Whenever I’m feeling tired or rundown, you can always tell by looking at my eyes. Yep, my dark circles and under-eye puffiness are the first things to give me away. That being said, dark circles are nothing that one of the best eye creams and a bit of under-eye concealer can’t fix—especially a really well formulated eye cream for dark circles. However, one thing that I do struggle to cover up in the mornings is the puffiness. Sure, the dark circles are annoying, but on those mornings when I wake up after a bad night’s sleep, my under-eye area can be really puffy.
After speaking to friends and colleagues, it seems that this is something loads of us struggle with. So much so, that I decided to reach out to industry experts to find out why this happens to our eyes, and what we can do to fix it. Interestingly enough, while doing my research, I found out that there is actually a wide range of eye creams and eye gels on the market that have been specifically designed with puffiness in mind. Yep, these clever creams contain targeted ingredients to help soothe puffiness under the eyes and make you look a whole lot more awake, so they are definitely worth adding to your skincare routine.
Intrigued? Luckily for you, I’ve been busy putting these products to the test and have shared all my findings below, including expert advice on why our eyes become puffy in the first place. (Spoiler: my puffiness has been seriously reduced for using them.) Keep on scrolling for all the info…
Why Do We Get Puffiness Under Our Eyes?
So, why are our eyes prone to puffiness? “Under-eye puffiness is a common skin concern with many potential causes,” says Kate Somerville, esthetician to the stars and founder of Kate Somerville Skincare. “From fatigue and stress to fluid retention and genetics, the reasons behind puffiness can range from lifestyle habits to the natural effects of ageing. It’s often a combination of factors, but don’t worry—there are plenty of skincare ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of puffiness and restore a refreshed look.”
Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, after applying one of the best eye creams for puffiness.
Can an Eye Cream Help With Puffiness?
As mentioned above, there are eye creams out there that have been designed with puffiness in mind. “Under-eye creams can help to improve skin barrier function and decrease inflammation,” explains consultant dermatologist, Dr Magnus Lynch. The important thing is to know what skincare ingredients to look out for.
“There are several amazing ingredients that can help to reduce puffiness around the eyes,” says Somerville. “My favourites include peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Peptides help to boost collagen production and strengthen the skin and its structure, reducing sagging and puffiness over time. Hyaluronic acid is an essential ingredient as it helps to boost hydration, meaning it can plump [the skin] to reduce puffiness. Vitamin C is another staple. Not only [will it] brighten [the under-eyes], but it will also protect the delicate eye area from pollution and damage.” Caffeine is also a great ingredient to look out for as it can provide a short-term solution to puffiness, so a caffeine eye cream is great for those tired mornings.
Another top tip? Look for an eye cream with a metal applicator. This applicator will help to create a cooling sensation that not only feels amazing, but will also act as a cold compress to help reduce under-eye puffiness.
I’ve been busy putting the best eye creams to the test to see if they can help reduce puffiness.
The Best Eye Creams for Puffiness, Tried & Tested
1. Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
Sunday Riley
Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
Best for: Awakening the eye area
Why it’s the best: Yes, the Sunday Riley Auto Correct eye cream is expensive, but it really is one of the best eye creams I’ve ever tried. Designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, the lightweight formula contains caffeine and Brazilian ginseng root extract to deliver an energising boost to the skin. Plus, shea butter, cocoa butter and watermelon rind extract hydrate the skin while light-reflecting particles add a beautiful glow.
Who What Wear editor review: “I don’t know what I did before this eye cream. It’s my favourite product to reach for in the mornings as it sinks into the skin in seconds, hydrates my under-eyes and sits perfectly under makeup. Not only does it help with puffiness, but the light-reflecting particles add such a glow that people have even commented on how refreshed I look after using this,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Hydrating yet lightweight formula
- Awakens the eye area
- Adds a subtle glow
2. L’Oréal Paris 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum
L’Oréal Paris
2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum
Best for: A cooling sensation
Why it’s the best: If you’re looking for a more affordable eye cream option, you can’t go wrong with L’Oréal Paris. This eye cream took over social media thanks to the unique applicator, and we can confirm it’s worth the hype, Packed with hyaluronic acid and caffeine, the hydrating formula plumps the under eyes while the triple roller applicator massages and cools the skin to help reduce puffiness.
Who What Wear editor review: “This is such a fun eye cream to use, and the best bit is that the applicator really does work. It feels amazing to use in the mornings as it creates a refreshing, cooling effect and the hydrating serum is lightweight enough to sit under makeup, but effective enough to banish dry skin,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- More affordable than other options in this roundup
- Cooling applicator
- Hydrating serum formula
Against
- Some people might prefer a cream consistency
3. Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Lifting Eye Cream
Kate Somerville
Kateceuticals Lifting Eye Cream
Best for: Tackling a wide range of skincare concerns
Why it’s the best: This Kate Somerville eye cream is seriously impressive. Not only does it contain brown and red algae and vitamin C to help fight puffiness and dark circles, but it also features a triple peptide complex and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump fine lines.
Expert review: “Using an eye cream specifically designed with ingredients to treat puffiness is going to give you the best results,” says Somerville. “Our KateCeuticals Lifting Eye Cream is perfect as it is uniquely formulated to not only treat all signs of ageing around the eyes by relaxing the look of lines and wrinkles, but also contains brown and red algae to target puffiness and dark circles, and cucumber extract to soothe those tired under-eyes.”
For
- Contains lots of effective skincare ingredients
- Easy pump format
- Hydrating cream formula
4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream
Best for: Sensitive skin
Why it’s the best: La Roche-Posay has so many great products for sensitive skin, and this de-puffing eye cream is no exception. It’s infused with the brand’s famous thermal spring water to soothe and hydrate the skin, but it also includes a niacinamide complex to strengthen the skin’s barrier and reduce puffiness. It comes with an easy-to-use pump and the smaller bottle is perfect for travelling.
Who What Wear editor review: “I have very sensitive skin around my eyes, but I never get any irritation when using this. In fact, whenever my skin does feel irritated this provides a soothing effect. It’s a very lightweight cream but still manages to hydrate the skin and add a subtle glow while also helping to reduce puffiness,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Easy to apply
- Doesn’t irritate the skin
- Hydrating
Against
- Doesn’t come with a cooling applicator like some other options in this roundup
5. Origins GinZing™ Brightening Eye Cream
Origins
Ginzing™ Brightening Eye Cream
Best for: A brightening effect
Why it’s the best: We’ve written a whole feature on this Origins eye cream as it really is that good. Packed with caffeine, vitamin C, niacinamide and ginseng, it works to reduce puffiness and brighten the under eye area. It comes in two different tones (cool and warm) to add an illuminating finish to the skin, so it’s a great option for under makeup.
Who What Wear editor review: “If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to awaken your eye area in the morning, then I’d definitely suggest giving this eye cream a go. It feels refreshing to apply and adds a beautiful luminosity to the skin. Add a little bit of concealer over the top and you are good to go,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Lightweight formula
- Makes under-eyes look more awake
Against
- Can be a little messy to apply
- Not as hydrating as other formulas
6. Murad Targeted Eye Depuffer
Murad
Targeted Eye Depuffer
Best for: Instant and long-lasting results
Why it’s the best: Remember when I said to look for an eye cream with a cooling metal applicator? This Murad one ticks all the boxes. The metal tip instantly helps to reduce puffiness while ginseng, caffeine and peptides work to lift puffy eyes and make them look a whole lot more awake. Oh, and did I mention it comes with a light-reflecting complex to illuminate skin too? Told you it ticks all the boxes.
Who What Wear editor review: “When I’m finding it really hard to wake up in the morning, I know I can rely on this eye cream to give my skin a boost. The metal tip feels so nice on the skin and the formula itself immediately makes my eyes look more awake. It is an investment, but like many Murad products, you know you’re going to see results,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Cooling applicator
- Easy to use
- Contains lots of skin-loving ingredients
- Light-reflecting complex looks great under makeup
7. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Best for: Dry skin
Why it’s the best: CeraVe is one of those skincare brands that you know you can rely on when your complexion is in need of some TLC. The brand’s Eye Repair cream is packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate and plump the skin and nourish the skin barrier. The result? Soft, smooth looking under-eyes that will trick anyone into thinking you got a good night’s sleep.
Who What Wear editor review: “Another eye cream that never irritates my sensitive skin is the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. The nourishing formula glides onto the skin and makes my under eyes look totally replenished after a bad night’s sleep. I just wish it came with a cooling metal applicator like the eye cream above,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Affordable
- Nourishing formula
Against
- Doesn’t come with a cooling applicator
8. Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum
Charlotte Tilbury
Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum
Best for: A morning boost
Why it’s the best: As the name suggests, this Charlotte Tilbury eye cream delivers an instant cooling effect to the eyes, which is why I love to use it in the morning. The serum features the brand’s IceAwake complex which is made with Swiss glacial soil and Swiss ice wine essence, and comes with a metal tip, so you can only imagine how refreshing it feels to use.
Who What Wear editor review: “This is one of the brand’s more lightweight eye cream formulas, so I love using it under makeup. It sinks in quickly, depuffs the under eyes thanks to the cooling effects and really awakens the eye area,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Slim packaging is easy to travel with
- Really refreshing to apply
Against
- Not as hydrating as other eye creams in this roundup
- Quite expensive
9. Innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum
Innisfree
Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum
Best for: Easy application
Why it’s the best: This eye cream is really clever as it comes with a cooling rollerball applicator that feels refreshing but also helps to massage the under eyes, helping to get rid of fluid build-up that may be contributing to your dark circles and puffiness. The formula itself contains caffeine to also help reduce puffiness and awaken the eye area. Oh, and it features five types of hyaluronic acid for serious hydration.
Who What Wear editor review: “I’ve been using this every morning and have noticed my eyes looking less tired and my concealer applies better without creasing so much,” says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.
For
- Clever rollerball applicator
- Packed with effective ingredients
Against
- Some people might prefer a cream consistency
10. The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
The Inkey List
Caffeine Eye Cream
Best for: Very tired eyes
Why it’s the best: Not only is this eye cream much more affordable than more luxury options out there, but the ingredients speak for themselves. Packed with peptides and caffeine, I like to think of this as a cup of coffee for my under-eye area. It depuffs, helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and smooths the skin.
Who What Wear editor review: “This eye cream from The Inkey List has a cooling gel consistency that melts instantly into the skin, making it great to use on busy mornings and as prep for makeup too,” says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.
For
- More affordable
- Packaging is easy to travel with
Against
- Not as hydrating as other options in this roundup
11. Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Ilia
Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Best for: Effective skincare ingredients
Last but by no means least, say hello to Ilia’s Bright Start Activated Eye Cream. I have to admit, I hadn’t used any skincare from the brand before testing this eye cream, but I was impressed. The applicator comes with a cooling tip to help reduce puffiness, while the non-irritating cream features caffeine, avocado extract, peptides and a sea fennel-derived retinol alternative to hydrate, depuff and smooth the skin.
Who What Wear editor review: “If you’ve used any makeup products from this brand, then you’ll know that skincare is always front of mind, and I can totally see this when using the eye cream. Not only are the ingredients top notch, but it’s a joy to apply,” says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
For
- Easy to apply
- Cooling applicator
- Packed with effective ingredients
