If you’ve ever felt like the skin around your eyes is aging faster than the rest of your face, you’re not imagining things—and it’s why it’s worth adding a hydrating eye cream (or two) to your skin-care stash. “Undereye skin is thin and sensitive,” explains Dr. Nathan Newman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA. Because the skin in this area is thinner, it’s more likely to show signs of dehydration and changes in texture, including fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness. “Daily moisturizing of this delicate area will help improve the texture and appearance of your skin,” he says. And, as we get older, skin gets thinner and drier, making it even more important to use a hydrating eye cream.
Vogue’s Favorite Hydrating Eye Creams
Featured in this article
In This Story
- What to Look for in a Hydrating Eye Cream
- How to Hydrate the Undereyes
- How to Apply an Eye Cream
- Can eye cream help with dry undereyes?
- Does hydration help under-eye circles?
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Though we were instantly charmed by this cream’s silky, melty texture, it was its results that had us fully sold. According to facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Alemi, MD, the cocktail of ingredients—including firming peptide blend Matrixyl and brightening glycyrrhetinic acid—are designed to target glycation, a key contributor to skin aging. “Offering peptides and antioxidants, it can improve skin crepiness and fine lines over time,” he adds. “If a patient is interested in something beyond basic hydration at a luxury price point, this is a strong choice.”
- Key Ingredients: Glycyrrhetinic acid, Matrixyl, caffeine, optical brighteners
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, skin laxity
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Velvety, fast-absorbing texture | Some may find it too rich for daytime use |
| Instantly brightens with luminous pigments |
Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
- Why We Love It: Both Dr. Frank and Dr. Newman agree that this eye care formula is not only efficacious, but extremely comfortable due to its hybrid gel-cream texture, which feels lightweight yet is surprisingly nourishing. Hyaluronic acid helps smooth out fine lines while anti-inflammatory skin-brighteners licorice extract and niacinamide work to depuff bags and brighten dark circles. “Because it’s fragrance-free and non-irritating, it’s safe for sensitive skin,” adds Dr. Alemi.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, licorice extract, niacinamide
- Best For: Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Works well under makeup | May be too lightweight for very dry skin |
| Safe for sensitive skin |
Best Retinol: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: This K-beauty pick is not only well-priced and generously sized, it’s packed with heavy-hitting anti-aging ingredients to boot. Chief among them is retinal (like retinol, but an even stronger form of the vitamin A derivative) to trigger collagen production that’ll smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. There’s also ginseng and niacinamide to help depuff, brighten, and hydrate—all formulated into a quick-to-absorb serum that feels weightless on the skin. “Retinal can be irritating around the eye if used too frequently at first, so it’s advised to build up use over time,” advises Dr. Alemi.
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng, retinal, niacinamide
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness
- Size: 1 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing yet non greasy | May be too potent for sensitive skin |
| Hygienic pump packaging |
Best With Caffeine: L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: This fast-absorbing serum from L’Oréal Paris acts faster than a double espresso to wake up tired eyes. That’s not solely due to the caffeine, though—the innovative applicator features three petite rollerballs that promote lymphatic drainage as you glide it under the eyes. This depuffing, darkness-fighting combo is enhanced with a hefty dose of 2.5% hyaluronic acid for hydrated, healthier-looking skin. “The effects may be more short-term than corrective, but still good for a quick solution—plus, who doesn’t like a rollerball?” quips Dr. Alemi.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, caffeine
- Best For: Puffiness, dark circles, fine lines
- Size: 0.67 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Rollerball applicator provides a soothing, cooling sensation | Formula has a sticky dry down that may not layer well with makeup |
| Lightweight serum creates a plumping effect |
Best For Tired-Looking Eyes: Chanel N°1 de Chanel Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: This Chanel serum is like an iced tea on a hot day—seriously refreshing. It features a soothing, lightweight texture and a unique, cooling applicator that rotates to gently massage the under-eye. (By which, using this product actually lowers the skin temperature by about three degrees.) “It’s especially nice in the morning for de-puffing and layering under a richer cream if you need extra hydration,” says Dr. Reszko. If you’re looking for a quick fix for exhausted-looking eyes, this is it: A study of this formula showed it makes eyes look 83 percent more rested immediately after use.
- Key Ingredients: Red camellia extract, coffee seed oil, glycerin
- Best For: Signs of fatigue, puffiness, wrinkles, dark circles
- Size: 0.53 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Soothing, depuffing applicator | Too lightweight for very dry skin |
| Fast-absorbing formula |
Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel Cream
- Why We Love It: This Neutrogena formula is like a glass of water for the undereyes: refreshing, weightless, and works quickly to restore your hydration levels. “It contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin,” explains Newman. It’s paired with another humectant, glycerin, to draw in moisture, so you’ll see smoother, plumper undereyes almost instantly after application.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Fine lines
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Budget friendly ophthalmologist tested | Lightweight formula may not be nourishing enough for dry skin |
| Works well under makeup |
Best For Dark Circles: iS Clinical Eye Complex
- Why We Love It: This clinical-strength formula addresses all the common undereye concerns—puffiness, fine lines, and so on—but we’re most impressed by its ability to brighten up dark circles. It does so with a combo of vitamin C, retinol, and caffeine: The first two work to fade skin discoloration, while the latter promotes circulation in the skin, draining fluid buildup under the eye that can contribute to darkness. “It’s a step closer to medical-grade skincare than many other options on the market,” says Dr. Alemi. “For patients already using advanced actives in their routine, this is a very reasonable option to consider.”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea, vitamin C, retinol, caffeine
- Best For: Skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Effectively brightens dark circles; improves puffiness | Rich, retinol-based formula best for nighttime use |
Best For Sensitive Skin: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment
- Why We Love It: If your skin can’t handle more aggressive actives, try this classic formula from Kiehl’s. “This eye cream is good for sensitive skin types because it provides long term hydration without irritation and is generally well tolerated,” says Dr. Frank. It offers intense nourishment courtesy of avocado oil and shea butter while hydrating with potent humectant sodium PCA, quenching the thirst of dry skin for a smoother, brighter appearance.
- Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, shea butter, sodium PCA
- Best For: Fine lines
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Nourishing formula sits beautifully under makeup; a little goes a long way | Rich formula can contribute to milia in some skin types |
Best For Wrinkles: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: This rich cream is packed with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and beeswax to intensely hydrate and nourish very dry skin, but moisturizing is not its only superpower. Using a mix of plants found in traditional herbal medicine (including ginseng, sanguisorba officinalis, and turmeric), the formula targets signs of aging—i.e. five different types of wrinkles around the eye, including the “elevens” between the brows. It also features firming peptides, “so it’s a great choice if you’re focused on anti-aging,” says dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko, MD. In a consumer study, participants found that this cream ironed out their lines in just seven days.
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng, peptides, caffeine, squalane
- Best For: Skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Smooths fine lines and plumps dry skin | Contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive skin |
Best Under Makeup: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: If you tend to skip eye cream in the morning because of pilling, you won’t need to anymore with this Glossier formula. A small dab of the lightweight gel-cream sits well under makeup—so your concealer won’t settle into fine lines—while hydrating and plumping the skin under the eyes with hyaluronic acid. Anti-inflammatory niacinamide and polyphenol-rich hawthorn extract work in tandem to depuff and brighten things up. “This lighter, multi-tasking formula is an approachable option for someone who is just starting preventative eye care,” adds Dr. Reszko.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, hawthorn extract
- Best For: Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Can be used on the entire eye area, including lids as its gentle on sensitive skin | Doesn’t deliver powerful benefits for dark circles |
| Applicator allows for controlled dosing |
Best For Undereye Bags: Biossance Squalane and Marine Algae Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: According to Dr. Frank, this is a great choice for anyone with sensitive, eczema-prone skin as well as those concerned with texture around the eye. The cream contains Biossance’s signature ingredient, squalane, to deeply nourish dry, crepey skin. “The squalane mimics natural skin lipids while the algae adds a firming boost, and the silky finish makes it a nice base under makeup,” adds Dr. Reszko. The one-two punch of firming peptides and lifting paracress extract sends undereye bags packing, creating an instantly tauter, smoother look.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, algae extract, paracress extract
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating and gentle on all skin types | May not be rich enough for dry skin |
| Offers an instant smoothing effect |
Best For Winter: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Wrinkle Dark Circle Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Fine lines—especially those in the delicate skin around the eyes—get exacerbated by harsh weather. This cream was specifically formulated to combat the effects of colder seasons by fortifying the skin barrier with a blend of prebiotics and hyaluronic acid. Lactic acid gently resurfaces uneven texture while vitamin C helps firm and brighten, leaving the eyes looking fresh and luminous.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, prebiotics
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Soothing, lightweight texture that smooths and brightens skin | May be too potent for sensitive skin |
Best For Very Dry Skin: Augustinus Bader The Rich Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: If your under-eyes can’t seem to get enough moisture from most eye treatments, this indulgent cream from Augustinus Bader will quench your skin’s thirst. “This is a thicker, luxurious formulation that offers a high level of hydration support and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier,” says Dr. Alemi. It’s fortified with plumping hyaluronic acid, soothing reishi mushroom, and the brand’s signature TCF8 Complex, which is said to optimize cellular renewal. The included application tool isn’t just a chic accessory—it helps facilitate lymphatic drainage (and feels amazing on the under-eye).
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, TCF8 Complex, reishi mushroom extract
- Best For: Transepidermal water loss, fine lines
- Size: 0.5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Comes with under-eye massage tool that enhances application experience and delivery | Not a lasting solution for dark circles |
| Rich, creamy texture that melts into skin |
Best For Puffiness: Sisley Paris Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid
- Why We Love It: We were immediately drawn to this product’s packaging—it boasts a cooling ceramic tip which works overtime along with the soothing, caffeine-powered serum inside to provide serious depuffing benefits. “The antioxidant-rich formula gives a subtle radiance, which makes it appealing for those looking to address early signs of aging with something luxurious,” adds Dr. Reszko. It’s no wonder British Vogue’s Jessica Diner is a fan—likening its benefits to that of a magic wand, apt for improving the look of the delicate eye area.
- Key Ingredients: Black rose extract, caffeine, seaweed extracts
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness
- Size: 0.47 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Immediately helps soothe and depuff under-eyes | Can flake under makeup |
| Subtle pink hue to formula helps cancel out dark circles |
Everything You Need to Know
What to Look for in a Hydrating Eye Cream
When shopping for an eye cream for dry skin, the ingredient list should be your main consideration. “Look for ingredients that act as humectants to help draw moisture into the skin,” advises Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. Humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract and grab onto water in the atmosphere, helping to hydrate skin and plump it up for a smoother, more even texture. Newman notes that the type of hyaluronic acid matters: “Many formulations use hyaluronic acid that cannot penetrate the skin due to the size of the hyaluronic acid molecule in the product,” he explains. Keep an eye out for sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid that has a low molecular weight, meaning it can absorb more deeply into the skin.
While hydrating ingredients are key, you’ll also want to look for emollients, like ceramides. “Ceramides help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, lock in moisture and protect the delicate skin around the eyes, preventing dryness and irritation,” says Dr. Frank. Another good emollient is squalane, a non-comedogenic oil that closely mimics your own sebum. “It works synergistically with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft and supple,” says Newman. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) also helps fortify the skin barrier, as well as offers anti-inflammatory properties that’ll help minimize dark circles and puffiness.
Lastly, seek out peptides. “Peptides act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin structure and firmness,” explains Newman. “In eye creams, these synthetic peptides are used to support the skin’s natural barrier function, improve hydration and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Beyond finding the right ingredients, it’s essential to avoid the wrong ones, says Jennifer Levine, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York, NY. “It is important to find a product that does not contain pore-clogging ingredients, as this can cause milia,” she warns. Though they look similar to whiteheads, milia are very hard cysts made of keratin buildup under the skin that cannot be easily or safely removed at home. Paraffin and mineral oil can lead to the formation of milia around the under-eye area. If you’re prone to these little bumps, Dr. Frank recommends seeking out a gel cream rather than a thicker texture.
How to Hydrate the Undereyes
While the best eye creams for dry skin will help improve texture around the eye, there’s more to keep in mind beyond your skin-care regimen. First, consider your environment: “Cold or arid climates, as well as air conditioners and heaters, lower the humidity in the atmosphere,” says Newman. Invest in a humidifier to add that moisture back into the air. Then, take an honest look at your lifestyle. All of our experts agree that it’s important to drink plenty of water, as dehydration leads to puffy eyes, darker under-eye circles, and dull, wrinkled-looking skin. (Caffeine, alcohol, and excess sodium will also cause dehydration, notes Dr. Frank, as can minimal sleep.) You’ll want to pay attention to your nutrition, too. Levine recommends boosting your antioxidant and omega-fatty acid intake, either via supplements or foods like nuts, seeds, plant oils, and fish. Ultimately, “no eye cream can reverse poor lifestyle choices,” says Frank.
How to Apply an Eye Cream
When it comes to applying an eye cream, less really is more, says Dr. Reszko. She recommends taking a pea-sized amount of product and using your ring finger—your weakest one—to tap the formula around your orbital bone. “Think of it as ‘pressing in’ the hydration rather than rubbing it in,” she explains. Gentle pressure is key; the skin around the eyes is thin and easily sensitized. You can apply your eye cream to your upper lid if the packaging’s instructions say so, but make sure you avoid getting too close to the lash line—your lids’ sweat and skin oils could cause the formula to travel into your eye and irritate it.
Can eye cream help with dry undereyes?
Just as a good body lotion can help keep skin nourished, a hydrating eye cream can help dry undereyes. “For chronic dryness, eye cream is an important part of the puzzle,” confirms Levine. However, very dry skin around the eyes could be a sign of something more serious, says Dr. Frank. “Sometimes, dryness in this area can be related to conditions like eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, especially during cooler months or periods of stress,” he explains. “If conventional eye creams aren’t resolving the issue and your skin remains dry and flaky, see a board-certified dermatologist for a proper evaluation.”
Does hydration help under-eye circles?
In some cases, yes. “There are a number of causes of undereye circles including genetic factors, dehydration, hollowness, and thin skin,” explains Dr. Alemi. Hydrating the area with eye cream will help draw in moisture and plump up the thin skin under the eye, which can temporarily improve the appearance of undereye circles, he says. It’s just important to have realistic expectations—while eye creams can help minimize dark circles, they won’t have as much instant brightening power as the best concealers.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Sean Alemi, MD is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York, NY.
- Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
- Dr. Jennifer Levine, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York, NY.
- Dr. Nathan Newman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA.
- Dr. Anetta Reszko, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.