The 9 Best Eye Creams to Brighten, Hydrate, Smooth, and More

This pick from Tatcha is among the undereye brightening creams on the market, thanks to its innovative formula, which features 12-hour time-released vitamin C for extended potency that lasts all day. Additional highlights include niacinamide to improve uneven skin tone, glycerin to boost hydration, and green tea to reduce inflammation. The tiny gold spatula conveniently attaches to the lid, adding an extra-luxe touch.

Bid fine lines and wrinkles adieu with this aptly named eye cream from French skincare brand Caudalie. While this cream was specially formulated for anti-aging purposes, it also helps to reduce puffiness and dark circles thanks to ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, vitamin-rich avocado oil, and fatty acids found in staples like sunflower seed oil and oleic acid. The cooling metal applicator is a bonus.

Fight dark circles and heavy bags with this fan-favorite eye cream from Sunday Riley, which visibly firms and brightens thanks to its main ingredient, caffeine, which is known for its ability to depuff and lighten dark circles. Watermelon extract delivers a hefty dose of hydration, while lutein, a potent antioxidant, improves skin elasticity, which ultimately helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles.

Despite its weightless texture, the aptly named Performance Eye Gel from Jordan Samuel Skin delivers intense hydration and a visibly plumped under eye area. Its formula is powered by beneficial ingredients like caffeine, glycerin, and green tea. Barrier-strengthening and soothing golden chamomile round out the formula.

This wallet-friendly eye cream from drugstore favorite Cetaphil features a gentle yet effective formula well suited to the thin, delicate skin around our eyes. Its hero ingredient, hyaluronic acid, delivers up to 24 hours of hydration. Its unique texture, a cross between a gel and a cream, means the lightweight formula absorbs quickly while providing deep moisturization.

Retinol is renowned for its collagen-boosting properties, subsequently minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This makes it a great ingredient in eye cream since, as previously mentioned, the skin around our eyes is one of the first parts of our body to show signs of aging. Skin-smoothing hyaluronic acid is also notrwrothy, as is anti-inflammatory aloe, as is moisturizing and free radical-fighting tocopherol (a.k.a. Vitamin E). Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention the metal applicator tip, which feels cool upon contact and helps with depuffing.

SPF is the most essential part of any skincare routine — and you don’t want to forget the skin around the eye area, which is prone to more UV damage, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging due to its thin, delicate consistency. Enter this mineral SPF-infused eye cream from Supergoop!, which is formulated to shield the skin from harmful UVs while simultaneously brightening and depuffing thanks to a blend of probiotics, pomegranate, and caffeine. The cream is also incredibly flexible and fast-absorbing (read: no greasy residue or whitecast!).

I tend to opt for solid stick products like this brightening eye balm instead of creams or liquids since they’re easier to travel with and effortless to apply while on the go. Its staple ingredients, hyaluronic acid and caffeine, work in tandem to brighten, hydrate, minimize dark circles, and banish fine lines: talk about the ultimate duo.

Due to their thinner consistency, serums are known for being more lightweight and absorbent than standard creams. This Estée Lauder pick is an excellent addition to any morning skincare routine. The highly concentrated formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and a slew of botanicals. The result? Soothed, hydrated, brighter — and, most importantly, healthier — skin.