17 Best Eye Creams, According to Beauty Lab Testing

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye cream test, proving it's worth the splurge for hydrating and firming. The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture in Lab Corneometer measures, by 41% over six hours, and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use in Cutometer calculations.

TESTERS SAID: Users rated it the best texture and it earned a perfect score for not irritating eyes, though it didn't soak into skin quickly. Several testers said they could see a noticeable difference: "My bags are almost gone," one said. "The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my undereye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use," another marveled.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: A great drugstore buy packed with plant extracts, this Burt’s Bees formula is luxe-feeling and rich. GH Beauty Lab evaluations showed it improved skin’s moisturization by 21% and increased firmness by 18%.

TESTERS SAID: The cream may be best for applying overnight, since the cream's thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin. “It was soothing and left my eye area much more moisturized," one tester said. Another reported, "My skin did look smoother with less fine lines and puffiness."

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue in GH Beauty Lab anti-aging eye cream testing, increasing firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reducing wrinkles by 10%, brightening dark circles and depuffing — all with a price below the average treatment! Testers said the vitamins C and E formula had an appealing texture, but a few thought it was "heavy" and "greasy."

TESTERS SAID: "I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes (puffiness, dark circles and fine lines) were diminished," one commented. A second agreed: "This eye cream firmed the skin around my eyes and faded away my wrinkles."

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Infused with smoothing peptides, this No7 drugstore pick rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab testing at diminishing crow’s feet and creases. In digital imaging with the Lab’s Visia Complexion Analyzer, the lotion minimized eye-area wrinkle size and severity by an impressive 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and 30% more hydrated.

TESTERS SAID: Although it was well-tolerated overall, one user did develop irritation after two days of use. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported. "It noticeably decreased my fine lines," another echoed.

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Infused with collagen-stimulating retinol, Murad’s serum was the strongest in GH Beauty Lab testing at tightening slack skin around the eyes. It raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Lab's test, and was the only product to show visual improvement in undereye bags. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved moisture levels by 18%, although it didn't have as strong brightening effects.

TESTERS SAID: Users rated the formula best for its lightweight texture and nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “The best eye treatment I’ve ever used and really delivered dramatic and noticeable results," a tester marveled. A second remarked: "It helped the bags under my eyes."

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Need an instant eye fix? Turn to Mary Kay's fragrance-free eye cream, a Good Housekeeping Seal star formulated to speedily depuff and help smooth undereye skin.

EXPERTS SAID: GH Beauty Lab data evaluations confirmed that it works quickly to decrease puffiness and blur the appearance of fine lines without irritating eyes. (See before-and-after application images on GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann using the Visia Complexion Analyzer, below.) While Beauty Lab experts were impressed by the fast-acting cream, the tube is on the smaller side given the price.

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: With this rich, luxurious Chanel eye treatment, you get what you pay for: A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the gentle formula with hyaluronic acid and peptides was one of the most hydrating of all eye creams evaluated. It increased eye-area skin moisturization by an impressive 34% over six hours and earned near-perfect scores for its "smooth" texture and "light" scent.

TESTERS SAID: "This is flat out amazing," one raved. "I love the way it made the lines and wrinkles soften from around my eyes — my skin there feels baby smooth." Another commented: "My eyes did appear brighter and younger." This product is more expensive than many other options, however, and note that some testers experienced a slight tingle upon application.

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 5% with powerhouse anti-aging ingredient retinol. It didn't perform as well at moisturizing and firming skin, though. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, Lab testers didn’t report any issues.

TESTERS SAID: “I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one — very impressive,” and "this cream made my eyes appear well-rested and younger-looking," two commented. Be sure to only use this cream at night, then apply face sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity.

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: GH's beauty director keeps this unique Tula eye balm with a brightening, translucent pink tint at her desk to swipe under eyes during tired workday afternoons. (It works over makeup and is also great first thing in the morning; see her before-and-after images on bare skin, below.)

EXPERTS SAID: "I love this to instantly revive shadowy, sleepy undereyes — not only does it have immediate visible effects, it also gives skin a cooling, soothing effect that lasts after it's applied," she reports. Note that the formula has a slight shimmer that could be too light for dark skin tones.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Smooth on this plush Biossance eye cream with moisturizing plant-based squalane and firming peptides to fortify delicate eye-area skin. The GH Beauty Award winner, which is made without fragrance, a common irritant, came out on top in Lab evaluations for hydrating immediately.

TESTERS SAID: They gave it a perfect score for its "wonderful" texture; however, it takes time to absorb, so it may not work as well under makeup, one noted. Two commented on the "soft glow" and "dewy finish" it imparted. “It feels cushiony and my skin is plumped with hydration after applying it,” said GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: No7’s overnight eye treatment, a GH Beauty Award winner, provides the wrinkle-diminishing effects of retinol in a formula infused with soothing ingredients that’s safe for use around the delicate eye area.

TESTERS SAID: After six weeks of nightly application, 80% of consumer testers thought their wrinkles were reduced and their skin felt firmer, and after eight weeks, 91% said the product was gentle on skin, a study found. Note that it takes daily use over a longer time period to see results with the formula.

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: A GH Seal star, Mary Kay's eye cream reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes dry, crepey mature skin for up to 12 hours. The tube also has a smart design; squeeze out the product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth the cream onto skin.

TESTERS SAID: The immediate cooling sensation helps depuff eyes. One drawback: Some users said they thought the texture was a bit too thick.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: On the days you wake up with puffy, tired eyes, grab Dermalogica's lightweight eye gel, which contains peptides and caffeine to quickly perk up skin.

EXPERTS SAID: "I tap this under my eyes and even on my eyelids in the morning when my eyes look exhausted, puffy and droopy," GH's beauty director says. "Almost instantly, my eye area looks visibly smoother — I've tried many eye treatments and have never seen such noticeable results so quickly." (See her before-and-after application images, below.) But note that over time, the formula may separate and needs to be shaken before application.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: The dermatologist gold standard sunscreen brand EltaMD has now created an SPF just for the eye area. This formula is made with only mineral sunscreen active ingredients, which are gentle for the sensitive eye area, including zinc oxide, known for its soothing properties.

EXPERTS SAID: Although it's a splurge, especially for the small size, the sunscreen has a sheer tint that blends into skin, giving a "subtle blurring and skin tone-evening effect," GH's beauty director notes.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Thanks to a potent combination of ingredients that target dark circles, this eye cream is recommended by Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.

EXPERTS SAID: Despite its higher price, "I suggest this for my patients concerned with undereye circles, as it contains peptides to help build collagen, vitamin K to help with darkness and visible blood vessels, and antioxidants to help protect the delicate eye skin in a hydrating hyaluronic acid base," she explains.

WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: This splurge BL+ serum formula, a GH Sustainable Innovation Award winner, helps minimize eye area puffiness, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and vitamin C, plus a built-in rollerball dispenser.

EXPERTS SAID: “So light and hydrating, it keeps my skin plump and tight during the day," Wizemann reports. "I also like the roller applicator as it cools the undereye and helps depuff."

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WHAT MADE IT A WINNER: Unlike many eye creams that are meant only for undereye use, this GH Beauty Award-winning dual-sided RoC jar holds two formulas to treat all around eyes. One side contains a firming retinol gel for eyelids and the other, a nourishing peptide cream to smooth lower-eye lines and brighten. (Some users complained about the small amount of product, however).

EXPERTS SAID: “After the first application, we noticed a slight lift and smoothing of the lids and refreshed feeling from the gel and skin softening from the cream,” Wizemann reported. "The cream texture appears rich, but when applied melts into skin with no trace of residue."