pump top with a small dispenser; one pump provides the perfect amount of product to use. It takes a bit of tapping and blending it into my under-eye area to get it to evenly soak into my skin, but it’s smooth and feels good! It spreads easily and didn’t clump or feel sticky.”

She enjoyed the texture and feel of this eye cream, rating it a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s very lightweight. You only need a rice-sized amount to get it all around your eyes. It doesn’t absorb right away. You need some extra work to tap it into your eyes, but that’s typical with eye cream. It makes my eyes feel very soft,” Charlotte noted.

When it comes to overall effectiveness, our tester rated this product a 4 out of 5. “My eyes feel very hydrated, and the puffiness is definitely reduced,” she said. “I had no issues putting makeup on over this product. I still have some slight darkness under my eyes, but this is likely due to sleeping habits.”

Specs:

• Key ingredients: 2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8
• Best for: Lifting and sculpting around the eye area
• Cruelty-free: Unclear

Best Budget Eye Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is our pick for the best budget eye cream because it includes retinol and hyaluronic acid to address fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, and it costs less than $30. Our tester liked that she could apply her mineral sunscreen a few minutes after this eye cream, and it also paired well with makeup. It didn’t add much time to her routine, so we think it’s a great pick for a busy professional.

Jennifer tested RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. Her skin is dry and sensitive; her primary skin concerns are puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. She rated the application of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “The packaging makes it easy to use,” she said. “I used a small pea-sized amount, dotted it around my under-eye area, and then gently applied it. The product went on smoothly and absorbed quickly with no residue.”

She was also pleased with the texture and feel of this eye cream, again rating it a 5 out of 5. “The product is creamy and has a silky-smooth feel,” Jennifer said. She did note that the product had a “cooling effect that stings slightly at first application, but that sensation went away after a few minutes. It didn’t cause any redness,” she said.

In terms of overall effectiveness, our tester rated this product a 4 out of 5. “I noticed results in just a few days,” she said. “My under-eye area looks smoother and brighter; the product hydrates the entire area quickly.”

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid
• Best for: Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness
• Cruelty-free: Unclear

Best Vegan Eye Cream: Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream is our pick for the best vegan eye cream because it cools and brightens the under-eye area while staying vegan and fragrance-free. We think it’s a good addition to a nine-to-five job because it layers well under concealer and doesn’t crease or pill. Our tester says to keep this product in the fridge, so if you need a midday or after-work pick-up, you can use it to feel cool and moisturized.

Gwen tested Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream. She has normal skin that is more sensitive in dry weather. Her primary skin concerns are dark circles along with fine lines and wrinkles. She rated the application of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “This eye cream has a built-in applicator, making it super easy to apply,” Gwen said. “Essentially, all you have to do is add a few dots of the product to each eye (outer corner of your eye, under your eye, and inner under-eye). Then, you massage the product in with the metal applicator, smoothing it outwards to depuff. You need very little product, and the bottle doesn’t squeeze out much, so you won’t waste any.”

She rated the texture and feel of this eye cream a 5 out of 5 as well. “This is a lightweight cream that absorbs really quickly. Some eye creams I’ve tried tend to leave behind some greasiness or residue, but this one absorbs really nicely,” said Gwen.

“After using this product, my under-eye area is definitely more hydrated, and I have a pretty good method to check. Whenever I use this product under my concealer, my makeup does NOT crease. When I forget to apply it, I have noticeable creases in my makeup after smiling,” Gwen said, rating the overall effectiveness a 4 out of 5. “I do have pretty dark circles under my eyes and have tried every product under the sun to fix it. I wouldn’t say this product created a HUGE difference, but after application, the shadows certainly look lighter. I’ve spoken to my medical aesthetician, and it’s not a product problem; it’s my skin thickness/genetics, so the issue isn’t specific to this product (no product can really fix this),” she stated.

Specs:

• Key ingredients: Micro hyaluronic acid, Caudalie longevity patent, 100% natural pearlizers
• Best for: Wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles
• Cruelty-free: Unclear, though it is vegan

Why the Right Eye Cream Matters to Professionals 

For busy professionals, using eye cream is about addressing concerns related to looking more tired than you feel. Long workdays, screen time, and travel may make dryness, fine lines, and dark circles more noticeable. The right eye cream formulation may help hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes and create a smoother area for concealer/other makeup.

Good eye cream must fit in well with your existing skincare regimen. It’s hard to use a product consistently if it pills, is greasy, or takes a long time to absorb. In testing, products that felt most friendly to professionals were easy to dispense and apply, used a small amount of product, and layered well with other skincare products/makeup. Testers also put a high value on eye creams that helped them look more refreshed with minimal effort.

How We Tested and Selected the Best Eye Creams 

Here’s how we tested the best eye creams of the year.

Application

Testers considered how easy it was to open the eye cream packaging, dispense the right amount of product, and apply it around their eyes. Eye creams in pump dispensers or those with metal applicators (for cooling) were favored. Testers generally liked packaging that made it easy to get the right amount of product, especially because the eye area generally requires less of it. Testers rated the ease of application on a scale of 1 to 5.

Texture and Feel

Testers noted how each eye cream felt on their under-eye area. Before applying, some formulations felt whipped/airy, while others felt thicker or more like a gel-cream. Lightweight creams and serums tend to be more breathable and absorb faster, while richer eye creams tend to feel more moisturizing. Our team also looked for a finish that felt comfortable on the skin, rather than oily, sticky, or heavy. Testers rated texture and feel on a scale of 1 to 5.

Formula

We looked at the formulations of each eye cream, paying attention to each product’s active and supportive ingredients. Ingredients like peptides, caffeine, and retinoids may target concerns such as fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. We also considered ingredients that hydrate the under-eye area to reduce dryness.

Comfort 

Since the skin around your eyes is thin, comfort was a big consideration during testing. Testers made note of any irritation, redness, or stinging during and after applying the eye cream. Eye creams that scored the highest felt soothing and light enough to wear throughout the day or overnight. Testers rated the comfort of the eye cream on their skin on a scale of 1 to 5.

Value

Cream	Size	Price per bottle
Musely Eye Serum	Unclear	$41 for a 2-month supply, per brand
OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream	0.67 fl oz	$109
DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream	0.50 fl oz	$59
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream	0.50 fl oz	$125
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt	0.50 fl oz	$88
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream	0.50 fl oz	$21.99
Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream	0.50 fl oz	$85

Musely Eye Serum
Size	Unclear
Price per bottle	$41 for a 2-month supply, per brand
OneSkin OS-01 Eye Cream
Size	0.67 fl oz
Price per bottle	$109
DRMTLGY HPR Eye Cream
Size	0.50 fl oz
Price per bottle	$59
SkinCeuticals AGE Advanced Eye Cream
Size	0.50 fl oz
Price per bottle	$125
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
Size	0.50 fl oz
Price per bottle	$88
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Size	0.50 fl oz
Price per bottle	$21.99
Caudalie Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Size	0.50 fl oz
Price per bottle	$85

How to Find the Best Eye Cream for You

Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best eye cream for you.

Your Skin Type 

If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you may prefer a thicker, richer eye cream. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may prefer a lightweight gel eye cream instead. 

Primary Skin Concerns 

We think it’s best to select an eye cream with your main skin concern in mind instead of expecting one product to create dramatic change. If your under-eye area is dry, we recommend choosing a formulation that will leave your skin feeling hydrated and smooth, without pilling. If your under-eye area is puffy, we recommend a more lightweight formula that uses a cooling metal applicator. Plus, for dark circles, you may want to look for hydrating and brightening ingredients. Keep in mind that dark circles may be impacted by genetics and sleep, or other factors that topical skincare products can’t fully change.

Fragrance 

It’s best to choose an eye cream that’s fragrance-free, especially if you have acne, eczema, or sensitive skin. When trying a new eye cream, introduce it gradually and do a patch test to ensure it won’t cause irritation.

Right Consistency 

Finding the eye cream with the right consistency for you can be tricky. If you’d like to use one at night only, you won’t need to worry about layering it with makeup or whether it absorbs more slowly. If you’d like to use your eye cream in the morning and/or twice a day, best to select a consistency that’s not too heavy, so it doesn’t crease under your makeup or pill under other skincare products.

What to Avoid in Eye Creams

Dr. Omer Ibrahim, MD, MBA, board-certified dermatologist at Sante Med Spa, has some suggestions to consider when shopping:

• Fragrance: Not necessarily to avoid, but to keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin. Fragrance may cause allergic reactions or, more commonly, irritant reactions (dryness, redness, flaky, itchy, or burning skin).
• Retinol/retinoids: Again, not to be avoided completely, but must be used in low concentrations and formulated for the eye area. These vitamin A-derivative ingredients can be irritating and drying, especially for sensitive areas like the eye area.
• Acids like Glycolic acid, BHAs, AHAs: Same precautions as above.
• Essential oils: Same precautions as fragrance, especially for sensitive skin.

“So truly, there are no ingredients to avoid per se, but definitely be cautious of concentration, formulation, and frequency of application,” Dr. Ibrahim said.

Fortune’s Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a clinician-guided, tailored-to-you option, Musely Eye Serum is a prescription-based formula. For a more premium fragrance-free eye cream, OneSkin OS-01 is another strong choice. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream is a hydrating splurge option.  DRMTLGY is likely best for folks who want a lightweight formula with a retinoid derivative. Estée Lauder is another lightweight (yet premium) option that layers well with makeup. RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is the strongest value pick and can be found in drugstores and retailers across the US. Caudalie is our pick for the best vegan option that has a cooling applicator and “pearlizers” for brightness.

We recommend that you keep your expectations realistic. While eye creams may help hydrate the area under and around your eyes, results are likely temporary and limited. Genetics, volume loss, and pigmentation can’t be corrected by topical products. A high-quality eye cream should be easy to consistently fit into your skincare routine and make you feel more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply eye cream?

“I recommend applying after cleansing and serums, then the eye cream next, before moisturizer. Use your ring finger (lightest pressure) and tap; do not rub,” said Dr. Ibrahim.

Should you apply eye cream before or after moisturizer?

Eye cream should be applied before moisturizer.

Do eye creams work for dark circles?

As Dr. Ibrahim explains: “It depends on what is causing the dark circles. For volume loss, not so much. Any volume restoration from creams tends to be minimal. So, for pure volume loss-induced under-eye circles, you will usually need some form of volume restoration; cream is not enough. For pigmentation, eye creams can work. It depends on the ingredients, like hydroquinone (prescription-only), arbutin, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid. Of course, formulation matters, as well as concentration, but also consistency of use. For vascularity or congestion, which can sometimes appear purple, caffeine-containing eye creams or other vascular-constricting ingredients may help modestly at best. Keep in mind, under-eye creams will not be a home run for everything, but they can work for modest results, depending on the concern and any concomitant in-office treatments like injectables, peels, or devices.”