Top 16 Eye Creams That Really Work

Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye creams test, proving worth the splurge for hydrating and firming. The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture, by 41% over six hours and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use. Several testers said they could see a noticeable difference: “My bags are almost gone.”

With its makeup-like effects (thanks to light-reflecting minerals), GH Beauty Lab test winner and Good Housekeeping Seal star Olay blurs eye-area imperfections in seconds. “This was like a primer, quickly diminishing the wrinkles at the corners of my eyes that can interfere with makeup,” one reported. “It even lifted my upper eyelids, which had started to sag,” another said. The most-liked formula among testers, it firmed skin long-term by an impressive 29%, though it wasn’t as hydrating as others in Lab calculations. 

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The most affordable winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging eye treatment test, Garnier’s silky shea-butter-and-caffeine cream was a tester favorite as well as a fantastic skin firmer and softener. The formulation came in second for firming, with a 32% increase, and hydrating, with a 31% uptick, though it didn’t visibly reduce wrinkles in Lab assessments. It got great scores from testers for its pleasant scent. “I loved it!” and “Others noticed and asked what I’d done,” they raved.

RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue, increasing firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reducing wrinkles by 10%, brightening dark circles, and depuffing — all with a price way below the average treatment! Testers said it also helped the look of crow’s feet and under-eye fine lines. “I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes were diminished,” one said. 

Tiny tube, big benefits: With smoothing peptides, No7 rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab's test 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 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and more hydrated by 30%. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported.

Shine a light on shadows and deflate bags with this GH Seal star Mary Kay cream containing skin tone-evening niacinamide, also a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s eye creams test. It received the highest marks in Lab digital imaging analysis for improving the look of dark circles and among testers for decreasing puffiness and undereye bags. The treatment also upped hydration 24% and firmness 20%. “No more morning puffiness,” a tester revealed. “A magical product!”

This Good Housekeeping Seal star from Mary Kay reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes dry, crepey skin for up to 12 hours. We also love the tube’s smart design; squeeze out some product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth onto skin. The immediate cooling sensation will help depuff eyes!

Infused with collagen-stimulating retinol, Murad’s serum was the strongest at tightening slack skin around the eyes. The light formula raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Beauty Lab's test, and moisture levels by 18%. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved the appearance of bags. Users rated the formula nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “Finally, an eye treatment that actually delivered on its promises,” one tester raved. “The best I’ve ever used.”

A great drugstore buy, this Burt’s Bees pick is a luxe-feeling, rich formula. Our Lab evaluations showed it improved skin’s moisturization by 21% and firmed it by 18%. You’ll likely want to apply it overnight, since its thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin. One tester said, “It left my eye area much more moisturized, and made it much easier to apply eye makeup!”

In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from dermatologist-recommended brand La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly, reduced the appearance of fine lines, and diminished under-eye puffiness. It also contains powerhouse anti-aging ingredient, retinol. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, our Lab testers didn’t report any issues. “I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one,” a tester noted. Be sure to only use this at night, then apply sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity. 

This Good Housekeeping Seal holder is perfect if you’re looking for a lighter formula without compromising hydration. Neutrogena’s unique gel-like texture absorbs quickly into skin and keeps the delicate eye area moisturized for up to 12 hours. Plus, it’s fragrance- and oil-free, making it great for nearly every skin type, from oily to sensitive.

L’Oréal’s eye cream performed well across the board in our Lab study, moisturizing, firming, and decreasing the look of fine lines over four weeks. Testers loved that this Good Housekeeping Seal star was so gentle that it didn't cause any redness or irritation. “I've never had an eye cream work as effectively as this one,” a tester said. “My skin is very sensitive and most eye products irritate it. This one didn't bother my skin at all!”

No7’s cream, a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, visibly improves three of the top signs of aging in the eye area: wrinkles, lack of firmness, and uneven skin tone. A study showed that consumers noticed improvements in as little as two weeks. 

This dense, luxurious balm-like Dr. Brandt eye cream is packed with skin-nourishing and smoothing shea butter, amino acids, and peptides. "One of the best formulas I've tried, it soaks into crepey eye-area skin like butter, making it feel plumped and fortified," GH's beauty director says.  

For a lightweight, less greasy feel around the eyes, seek out a faster-absorbing eye serum, like this formula from Epara. It contains licorice root extract to brighten and botanical oils like apricot to soften, and also works on the delicate eyelids.  

Cool and calm tired eyes on contact with Tula's eye balm stick, great for waking up sleepy skin in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up. It's made with reviving, tightening caffeine, plus soothing aloe. "The stick instantly cools around the eyes and helps me feel bright and awake," a Dermstore reviewer said.