14 Best Eye Creams for 2024 – Lines, Puffiness, Dark Circles

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

The eye area is one of my main concerns when it comes to ageing, so I am a big believer in using a separate and targeted product on that skin. Here are my favourite picks of the best Eye Creams and Serums for 2024.

Do You Need to use an Eye Cream?

As I said at the top, I am a big believer in using eye creams, especially because the skin in the eye area is a lot finer than the rest of the face. This will be more important if you have mature skin like mine, and if you suffer with dark circles, lines or puffiness, an eye cream is probably just what you need.

As the eye area is more delicate than face skin, it can be sensitive to some stronger or more active ingredients that appear in face creams, so you may want to keep them at a safe distance. However, it is crucial to keep the eye area moisturised to prevent dryness, so having a dedicated eye product can be very handy.

For me, the key to keeping my eye area looking its best is hydration, so eye creams and serums with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid are brilliant. Younger skins will benefit from a simple hydrating formula, whereas if you are looking to tackle issues like lines and wrinkles, you may need extra actives like retinol.

For puffiness, ingredients like caffeine are great so help smooth and tighten the eye area. If you suffer with dark circles, Vitamin C in the eye cream formula could be really helpful.

Keep reading to discover lots of eye cream recommendations for a range of different concerns.

Best Hybrid Makeup & Skincare Eye Cream

I had to include this new section in the roundup because last year a created my very first-of-its-kind makeup and skincare hybrid eye product called Lid Elixir!

Lid Elixir is a serum-tint with a light gel texture. It is packed with peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane and skin tighteners to lift, tighten and smooth the lids with a glossy wash of champagne colour. It has a refreshing cooling effect too.

Best Eye Creams 2024 for Dark Circles

If you are suffering with darkness under the eyes, as well as brightening ingredients, it’s also really helpful to use something with optical brighteners for an instant boost. I have included a couple of those here.

Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream

I am a big fan of the moisturiser version of this eye cream which you can check out in Best Moisturisers for 2024.

This formula uses a blend of Matrixyl 3000, Argireline Amplified and squalane to brighten the eye area and improve the appearance of dark circles. It has a lovely light yet hydrating texture and a little goes a long well. It sits really beautifully under makeup too.

REN Radiance Dark Circle Eye Cream

REN is such a gorgeous skincare brand – if you are looking for a really nice plumping essence, check out REN Perfect Canvas Smooth Prep & Plump Essence. And if you want something for the eyes that brightens and hydrates, but is still gently, check this one out.

This is a great one for day time especially if you want to skip makeup, because it deliver a lovely brightening effect and really smooths the skin with hydration. In terms of ingredients, there is the antioxidant power of elderberry flower extract and also phytoglycogen to help moisture retention and promote firmer, more plumped up skin.

You can buy it via the following links:

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream

This eye cream from Sunday Riley is so good under makeup and really does have an instant brightening effect that is super flattering.

It is a great one for day time especially if you want to skip makeup, because it really does lift the shadows under the eyes. In terms of ingredients, there is caffeine, horse chestnut, shea butter, watermelon extract and ginseng root to energise and soothe, and protect from oxidant damage.

You can shop Auto Correct via the following links:

SAVE £62+!!

If you’re an Auto Correct fan you may want to pick up this value set with 2 eye creams in, which currently has an extra 30%. You can get 2 for £57.40, which means you save £62.60!!

Votary Super Bright Eye Gel

This is a brand new January 2024 launch to look out for from British skincare brand, Votary. I love pretty much all their products, and so does my partner. It is actually his favourite skincare brand.

This new eye gel has been formulated to tackle all the issues related to tired eyes with a big focus on brightening. It combines peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and plant stem cell extracts to also smooth and firm the area. Available at Votary.

Best Eye Creams 2024 for Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream

I am a big fan of Tatcha and this eye cream is as luxurious as it sounds.

The texture of this eye cream is so luxurious. It has a super soft, almost cushiony texture that is nice and instantly smoothing and plumping. It sinks in beautifully and works really well under foundation or concealer.

This super-antioxidant cream uses a silk protein that expertly moisturises the skin while Japanese white peony supports the skin barrier function.

The Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream is available via the following links:

Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Line Erasing Eye Cream

This is a great prodyct from Arden and it capitalises on their amazing ceramide expertise with a serious yet sensible hit of retinol.

It uses encapsulated retinol which is released on to the skin over an eight hour period for maximum efficacy and minimal irritation. It also contains niacinamide to help brighten, peptides to strengthen and ceramides to ensure the skin barrier is well looked after.

The full power blend is packaged in a airless pump to keep everything super fresh and potent. I have used this on consecutive nights with no irritation at all. Eyes look smooth and rested the following morning.

You can buy it at:

Sunday Riley 5 Retinoid & Niacinamide Eye Serum

This is one of Sunday Riley’s most impressive launches in my opinion.

I love the packaging and the cooling ceramic tip is brilliant because it gives a gorgeously instant soothing effect. It is brilliant on fine lines and gives pretty quick softening results!

The formula uses 6% retinoid complex and centella asiatica to make sure it gets to work without destroying the skin barrier. There’s also poppy seed extract and ceramides to soothe and smooth, plus niacinamide to brighten.

If you want something that gets to work fast on fine lines, try this.

You can buy it at:

Vichy Neovadiol Multi-Corrective Eye and Lip Care

This is such a great eye cream that deliver a lovely instant smoothing effect.

It is packed with anti-aging ingredients like Proxylane + Cassia Extract, Niacinamide, Omegas 6-9 and Caffeine.

It’s a great one to carry in my bag to prep my skin if I want to top up my concealer and give it some bounce back. Read about the full Neovadiol range if you are interested in menopause skincare.

You can buy the Vichy Neovadiol eye cream via the following links:

Best Eye Creams 2024 for Puffiness

Lancome Advanced Génifique Light Pearl Eye & Lash Serum

I absolutely love to use this eye serum first thing in the morning. It is brilliant for waking up my eyes.

The texture is light yet super hydrating and refreshing, and it feels so cooling and gently tightening. It uses caffeine and arginine to revive and refresh. It is actually proven to cool the skin by -3°C to depuff. It feels amazing.

Lancome Advanced Génifique Light Pearl Eye & Lash Serum is available via the following links:

TULA Skincare Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

This was a brand new discovery for me in 2022 when this probiotic skincare brand launched in the UK. I’d say this is more a a quick eye pick me up than an intensive eye treatment, but I absolutely love it to cool and refresh my eyes in a super convenient stick format.

It feels super cold and really wakes up my eye area if I am feeling tired. It uses caffeine to tighten and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and smooth. It deposits a visible light reflecting pigment to deal with dullness, and I also like to use it on the tops of cheekbones as a juicy hightligher.

Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate

This is a great one if you have sensitive eye and quite the multi-tasker.

MRL Eye-drate has such a beautiful texture. It is rich but light, and it really quenches, cools and depuff the skin. It sinks in beautifully, so perfect if you like something very lightweight but effective. The formula includes Kukui and Green Coffee Oil to soothe, protect and stimulate the skin around the eyes.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

If you’re looking for a do-it-all eye serum / cream, you must check this out. I find this is really great at depuffing, especially thanks to the cryo technology applicator, but it’s also super hydrating, very smoothing and generally makes the eye area look and feel a lot smoother.

It has a beautiful texture that is halfway between a serum and a cream, and it works beautifully alone. I also love to use it on the smile lines that go down from my nose to the corners of my mouth.

Read Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Review.

You can buy it at:

Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream

This is one to look out for that launches at Glossier in January 2024.

Full Review – Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream Review.

This new formula from Glossier has been formulate to hydrate the skin and visibly and instant depuff the eyes. It promises to be a great one if you suffer with under eye bags. It also promises to brighten the look of dark circles and soften fine lines over time.

It contains a blend of Polyglutamic and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and lock in moisture. There’s also Niacinamide with Arctic Microalgae which do the work on fine lines and minimising under eye puffiness.

Ipsum Best Skin Eye Oil Balm

This eye balm is a very recent discovery for me when I want something more rich and nourishing.

This super hydrating formula uses a blend of plant oils and esters and is rich in potent polyphenols, antioxidants, peptides. It use Bakuchiol to smooth lines and is super gentle, even for sensitive skin.

It has a really gorgeous and different texture – it’s gel-like oil-balm, and then melts into a super light, creamy oil. Read the review for more info.

You can buy it via the link below:

Best Luxury Eye Creams for 2024

La Mer The Eye Concentrate

This has been a long time favourite of mine and it’s a really good all-rounder for hydration, darkness and puffiness.

I love using this with the cooling tool to apply and smooth it into the skin. This eye cream is great at lifting darkness and keeping the whole eye area super hydrated. It’s highly antioxidant too, so will prevent future damage. I love to use this at night.

You can buy it at:

Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid

I love Sisley’s Black Rose range and this eye wand is no disappointment.

I absolutely love the texture of this serum. It is super lightweight yet intensely hydrating and comfortable. It melts into the skin with a very nourishing feel, yet the consistency is fresh and lightweight like a gel.

The formula uses micropearls to instantly illuminate the eye area. Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid smooths, depuffs, plumps and brightens the area and create the most perfect base for makeup. The ceramic applicator is perfection. I don’t usually care much for things like that, but this is almost addictive because it feels so cooling and sculpting.

It is expensive but everyone I know who has tried it has loved it so far. I save this for daytime use.

You can buy it at:

Read the full Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid review.

Best Budget Eye Creams for 2024

Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream

This is a brilliant eye cream if you’re on a budget and it visibly brightens the eye area instantly so you need less makeup.

It is packed with actives to tackle darkness and skin texture and the formula includes 4% Vitamin, Niacinamide, Caffeine & Banana Powder for an instant boost. It is a really good product.

Buy it from the following links:

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

This is a super affordable eye serum that is designed to tackle the signs of ageing including fine line, dark circles and puffiness.

It’s a super lightweight, water-based formula so it layers really well under a cream if you want to double up. It uses Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 plus a This a combination of niacinamide, fraxinus excelsior bark extract, propyl gallate, gallyl glucoside, and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside. There is a lot going on!

You can buy it at:

ELF Holy Hydration Eye Cream

ELF have had some amazing launches of late, and this is one of them.

This affordable eye cream features a blend of Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides to hydrate and smooth the eye area and also minimise dark circles. It has a lovely rich texture which absorbs quickly into the skin to lock in moisture and create a lovely base for makeup. And it’s only £10.

Shop it via the links below:

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

This is a lovely budget option that uses a blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid and a marine and botanical complex to soften lines, brighten darkness and thoroughly hydrate.

If you’re on a budget but still want results, you won’t be disappointed with this.

You can buy it at:

If you suffer with dry skin around the eyes, you will also need to make sure that you are using the right moisturiser for you skin type. Check out my Best Moisturisers 2024 guide for the best Moisturisers for dry skin.

Also, if you do you have eyes prone to dryness, it’s likely that the skin on your lips with suffer in the same way. To choose the right lip balm for you, have a ready of my Best Lip Balms to find a solution for dry lips.

Please let me know if you have any questions at all.