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Different eye creams can help with different skin concerns, from brightening dark circles to smoothing the look of crow's feet and wrinkles. But sometimes, you don't necessarily need the bells and whistles, but rather a trusty eye cream that puts hydration first.
Dryness around the eye is a good sign you'll want a hydrating eye cream, but those with dry skin aren't the only ones who should look for these formulas. "Those with sensitive skin or those prone to eczema should use a hydrating eye cream," says Michele Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia.
Ahead, we rounded up the best hydrating eye creams anyone with dry or sensitive skin should consider, including best-sellers and picks from Farber.
The Best Hydrating Eye Creams
Pros
- Airless packaging
Cons
Farber recommends this eye cream, praising it as "a fantastic option with peptides as well as humectants to gently stimulate collagen while moisturizing sensitive under eyes."
Customer Review:
"I simply love this cream. I even use some on my nasolabial lines and find that it really softens them as well. Such a powerful and gentle cream!" —A
Pros
- Contains sunscreen
Cons
The derm also likes this option, which comes in three shades and has SPF 35. "Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 is another one of my favorites as it brightens and hydrates while providing sun protection," says the derm. "It also has a cooling applicator that feels gentle on the skin."
Customer Review:
"I have a genetic disposition towards darkness under my eyes, not attributed to lack of sleep, but rather thin skin. As I age, that thinning becomes more dominant, increasing the darkness. This is the first product I have used that helps to shade that area without the use of heavy makeup items." —jrc1419
Glossier's long-awaited eye cream is here, and it was well worth the wait. It has a weightless gel-cream texture that's designed not to cause milia on sensitive skin, yet the formula—with hyaluronic acid, as well as brightening floral botanicals and niacinamide—still gets the job done.
Customer Review:
"I have very sensitive skin and never found an eye cream that can do the job while also being super gentle--until Full Orbit! I've already seen a noticeable difference after using it for two weeks. So grateful for this eye cream!" —Tessa C
Pros
- Can also be used as an eye mask
Cons
Before our obsession with avo toast, we were already smitten with Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream. Made with beta carotene for antioxidant protection, humectant sodium PCA, and (of course) moisturizing avocado oil, it helps smooth and sooth eyes day or night.
Customer Review:
"I love it! It works very well! Worth the money. The texture isn’t too thick. For me, it worked after my third day trying it!" —smileycc
Pros
- Comes with a metal applicator
- Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
A little goes a long way with this luxe eye cream, made with peptides that reduce puffiness and help soften the look of wrinkles. Massage it in with the included gold applicator for an even more upgraded experience.
Customer Review:
"The Bio Lifting line has consistently been my favorite and this eye cream just has my whole heart! The texture is exquisitely silky and provides a luxurious sensation on my delicate eye areas. I've noticed a visible reduction in my under-eye puffiness and leaving my eyes looking refreshed the next morning." —Tiffany T
Dieux Auracle Eye Serum
Pros
- Refillable and recyclable
Cons
Don't sleep on eye gels when it comes to hydration. This highly rated serum is made with 10 percent glycerin for a wave of moisture, along with both peptide and algae complexes for puffiness and dark circles.
Customer Review:
"Feels like my eyes are getting the best drink of hydration after being in the desert! Love this formula!" —Robin
Pros
- Comes with an applicator
Cons
Sometimes, the best eye creams come in the chicest packaging—as is the case with this Chanel classic. Made with Chanel's proprietary polyfractioned Vanilla Planifolia, Sublimage La Crème Yeux addresses dryness, fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness.
Pros
- Also helps brighten under-eyes
Cons
One of the best eye creams for hydration is also likely one of the first you ever tried. Clinique's refreshing gel-cream is ultra-light and easily absorbs into skin, but packs it with effective ingredients including brightening vitamin C and caffeine.
Customer Review:
"I have sensitive eyes and strayed away from using this for a while. My eyes were dry and burned. All I could think about was how smooth silky and comforting this eye cream is. I'm never running out again! Nothing else compares." —Alana
Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Caffeine Eye Gel Cream
Fans of the Hydro Boost gel cream moisturizer will be pleased to know that there's an eye cream companion, and it's also excellent. Like the original, it has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin, as well as a peptide complex and caffeine to fight dark circles.
Customer Review:
"Neutrogena skincare products are always very effective and a great value for their price point and this is no exception. It felt very lightweight and felt cooling under my eyes." —ashreneeh
Pros
- Rich texture
Cons
Technically a balm rather than a cream because of its thick texture, this formula—made with vitamin E, soy isoflavones to firm, and sylmarin for antioxidants—helps strengthen and nourish the skin around the eyes without feeling overly heavy.
Customer Review:
"This product has a light, almost whipped texture that almost melts into my skin. I can almost see it working the moment I apply it, it is really that remarkable. My eyelids get plumper and tighter. I look a lot younger. It is remarkable. I definitely found the product that works for me." —Sunpuppy
TULA Eye Recharge + Replenish Pro-Ferm Overnight Complex
Pros
- Locks in hydration for 12 hours
- Airless dispenser
Cons
Long nights are no match for this overnight eye mask from Tula. Formulated with chamomile and green tea to calm skin plus peptides and bakuchiol to reduce the appearance of fine lines, it's a skincare shortcut to looking like you got a full eight hours (or more).
Customer Review:
"It feels very nourishing around the eyes. I think it helped with my puffy eyes/circles. Definitely hydrating" —Simona
LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Pros
- Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
The eye-ingredient trifecta come together for this cream: hyaluronic acid, to hydrate; niacinamide, to brighten; and caffeine, to awaken skin around the eyes.
Customer Review:
"Nothing has ever worked as well under my eyes. After years of experimenting many products and routines, I found my forever under eye cream." —anaissss
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
Leave it to e.l.f. to formulate an effective eye cream for just $10. Hydrating hyaluronic acid and peptides give this shockingly affordable cream heft, but it's still lightweight enough to wear under makeup.
Customer Review:
"This is the only eye cream I use. I use it around my eyes and my lips. I've noticed improvements around my the skin texture of my the outer corners of my eyes." —Obsidian
Pros
- Lightweight texture
Cons
Some eye creams can be too thick to wear under your makeup, but that doesn't mean you have to skip the step in your AM routine. This cream from Jones Road creates an ideal starting point for makeup, as it feels moisturizing but isn't overly greasy.
Customer Review:
"The eye cream is light weight and leaves this delicate area feeling moisturized and hydrated. I use it morning and night." —Joyce P
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
Naturium's eye cream puts the focus on peptides—a.k.a. strings of amino acids, which make up proteins—to help strengthen the skin around the eye in this formula. It can be used day or night, as it leaves a super-smooth canvas.
Customer Review:
"Love this eye cream! My eyes look brighter, smoother, and very well moisturized even in a dry climate. A little goes a long way, sits well under makeup, too."—Bex__7
Pros
- Fragrance-free and vegan
Cons
Blue Lagoon seawater, which helps strengthen the skin barrier and promote collagen production, is the key component in this formula. But don't sleep on the other ingredients—like brightening niacinamide, moisturizing ceramides, and squalane.
Customer Review:
"I love this eye cream! As soon as I apply it, it melts into my skin and makes the whole area feel less tight. I notice that my fine lines are less visible and it absorbs quickly too so I can apply makeup after. A must!"—Laila
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should you look for in a hydrating eye cream?
Farber says to look out for eye creams that contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. "Peptides are a great collagen stimulator," says the derm, who adds they are a good alternative to retinol, which "can be drying around the eyes."
"Hyaluronic acid helps to hold water, while ceramides and glycerin protect the skin barrier to retain moisture." In addition, she notes, "Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E are great for brightening but may cause sensitivity in very sensitive skin." Last, the derm recommends caffeine, which she says is "great for dark circles and puffiness."
What skin types should use a hydrating eye cream?
The type of eye cream you use depends on your particular skin concern, though as previously mentioned, those with sensitive or dry skin should look for hydrating eye creams. "Anyone with dark circles can benefit from a brightening eye cream," adds Farber, and "Under-eye bags or puffiness respond best to caffeine and antioxidants like vitamin K to reduce inflammation."
Meet the Experts
- Michele Farber, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia, PA.
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