We Found 5 Best Eye Creams Of 2020

We sorted through hundreds of the top eye cream options to narrow down the ones worthy of testing. These are the best eye creams to try.

It’s often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul—so they deserve pampering treatment to keep them youthful-looking and vibrant. The competition is tough when it comes to the best eye cream products on the market. With so many ingredient claims and ever-evolving technology, it can be challenging to find a product that does what it says.

Our team of researchers & testers did the hard work, trying many eye creams to find the very best. They studied product claims and technology and examined quality, efficacy, results and value. They also looked for the presence of tried-and-true ingredients, like peptides, retinol and hyaluronic acid. Here are top 5 best eye creams on the market.

#1 NourishMax

NourishMax

Diamond Infused Eye Cream

Rating (4.9)

 4.9/5

After researching and testing many products, our panel kept coming back to NourishMax Diamond Infused Eye Cream. This top pick features a comprehensive list of hard-hitting ingredients that target every eye concern, from dark circles to puffiness to telltale signs of aging like crow’s feet.

Our testers were happy to see that NourishMax contains anti-wrinkle peptides, including diamond extract, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and acetyl hexapeptide-8. It also features retinol. This doctor-recommended ingredient is proven to improve skin texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Though retinol can sometimes contribute to skin sensitivity, testers were impressed with the gentleness of this formula.

NourishMax contains several moisture-boosting ingredients to help plump the appearance of dry skin around the eyes, including hyaluronic acid, squalane and vitamin E. A form of vitamin K targets dark circles underneath the eyes.

Testers also reported that NourishMax absorbed quickly into the skin and left behind a perfectly moisturized finish, making it easy to apply concealer afterward.

This top-rated eye cream was the only product tested that contains diamond powder, a luxurious ingredient that helps promote luminosity and a refreshed, radiant appearance.

PROS

A multi-benefit eye cream that targets dark circles, wrinkles, under-eye bags, puffiness and crow’s feet
Formulated with advanced peptides to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and support skin elasticity
Contains retinol, a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for photodamaged skin
Includes a blend of effective moisturizers to restore hydration to the delicate eye area
Features ingredients that help to improve the look of tired eyes, like diamond powder and caffeine
Free of chemicals including parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrances
Clinically tested and developed by chemists to meet the highest standards
The company offers free shipping, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cruelty free and vegan formula

CONS

#2 Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder

Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

Rating (4.5)

 4.5/5

Our team of testers first noticed that this eye cream is reasonably priced—at $62, it is less expensive than some of the other brands they tried. And because Estee Lauder is a respected and iconic beauty brand dating back to the 1940s, we had confidence that this formula would work.

However, while this top eye cream contains caffeine, botanicals and moisturizing key ingredients, it doesn’t contain wrinkle-fighting peptides or retinol, two categories we look for in an eye cream. It also contains petrolatum, a form of petroleum that is believed to be comedogenic.

We also noted that while Estee Lauder recently committed to becoming cruelty free, it is still sold in China, a country that requires animal testing on all beauty products.

PROS

A patented product from a renowned beauty brand
Contains caffeine to provide an energizing boost to the eye area
Contains natural ingredients, like watermelon, lentil and apple fruit extract
Easy to find online and at major department stores and beauty retailers
The company’s generous return policy allows for returns if users are unsatisfied
Accessibly priced at $62 for 0.5 ounces

CONS

#3 SkinMedica

SkinMedica

TNS Eye Repair

Rating (4.3)

 4.3/5

With a clinical formula and ingredients, SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair stood out to our panel. The formula contains a form of retinol, along with peptides that work to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

While the company is upfront with its ingredient profile, some controversy surrounds its use of growth factors. Many users may take issue with using a product that contains a human growth factor blend.

The company offers a rewards program to earn points with every purchase. But SkinMedica products are available through a physician only, so buying TNS Eye Repair is not just a click away like many of the other products on our list.

PROS

Contains retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A
Contains multiple peptides to fight the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
From a brand recommended by many dermatologists and plastic surgeons
The company offers a rewards program to help users earn points and save on future purchases

CONS

#4 Neocutis

Neocutis

Lumière Bio-restorative Eye Cream

Rating (3.9)

 3.9/5

Testers were impressed with this NeoCutis formula, which contains growth factors to target fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. This product is also available in a more emollient version for extra-dry skin.

This eye cream contains anti-aging growth factors, hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, and caffeine to help minimize puffiness. The company avoids added color and fragrance and they do not test on animals; however, this eye cream does contain parabens. Also, NeoCutis does not provide the source of its growth factors and we were not able to find information about how they are obtained.

Like SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair, Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream can be a challenge to buy online. It is only available through a professional, such as a dermatologist or aesthetician, so it requires a trip to a local doctor’s office.

PROS

Contains growth factors to fight fine lines and wrinkles
Helps to combat other signs of aging, including dark circles and puffiness
The company features before and after photos to demonstrate effectiveness
From a clinical skincare brand sold in dermatology and plastic surgery offices

CONS

Contains parabens
Does not contain retinol or peptides
Not shoppable on the company website; must be purchased through a doctor’s office
Because products are not purchased directly from the manufacturer, return policies may vary
Expensive, with a suggested retail price of $97 for just half an ounce

#5 SK-II

SK-II

R.N.A. POWER Eye Cream

Rating (3.7)

 3.7/5

SK-II R.N.A POWER Eye Cream is a favorite of beauty editors; in fact, it has won awards from women’s beauty publications. Our testers fell for its rich texture and liked how it instantly soothed tired eyes.

SK-II’s eye cream contains unique ingredients like PITERA complex, which the company claims is rich in minerals, amino acids and vitamins. However, it does not provide some of the ingredients we were looking for in an eye cream, namely retinol. And while the formula was deeply moisturizing, our testers found that they were missing the refreshing burst from caffeine found in some of our other picks.