While you may just be getting used to the idea of using an eye cream, an eye serum should be on your radar, too. Just like a face serum and moisturizer go hand-in-hand, so does this dynamic duo. The two products work together synergistically to deeply hydrate and address the signs of aging.
But suppose you were more concerned with dark circles than puffiness or budget is a matter of consideration? Not to worry. While eye serums may be a relatively new concept, there are plenty of options out there to address every budget and skincare concern — here are the top picks to get you started
The List
BEST OVERALL
Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum
FULL LIST
Verso Super Eye Serum
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Lancôme Absolu Revitalizing Eye Serum
Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Serum
Stacked Skincare Firming Eye Complex
Best Eye Serum for Wrinkles
As the skin around our eyes is the thinnest on our entire body (and it doesn’t have sebaceous (oil) glands), it’s one of the first places we notice the early signs of aging — especially if you haven’t been protecting your skin from sun exposure.
When it comes to an eye serum for wrinkles, you can’t beat a formula with retinol. It’s an ingredient composed of smaller molecules, so it’s able to penetrate the skin deeply.
BEST OVERALL
Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum
A blend of advanced peptides reduces the look of discoloration and rich moisturizers combat dryness. Crow’s feet are smoothed, puffiness is reduced and skin is visibly lifted and brightened with every application.
FULL LIST
Verso Super Eye Serum
This popular retinol eye serum is formulated with Verso’s unique Retinol 8 complex, which effectively firms, addresses hyperpigmentation, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Additionally, hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps. At the same time, a blend of peptides strengthens delicate under-eye tissue, restricts capillaries, and increases the frequency of lymph vessel contraction, diminishing the look of eye puffiness, dark circles, and lines.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Harnessing the power of Retinol Tri-Active Technology (a fast-acting retinoid, time-released retinol, and a retinol booster), this best-selling serum quickly minimizes lines and deep wrinkles around the eye area in as little as two weeks. Despite being potent, this retinol eye serum is safe for those with sensitive skin.
Best Eye Serum for Dark Circles
Dark circles appear when blood pools in the veins under the skin. These shadowy rings can be a telltale sign of age, but that’s not the only reason these pesky shadows appear.
Genetics, ethnicity, lack of sleep, eye strain, allergies, a poor diet or nutritional deficiency, smoking, and alcohol consumption are also contributors.
Lancôme Absolu Revitalizing Eye Serum
No eye serum can get rid of dark circles overnight, but this one truly does impress. After just one week of using the formula twice a day, dark circles are visibly reduced. Three weeks later, fine lines and wrinkles are diminished while the overall eye contour appears more rejuvenated, thanks to an exclusive blend of luxurious rose extracts.
Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Serum
Grand rose and Bifidus and linseed extracts work together synergistically to refresh, brighten, and lift the delicate skin around the eyes. Its velvety texture absorbs quickly and deeply, resulting in a firmer, brighter, and more sculpted appearance in as little as one week.
Best Eye Serum for Dark Circles and Puffiness
Dark circles are often accompanied by puffiness (also known as “bags), which occur when the skin relaxes and sags, creating a pouch-like appearance. Excess fluid can also build up there, which makes the lower lids look even puffier.
Are you looking for an eye serum for bags and dark circles? Formulas with caffeine can help. When used around the eye area, caffeine can reduce the inflammation associated with dark circles and puffiness by narrowing the blood vessels.
Stacked Skincare Firming Eye Complex
While there’s no such thing as a quick fix, this under-eye serum comes pretty close. Honey lotus extract is the key ingredient that tightens and lifts the delicate skin under the eyes in just five minutes. Additionally, a peptide addresses the loss of elasticity and wrinkles over time. The result? Eyes that look like you got a full eight hours of sleep.
Best Eye Serum: The Bottom Line
What’s the Best Eye Serum? Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum.
Eye serums are water-based, lightweight, and more viscous. Serums typically contain more active ingredients that can penetrate more deeply due to their small molecular structure and liquid consistency — just like the serums used on your face — to provide optimum anti-aging and hydration benefits.
Eye creams are thicker and typically consist of more oils and fats. Creams are excellent for retaining and providing moisture on the skin’s surface while improving crepiness and texture.
Eye serums, on the other hand, are often more effective in addressing concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Before you go kicking one to the curb, note that both under-eye products are recommended by dermatologists because they address different eye area concerns.
There are many different eye serum formulas on the market to address dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, or a combination thereof. You can even find an effective drugstore formula that provides results without emptying your pocketbook.
