The 11 Best Eye Serums of 2023 for De-Puffing and Moisturizing, Tested and Reviewed

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We love the Tula Eye Renewal Serum for its hydrating and de-puffing abilities

Jessie Quinn

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE.com who writes about beauty, fashion, home, pets, DIY, and more.

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Published on September 15, 2023 07:15AM EDT

While creams and lotions might work overtime at providing deep hydration to the complexion, the under-eye area requires something with a little more lift to get the job done and target some of the peskiest under-eye woes, such as fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and puffiness — and eye serums are the answer.

«The skin under the eyes is very delicate, so using a lightweight serum meant for this specific area can help hydrate and heal the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael I. Jacobs. He recommends using an eye serum to up the ante on hydration and give the delicate under-eye skin a boost of nourishment while also targeting concerns.

Although eye serums might seem like a popular treatment for pre-existing concerns, Dr. Jacobs says there’s no time like the present and that anyone can start incorporating an eye serum into the skincare routine at any time — even if you don’t yet experience fine lines, puffiness, or need to correct dark spots.

“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.”

Considering their potency and effectiveness at nourishing the under-eye area, PEOPLE Tested tried out 27 popular formulas to find the best eye serums for every purpose and concern.

From targeting fine lines and dark circles to reducing puffiness and soothing sensitivity, here are our top picks for the best eye serums.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
Tula Skincare Eye Renewal Serum at Nordstrom

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Best Budget:
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum at Amazon

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Best for Mature Skin:
StriVectin Tightening Eye Serum at Target

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Best for Puffiness:
Clinique Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage at Nordstrom

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Best for Sensitive Skin:
Caracol Natural Skincare The Eye Contour Serum at Amazon

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Best for Dark Circles:
Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum at Sephora

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Best for Fine Lines:
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum at Sephora

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Best Plumping:
Environ Skin EssentiA Antioxidant & Peptide Eye Gel at Environskincare.com

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Best Roller:
Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel at Amazon

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Best Quick-Acting:
Mario Badescu Skincare Brightening Eye Serum at Sephora

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Best Overall

Tula Skincare Eye Renewal Serum

TULA

View On Nordstrom
View On Sephora
View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Consistency
4.9/5
Absorption
4.9/5
Skin Texture
4.7/5
Feel
5/5
Overall Results
4.7/5

Pros

The applicator has a cooling effect that soothes and de-puffs the skin.
We tested this formula on sensitive skin and found that it felt cool and hydrating without causing irritation.
We saw noticeable results after around one week of use.
The formula provides ample hydration to smooth and nourish under the eyes.

Cons

It is on the thicker side of the spectrum, so it might not be ideal for skin types prone to blemishes.

The Tula Eye Renewal Serum is our top pick for the best eye serum overall because it feels more like a cross between an eye cream and a serum, delivering potent ingredients and deeply nourishing moisture to the under-eye area.

Enhanced with noteworthy ingredients such as peptides for targeting wrinkles, pink silk tree for brightening the look of dark circles, and sea algae for hydrating and toning the skin, plus probiotic extract for de-puffing the complexion, this formula has a rich, creamy consistency that provides a burst of hydration that smooths and nourishes the under-eye area. In addition to its formula, the Tula 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.

While testing, we found that it works best as an everyday eye serum, though it’s worth noting that the heavier formula might not be ideal for skin types that are more prone to blemishes. We saw improved skin texture, brighter skin, and less puffiness around the eyes between seven and ten days of regular use.

Price at time of publish: $58

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Peptides, pink silk tree, sea algae, and probiotic extract | Good For: Reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dark circles, and de-puff skin

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Best Budget

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum

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View On Beautyofjoseon.com

Our Ratings

Consistency
4.9/5
Absorption
4.4/5
Skin Texture
4.9/5
Feel
5/5
Overall Results
4.8/5

Pros

It features a retinal to effectively target fine lines and wrinkles.
Costing under $20, this formula features high-quality ingredients that are just as effective as some of the more expensive formulas on the market.
The lightweight formula is fast-absorbing and compatible with most skin types.

Cons

Since it’s formulated with retinal, it can make the skin more sensitive to the sun (we recommend wearing broad-spectrum SPF while using this product).

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum with Ginseng + Retinal, which costs under $20. As its name suggests, this formula is created with ginseng extract and retinal, which work together to target the fine lines and wrinkles caused by the effects of aging, including a loss of elasticity caused by decreased hyaluronic acid and collagen production.

During our tests, we found that the eye serum has a super lightweight feel that is cooling and refreshing to the touch — not to mention it’s compatible with most skin types. We also noted how well the formula layers with other skincare and makeup formulas without lifting or clumping. Since it is so lightweight, the formula is also fast-absorbing, too. This not only ensures that the complexion absorbs all of its goodness but also means a little goes a long way, so you can really get the most out of this $17 eye serum.

Price at time of publish: $16.80

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, retinal | Good For: Targeting fine lines and wrinkles around the eye

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Best for Mature Skin

StriVectin Peptight 360˚ Tightening Eye Serum

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View On Sephora

Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
5/5
Skin Texture
4.9/5
Feel
4.8/5
Overall Results
4/5

Pros

This formula worked fast to brighten our skin while reducing puffiness under the eyes.
It has a cooling applicator that massages the under-eye skin while applying the formula.
With regular use, the formula (and applicator) helped reduce fine lines.

Cons

At $72, it’s a relatively expensive formula compared to others we tested — however, you can sometimes find it on sale.

We tested 27 different formulas to see which would be the best option for mature skin, ultimately landing on the StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum after being especially impressed with the results. After using this formula regularly over the course of a few weeks, our tester found that the fine lines and wrinkles around her eyes appeared less noticeable and her skin also felt brighter, firmer, and less puffy.

Enriched with a triple peptide blend along with caffeine and Kakadu plum extract, the eye serum works well at tightening and firming loose skin under the eyes while also brightening dark circles. This serum also features a cooling applicator that doubles as a massage tool to reduce the look of puffiness with every application.

While we think the price is a bit pricey relative to some other options we tested (especially when it’s not on sale), but our tester noted that the price is comparable to similar anti-aging products on the market. Her only regret? She just wishes she had used it earlier throughout her 20s and 30s.

Price at time of publish: $54 (orig. $72)

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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The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin of 2023

Best for Puffiness

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

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View On Sephora
View On Ulta

Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
5/5
Skin Texture
4/5
Feel
4/5
Overall Results
3.9/5

Pros

The roller ball applicator helped massage away puffy under-eye bags in the morning for a more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed effect.
Since it’s quick-absorbing, the skin drinks up this formula and, as a result, looks and feels much more moisturized and nourished.
The formula has an ultra-lightweight consistency that isn’t too creamy or sticky.

Cons

The roller ball applicator distributes product slowly, which we felt took some getting used to.
While we saw results in terms of puffiness, we didn’t notice a difference in our dark circles.

After testing several formulas, we found that the Clinque All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage is the best for addressing under-eye puffiness. We loved this product because it comes in a roller ball which acts like a mini massager and helps drain water retention under the eyes while also softening and soothing with a nourishing formula.

In addition to the applicator, the 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 distributed products slowly, which takes some getting used to but also allows you a little more control over the application.

Price at time of publish: $38

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, antioxidants, botanicals | Good For: De-puffing the skin, targeting signs of fatigue.

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Best for Sensitive Skin

Caracol Natural Skincare The Eye Contour Serum

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Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
3.8/5
Skin Texture
3.9/5
Feel
4.4/5
Overall Results
4.9/5

Pros

The formula has a thick yet lightweight consistency that is quick to absorb and feels refreshing on the skin.
It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin types.
The ingredient lineup consists of soothing, cooling, and healing ingredients that nourish, protect, and calm the skin.

Cons

Despite the product’s claims, we didn’t notice any firming effects around the eyes during the testing period.

If you have sensitive skin, we recommend Caracol’s The Eye Contour Serum for its soothing formula, which is formulated with lots of calming and healing ingredients. Designed with snail secretion filtrate, eyeseryl, xpertmoist, chamomile, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this eye serum packs a hydration punch with its moisturizing ingredients that also support more youthful-looking skin by keeping dark circles at bay, de-puffing swollen eyes, increasing hydration, and warding off oxidative stress caused by environmental aggress.

With all of these nourishing ingredients, the product claims to smooth out the look of wrinkles and have a firming effect on the skin. While we didn’t really notice those at the end of the testing period (we may need to test it for a longer period to see those results), we did find that this lightweight hydrator smoothed and softened the skin under our eyes, providing deep nourishment and helped blur the crow’s feet around the eyes ever so slightly.

Price at time of publish: $16 (orig. $22.01)

Size: 0.7 oz. | Key Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, eyeseryl, xpertmoist, chamomile, aloe vera, vitamin E | Good For: Reducing fine lines, hydrating skin, targeting signs of fatigue, brightening dark circles

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Best for Dark Circles

Dermalogica BioLumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum

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View On Ulta
View On Dermstore

Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
5/5
Skin Texture
4.5/5
Feel
5/5
Overall Results
4.7/5

Pros

Since vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, this formula protects skin from environmental aggressors that cause premature signs of aging.
It has a lightweight formula that works well with a variety of skin types, including oily complexions.
The lightweight eye serum layers well with other skincare formulas and makeup products.

Cons

It’s harder to control the product distribution compared to other products we tested.

When targeting discoloration — including under-eye dark circles — a brightening formula is a must. Dermalogica’s vitamin C eye serum is enriched with a potent, bioavailable vitamin C complex that works overtime to brighten the skin 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 complexion and you don’t actually need a lot to get effective coverage. The lightweight serum also layers well under other skincare and makeup products without piling or lifting, too.

Price at time of publish: $74

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C complex | Good For: Targeting dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness.

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Best for Fine Lines

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides

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View On Drunkelephant.com

Our Ratings

Consistency
4.9/5
Absorption
4.8/5
Skin Texture
4.8/5
Feel
5/5
Overall Results
5/5

Pros

After regular use, we noticed the skin around our eyes looked firmer with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles.
The formula has a thin and lightweight feel without being super runny, making it easier to apply.
Albeit pricey, you only need a tiny amount, so a little goes a long way.

Cons

Since the formula contains retinol, it can make skin more sensitive to the sun (reminder to wear SPF!).
It takes a little longer to absorb compared to other formulas on our list.

Targeting fine lines around the eyes requires effective formulas with high-quality ingredients designed to reduce this common sign of premature aging. Our top pick for this category is the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides, which 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.

When testing this formula, it worked well at de-puffing our skin and, with regular use, we actually saw a firming effect around the eyes, and our fine lines and wrinkles were less noticeable, too. The formula is on the expensive side, so we were also pleased by how little you need — just a small pea-sized amount — to get the job done. And, although it took longer to absorb into the skin compared to other formulas, once it did, our skin appeared deeply nourished and soothed.

Price at time of publish: $64

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Retinol, Copper Tripeptide-1, caffeine | Good For: Targeting fine lines, loss of firmness, and puffiness

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Best Plumping

Environ Skin EssentiA Antioxidant & Peptide Eye Gel

View On Environskincare.com

Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
4.9/5
Skin Texture
4.7/5
Feel
4.9/5
Overall Results
4.9/5

Pros

It’s formulated with skin-supporting ingredients that promote suppleness in the skin while also warding off environmental aggressors that contribute to volume loss.
The product has a slightly cooling effect that soothes the skin under the eyes.
Since the formula is so thin, other skincare and makeup products layered well on top.

Cons

It has a runny formula, which can make application a little tricky compared to cream-based products.

To restore some of the skin’s supple texture back into the under-eye area, we recommend the Environ Skin EssentiA Antioxidant & Peptide Eye Gel. This formula has a lightweight, watery consistency that, albeit a little tricky to apply at first, applies nicely to the complexion, 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.

Price at time of publish: $58

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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Best Roller

Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel

KORRES

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View On Korres.com

Our Ratings

Consistency
5/5
Absorption
5/5
Skin Texture
4.6/5
Feel
5/5
Overall Results
4.8/5

Pros

With regular use, the skin under our eyes looked smoother, softer, and more hydrated and our dark circles looked a little lighter.
Since the formula is so lightweight, it layers nicely with other formulas.
The roller ball applicator makes it easy to control application and acts as a massage tool for de-puffing while applying the formula.

Cons

We didn’t notice a firming effect on the eyes like we did with some other serums we tested.

The KORRES Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel is our top pick for the best roller, thanks to its easy-to-use formula that 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 brightening the skin under the eyes, de-puff, and cool 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 appeared brighter, and our skin looked and felt smoother, softer, and more hydrated at the end of the testing period.

Price at time of publish: $29

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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Best Quick-Acting

Mario Badescu Skincare Brightening Eye Serum

View On Sephora
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View On Harveynichols.com

Our Ratings

Consistency
4.5/5
Absorption
4.5/5
Skin Texture
4.8/5
Feel
4.8/5
Overall Results
3.8/5

Pros

With regular use, the formula smooths and firms the skin under the eyes.
Its formula features squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to provide deep nourishment that is instantly noticeable.
We love the way makeup layers over it, as it’s almost like a lightweight eye primer for concealer.

Cons

It has a slightly oily feel to it, which might not be ideal for some preferences.
It takes around three to five minutes to absorb into the skin.

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 the 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 under-eye concealer.

Price at time of publish: $24

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Good For: Brightening, smoothing, and de-puffing skin under the eyes

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Best Brightening

Perricone MD Brightening Eye Serum

Dermstore

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View On Perriconemd.com
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Our Ratings

Consistency
4.1/5
Absorption
3.7/5
Skin Texture
4.6/5
Feel
4.1/5
Overall Results
5/5

Pros

After the testing period, we noticed a significant difference in the color of our dark circles.
The formula is deeply hydrating and nourishing, providing a softening and smoothing effect to the skin under the eyes.
It only took a few weeks to notice its effects on the skin.

Cons

At $75, it’s on the more expensive side, though a little bit of formula goes a long way.
It doesn’t layer well with makeup.

To brighten 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 this category which, after testing it out, had a lasting effect on our dark circles. Formulated with vitamin C and DMAE, the eye serum comes in a dropper and is designed to brighten 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 brightening results, too. Although we love this formula’s brightening effects, we think it’s best for a nighttime regimen as it doesn’t layer as well with makeup.

Price at time of publish: $75

Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, DMAE | Good For: Brightening, firming, and toning the skin

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Others We Tried

Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Serum with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid: If you’re shopping for a drugstore eye serum that can de-puff and hydrate the skin, we recommend the Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Serum with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid. During testing, we found that we needed more time to truly see some of its results as we didn’t experience its brightening claims. But thanks to its deeply nourishing and hydrating formula — which features hyaluronic acid for attracting moisture to the skin — we think it’s worth mentioning because it provides instant hydration and helps soften and soothe the skin under the eyes.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum: We also tested the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum and were highly impressed by its rich formula featuring fast and slow-release retinols to gently target puffiness around the eyes while also blurring fine lines and wrinkles. Similar to the Vichy eye serum, we think we needed more time to experience its firming and tightening effects. However, we were highly impressed by how quickly it worked at brightening the skin under our eyes while also providing hydration and nourishment.
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum: The L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum is another drugstore eye serum worth mentioning. As its name suggests, this formula features moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid and caffeine to soften, soothe, and nourish the under-eye area while also de-puffing. Since the serum features a massage applicator, it works fast at de-puffing the eyes, and for the price, we thought it was worth noting. That being said, the eye serum worked best at delivering short-term results vs. long-term benefits, so it didn’t quite make our best of list.

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Things to Consider When Buying Eye Serums

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 feature formulas with vitamin C for its brightening benefits.

If you wish to up the ante and want 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.

Applicator

Eye serums come with a variety of applicators, including roller balls, serum dropper, and a fine-tipped tube to deliver 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. 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.

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How We Tested

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 the course of several weeks. We rated each product against the following attributes:

Consistency: We considered the 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 formula 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 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 products that may be less than ideal for those with sensitive skin, noting any burning or tingling sensations we felt during 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 products 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 cream. This rating also covers the scent and whether or not the tester felt the scent (if any) was overpowering or pleasant.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which eye serum is the best?
Our top pick for the best eye serum overall is the Tula Eye Renewal Serum. Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients, including peptides, pink silk tree, sea algae, and probiotic extract, this eye serum targets wrinkles, brightens the look of dark circles, hydrates and tones the skin, and de-puffs. For something a little more budget-friendly, we recommend the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal, which has a lightweight formula that is compatible with most skin types and is formulated with retinal to target fine lines and wrinkles while also improving suppleness of the skin.
What is the best anti-aging eye serum?
If you’re on the hunt for the best anti-aging eye serum, we recommend the StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum, which is our top pick for the best eye serum for mature skin. This serum is formulated with a triple peptide blend, caffeine, Kakadu plum extract, microalgae, and marine garment algae to target fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet while also firming the skin around the eyes, and reducing the look of puffiness.
Are eye serums effective?
According to Dr. Jacobs, eye serums can be highly effective thanks to their targeted ingredient potency, which can aid in brightening, smoothing, and soothing the under-eye area. 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 product to your skincare regimen in order to avoid potential reactions or irritations.
What makes a good eye serum?
“The ingredients within an eye serum will determine if it’s a good fit or not,” says Dr. Jacobs. 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 a brightening effect to dark circles.

Take Our Word For It

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 of the best.

Meet Our Expert

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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