Not to throw shade at creams, but if you want visible results from your topicals, serums are where it’s at. With an eye serum, the focus is more on the active ingredients than on the moisturizing properties, explains New York dermatologist Hadley King, MD.
The formulation should still be hydrating, but it won’t be as rich as a cream. Dennis Gross MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, notes that serums have a thinner consistency than creams with more of a gel-like finish.
While it depends on the make and model, eye serums tend to be more targeted treatments, he adds. There are eye serums for just about every skin type and concern, from dark circles and under-eye bags to crepiness and crow’s feet.
Top ingredients may include anti-aging peptides, growth factors, antioxidants, retinol, and humectants, Dr. King tells Byrdie. We conducted hours of research on the best eye serums, evaluating formulas based on their active ingredients, benefits targeted, and how well they deliver results.
After considering dozens of options and consulting with board-certified dermatologists, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum. When it comes to over-the-counter skincare products that actually yield noticeable results, Dr. Dennis Gross is one brand you can count on.
It’s FDA-approved to be applied both under the lid and on top for a lifting effect. It incorporates retinol for treating crow’s feet, fine lines, and 11s, says Dr. Gross.
Thanks to the gel-like consistency, he adds, it boasts a cooling, depuffing effect. In addition to retinol, this eye serum contains anti-aging newcomer bakuchiol.
It also utilizes antioxidant all-star ferulic acid and rambutan to tackle the signs of photoaging. We also like that it comes in an airtight container and can be used morning or night.
Best Budget: The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum. You don’t have to shell out tons of money to make a difference in your eye area.
Case in point: this brilliant tincture from The Ordinary. It calls on caffeine to depuff, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and the unsung hero EGCG to minimize the look of dark circles.
Best Drugstore: Olay Eye Lifting Serum. From the drugstore aisle, we’re loving Olay’s Eye Lifting Serum.
The fragrance-free formula is chock full of skincare standbys like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, and green tea extract. Plus, it’s extremely gentle, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Best Splurge: SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel. According to Dr. King, products containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and other antioxidants can address various eye-area concerns.
Her favorite is SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel. The antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment and will therefore brighten dark circles, she explains.
It also improves pigmentation and prevents free-radical damage from UV light exposure.
Best Depuffing: Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula. Puffy eyes got you down?
Your best bet is Organys Spark. It banishes under-eye bloat with caffeine and reduces discoloration with vitamin C.
Then, it actively moisturizes and plumps with peptides and hyaluronic acid.
Best Firming: Stacked Skincare Firming Eye Complex. This firming eye serum is a go-to for Byrdie senior editor Lindsey Metrus.
The star ingredient is astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that tightens the skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines. It simultaneously repairs and prevents free-radical damage.
Best Smoothing: Marla Rene Beauty & Co. IlluminEyez Eye Serum. If it’s smoother skin you’re after, we highly recommend IlluminEyez.
This gentle yet effective eye serum tackles fine lines and crepiness with retinol. It also calls on caffeine and vitamin E to depuff and soothe.
Best for Crow’s Feet: Murad Youth Retinol Eye Serum. Murad is another tried-and-true skincare brand that delivers on its promises.
It contains multiple retinoids to target crepiness, crow’s feet, fine lines, and deeper wrinkles. You can count on noticeable results in as little as four weeks.
Best Brightening: Skinergy Beauty Eye Rewind Brightening Eye Serum. Dark and puffy under-eyes got you down?
This serum is here to save the day. The formula is brimming with skin-loving ingredients like kojic acid, retinyl palmitate, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and almond oil.
It helps combat dark circles and eye bags while simultaneously lightening, brightening, and hydrating the delicate under-eye zone. The result is a fresh and rejuvenated appearance, as if you actually got enough sleep the night before.
Best Tightening: Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye Temporary Eye Tightener. My favorite for tightening is Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx, says Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD.
She is a board-certified dermatologist and attending physician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. As if by magic, this quick-fix potion instantly lifts, firms, and depuffs your entire eye area.
Best for Under Makeup: Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Priming Eye Gel-Cream. Need something to apply before swiping on your concealer?
Fenty Flash Nap has your exact name on it. This lightweight gel quickly hydrates and smoothes to prep the eye area for makeup and make you look more awake.
Best for Instant Results: Meaningful Beauty Youth Activating Smoothing and Refreshing Eye Serum. This formula instantly awakens eyes, says board-certified dermatologist Marie V. Hayag, MD.
She appreciates that it immediately hydrates the skin and smooths fine lines while firming the under-eye area with continued use. The unique ergonomic applicator also helps to reduce puffiness, she adds.
Best for Long-Term Results: Hylamide SubQ Eyes Advanced Serum. If you’re in it for the long game, your absolute best bet is Hylamide SubQ.
With retinol, peptides, and darutoside, this intensive eye serum contains a medley of researched-backed ingredients. They work seamlessly to smooth and tighten the skin over time.
Best With Retinol: Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum. We’re also incredibly big fans of Sunday Riley 5 Stars.
Don’t let the cute container fool you. This eye serum blends skin-smoothing superstars retinol and niacinamide to reduce fine lines and deliver a more even skin tone.
Best With Caffeine: Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Depuffing Eye Serum. Dr. King likes caffeine-infused eye products like Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo-Recovery for puffy, droopy skin.
Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating, she tells Byrdie.
Best K-Beauty: Dr. Althea To Be Eyeconic Eye Serum. Korean skincare brand Dr. Althea’s take on eye serum is this ultra-gentle, silky-smooth formula that works to enhance the entire area.
Standout ingredients include natural anti-inflammatory panthenol, wrinkle-reducing adenosine, and K-beauty favorite cica.
Best Soothing: Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage. This soothing eye serum from Clinique comforts irritated skin with vitamin B5 and depuffs with a dose of caffeine.
Meanwhile, antioxidants like grape seed extract work to brighten dark circles and correct uneven skin tone. The metal roller ball also has a cooling effect on tired eyes.
The lightweight formula dries quickly, making it a perfect choice for your pre-makeup skincare routine.
Best Gel: Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel. If you like the feel and consistency of a gel, Dr. Loretta is your best bet.
This hydrating eye treatment leans on the brand’s proprietary ingredients, Chromabright and Lipochroman. It promises to address dark circles, correct uneven skin tone, and protect against free radicals.
Not only that, but algae extract supports collagen production and strengthens the skin barrier. The price is steep, but a little goes a long way, so overall we think this product is worth the spend.
Final Verdict
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Triple Correction Eye Serum is hands down the best eye serum out there today. The intensive yet gentle blend of retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, and rambutan provides noticeable results, and you can use it both morning and night.
On the other hand, The Ordinary Depuffing Eye Serum will only run you a few bucks. It makes a highly visible difference in dark circles and under-eye bags.
What to Look For in an Eye Serum
Healing Properties
The skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the face and is highly prone to damage, explains board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD. An eye serum should both heal and maintain the overall health of your skin.
Her recommendations? Look for common ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, which can help target puffiness, lines, and wrinkles and improve the appearance of dark circles.
Hydrating Ingredients
Because the skin surrounding the eye area is so delicate, Dr. Rodney recommends reaching for formulas packed with hydrating ingredients. These will plump the skin, making it more vibrant and youthful, she says.
Some helpful ingredients include glycerin, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
Clean, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free
Finally, Dr. Rodney recommends clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas, noting she’s seen an increase in demand from her patients. I look for as few ingredients as possible, which reduces the chance of skin irritation or clogged pores, she says.
These are also free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates. All of these are known to potentially cause irritation and reactions, especially in those with sensitive skin.
FAQ
What are the benefits of eye serums?
Like regular face serums, eye serums contain concentrated doses of various actives, like retinoids, antioxidants, and peptides. This allows them to target various concerns, like crepiness, fine lines, crow’s feet, dark circles, and under-eye bags.
If you want to address a specific issue with active ingredients, then look for a serum that features a high concentration of that active ingredient, says Dr. King.
How do you apply eye serums?
Deposit a small amount of product onto a clean finger, roughly the size of a grain of rice. Next, tap the serum all-around your under-eyes, eyelids, and up to the brow bone.
Then gently pat it in circular motions until it’s fully absorbed. Eye serums should always be applied to clean skin, typically right after washing your face.
How often should you use an eye serum?
You can safely apply an eye serum up to two times per day. In fact, daily use is often highly recommended to achieve the desired results.
However, you may want to work your way up to everyday use with products containing retinol to avoid irritation.