The eye cream edit – what I’m using for for dryness, lines, and puffiness
Written By Jenny Wu on
One thing I regret not using sooner? Eye creams. Not all eye creams are thick and heavy, some are surprisingly light yet hydrating, and perfect for those in their 20’s just starting out. I’m sharing 6 eye creams in my current rotation, and there’s one for every skin type and needs.
belif Moisture Eye Bomb*
One of the most hydrating eye creams I’ve tried, this one is excellent for day use and keeps makeup from creasing in the eye area. If anti-aging isn’t a huge concern for you yet, this is a great option full of antioxidants, humectants, and my favorite ceramides. Unfortunately it does have some fragrances, but it hasn’t irritated me at all.
$48 at Sephora
Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream
Don’t be fooled by the name, this feels more like a serum, and is perfect for combo/oily skin types. It’s full of antioxidants to protect the delicate eye area and licorice root for brightening. It’s also slightly cooling, and I swear it’s helped depuff my eyes a bit too.
$35 at Context Skin
Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die For Darkness-Reducing Under-Eye Treatment Primer*
Is it an eye cream or a primer, or both? Considering this contains humectants for hydration and caffeine for depuffing, I went with eye cream and apply this in the morning before my sunscreen. It did an ok job of hydrating my eye area, but I liked that it also brightened my dark circles a bit and blurs fine lines. It won’t replace my concealer, but on no-makeup days it does just enough to make my eyes look more awake.
Haven’t tried this as a primer, as I think it’d be a waste of all the skin-beneficial ingredients.
$32 at Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth(use code geekyposhe_PTR30 for 30% off!)
Paula’s Choice Ceramide Enriched Firming Eye Cream*
Love the airtight package and the ingredients. This one is not only full of anti-aging peptides but also emollient oils + ceramides to moisturize this driest part of our face. One of the best value anti-aging eye creams I’ve tried so far. Reviewed here.
$48 at Nordstrom, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Amazon
Nivea Creme
Not an eye cream by any means, but it’s an excellent occlusive that will help keep your dry eye area hydrated all day & night. I’ve used this as a night cream too in a pinch and it works incredibly given its price. Great option if your eye area is desert dry. Reviewed here.
$0.99 for 1oz at Ulta and Target; $.5.92 at Target, Ulta, and Amazon (13.5oz)
Luzern Nuit Eye Masque*
Ironically the deluxe size comes in the tube while the full size comes in a jar, but this has a nice mix of hydrating + brightening + nourishing ingredients to tackle some of the most common eye problems. Texture-wise it’s surprisingly lightweight and elegant, but sadly the results do not live up to the price.
Which eye cream to use
Obviously it’s important to pick eye creams that suit your skin type and needs, but from the above eye creams and what I’ve tried in the past, here are my picks:
- If you’re on a budget, just make sure to bring whatever serum you’re using around your eyes, and use the Nivea Creme to keep the area moisturized.
- For serious anti-aging benefits, I like the Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Eye Cream (reviewed here), Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream (reviewed here), the Instytutum Eye Cream (reviewed here). All 3 work well to keep my fine lines at bay, and the PTR works on bags too.
- If you’re looking for a beginner eye cream, the belif Moisture Eye Bomb offers excellent hydration with a bit of anti-aging, but the Paula’s Choice eye cream will work well too. Neither are too heavy, so perfect for those still in their 20’s (jealous).
- For combo/oily skin types, you’ll love how refreshing the Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream feels. The Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Eye Cream also has a non oily texture and feels more like a primer than a cream.
- For no makeup days, Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die For Darkness-Reducing Under-Eye Treatment Primer hydrates, brightens, and depuffs. A bit of jack-of-all-trades, master of none kind of situation.
- If you’re worried about puffy eyes, the Context eye cream and the PTR Vital-E both working great. Gently massage the eye area with a cool metal applicator or even a spoon to help with depuffing.
- For serious dark circles, use any of the above eye creams to properly hydrate your eye area, then apply your favorite concealer lightly to cover it up. Despite what eye creams claim, most dark circles are not due to melanin production, so the usual brightening ingredients can’t help you here.
Have you tried any of these eye creams? What are your current eye care picks?
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20's. Working regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta, CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+, dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
Comments & Questions
Jennifer
That Luzern eye masque sounds amazing!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated </a
Ra
Can you use Vaseline instead of the Nivea cream to keep under eye hydrated? Nivea might be too thick for some people and they may develop milia. Let me know your thoughts :) thanks!
Jenny Wu
I've never tried Vaseline before but I suppose you could since the idea is the same! Also ant eye cream can lead to milia, it depends a lot on the individual skin type. I've personally never had issues with any of these and occasionally use Nivea on my face when my moisture barrier is compromised ☺️
Susana
I've been using the SVR Topialyse for a while now, but I'm really curious about Paula's Choice and Belif eye creams. Now the Nivea… I honestly never considered it, but I'll give it a try!
Loved the blog =)
My Boudoir ~ Instagram ~ Facebook
Rowena @ rolala loves
Yes I regret not starting on eye cream sooner as well. I'm still looking for that perfect eye cream that addresses a multitude of concerns at one time. The closet I've gotten is the Instytutum Eye Cream but I still wish it worked better on dark circles though sleeping more helps too LOL. I recently started using the Filorga Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream and I think I may be onto something but I need to give it a little more time.
Minhal
My mom introduced me to the Nivea Creme. She used to use it back when she was my age and she's almost 50 now but her skin makes her look like she's in her 30s! For its price point, it truly is a great product. I'm yet to try the rest of the products but the Peter Thomas eye cream looks promising and I would love to try it!
https://lifewithmins.blogspot.com
Alyssa
I haven't tried any of these products yet, but I think I will like the Belief. Since I already love the True Cream Aqua Bomb.
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Mai
I haven't tried any of these eye creams yet, but I might need to pick up the one you mentioned from PC because I'm starting to notice more lines around my eyes. Currently, I've been using Bontanic's hydrating eye cream and I love it for the hydration and it doesn't irritate the skin around my eyes.
Mai
✰ maidoesthings.com
Linda Libra Loca
I haven´t tried any of the eye creams you mentioned (I mean, I obviously have tried NIVEA, but not on my eyes and rarely on my face). My favorite eye cream right now is THE INKEY LIST Caffeine Serum for the morning and the Instytutum Brightening one at night.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Naya
Beautiful post, Jenny! I am always on a hunt for that next-best eye cream; I am curious to give Belif a go. It sounds like a nice day-time option. And well, Nivea strikes again! xx
Naya
www.nayatilly.com
Kate
It can be hard to find a good eye cream! I love the sound of the Paula's Choice one. x
Kate Louise Blogs
little luxury list
I've been an eye cream lover for a while. I couldn't imagine using this many different kinds though! I'm very intrigued by the Instytutum eye cream though. Perhaps that is what I'll need to look for in Seoul!
Nina
I'm glad, this Belif eye moisturizer works for your skin, unfortunately it caused little white bumps (milia) under my eyes, so I had to stop using it. I would like to try out this Peter Thomas eye treatment.
www.ninakobi.com
Gabrielle
I think I may have said this before, but I really like how the layout of your blog posts - so aesthetic and easy to read with the aligned imagery of the beauty products, or eye creams in this case. Perfection, babe!
aglassofice.com x
Jane
Thank you for this amazing review! Really helpful!
xo, Jane
http://www.fitfabfunmom.com
Miri
Aww lovely picks dear!
Nivea is our go-to creme in Germany.
I do love it - also the smell reminds me of my childhood.
lots of love, Miri
www.meetmiri.com
Bambi
Belif eye cream is so good, I have a mini version in my bag so everywhere I go it's here with me :) Nivea is nice, even at dermatology lectures it was recommended to us :)
Amy Aed
I definitely need to start investing in some good eye cream, and some of these look ideal for my oily and sensitive skin!
Have a great weekend :)
Amy x Wandering Everywhere
Jessica
Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream sounds really good. I'd love to try that one. Thanks dear!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Via Singh
These are some great picks. I need to try something from Paula's Choice. Right now I am using the Estee Lauder and it is lovely. :-)
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
Jasmine
I'll have to try the Paula's Choice eye cream - I just started using the face version and really like it so far :)
Jasmine xx
Jasmine Talks Beauty
Chelsea Steele
Any experience with Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream? My main concerns are puffiness and hydration. I just ordered the Neocutis from LovelySkin but was thinking of purchasing the PTR after this post. Thanks!
Jenny Wu
Sorry, I haven't tried that eye cream!