Hydration is one of the most important factors in any skincare regimen. While face creams might work overtime to provide deep hydration to the complexion, the eye area requires something that can target common under-eye concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles — and eye serums are the solution.
Though eye serums offer many benefits, there are just so many out there to choose from. So, PEOPLE Tested more than two dozen top formulas to find the best eye serums. After 237 hours of wear, we narrowed down our selections to the 10 eye serums that are actually worth the effort (and money).
What is the difference between eye gel and eye serum?
The difference between eye gel and eye serum comes down to consistency. While both can have the same goal, eye gels tend to sit between an eye cream and eye serum, with a slightly thicker texture. Reach for an eye serum if you want something more lightweight and quick-absorbing.
If you’re looking for a top-notch beauty product, go with this Tula eye serum. It feels more like a cross between an eye cream and a serum, delivering potent ingredients and deeply nourishing moisture to the skin. This formula has a rich, creamy consistency that provides a burst of hydration that smooths and nourishes the under-eye area.
It also includes noteworthy ingredients such as peptides for targeting wrinkles, pink silk tree for reducing the look of dark circles, sea algae for hydrating and toning the skin, plus probiotic extract for de-puffing the complexion. In addition to its formula, the eye serum comes with a cooling applicator that makes it easier to massage the creamy concoction into the skin while effectively eliminating puffy under-eye bags.
We found that it works best as an everyday eye serum, though the heavier formula might not be ideal for skin types prone to blemishes. We tested this formula on sensitive skin and found it cooling and hydrating without causing irritation. We also saw improved skin texture, improved radiance, and less puffiness around the eyes.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Peptides, pink silk tree, sea algae, probiotic extract | Good For: Reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing dark circles, de-puffing skin
For a more budget-friendly option, consider this Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum. This formula is created with ginseng extract and retinol, which work together to target the fine lines and wrinkles caused by aging, and a loss of elasticity caused by decreased hyaluronic acid and collagen production.
During our testing period, we found that the eye serum has a super lightweight feel that is cooling and refreshing. Plus, it’s compatible with most skin types. We also noted how well the high-quality formula layers with other skincare and makeup formulas without lifting or clumping. And, since it’s so lightweight, the formula is also fast-absorbing, too.
Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, retinol | Good For: Targeting fine lines and wrinkles around the eye
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Boosts skin radiance and de-puffs quickly
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Cooling applicator that soothes and massages skin
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Reduces appearance of fine lines
This StriVectin pick is the best eye serum for mature skin, thanks to its ability to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and support firmer, radiant, and less puffy skin after just a few weeks. Part of what makes this eye serum so impressive is the peptide blend, caffeine, and Kakadu plum extract ingredients, which all work together to tighten and firm loose skin around the eyes while also reducing dark circles.
While we think the price is a bit high compared to other options we tested (especially when it’s not on sale), it’s still comparable to similar anti-aging products on the market, so we think the value is there.
Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Triple peptide blend, oligopeptide, dipeptide, tetrapeptide, caffeine, Kakadu plum extract, microalgae, marine ferment algae | Good For: Targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet
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Rich in antioxidants to protect skin
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Lightweight formula
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Compatible with all skin types
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Layers well with other skincare and makeup formulas
When targeting discoloration — including under-eye dark circles — a radiance-boosting formula is a must. Dermalogica’s vitamin C eye serum is enriched with a potent, bioavailable vitamin C complex that works overtime to boost the skin’s radiance under the eyes while also providing protection against environmental aggressors that cause some of the most common premature signs of aging under the eyes.
While the formula comes out fast and product distribution is a little tricky, we found that this product absorbs well into the skin and you don’t actually need a lot to get effective coverage. The lightweight serum also works well with a variety of skin types, including oily skin, and layers well under other skincare and makeup products without piling or lifting, too.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C complex | Good For: Targeting dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness.
After testing several formulas, we found that this Clinique eye serum is the best for addressing under-eye puffiness. We love this product because it comes in a roller ball applicator that acts like a mini massager, and helps reduce water retention under the eyes while also softening and soothing. It’s also quick-absorbing, and leaves the skin looking and feeling moisturized.
In addition to the applicator, the ultra-lightweight, yet nourishing formula features caffeine for its firming effect and helps to further de-puff, as well as antioxidants for protecting the skin against harmful environmental aggressors, and botanicals for soothing.
Compared to other products, the applicator distributes the product slowly, which takes some getting used to, but also allows you a little more control over the application.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, antioxidants, botanicals | Good For: De-puffing the skin, targeting signs of fatigue
Targeting fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes requires effective formulas with high-quality ingredients, like retinol, designed to reduce this common sign of aging. Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum is formulated to soften and smooth fine lines while also targeting a loss of firmness and puffy under-eye bags.
The eye serum features retinol, which helps effectively diminish fine lines and wrinkles (though it can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so don’t forget to apply a good face sunscreen!). It’s also enhanced by copper tripeptide-1 for its antioxidants and collagen support, as well as caffeine for de-puffing skin and helping eyes appear more awake.
With regular use, we actually saw a firming effect around the eyes, and our fine lines and wrinkles were less noticeable, too.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Retinol, copper tripeptide-1, caffeine | Good For: Targeting fine lines, loss of firmness, and puffiness
When should you begin using an eye serum?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael I. Jacobs says there’s no time like the present to start using an eye serum, and that anyone can start incorporating one into their skincare routine, even if they haven’t experienced issues yet. “As we age, people start to see a loss of moisture in more delicate areas, such as the area under the eyes,” he tells PEOPLE. “Adding an eye serum to your routine in your early 20s could help retain the moisture in that area.”
While it can take some time for the best eye serums to work their magic, you can get somewhat of a quick fix with the Mario Badescu Skincare Brightening Eye Serum. Enriched with caffeine, squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, this formula is an excellent option for those looking for an eye serum that provides instant nourishment as it softens and soothes the skin in just a few minutes.
When used regularly, we also found that this eye serum works well at smoothing and firming the skin under the eyes, helping to target fine lines and wrinkles and create an overall more youthful look. And, although we found that the squalane made it a little oily, the consistency still worked well when layered under makeup — in fact, we preferred it as a primer for our favorite drugstore concealer.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Good For: Boosting radiance, smoothing, and de-puffing skin under the eyes
To boost radiance for dark circles under the eye, a powerhouse ingredient such as vitamin C is required. With this in mind, we recommend the Perricone MD Brightening Eye Serum for brightening, which, after testing it, had a lasting effect on our dark circles. Formulated with vitamin C and DMAE (a compound known for improving skin tone), the eye serum comes in a dropper and is designed to boost radiance and firm the complexion while evening out the skin tone.
During our testing, we noticed our skin felt instantly hydrated and nourished after application — and it only took a few weeks for us to notice the boosting results, too. Although we love this formula’s radiance-boosting effects, we think it’s best for a nighttime regimen as the oily consistency doesn’t layer as well with makeup.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, DMAE | Good For: Boosting radiance, firming, and toning the skin
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Smooths and softens under-eye skin
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Lightweight formula that layers well
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Easy to control the application
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Massages and de-puffs skin
The Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel is our top pick for the best cooling eye serum. Its easy-to-use roller applicator evenly distributes formula to the under-eye area while acting like a mini massage tool to de-puff the skin. Enriched with Greek yogurt and caffeine, this eye serum is designed to reduce the look of dark circles by boosting the radiance of the skin under the eyes, de-puffing, and cooling the skin for an overall soothed sensation.
While testing this formula, we found that its lightweight consistency made it easy to apply and quick to absorb, which contributed to more cohesive layering with other skincare formulas and makeup products. Although we didn’t notice a major difference in the skin’s firmness and elasticity, the dark circles under our eyes were reduced, and our skin looked and felt smoother, softer, and more hydrated at the end of the testing period.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Greek yogurt, caffeine | Good For: Reducing dark circles, de-puffing eyes, cooling and soothing skin
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Ingredients that support skin suppleness
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Protects skin from environmental aggressors
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Slight cooling effect that soothes skin
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Layers well
To restore some of the skin’s supple feeling back into the under-eye area, we recommend Environ eye gel. This gel formula has a lightweight, watery consistency that, albeit a little tricky to apply at first, applies smooths onto the complexion nicely, absorbs quickly, and dries fast, making it a good treatment for layering under other skincare and makeup formulas.
Featuring vitamins A, B5, C, and E along with wild thyme and lupin, this deeply hydrating formula protects the skin against the environmental aggressors that lead to volume loss, while also restoring and firming the skin under the eyes. It also has a slightly cooling effect that soothes the under-eye skin.
Size: 0.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Vitamins A, B5, C, and E, wild thyme, lupin | Good For: Repairing and firming the skin
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After you decide on your next eye serum essential, check out these other PEOPLE-Tested skincare products. Our team rigorously tests each product to find the best of the best.
Other Eye Serums We Tried
- Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Serum with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid: For a drugstore eye serum that de-puffs and hydrates the skin, consider this Vichy eye serum. We needed more time with the product to experience its radiance-boosting claims, but thanks to its hyaluronic acid-rich formula, we think it’s worth mentioning because it provides instant hydration and softens and soothes the skin under the eyes.
- Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum: We also tested this Murad eye serum and were impressed by its rich formula featuring fast and slow-release retinols to gently target puffiness around the eyes and blur fine lines and wrinkles. We also wish we had more time to experience its firming and tightening claims. However, it worked quickly to boost radiance on the skin under our eyes.
- L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum: This L’Oréal Paris formula is another drugstore eye serum worth mentioning since it also features moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid and caffeine to soften, soothe, and nourish delicate skin. Since it has a massage applicator, it works fast at de-puffing the eyes and although it worked best for short-term results, we thought it was worth mentioning for the price.
People / Jessica Juliao
What to Know About Eye Serum
Ingredients
When shopping for effective eye serums, Dr. Jacobs says to first consider the ingredients and look for formulas that support elasticity, collagen, and hydration, such as vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid.
“Vitamin C and retinol aid in collagen production and skin elasticity, supporting a more radiant under-eye appearance,” he explains. “Hyaluronic acid moisturizes the area without being too thick,” he adds, noting that hydration is important because it can give a more refreshed appearance while softening, soothing, and supporting suppleness.
For the best eye serums with vitamin C, consider the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum and the Perricone MD Brightening Eye Serum, which both include vitamin C for its radiance-boosting benefits.
Skin Concern
Just as with other anti-aging serums, when choosing the best eye serum, you’ll want to pick the product that is best for your particular skin concern. There are excellent eye serums that target fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, dryness, and puffiness.
If you wish to target fine lines and wrinkles with retinol, we recommend the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides. Our top pick for the best quick-acting eye serum, the Mario Badescu Skincare Brightening Eye Serum, features hyaluronic acid along with squalane and niacinamide to support deep nourishment and long-lasting hydration.
While many of the products on our list work for dark circles, our top pick for dark circles is the Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum. If under-eye puffiness caused by fluid retention is a concern, we recommend a product with a roller ball applicator, like Clinque’s Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage.
Applicator
Just like other anti-aging serums, eye serums come with various applicators, including roller balls, droppers, and fine-tipped tubes to deliver the formula directly to the under-eye area. The eye serum’s consistency typically dictates the best applicator, though they aren’t always paired well. When using lightweight, gel-like formulas, look for massage applicators that cool and de-puff the skin upon contact.
Fine-tipped tube applicators can also work well with lightweight formulas as they allow you to directly apply the product to a specific area and have some control over the amount applied (a.k.a you can prevent things from getting messy). In some cases — especially if the formula is on the creamer side — a serum dropper might also work best for applying eye serum to the delicate under-eye area.
People / Jessica Juliao
Behind the Scenes
To find the best eye serums, we began by researching top-recommended formulas and carefully considering their ingredients, benefits, and value. From there, we narrowed down our selections to 27 eye serums to conduct real-world and lab testing over several weeks. We rated each product for the following attributes:
- Consistency: We considered each eye serum formula’s texture and consistency, noting how thick or runny it was and whether it had a greasy or oily feel upon application. We also tested if it can double as a primer based on how well it works as a base for makeup and other skincare products.
- Absorption: To test this, we applied each eye serum and waited ten minutes and then recorded how long it took for the formula to fully absorb, and noted whether or not it felt like the formula sat atop the skin without sinking in. We also took into consideration how much eye serum product we needed to feel like the area was adequately covered — and whether or not that matched up to the recommended usage amount on the package instructions.
- Skin Texture: After the testing period was complete, we observed how our under-eye area improved, if at all, and noted any specific changes. We detailed whether we saw improvements in dark circles, puffiness, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as noting whether our skin looked or felt tighter, firmer, softer, and/or smoother compared to the beginning of testing.
- Feel: Here, we identified any eye serum products that may be less than ideal for those with sensitive skin, noting any burning or tingling sensations we felt during the initial application. This rating was also based on whether the product felt sticky or tacky on the skin, if it offered any cooling effect, if it felt comfortable to wear, and if it felt gentle enough for everyday use.
- Overall Results: To discern the overall results, we noted which eye serums were more fast-acting or longer-lasting than others. In the PEOPLE Tested lab, we also measured our under-eye area with a moisture reader to note the difference in our moisture levels before and after applying each eye serum. This rating also covers the scent and whether or not the tester felt the scent (if any) was overpowering or pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which eye serum is the best?
Our top pick for the best eye serum overall is the Tula Skincare Eye Renewal Serum. Made with a blend of nourishing ingredients, including peptides, pink silk tree, sea algae, and probiotic extract, this eye serum targets wrinkles, reduces the look of dark circles, hydrates and tones the skin, and de-puffs.
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Are eye serums effective?
According to Dr. Jacobs, eye serums can be highly effective thanks to their targeted ingredient potency, which can aid in boosting radiance, smoothing, and soothing the under-eye area. He recommends looking for highly moisturizing and antioxidant-rich ingredients as these are a good sign that the serum will improve the appearance of the under-eye area, since they can provide deep hydration and reduce dark circles.
That being said, eye serums are applied to a more sensitive area, so Dr. Jacobs says it’s important to do a patch test on the inside of the wrist before adding a new eye serum to your skincare regimen to avoid potential reactions or irritations.
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How do you apply eye serum correctly?
Because the eye area is delicate, application of any product there should be done gently. When it comes to eye serum, you want to lightly dab or tap it into the skin using your ring finger (it is the most gentle finger due to its lack of independent mobility). Avoid rubbing eye serum into your under-eye area, as this motion can exacerbate the very issues you’re using the serum to address.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best eye serums, Jessie first reviewed the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to learn more about their testing experiences. She carefully considered each formula tested, looking at their ingredients, potency, and results to determine which eye serums were most noteworthy in the testing period as well as compared each eye serum to find the best options for a variety of categories and concerns — such as fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.
Additionally, Jessie interviewed Dr. Michael I. Jacobs to learn more about what to look for in eye serums and what makes an eye serum the best.
Our Expert Panel
Dr. Michael I. Jacobs is an associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Medical Technology Director at Cortina.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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