- Key ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, antioxidants
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Usage: Morning and evening
- Size: 0.5 oz / 15 ml
- Price on publish: $32
Best Eye Creams for Puffiness - Doctor Approved & Editor Rated
![Best Eye Creams for Puffiness](/shopping/static/189cb4b3c432867a1b32a950b9ccc367/8ae18/eye-creams-for-puffiness.jpg)
Puffiness around the eyes can be caused by many factors, such as lack of sleep, allergies, aging, or dehydration. It can make you look tired, dull, or aged, but fortunately, many eye creams can help you reduce puffiness and restore a youthful and radiant appearance.
“The most important thing when choosing an eye cream is to use a high quality cream that is made specifically for the eye area,” says Dr. Julia Giyaur, a board-certified ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon and a founding director of New York Laser Vision Aesthetics. “There are several options, surgical or non surgical to help with puffiness. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is the gold standard for treating under-eye puffiness and gives consistent long lasting results. For those who are not ready for surgical intervention, non-invasive things like fractional lasers, radiofrequency with microneedling, botox and under eye hyaluronic acid fillers can significantly improve the appearance.”
For non-surgical remedies, Dr. Giyaur says, “The ingredients that I recommend are retinol (in concentrations made specifically for eyelids) to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, antioxidants such as vitamin C or green tea extract to reduce inflammation, caffeine and arnica to reduce puffiness by stimulating circulation and hyaluronic acid creams to moisturize.”
How do you choose the best eye cream for your skin type, budget, and preferences? In this article, I review some of the best products for puffiness that are doctor-approved and editor-rated. Some of them also double as the best anti-aging eye creams. I also give you some tips on what to look for in an eye cream and how to use it effectively.
Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream is a lightweight and refreshing eye cream that can instantly brighten and de-puff the eye area. It contains caffeine, peptides, and antioxidants that can help reduce swelling, smooth fine lines, and protect the skin from environmental damage. It’s also an Allure Best of Beauty award winner.
An excellent choice for anyone who wants a fast and easy solution for puffiness that can also brighten and smooth the eye area.
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado is a rich and nourishing eye cream that hydrates and plumps the eye area. It contains avocado oil, shea butter, and beta-carotene which help moisturize, soften, and protect the skin. It also has a creamy texture that melts into the skin and provides a smooth base for makeup.
A fantastic eye cream for dry or sensitive skin that is both moisturizing and gentle.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Cream is a soothing gel cream that can reduce puffiness and irritation. It contains neurosensine, niacinamide, and thermal spring water that can help relieve inflammation, redness, and itching. It also has a minimalist formula that is free of parabens, fragrance, alcohol, and preservatives.
An excellent choice for anyone who has sensitive or allergy-prone skin and needs a soothing, calming eye cream to reduce puffiness.
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream is a lightweight and energizing eye cream that can brighten and de-puff the eye area. It contains coffee, ginseng, and magnolia extract that can help stimulate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and enhance radiance. It also has a pearlescent formula that can reflect light and create a natural glow.
A great eye cream for anyone who has oily or dull skin and needs a lightweight and energizing cream that can de-puff the eye area.
Olay Eyes Brightening Eye Cream is a hydrating and smoothing eye cream that can reduce puffiness and dark circles. It contains vitamin C, niacinamide, and pro-vitamin B5, which can help brighten, even, and firm the skin. It also has a silky texture that can glide on the skin and provide a smooth base for makeup.
This hydrating, smoothing eye cream can also reduce puffiness and dark circles at a great price.
Farmacy Wake Up Honey Eye Cream with Brightening Vitamin C is a refreshing and revitalizing eye cream that can reduce puffiness and dark circles. It contains vitamin C, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid that can help brighten, de-puff, and hydrate the eye area. It also has a gel-cream texture that can absorb quickly and leave a cooling sensation. Shopping tip: Farmacy also made our list for the best night creams.
This refreshing, revitalizing eye cream can reduce puffiness and dark circles every morning.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex is a potent and repairing eye cream that can reduce puffiness and signs of aging. It contains hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and a patented FR-Defense Technology that helps protect the skin from environmental irritants. It also has a gel-cream texture that can penetrate deeply and leave a silky finish.
With potent FR-Defense Technology, this is one of the best night creams which repairs skin while reducing puffiness and signs of aging.
La Mer The Eye Concentrate is a luxurious and nourishing eye cream that celebs love for its ability to reduce puffiness and dark circles. It contains the legendary Miracle Broth, a blend of sea kelp, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients that can help heal, regenerate, and transform the skin. It also has a creamy texture that can melt into the skin and provide a smooth base for makeup.
Splurge on a luxurious and nourishing eye cream from La Mer that can also reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is an affordable and effective eye cream that can reduce puffiness and dark circles. It contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide that can help restore the skin barrier, hydrate, and brighten the skin. It also has a lightweight texture that can absorb quickly and leave a matte finish. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used morning and evening.
CeraVe offers an affordable and effective eye cream that can also reduce puffiness and dark circles on all skin types.
SK-II SKINPOWER Eye Cream is a premium and potent product that can reduce puffiness and signs of aging. It contains the signature Pitera, a fermented yeast extract that can help improve skin texture, tone, and elasticity. It also contains SK-II’s InfinitPower Technology which helps firm, lift, and smooth the skin.
An excellent choice for anyone who wants to invest in a premium eye cream that can reduce puffiness and signs of aging.
Inspired by “banana powder”—a brightening setting powder used by makeup artists—Ole Henriksen Banana Bright⁺ Eye Crème is a hydrating and illuminating eye cream that can reduce puffiness and dark circles. It contains a Triple Vitamin C Complex, Hardy Orange Extract, and collagen that can help brighten, smooth, and firm the skin. It also has a creamy texture that can blend well with makeup and create a natural glow.
A hydrating and illuminating eye cream that can also reduce puffiness and dark circles and works well with makeup.
Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel is a lightweight and refreshing eye treatment that can reduce puffiness and dryness. It contains Tetrapeptide-5 and algae extract, which can help hydrate, plump, and smooth the skin, as well as two other proprietary ingredients created by the company—Chromabright® and Antioxidant Lipochroman®—which brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. Lipochroman® is a supercharged antioxidant that defends against free radical damage.
This is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a lightweight depuffing eye gel that can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream is a rich and nourishing eye cream that can reduce puffiness and signs of aging. It contains ReNeura Technology+, KOMBU-Bounce Complex, and turmeric extract that can help strengthen, firm, and smooth the skin. It also has a creamy texture that can moisturize and plump the skin.
A great choice for anyone who wants a rich and nourishing eye cream that can also reduce puffiness and signs of aging.
Look at reviews from people who have skin similar to yours and see how the eye cream worked for them. You can also check the before and after photos or videos to see the results.
Opt for ingredients that can help reduce inflammation, such as caffeine, green tea, cucumber, or chamomile. You can also look for ingredients that can help hydrate, firm, and brighten the skin, such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, or niacinamide.
Check how often you have to use the product and how to apply it. Some creams might come with an applicator. Products that are more fluid, like the best anti-aging serums, can be applied with your hands. Some products also have specific storage requirements—such as refrigeration—to keep them fresh.
The value of an eye cream will vary depending on the product size and the price. You can compare the price per ounce or milliliter to see which one is more affordable.
I selected the best eye creams for puffiness by extensively researching the best eye creams based on the active ingredients, formulation, expert recommendations, and thousands of customer reviews. I reviewed the top products in the market based on ease of use, the application process, short-term and long-term effects, safety, popularity, and price point.
Puffy eyes can go away with proper treatment and care. The treatment depends on the cause of the puffiness, which can be temporary or chronic. Some common treatments are rest, cold compresses, eye drops, antihistamines, eye creams, cosmetic procedures, or surgery.
Puffy bags under eyes can happen for many reasons, such as:
“If this is a problem that worsens as you age, it is usually caused by fluid accumulation in delicate, thin eye skin,” says Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of experience and founder of Dr. Loretta skincare.
“Since eye skin is some of the thinnest on our body, the loss of elasticity in both the skin itself and the vessels causes more leakage of fluid out of delicate (and aging!) vessels, and the skin doesn't have the elasticity to resist puffiness from increased fluid caused by vessel leakage,” she shares. Making sure you get enough sleep and hydration, as well as using a topical cream, can help alleviate puffy bags under the eyes.
Retinol can be beneficial for puffy eyes by stimulating cell turnover and collagen production. It helps improve skin texture and elasticity, reducing fine lines. However, it may be irritating and drying, especially for sensitive or dry skin.
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