Eye creams are a sensitive subject, literally, as opinions are so divided. Some say they are just a gimmick, a marketing tool to sell more products, and that a simple moisturizer would do just fine under the eyes. Others take it to an extreme and will pay a fortune for a product that can address the issues the eye area is struggles with, sometimes from a very early age. If you’re like me, someone who cares about the skin around the eyes looking good and who started to care about it once you passed your late 20s , then I have some recommendations for highly-reviewed creams that will help you improve the look of your skin.Â
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When this cream first came out, I received a sample in the store as a thank you gift for another purchase I had made. It lasted me for a week. I used it day and night and I saw results instantly. If I had not seen instant results, I would not have put myself on the long waiting list or paid the price it cost at that time, because it did not come cheap.
The cream feels more on the richer side with a buttery consistency, but it sinks relatively fast into the skin around the eyes. It is also meant to be used on the eyelid and brow bone where the skin is so sensitive and it works just fine. It does not add extra texture around the area, so it stays looking good under concealer and keeps the skin hydrated all day, making it more difficult for the wrinkles to show up.Â
Strong points :Â
It is an anti aging eye cream that targets visible signs of the aging.
It lifts, smooths , depuffs and brightens the eye area.
It is suitable for sensitive skin as it is paraben free and fragrance free.
It contains Niacinamide and Collagen Peptide, which are key ingredients in fighting signs of aging .
It is fast absorbing although it feels rich.
It stays put after application, which means it will not enter your eye.
It does not cause milia (those little white grease spots that show a clogged sweat gland) which we know can happen when using creams that are too rich.
Weak points:
It is pricier than other eye creams and not always on stock .
How and how much to use:
It is recommended to use half pea size amount by applying it with circular, light massage movements to the undereye, brow bone, eyelid and outer corners.Â
It must be applied after serum and before your regular moisturizer (like in this skincare routine explained step by step)
This next one, another Kiehl’s winner, must be the internet’s most popular eye cream to use under makeup/concealer. Spotted in so many makeup artists’ skin prep, it took some time to grow on me. I have been testing it without a break, night and day, for more than two months. It was not horrible, but I could not understand the viral madness going around this cream. Testing different quantities and methods of applying, I reached the conclusion that it is an excellent eye cream if applied in the smallest quantity possible with a special applicator (a metal roller, for example). You also need to have at least 5 to 10 minutes before adding concealer on top, giving enough time for the skin to absorb the product.
Strong points :
It smooths , depuffs and brightens the undereye area.
It is suitable for sensitive skin as it is paraben free, fragrance free, silicone free, and synthetic dye free.
It is formulated with Avocado Oil, Beta Carotene, and Sodium and Copper PCA. It contains Caffeine, an alkaloid known for its stimulating properties.
It fights early sign of aging by keeping the undereye hydrated all day. You can see this especially if you do not wear makeup by how the area looks moist. Because of the water-in-oil formula, it provides long term hydration.
The smallest quantity is needed for application, even less than a pea sized amount, a rice grain sized one actually, to be more precise:)).
The cream comes in 2 sizes, which is very good. If you love it, you can have it in a larger 28ml/0.95 fl oz pot, which I never see for an eye cream. It takes away the stress of thinking you already need to purchase the next pot.
The concentrated formula does not migrate into the eyes.
Weak points:
It does not feel like it is completely absorbed into the skin; you can even notice the area looks “wet” all day if you do not wear makeup. However, underneath makeup it is perfect, as the products will dry less over time. I guess that is the reason so many makeup artists use it.
For me, when I was applying too much in the beginning it caused milia, but I reduced the quantity to a dot on each undereye and they completely disappeared.
How and how much to use:
PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ONE IF YOU WANT TO BENEFIT FROM THE USE OF THIS CREAM, OTHERWISE IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR YOU.
Scoop a RICE GRAIN-SIZE amount onto your ring finger (I prefer to use a special eye spatula that is cold metal and spend more time massaging the undereye area). Rub it between the fingers to break the formula; otherwise, it will feel like applying a chunk of butter under the eye and it will not apply evenly. Gently tap the cream around the eye area until it is completely absorbed. Wait at least 5 minutes before applying makeup on top.
Use morning and night after cleansing, toning and serum.
The first time I heard of this eye cream was when I received some gift samples with my Cult Beauty order. It was such an expensive and fancy cream that I was happy to try it. You see how good it is for companies to send samples? In the drugstore market, that doesn’t happen, and it’s such a shame. Once I got to use this one, I was definitely down to pay the very high price to receive a product that is amazing and looks so good under makeup.
 The product is to be used both night and day to see results. That didn’t take long to happen; I saw an improvement in the general appearance of the skin around the eye area in a matter of days. It is also more on the rich side but it absorbs fast and sinks into the skin, leaving the area like a canvas for the concealer or foundation on top.
Strong Points:Â
The cream targets anti-aging issues such as fine lines, crow’s feet, and dark circles (which can be also hereditary not only related to the passing of time or lack of sleep).
Although rich and luxurious, the formula blends and melts fast into the skin.
Contains peptides for firming and plumping , silk tree extract for lifting and brightening, squalene for a protective barrier and hydration, and niacinamide for fighting against signs of aging.Â
Contains shea Butter and cucumber extract for hydrating, calming, and soothing the skin.
The skin looks firmer, brighter, crease free, and ready for makeup.
It comes with a pump, which makes the application sterile and controlled.
It is used by many celebrities, which shows the level of trust placed in the product and how good the ingredients are.
Weak points:
Pricier than other eye-creams and not easy to find all the time.
Not many retailers carry it and when it goes viral, it’s sold out everywhere.
How and How much to use:
For visible results, AM and PM use is recommended after cleanser and serum. With the ring finger and gentle massage motions, you can tap 1-2 pumps of the cream onto the orbital area, from the inner to the outer corners. Avoid tugging and rubbing, the skin is so thin and sensitive around the eyes.
This… This is my favorite eye cream. It sits so well underneath makeup and makes me use less product (less concealer), because the skin looks so much better and brighter. I didn’t have a sample of the Ole Henriksen cream before, but every time I searched for reviews of the best creams to wear under makeup, this one was never missing from the list, whether it was in a known magazine or from bloggers and trusted people in the beauty world.Â
So ever since I got it, I don’t use anything else. The consistency is buttery, but the skin just drinks it up and enjoys it. It has a sunny yellow bright color(did I just read that it contains gold??) which fades when it gets absorbed but leaves behind the brightest undereye. The light-reflecting mineral pigments color-correct the undereye, and the skin around the eyes is ready for the makeup.
Strong points:
The cream has a new, improved version which caters to costumers’ requests. I find so amazing how feedback made the company improve a product that was amazing even before.Â
The cream was inspired by the makeup artist’s powder must-have “banana powder”, with the purpose of brightening the area underneath the eyes. On top of that, it’s crease-resistant and improves concealer wear. Furthermore, because the skin looks so much better, I feel the need to use less concealer, which is a big plus for me.
Contains vitamin C-which is very potent in this cream- so don’t forget the sunscreen in the daytime.
Contains real gold for enhanced brightening and increased elasticity of the skin.
Targets the signs of aging: wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles.
Contains antioxidants from citrus bioflavonoids and orange extract.Â
The new formula removed beeswax and replaced it with vegan collagen .
Weak points:
Sorry, I couldn’t think of any until now. I wish they could make a bigger-sized pot because I am already stressed that it’s going to run out.
It’s pricier than other eye creams , but I think it’s worth it.
How and How much to use:
For visible and lasting results, use it night and day after cleanser and serum. With the ring finger and gentle massage motions, you can tap a pea-sized amount of the cream onto the orbital area, from the inner to the outer corners. Avoid tugging and rubbing; the skin is so thin and sensitive around the eyes. Because it contains a triple vitamin C complex, make sure you are fine with the ingredients as some people are sensitive to them.
The product is described as a vitamin-enriched eye base primer and moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid. I feel almost like I am cheating saying it is a base for eye makeup, but as I said “almost”, because eye base primers are not yet a big thing. Although it looks like you are putting butter on your skin, in a matter of minutes, the product sinks into the skin and nurtures it without feeling heavy or leaving an extra layer of product. It is the only “new” eye cream I have found this year to work well with concealer, as it kept the area under the eye hydrated all day and didn’t add texture.Â
Strong points:
This all-in-one moisturizer and eye cream hydrates, nourishes, plumps, and softens the look of fine, dry lines.
It creates a smooth base for seamless corrector and concealer application.
It contains Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter for long-term moisture and protection of the skin barrier.
It is lightweight and has a fast-absorbing texture. For me personally, it didn’t cause milia, which happens to me all the time when I use rich creams.Â
It was specially tested and created to sit well under makeup. The nutrient-rich formula creates a cushiony, concealer-gripping finish that is never heavy.
The cream contains vitamins B3 and C to brighten the undereye and reduce the look of dark circles over time.
It contains vitamin A to help smooth the lines around the eyes and caffeine to help de-puff the undereye over time.
It doesn’t contain: Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, Gluten, or Sulfites.
Weak points:
It is on the pricier side, although it will not break the bank and you can always take advantage of sales.
From what I have read, it is only recommended for a daytime morning use, so for the night you will need a different eye cream- perhaps something more potent?? Personally, I use it at night as well because I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t.
How and How much to use:
The brand recommends using it in the morning, after the cleansing routine by gently applying the cream to the undereye with the fingers using a gentle patting motion. The truth is, out of all the eye creams I have used, I need only the smallest amount of this one, as it is very rich but gets absorbed well.
Honorable Mentions
The only reason this eye cream didn’t make my top of the top-tier list is because I feel like it’s too light for me; I need a richer cream. However, it works perfectly under makeup, doesn’t add texture, and keeps the skin hydrated around the eyes. It targets puffiness and dark circles with deep moisturizing adaptogenic ashwagandha, holy basil, reishi mushroom, and turmeric, as well as stimulating supergreens and green coffee oil. Amazing ingredients, right? It scored 100/100 for clean ingredients on Yuka app, so it is really something great to start with.
I would recommend this cream as a first cream if you are only now starting to use one, age-wise. It’s a clean formula, and price-wise it is acceptable.Â
Another product that scored 100/100 for good ingredients is this viral eye “cream”. The only reason I will not dedicate a whole review to it is the fact that it’s not suitable for people with sensitive skin or sensitive eyes. It is what it is- a clean product is not always suitable for everyone. However, I love it.
Coming in stick packaging, it’s very comfortable to use and applies enough product without overdoing it(which I am guilty of with all cream products). Containing vitamin C, it brightens the undereye, and reduces dark circles, while peptides help with firming the skin. It is really invisible under the makeup, and the skin stays nice and hydrated all day.
I read that the main reason people disliked it was that is was too greasy underneath the eye. I don’t know even how that is possible, as the skin around the eye is so thin and dry most of the time. You only need one swipe; maybe you were applying too much product? I don’t have this issue; even oilier products absorb into my undereye skin. One big minus, though, is that it’s a product for personal use only; you can’t be applying it directly from the stick to different people.
If you have tried one of my recommendations or you have one of your own, please comment down below. What is important is that you try the cream with makeup on top, because I’ve had so many makeup disasters in the past because of the skincare underneath that practically canceled out all my effort in applying the makeup.
Nice to know about these brands of eye creams and the good ones are pricier but worth it. Thank you for this post it is very useful .
My wife is a fan of eye creams. She should read your honest thoughts and experiences with these eye cream products.
These creams look amazing! I will be giving some of them a try. Thank you for the info!
This is such a timely post. My wife is currently scouting for an effective eye cream to use.
Of all of the listed items, I love your recommendation for the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream most! I’m excited to give it a try and see if it lives up to the hype.
I don’t use any eye creams, but I know many who do, I’m going to mention these brands to my friends. They just might find them of interest.
My daughter used to complain about how her cream causes patchiness under her makeup. We switched to Shani Darden and she no longer has that problem! Such. great product.
while i don’t use make up, i do try to use some skin care creams and the banana eye cream sounds like one for me here
I’ve been searching for the best eye cream and still haven’t found the right one. Thank you for this review.
This is timely since I am planning to buy a new eye cream. I am actually keen in trying the one from Keihls. Happy to know that its suitable for sensitive skin and it’s paraben free. Thank you for the tips on how to use it.
I love using a cream before putting make up on! I can’t wait to check all the ones you’re shared!
Thank you for sharing some of the best eye cream products. Eye cream is very important, especially for those who have difficulty sleeping and who are over 40 years old.
I haven’t tried eye creams under make-up. I usually use eye creams before going to bed.
I should be using eye cream but I don’t. I’ll have to test a few of the suggestions soon.
Huge thanks!
Grateful for your help!
Glad you found the list useful.