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Wendy Sy Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Reviewed By Jane Sung
The best eye creams for puffiness feature ingredients that brighten, soothe and depuff the delicate under-eye area without causing irritation. Our top pick is the La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream, which hydrates and targets dark circles, fine lines and more. We also recommend the antioxidant-richSkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream and bakuchiol-infused Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream.
If puffiness is your main concern in choosing an eye cream, look for ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and energizing caffeine, which when applied topically helps shrink blood vessels in the skin to reduce puffiness, albeit temporarily. As with most skincare products, consistency is key. “Apply eye cream once in the morning to depuff and prep the skin for makeup, and once in the evening to provide hydration and repair while sleeping,” says dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi. We’ve consulted with deputy editor Jane Sung and skincare experts to round up the best eye creams for puffiness to suit a variety of skin types and preferences.
Best Budget Eye Cream For Puffiness: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Best Luxury Eye Cream For Puffiness: U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate
Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream For Puffiness: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream
Best Brightening Eye Cream For Puffiness: Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream
Best Hydrating Eye Cream For Puffiness: Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream
Best Gel Eye Cream For Puffiness: Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel
Best Eye Serum For Puffiness: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl
Best Eye Cream Applicator For Puffiness: Tula Instant De-Puff Eye Renewal Serum
Best Eye Cream For Puffiness Overall
Depuffs, Gently Exfoliates And Hydrates
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, glycerin, dimethicone, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water | Additional benefits: Minimizes appearance of wrinkles and dark circles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
For an eye cream that checks off all the boxes, we recommend this hydrating, anti-aging and depuffing formula from La Roche-Posay. With the brand’s proprietary thermal spring water and a healthy dose of retinol and caffeine, you can expect some gentle exfoliation (a must for all skin types), a brighter appearance and a smooth texture along your eye contour.
Best Budget Eye Cream For Puffiness
An Affordable Formula With Big-Ticket Ingredients
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, Persian silk tree extract | Additional benefits: Reduces dark circles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
We’ve ordered green juices that cost more than this super effective eye cream. The formula combines caffeine and peptides, which help repair damaged collagen and smooth fine lines, in a lightweight texture that never creases or pills under makeup. For extra depuffing powers, keep this powerhouse tube in the fridge—perhaps right next to your favorite smoothie or juice.
Best Luxury Eye Cream For Puffiness
A Silky Formula That Delivers Long-Lasting Results
U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate
Key ingredients: Diamond powder, marine plankton extract, pure beta glucan | Additional benefits: Hydrates skin, evens skin tone and reduces fine line and wrinkles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Featuring a concoction of nutrient-rich marine plankton and organic stevia extracts, this eye cream from U Beauty is worth its luxury price tag. Recommended by Sung, the Return Eye Concentrate targets oxidative stress on skin to reduce puffiness. Luxurious diamond powder works as a light diffuser, creating a smoother appearance overall.
Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream For Puffiness
An Antioxidant-Rich Formula For Puffiness And Wrinkles
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Proxylane, caffeine | Additional benefits: Smoothes fine lines, increases firmness | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
This little jar is packed with peptides and antioxidant-rich flavonoids, whose anti-inflammatory effects work to reduce puffiness. But beyond this, SkinCeuticals’ do-it-all formula also combats signs of aging: Blueberry extract helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles, and optical diffusers help reduce the look of dark circles and capillaries. The well-rounded formula earns high marks across the board, securing the top overall spot on our list of the best eye creams.
Best Brightening Eye Cream For Puffiness
A Firming Formula That Protects Skin From The Elements
Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, bamboo extract, niacinamide, peach extract | Additional benefits: Brightens skin, minimizes appearance of wrinkles | Size: 0.67 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This pleasantly rich yet absorbent cream is packed with a host of good-for-you ingredients that help fend off damage from environmental stressors and improve signs of premature aging. It’s one of the few eye creams that contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol that can help to brighten and firm the skin—making it a great eye cream for dark circles, as well. It also contains peach extract, a source of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids to help keep skin firm and glowy.
Best Hydrating Eye Cream For Puffiness
A Moisturizing Pick At A Reasonable Price
Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Caffeine, sodium hyaluronate, jojoba, squalane | Additional benefits: Reduces dryness and dark circles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
If dryness is one of your main skin concerns, you’ll find much to love about this eye cream from Mario Badescu. Caffeine works to depuff the under-eye area, while squalane and jojoba nourish and hydrate skin. Meanwhile, sodium hyaluronate—a derivative of hyaluronic acid—works to increase skin’s moisture barrier by drawing water molecules in. Its reasonable price tag makes it an easy addition to your skincare lineup.
Best Gel Eye Cream For Puffiness
A Caffeine-Filled Eye Gel That Easily Rolls On
Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel
Key ingredients: Korres Greek Yoghurt, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides | Additional benefits: Hydrates skin | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This lightweight gel serum helps reduce puffiness under the eyes thanks to the caffeine and peptides, while the roll-on applicator delivers a cooling sensation upon application. Plus, your skin gets a nice hydration boost from the hyaluronic acid and the brand’s protein and probiotic-filled Greek yogurt.
Best Eye Serum For Puffiness
An Illuminating Formula That Also Nourishes Lashes
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl
Key ingredients: Bifidus prebiotic, caffeine, arginine | Additional benefits: Reduces appearance of wrinkles, nourishes lashes | Size: 0.67 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
This caffeine-filled formula brightens the under-eye area and helps give a refreshed, well-rested look. It also features 10% bifidus prebiotic to balance the skin barrier and vitamin E to soothe. Its flexible cooling stainless steel wand makes application feel especially nice. Plus, you can apply the serum to your lashes as well for a conditioning treatment.
Best Eye Cream Applicator For Puffiness
A Cooling Applicator With Prebiotics
Tula Instant De-Puff Eye Renewal Serum
Key ingredients: Sea algae, peptides, probiotic extracts | Additional benefits: Firms skin, reduces appearance of wrinkles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Probiotic extracts and peptides in Tula’s eye serum help firm skin around the orbital area, while sea algae helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and pink silk tree reduces the look of puffiness and dark circles. Pair that with the cooling touch of the metal applicator, and you have yourself an effective recipe for banishing swelling.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted beauty and grooming team has written and published dozens of skincare articles. Each product that we feature has been thoroughly researched by our writers and approved by our editors.
- This article was written by contributors Stephanie Montes and Wendy Sy who specialize in beauty and fashion coverage.
- Deputy editor Jane Sung assigned and edited all iterations of this article and approved all product selections. She oversees the beauty and grooming category and has more than 15 years of experience as a lifestyle journalist.
- We consulted dermatologists Dr. Azadeh Shirazi and Dr. Mina Amin, as well as esthetician and CEO of the skincare brand Peach & Lily, Alicia Yoon. These experts shared their insight on which skincare ingredients are beneficial for combatting under-eye puffiness.
- This story is regularly updated to ensure all product information and pricing is accurate; we also reevaluate our picks to make sure they’re still the best in their respective categories. In its most recent October 2024 update, we added two new products to the list: the Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel and the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye Serum.
How We Chose The Best Eye Creams For Puffiness
To determine the best eye creams for puffiness, we researched dozens of best-selling options, compared features and asked industry experts—along with our team of experienced staffers—for insights.
- Our team evaluated each formula, prioritizing ones that include ingredients recommended by our experts. We also looked for lightweight options that absorb quickly and easily with minimal risk of irritation.
- We also considered design and included some options with a metal cooling tip, as recommended by a dermatologist, to further help with puffiness.
- We carefully considered customer reviews and average star ratings, sticking to options with an average rating of 4 stars.
- The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writers and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In An Eye Cream For Puffiness
When it comes to selecting an eye cream for puffiness, it’s best to search for formulas with ingredients that combat swelling. It’s also important to think about the consistency and packaging of the product. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Ingredients
There are various reasons for under-eye puffiness. “The most common is fluid accumulation, which can be treated with products containing licorice, cucumber extract and other antioxidants, as they help to combat inflammation,” says Yoon. She also says that loss of muscle tone and skin elasticity can lead to puffing around the eye area. To tighten the under-eye areas, she recommends looking for ingredients like peptides, retinol and retinol alternatives like bakuchiol. Additionally, caffeine temporarily shrinks blood vessels in the skin, which is great if you’re looking for quick results. And of course, hyaluronic acid will contribute to a healthy moisture barrier overall.
Consistency
When addressing puffiness, the texture and consistency of the product you choose can be just as important as the ingredients. Yoon says, “Because the eye area is so delicate, lighter creams and gels can often absorb better, delivering much-needed moisture deep into the skin.” Lighter textures also tend to layer more effectively under makeup, which is an added bonus. Dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin also notes that lighter creams: help prevent milia (also known as tiny white bumps on the skin). However, if your skin is in need of some serious hydration and can tolerate it, a thicker cream will do the job.
Packaging
“Eye creams can be packaged in a variety of ways depending on the ingredients, texture, application process and any sustainable considerations,” says Yoon. And while it technically comes down to personal preference, it’s important to be mindful of best application practices. For instance, formulas packaged in tubs and pots are more likely to become contaminated by your fingers when you dip them in. Be sure to sanitize your hands before application or opt for pumps, droppers or wands. Shirazi adds, “Packaging with metal applicators can help enhance circulation and reduce swelling faster.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Best Eye Cream For Puffiness?
After comparing several different products, we chose the La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol as the best eye cream for puffiness. The multitasking formula features skin-tightening caffeine as well as retinol for a smoothing effect. For those who don’t mind splurging on a truly high-quality product, we recommend the Return Concentrate by U Beauty. If you’re following a tight skincare budget, then you should check out the Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream, a simple, potent formula that won’t break the bank.
What Actually Works For Puffy Eyes?
Shirazi notes that eye creams must be used consistently to see results. When products are applied every morning and night, they can help visibly reduce eye puffiness. In addition, she recommends storing these products in the fridge before use to further enhance the depuffing effect.
What Do Dermatologists Recommend For Puffy Eyes?
“Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which can help reduce swelling and puffiness by reducing fluid accumulation in the area,” says Amin, who notes that the ingredient is also lightweight, allowing it to absorb into the skin quickly. Additionally, she recommends looking for formulas that include peptides, which can increase skin firmness, and hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin.
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