10 Best Eye Creams for Puffiness in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)
Eye puffiness can leave you looking tired and older than you are. One way to combat eye puffiness is with a cream. Eye creams are designed to reduce inflammation, but many have secondary properties that promote skin health and beauty. For instance, some eye creams are also helpful in reducing dark circles and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. No matter your skin type or age, there is a perfect eye cream for you!
If you need help with your search, check out the list of our favorite eye creams for puffiness. Clinique's All About Eyes Cream is our favorite, as it's packed with antioxidants to relieve puffiness and the formula will leave your skin looking smooth and firm. We also included a buying guide, which has been reviewed by a board certified dermatologist, with many tips to help you find an eye cream that works best for you.
Quick List - Top Eye Creams for Puffiness
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
How to Choose an Eye Cream for Puffiness - Buying Guide
To choose an eye cream that effectively reduces under-eye puffiness, you should consider several factors such as the cream's formula, your skin type, and the packaging. These criteria will help you select the perfect eye cream.
Look for Ingredients That Can Diminish Puffiness
Usually, eye puffiness is the result of swelling and inflammation. But don't worry; there are many ingredients that can help you combat puffiness!
Caffeine for Tightening the Skin to Reduce Puffiness
One of the most effective ingredients to reduce puffiness is caffeine. It constricts blood vessels to tighten the skin, thus minimizing the appearance of eye bags. Caffeine can also reduce inflammation and brighten the skin.
Some ingredients that contain a high amount of caffeine and are usually found in eye creams include green tea, coffee seed extract, and black tea extract.
Caffeine is a great product to use for puffiness. It has both immediate and long-lasting effects. Sometimes, however, if the product contains green tea to provide the caffeine, it can be a little irritating for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.
I recommend using a caffeine product in the morning, but it can also be used in the evening. You should still use a good hydrating moisturizer with a caffeine-based eye cream.
Peptides Help With Puffiness Due to Collagen Loss
Peptides are a chain of amino acids and are a popular addition to skincare products because of their ability to stimulate collagen production and reduce the signs of aging.
Over time, your skin slowly loses the ability to produce collagen. When your skin does not produce enough collagen, it can cause under-eye puffiness. Therefore, peptides are a versatile tool to fight puffiness and aging.
On the ingredients list, you may see some brand names instead of the word "peptides." Matrixyl 3000 is a powerful combination of two peptides that stimulates collagen production and relieves puffiness. Argireline is acetyl hexapeptide, a moisturizing peptide that will reduce puffiness and also the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants Can Rejuvenate Puffy Eyes
Antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol can enhance your skin's elasticity and smooth out puffiness. They can also protect your skin against environmental aggressors and diminish blemishes such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.
Many plant oils and extracts have antioxidant properties as they are full of vitamins and healthy fats to reduce inflammation and restore a youthful look to the skin. Look for ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil.
On top of that, those nourishing ingredients can reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and brighten your complexion. If you're struggling with a dull complexion, antioxidants can help you solve that problem!
In addition to antioxidants, look for vitamin K in the ingredient list if you have dark circles under the eyes. Many times, the bags under the eyes also come with hyperpigmentation. Vitamin K can reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Pick a Cream That's Suitable for Your Skin Type
Different types of skin require different eye creams to effectively reduce puffiness and other imperfections. So look for an eye cream with the proper formula and consistency!
Effective Moisturizers for Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, make sure your eye cream is formulated with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, ceramides, and glycerin. Those ingredients increase moisture levels in the skin and improve its elasticity, leaving your skin looking bouncy and healthy.
If the skin surrounding your eyes feels rough, consider a cream with moisturizers like olive oil and almond oil. They can help reduce water loss to keep your skin moisturized. They are effective in softening skin, too!
Eye creams for dry skin tend be thicker, as they are rich in moisturizing ingredients like fats and oils. Some can even be thicker than a regular moisturizer, as they are specially formulated for the sensitive skin under the eye.
Many times, puffy eyes come along with thin, crepey overlying skin. Using a thick moisturizer can really help improve hydration of the area and reduce the fine lines and wrinkles. I like to recommend a hyaluronic acid eye cream.
As a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws water to the skin and gives a plumping effect. For very dry undereye areas, using an occlusive ointment-based emollient like Vaseline can also be very beneficial.
A Non-Comedogenic Formula for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, choose an eye cream that is free from comedogenic ingredients such as almond oil and lanolin. They can clog pores and lead to acne. Retinol and niacinamide are effective in treating acne. Those ingredients can also smooth the skin to improve the appearance of acne scars.
Since oily skin is caused by an over-secretion of sebum, you should look for ingredients that can help absorb excess sebum. Witch hazel is particularly great for oily and acne-prone skin, as it has strong astringent properties to dry sebum and clear up acne. It can reduce swelling and works for eye puffiness, too!
Also consider the consistency of the eye cream, thicker creams tend to sit on the skin and can lead to oily skin. A thinner eye cream-gel is intended to be absorbed by the skin and can be more effective for users with acne-prone skin.
Peptides or Collagen for Mature Skin
If you are struggling with wrinkles and fine lines, look for an eye cream that contains ingredients like fruit extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide. These can help smooth blemishes and brighten your skin for a youthful look. Those ingredients can also shield your skin from environmental aggressors.
Green tea extract is good for aging skin as well. It's a good source of antioxidants and can slow signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
Collagen or peptides are other great choices that can help rejuvenate your skin. Specifically, they improve the skin's elasticity and reduce pigmentation.
Retinol eye creams are a great product for anti-aging around the eyes. However, many people cannot tolerate a retinol around the sensitive skin of the eye because they get irritation. Collagen and peptides are a great alternative to use for anti-aging around the eye. They can help improve skin texture and tone without causing irritation.
Soothing Ingredients for Sensitive Skin
For those with sensitive skin, we recommend looking for eye creams with soothing ingredients like chamomile extract, calendula extract, and aloe vera. They have strong anti-inflammatory qualities to calm irritated skin.
Sensitive skin gets irritated easily and might even react to eye creams that are generally safe for normal skin. Therefore, conduct a patch test before using a product to make sure it's suitable for you!
The eye skin can become irritated and sensitive very quickly. If you are prone to irritation around the eyes, avoid retinol products. Look for products with niacinamide, which can be soothing to the skin and help with skin discoloration. Avoid creams with essential oils and fragrances as these can be irritating.
Choose Packaging Based on Convenience and Application
Eye creams in smaller packaging are convenient because they easily fit in a bag or purse. On the other hand, larger products like jars hold more product; you might prefer this type if you don't want to replace your favorite eye cream as often.
One negative aspect of jars is the need to apply the product by hand. This process can get messy and becomes more difficult if you are on the go. It is also less hygienic to constantly put your fingers into the product and apply them to the eye area. Products with rollers or wands can be directly applied to the under-eye area without ever needing to touch the product.
Pump bottles disperse a controlled amount of a product every time; however, there is a risk of the pump breaking. Solution from a pump bottle can be applied by hand or with a makeup sponge or cotton pad.
10 Best Eye Creams for Puffiness
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clinique All About Eyes Cream | | Best Eye Cream Packed With Antioxidants | |
2 | Laboratoires Filorga Paris Optim-Eyes | | Best for Toning Skin Around the Eyes | |
3 | CeraVe Eye Repair Cream | | Best for Those With Fragrance Sensitivity | |
4 | Tree of Life | | Best for Youthful-Looking Skin | |
5 | Eight Saints | | Best for Sensitive Skin | |
6 | Brickell | | Best Eye Cream for Men | |
7 | Clarins Total Eye Lift Eye Cream | | Best for Total Health and Beauty of Your Eyes | |
8 | Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Eye Cream | | Best for Powerful Hydration | |
9 | Pacifica Vegan Collagen Recovery Eye Cream | | Best Vegan Eye Cream | |
10 | Garnier | | Best for Easy Application |
Best Eye Cream Packed With Antioxidants
Pros:
- Works for a variety of skin types
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and puffiness
- Free of fragrances, parabens, and sulfates
- Formula is rich in antioxidants
Cons:
- A few buyers wished it addressed their dark circles better
Thanks to an antioxidant-rich blend of green tea extract and mulberry root extract, Clinique's eye cream helps lessen the appearance of fine lines and improve your complexion. This formula also features caffeine, which is well-known to reduce the appearance of puffiness.
Some reviewers say it didn't help lighten the dark circles under their eyes. On the other hand, buyers rave about the moisturizing qualities of this eye cream. Others love this cream for reducing the appearance of fine lines and puffiness.
Laboratoires Filorga Paris Optim-Eyes
Best for Toning Skin Around the Eyes
Pros:
- Effective for a variety of skin types
- Reduces the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles
- Hydrating formula
- Peptides aid in restoring skin elasticity
Cons:
- A couple of reviews express issues with operating the pump bottle
This eye contour cream from Laboratoires Filorga Paris works to reduce the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles for all skin types. The formula contains unique peptides to help you get rid of eye puffiness, and the addition of hesperidin helps to moisturize the area under the eye, relieve puffiness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
A few buyers have issues with the bottle's pump not operating as intended, and they had difficulty getting the product out. However, many reviewers say this eye cream is lightweight and easy to wear. Some even had results after just a few days.
Best for Those With Fragrance Sensitivity
Pros:
- Works for all skin types
- Free of any fragrance
- Hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the eye cream can be greasy
CeraVe's Eye Repair Cream contains three types of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to plump your under-eye skin and reduce puffiness. It's also infused with aloe vera and niacinamide to soothe and refresh your eye area. It's free from fragrance as well and is suitable for those with fragrance sensitivity.
A few buyers complain that the texture is inconsistent and feels a bit greasy. On the other hand, the majority love the hydrating formula. Many give reports saying this eye cream helped reduce the appearance of their dark circles and puffiness in just a few days.
Best for Youthful-Looking Skin
Pros:
- Works for all skin types
- Organic and paraben-free
- Helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines and wrinkles
- Formula is rich in antioxidants
Cons:
- A few reviews point out that this product can feel heavy
This eye gel from Tree of Life has a formula that leaves the skin looking more youthful while helping to eliminate puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Matrixyl 3000 is a peptide that helps the skin produce collagen; this causes the skin to look more toned and radiant. A blend of antioxidants help reduce puffiness and oils keep the skin moisturized.
Some reviewers say the product can feel heavy on the skin; they advise a small amount goes a long way. However, buyers appreciate this product because it gives them a youthful glow while reducing the appearance of puffiness. They also mention how quickly the gel works; some had results in just a few days.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Pros:
- Free of parabens, silicone, and artificial fragrances
- Helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines
- Formula intended to hydrate and soothe skin
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the texture is too thin
Eight Saints gets their namesake from eight essential ingredients that they have attributed to skin health. This eye cream contains all eight ingredients including hyaluronic acid for moisturizing effects and antioxidants to calm puffiness. It also contains cucumber hydrosol which produces a calming sensation on the skin.
A few buyers have issues with the texture; they say it is too thin. On the other hand, reviewers with sensitive skin love this product saying it does not irritate their skin and has a light fragrance. They also appreciate how hydrating this eye cream is; it leaves their skin smooth and firm.
Best Eye Cream for Men
Pros:
- Free from parabens and synthetic fragrance
- Works to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines
- Formula rich in antioxidants and peptides
Cons:
- Some reviews say the product loses consistency
This product from Brickell is marketed for men, although anyone can benefit from its formula. This eye cream is fragrance-free and easily absorbs into the skin, leaving no greasy residue. Caffeine and antioxidants help calm inflammation and reduce puffiness. Cocoa butter and aloe work to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
A couple of reviewers say the product can separate and lose consistency. Nevertheless, buyers rave about this product because it has a light natural scent and dries quickly. Others talk about their results, saying this eye cream helped firm and tighten areas with wrinkles.
Best for Total Health and Beauty of Your Eyes
Pros:
- Reduces the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles
- Works for all ages and skin types
- Enriches eyebrows and lashes
Cons:
- Some reviewers are frustrated with the pump bottle not functioning as intended
Made with guarana extract and caffeine, this eye cream targets puffiness and dark circles for smoother and brighter skin. It boasts botanical ingredients that firm skin and fight fine lines. The formula also contains D-panthenol, which promotes the health of eyebrows and lashes.
A few buyers had difficulty getting the eye cream out of the pump bottle; some had to take it apart to get the product. However, buyers love this eye cream, saying it goes on easy and does not leave a greasy residue. They also rave about the hydrating formula and explain it leaves their skin feeling silky and smooth.
LancômeRénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Eye Cream
Best for Powerful Hydration
Pros:
- Free from parabens and sulfates
- Helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines and wrinkles
- Powerful hydrating formula restores moisture to the skin
Cons:
- A few buyers have irritation in response to the fragrance
Lancôme's eye cream has caffeine to improve puffiness and dark circles, brightening your overall complexion. Cocoa seed butter and hyaluronic acid keep the skin moisturized and soft. Finally, linseed oil will fight fine lines and wrinkles and help restore a youthful look to the skin.
Some buyers note a fragrance that could be irritating to those sensitive to it. But, many reviewers praise this eye cream for how moisturizing it is without being greasy. A large number of reviews also say how effective the cream is at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Pacifica Vegan Collagen Recovery Eye Cream
Best Vegan Eye Cream
Pros:
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Free from fragrance, parabens, and silicone
- Moisturizing formula full of antioxidants
Cons:
- Some buyers with sensitive skin had irritation
Pacifica's Vegan Collagen Recovery Eye Cream touts a combination of vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B, and caffeine to keep your skin hydrated and healthy while decreasing the appearance of puffiness. It's also formulated with flower extracts to revitalize your skin for a fresh complexion.
A few reviewers had some irritation from this eye cream; it might not be for those with sensitive skin. However, a majority of buyers love this product and it leaves their skin looking and feeling hydrated. They say the eye cream is lightweight and blends in perfectly.
Best for Easy Application
Pros:
- Helps reduce puffiness and dark circles
- Roller allows for ease of use
- Formula rich in antioxidants
- Soothing properties great for morning puffiness
Cons:
- A couple of buyers note the texture is a bit thin
This eye cream from Garnier comes in a convenient roller for easy application at home or on the go. Caffeine and vitamin C help reduce puffiness and dark circles and brighten the look of your skin. An addition of mint provides a soothing sensation for tired eyes.
A few reviewers say the solution was thin and left a residue. However, buyers love this product because it not only reduces the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, but also relieves tired and itchy eyes. Many say they like to put theirs in the refrigerator and use it in the morning for a cooling effect.
Dr. Levy's Recommended Eye Creams for Puffiness
I love Colorescience Total Eye 3-1 Renewal Therapy. Firstly, it comes in four shades to match your skin tone and can be used as a concealer. The applicator is the perfect shape for applying the product and you do not have to use your hands.
It also has mineral sunscreen to prevent further sun damage. It addresses fine lines, pigmentations, and puffiness. The nice thing about the product is it gives immediate results of better appearing under-eye skin, but also long-term effects of reduced puffiness.
I also recommend Isdin's Isdenceutics K-Ox Eyes eye cream, which is also a favorite of mine. It really targets dark circles since it has vitamin K, and it also addresses puffiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing our buying guide, Dr. Levy also answered some commonly asked questions on the Internet.
What causes puffy eyes?
"There are many causes of puffy eyes or bags under the eyes," Dr. Levy explains. "In many people, this is genetic and runs in families. In others, it is due to aging where there is significant volume loss and also sagging skin.
As we age, our face loses volume, and the skin loses elasticity, which can result in hanging loose skin under the eyes. Additionally, eating a high-salt diet can result in transient eye puffiness, which is more noticeable after waking up in the morning."
What's the best way to apply eye cream?
Dr. Levy says, "If you are using a retinol eye cream, then apply it at night on dry skin since UV light from the sun can inactivate the retinol and make it ineffective. Put a thick moisturizer over the eye cream. Eye creams that contain hyaluronic acid or peptides can be applied twice a day.
Some eye creams have concealer in them and should be used during your morning makeup routine. No matter what eye cream you use, make sure to apply a thick moisturizer over the cream to help maintain hydration in this area."
Find the Eye Cream That's Just Right for You
Not sure any of the creams listed above will meet your needs? We have other products for you to consider and try!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Lauren Levy
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Eye Creams for Puffiness
No. 1: Clinique｜All About Eyes Cream
No. 2: Laboratoires Filorga Paris ｜Optim-Eyes
No. 3: CeraVe ｜Eye Repair Cream
No. 4: Tree of Life ｜
No. 5: Eight Saints ｜
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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