Eye cream is one of the things I'm asked about most often as an esthetician, and the questions tend to fall into three camps: do you actually need it, does it really work, and do you need to spend a lot of money on it? The short answer is that it depends on your skin and what you're hoping to achieve, but I certainly don't think you need to spend a fortune to find a good one.
My advice when it comes to eye creams and eye serums is to avoid formulas that promise to do absolutely everything. Brighten dark circles, depuff, smooth fine lines, boost firmness, tackle pigmentation… whilst it's tempting to want all of these benefits from a single product, I'd much rather see people choose a formula with a clear primary focus. Think of it in the same way you would the rest of your skincare routine—you identify your main concern, then you look for ingredients that are best suited to addressing it.
(Image credit: @vikilfevre)Of course, that doesn't mean you need a separate eye cream for every concern, or that an eye cream is an essential step for everyone. A well-formulated moisturiser may provide sufficient hydration for some people, whilst others might prefer a dedicated eye product because of its texture, formulation, or targeted ingredients. The important thing is understanding what you're buying and having realistic expectations about what it can achieve.
And when it comes to price, there's good news. Some of the ingredients that can make a meaningful difference to the skin around your eyes are readily available in affordable formulas, so you don't necessarily need a luxury product to get results. To help make sense of it all, I spoke to dermatologist Sonia Khorana about what makes an effective eye cream, which ingredients are worth looking for, and where your money is best spent.
What Makes an Affordable Eye Cream Good?
"An affordable eye cream can be every bit as effective as a luxury one," says Khorana. "I'd focus less on the price tag and more on the formulation." At its most basic, a good eye cream should provide hydration and support the skin barrier. Beyond that, she recommends looking for evidence-backed ingredients that target your specific concerns, whether that's fine lines or pigmentation.
What Ingredients Are Best to Look for in Eye Creams?
"It depends on what you're trying to address," says Khorana. "For dehydration and fine lines, look for humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, alongside barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and squalane. Peptides can be a useful addition if firmness and fine lines are a concern." For pigmentation, she recommends vitamin C or niacinamide, whilst caffeine "can temporarily improve the appearance of puffiness". Retinoids are also worth considering if fine lines are your main concern, although she notes that "they need to be introduced carefully and slowly".
Where Is Best to Save and Where to Spend With An Eye Cream?
"I'd save on the eye cream itself rather than assuming you need to spend a lot for results," says Khorana. "There are excellent affordable formulations on the market, and the ingredients that make a difference—such as glycerin, niacinamide, peptides and ceramides—aren't exclusive to expensive products." If you do want to spend more, she recommends putting that money towards "a well-formulated targeted treatment, such as a retinoid, rather than simply choosing an eye cream because it has a luxury price tag". In other words, it's the formulation that counts, not the label on the jar.
(Image credit: @thatgracegirl)The Best Affordable Eye Creams
- Best Overall: Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream
- Best for Tired Eyes: Byoma Depuff + Brighten Eye Gel
- Best for Puffiness: The Ordinary Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% Serum
- Best for Dryness: Curél Moisture Repair Eye Cream
- Best for Dark Circles: RoC Derm Correction Eye Repair Cream
Best Overall
NATURIUM Multi-Peptide Eye CreamKey ingredients: Multi-peptide complex, squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol.
Why we love it: If you're looking for an affordable eye cream that does more than simply moisturise, this is a great place to start. Its blend of peptides, including argireline and matrixyl peptides, is designed to soften the appearance of fine lines, while squalane, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin help keep the delicate eye area hydrated and comfortable.
Expert review: "One of my affordable favourites is the Naturium Multi Peptide Eye Cream," says Khorana. "I like it because it’s a really well-rounded formula for the eye area, particularly if your concerns are dehydration, fine lines and loss of firmness. It contains a blend of peptides and hydrating ingredients without needing to spend a huge amount. I also really like the texture."
Pros
- Multiple peptides target the appearance of fine lines
- Hydrating ingredients support the skin barrier
- Fragrance-free formula
- Suits morning and evening use
Cons
- Results will be gradual
Best for Tired Eyes
BYOMA De-Puff and Brighten Eye GelKey ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, glycerin.
Why we love it: This cooling gel-serum is a great option if your under-eye area tends to look tired, dull, or dehydrated. The formula combines a vitamin C derivative to help brighten the appearance of the skin with multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture. Its signature Tri-Ceramide Complex also helps support the skin barrier, so you're getting more than just a quick-hit refreshing treatment.
Editor review: "The cooling texture makes this one of my faves to reach for in the morning," says freelance beauty editor Grace Day. "I find it's really quick to help take down any sleep-induced puffiness—although it's worth noting that dark circles caused by genetics or pigmentation are less likely to respond so significantly to topical skincare."
Pros
- Combines brightening and hydrating ingredients
- Cooling formula helps refresh tired-looking eyes
- Ceramides support the skin barrier
- Lightweight texture suits morning routine
Cons
- Won't address every cause of dark circles
- Those wanting more nourishment may prefer a richer cream
Best for Puffiness
The Ordinary Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% SerumKey ingredients: 3% caffeine, 1% escin, glycerin, bacillus ferment.
Why we love it: Caffeine has long been a popular ingredient in products designed to tackle the appearance of under-eye puffiness, and The Ordinary's formula takes a targeted approach with 3% caffeine and 1% escin. The latter is derived from horse chestnut seed and works alongside caffeine to leave skin looking more refreshed and defined.
Editor review: "Although it's actually designed to be used all over the face, I find this lightweight serum to be particularly effective for under-eye puffiness," says Day.
Pros
- Contains a high concentration of caffeine
- Lightweight texture
- Can be used all over the face
Cons
- Often sold out
Best for Dry Skin
Curél Moisture Repair Eye CreamKey ingredients: Glycerin, cetyl-PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide, dimethicone, vitamin E, emollients.
Why we love it: When the skin around your eyes feels tight, looks crepey or becomes more prone to fine lines when dehydrated, a nourishing moisturiser can make a noticeable difference to its appearance. Curél's Moisture Repair Eye Cream is designed with exactly this in mind, combining glycerin to draw in moisture with emollients and dimethicone to help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. It also contains a ceramide-like ingredient that supports the skin's natural barrier.
Editor review: "I’m a big believer in not overcomplicating your skincare routine, and when it comes to the eye area, I think a good moisturising formula can go a long way," says Day. "This comforting and replenishing formula is a great reminder that you don’t always need a complicated cocktail of actives to get a good eye cream."
Pros
- Focuses on hydration and barrier support
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for dry, sensitive-feeling skin
- Helps soften the appearance of dehydration lines
Cons
- Those who prefer a very lightweight gel may find a nourishing cream too rich
Best for Dark Circles
RoC Derm Correxion Eye Repair CreamKey ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, squalane, caffeine, resveratrol, ceramides.
Why we love it: Thanks to the inclusion of retinol, RoC's Derm Correxion Eye Repair Dark Circle Cream takes a more active approach to eye care than some of the other formulas on this list—to target the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone. More than just a basic hydrating eye cream, this is a good option for anyone wanting a targeted treatment. Retinol can be irritating around the eyes, though, so it's important to introduce the product gradually and follow the brand's directions if you experience any irritation.
Editor review: "If fine lines and loss of firmness are your main concerns, RoC is a brand worth knowing, particularly for its use of retinol in targeted skincare formulas," says Day. "I like that this eye cream takes a more active approach, combining ingredients designed to improve the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone rather than simply providing hydration."
Pros
- Retinol targets the appearance of fine lines and ageing skin
- Squalane and ceramides provide barrier support
Cons
- Retinol may cause dryness or irritation, especially when first introduced
- Not suitable during pregnancy
- More expensive than some formulas on this list
Best for Sensitive Skin
Vichy Hydrating Eye SerumKey ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, thermal water, shea butter.
Why we love it: This minimalist, fragrance-free formula provides a welcome hydration boost without layering on lots of potentially unnecessary actives. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin help attract and retain moisture, while caffeine helps with the appearance of puffiness. The formula is fragrance-free, alcohol-free and tested on sensitive skin—so it's a reliable one for anyone prone to skin reactions or irritation.
Editor review: "A great option if, like me, you prefer lightweight textures that leave the skin feeling fresh and comfortable without adding too much richness to your routine," says Day. "With hyaluronic acid at the heart of the formula, it’s particularly appealing if dehydration is making your under-eye area look a little less plump."
Pros
- Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
- Hydrating formula with hyaluronic acid
- Dermatologically tested on sensitive skin
Cons
- May not be nourishing enough for dry skin
Best for Mature Skin
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Eye CreamKey ingredients: Ceramides, tetrapeptide complex, glycerin, shea butter, liftilience.
Why we love it: Inspired by the brand's bestselling moisturiser, this eye-specific formula combines ceramides to support the skin barrier with a tetrapeptide complex designed to improve the appearance of fine lines and firmness. The texture is dense and nourishing but doesn't feel too thick ro heavy around the delicate eye area.
Editor review: "For many years, an eye cream simply wasn’t a staple part of my daily skincare. As a self-confessed lazy beauty editor, I just couldn’t be bothered to add an extra step to my routine and, let’s be honest, eye creams are often incredibly expensive for a tiny pot of product," says freelance beauty editor Mica Ricketts. "Since hitting my late 30s, however, I have noticed that the texture around my eyes is changing, and this year particularly I’ve noticed that my under-eyes are so much more dehydrated, which means that any makeup I was applying on top looked rubbish by lunchtime. This eye cream from The Inkey List has been a brilliant addition to my morning skincare over the last month or so as it’s packed with ceramides and peptides to lock in moisture, smooth the skin and generally make my eye area look more plump and lifted. Plus, it’s tackling some of that post-summer dryness with ease. Crucially though, since using it, I’ve noticed that my concealer glides on like an absolute dream and stays in place for hours without ending up clinging to dry patches or settling in laughter lines. And at just £15 a pot, I will happily be repurchasing it when it runs out."
Pros
- Combines barrier-supporting ceramides with peptides
- Targets the appearance of fine lines and loss of firmness
- Silky texture designed to layer well under makeup
Cons
- Not the most hygienic packaging
Best for Fine Lines
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye SerumKey ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, niacinamide, caffeine, glycerin.
Why we love it: Hyaluronic acid helps draw moisture into the skin, giving dehydration lines a temporarily plumper appearance, while vitamin B5 supports the skin barrier. The formula also contains 4% niacinamide, which can help improve the appearance of uneven tone, alongside caffeine for a more refreshed-looking eye area.
Editor review: "Those who like and need deep hydration but prefer a lighter-textured product will love this cooling serum option," says Day. "I particularly love the integrated stainless-steel applicator, which adds a cooling, massaging element to application and makes application feel particularly refreshing in the morning."
Pros
- Multiple ingredients target hydration and the appearance of fine lines
- Niacinamide adds a brightening benefit
- Cooling applicator feels refreshing and soothing
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Slightly more expensive price point
Best Eye Cream for Under Makeup
Hada Labo Tokyo Smoothing Anti Fatigue Eye CreamKey ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, squalane, glucosyl ceramide, silk tree extract.
Why we love it: This hydrating, smoothing formula combines multiple forms of hyaluronic acid with glycerin to help hydrate the skin. Caffeine targets the appearance of tiredness, whilst squalane and glucosyl ceramide help support moisture retention.
Editor review: "If you're fed up with your eye cream interfering with your concealer application, a formula like this one will make all the difference," says Day. "Because it's so hydrating and softening, it creates the smoother-feeling base that concealer needs, and it won't pill once you apply makeup on top."
Pros
- Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid provide hydration
- Smooths skin for seamless makeup application
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Often sold out
Best Multitasking Eye Cream
CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye CreamKey ingredients: Peptide complex, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine.
Why we love it: This well-rounded eye cream com