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2024's Top Eye Treatments for Refreshed, Youthful-Looking Eyes
Below are the top 5 products to reduce & prevent the look of aging skin around the eyes.
Advertiser Disclosure
Since the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body—it's also the most susceptible to fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, and even saggy skin. That's why it’s so important to start using an eye serum or cream as early as possible, to postpone and even avoid the tell-tale signs of aging that show up near the eyes. That said, it's never too late to start because a quality eye treatment can halt visible eye aging at any age.
This guide reveals what to look for in an eye treatment that both prevents and reduces the appearance of aging skin around the eyes.
A Quality Eye Serum Can:
Reduce the look of under-eye bags & puffiness
Prevent the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
Support a firm, refreshed look
Restore a renewed, youthful glow
Visibly minimize crow’s feet & brighten dark circles
The two most common types of eye treatments are eye serums and eye creams. While they may seem more or less the same, there are a few key differences to keep in mind when deciding which is right for you.
Eye Cream or Eye Serum?
The primary purpose of an eye cream is typically to moisturize. So, if dryness is your main concern, then an eye cream may be a good option.
Eye serums are typically able to penetrate deeper into the skin. That's why, depending on the ingredients, serums are often effective at reducing the look of puffiness, fine lines, and loose skin around the eyes.
Regardless of which eye treatment you choose, the quality and type of ingredients will determine whether it delivers on its promises.
Ingredients To Look For
Hyaluronic AcidOften listed as Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful ingredient that deeply moisturizes to smooth and prevent the look of wrinkles around your eyes.”
NiacinamideA potent form of Vitamin B3 that helps soothe and balance your skin's oil production.
CaffeineCaffeine helps wake up tired eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles and de-puffing the under-eye area.
SqualaneA skin moisturizer that visibly balances oil production, while locking in enough hydration to keep the skin looking clear, calm, and healthy.
Brightening AntioxidantsPotent antioxidants, like Activated Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid, help diminish and prevent the appearance of dark circles, sun spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and UV-damage.
Ingredients To Avoid
Synthetic Dyes or FragrancesThese synthetic ingredients may cause skin irritation, clog pores, cause blemishes, and even deplete your skin of its essential nutrients and oils.
Mineral OilA petroleum derivative that may cause breakouts by preventing the skin from absorbing vital nutrients. While this oil does have moisturizing properties, it causes more harm than good over time.
What Else To Consider When Choosing An Eye Cream Or Serum
Transparent List Of Ingredients
Many eye treatments list only a handful of their key ingredients. Beware of this practice, because that’s when the manufacturer can slip in some potentially harmful, synthetic ingredients.
Money-Back Guarantee
Skincare is a multi-billion dollar a year industry, which makes it easy for manufacturers with poor products to slip through the cracks. So make sure to buy an eye treatment from a brand that’s willing to standby its product with a 100% money-back guarantee.
The 5 Best Eye Treatments On The Market
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of how our product, Eye Elixir, stacks up against the competition.
Below are the final rankings, complete with detailed reviews of each eye treatment:
1. Eye Elixir
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Total Ranking
9.7/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Serum and cream hybrid
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Caffeine
- Niacinamide
- Squalane
- Activated Vitamin C
- Made in the USA with domestic and imported ingredients
- Formulated without synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, & mineral oil
- Under $50
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Featured in Vogue, Life & Style, Who What Wear, Yahoo, & Teen Vogue
CONS
- Exclusively sold online
- Only sold in the U.S.
The Bottom Line
Named "Best New Eye Serums" by Vogue, Tru Alchemy's Eye Elixir ranks at #1 because of its eye-cream hybrid formula that moisturizes while minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.
It contains a patented version of sodium hyaluronate, caffeine, Activated Vitamin C, ferulic acid, niacinamide, and squalane, as well as other ingredients that work together to visibly reduce puffiness and help refresh the under-eye area with its cooling applicator.
To top it all off, Eye Elixir applies as a serum and sets as a cream—giving you the best of both worlds with its hybrid formula that deeply penetrates like a serum and hydrates like a cream at the same time.
Eye Elixir is also free of synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, and mineral oil. And, Tru Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More2. Squalane + Marine Algae Cream
Total Ranking
9.1/10
A-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Rich, hydrating formula
Squalane
Sodium hyaluronate- Formulated without synthetic dyes & fragrances
- 60-day return policy
- Winner of 2023 Good Housekeeping Award “Best Plumping Eye Cream,” 2021 Glamour Beauty Awards "Best Eye Cream,” 2020 Cosmopolitan UK Beauty Awards "Best Eye Cream,” 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award
CONS
- Missing Niacinamide, Caffeine, and Vitamin C
May leave a heavy feeling on skin due to thick texture- Higher price point at over $50
The Bottom Line
Coming at #2 on the list is Squalane + Marine Algae Cream by Biossance. This eye cream is made with squalane, jojoba esters, and sodium hyaluronate. As a result, users say this cream leaves their skin feeling hydrated for hours. Squalane + Marine Algae Cream is also formulated without synthetic dyes and fragrances.
However, the formula is missing the effortlessly-light feeling of a serum as well as key smoothing and brightening ingredients like Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Ferulic Acid.
Fortunately, Biossance does offer a 60-day return policy so you can get your money back if you don't see the results you were looking for.
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. Shaba Complex™ Eye Serum
Total Ranking
8.8/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate- Formulated without synthetic dyes & fragrance
Cruelty-free- Made in the USA
CONS
- High price point at $60
- Heavier formula
Missing Caffeine, Squalane, & Vitamin C- No 60-day money-back guarantee
The Bottom Line
Shaba Complex Eye Serum by Drunk Elephant ranks a bit lower on the list, coming in at #3. This eye serum is formulated with niacinamide, black tea ferment, sodium hyaluronate, and copper peptides that work together to help slow down visible signs of aging and improve firmness around the eyes.
This eye serum is a bit thicker than the others on this list, so if you prefer a lightweight formula, this product might not be for you.
Also, for the price of $60, this product is on the more expensive side. Yet, there is only a 30-day return policy to make sure the product works for you.*
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
Total Ranking
8.4/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- Retinol eye serum
Formulated without mineral oil- 60-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- High price point at $84.99
Contains synthetic dyes & fragrance
The Bottom Line
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum by Murad came in 4th in the rankings because it’s made with a potent retinol formula that targets crow’s feet and helps improve the appearance of dark circles.
This formula is formulated without mineral oil, and according to their website, is suitable for sensitive skin types. The eye serum also has a solid 60-day money-back guarantee so you can be sure the product works for you.
However, at $84.99 per .5 oz bottle, this eye serum has the highest price tag of any other product on the list. The serum also contains multiple synthetic dyes and also uses synthetic fragrance.*
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
Total Ranking
8.0/10
B-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Unique gel-cream formula
- Sodium Hyaluronate
Formulated without synthetic dyes, fragrances, and mineral oil- Under $50
CONS
- Missing Niacinamide, Caffeine, Squalane, and Vitamin C
No 60-day money-back guarantee
The Bottom Line
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream ranks 5th because this product is not actually a serum. Instead, it's a gel-cream hybrid which may absorb slightly quicker and deeper than a cream.
Because Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream contains sodium hyaluronate, it's able to provide long-lasting hydration. It's also a more affordable option, with a price point below $50. However, the product is missing key ingredients that are included in our Tru Alchemy Eye Elixir serum, such as niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, and vitamin C.
Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream is also ophthalmologist-tested to ensure it is safe and non-irritating around the eyes. Plus, this eye formula is free of dyes and fragrances. That said, this product has a shorter return policy of 30 days compared to some of the other products on this list, which have 60 day money-back guarantees.*
*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageWith Research From
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
CITATIONS
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- Necas, J., Bartosikova, L., Brauner, P., & Kolar, J. (2008). Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan): a review. Veterinární Medicína, 53(No. 8), 397-411. doi: 10.17221/1930-vetmed
- Chan, A. (1993). Partners in defense, vitamin E and vitamin C. Canadian Journal Of Physiology And Pharmacology, 71(9), 725-731. doi: 10.1139/y93-109
- Kafi, R., Kwak, H., Schumacher, W., Cho, S., Hanft, V., & Hamilton, T. et al. (2007). Improvement of Naturally Aged Skin With Vitamin A (Retinol). Archives Of Dermatology, 143(5). doi: 10.1001/archderm.143.5.606
- Lu, Y., Lou, Y., Xie, J., Peng, Q., Shih, W., Lin, Y., & Conney, A. (2009). Tumorigenic Effect of Some Commonly Used Moisturizing Creams when Applied Topically to UVB-Pretreated High-Risk Mice. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 129(2), 468-475. doi: 10.1038/jid.2008.241