If youre reading this, youve probably already got your skincare routine down to a fine art. When it comes to a good cleanser, retinol serum, collagen face creams and more, you know exactly what you’re looking for to suit your particular needs. Yet, despite all the care we put into our faces, our eyes often don’t receive the attention they truly deserve. Thats where we can help you find the best eye cream for the job.

　　As we age, we produce less collagen and elastin, which means our skin is more prone to sagging, wrinkling and suffering from UV damage. We all crave that bright-eyed look, and the best eye creams for dark circles can create the illusion of a restful, full night’s sleep. Plus, the delicate skin around the eyes means the area is often one of the first places you might notice wrinkles, fine lines and discolouration, meaning it requires a special kind of care, the type of which the best eye creams for wrinkles can provide.

　　Keep reading to learn why eye cream is essential for keeping the skin under your eyes looking and feeling its best, and more importantly, how to pick the perfect one for your skin’s unique needs.

　　Closers best eye creams, at a glance: How do I know which eye cream I need? Knowing which eye cream to choose starts with understanding your under-eye skin concerns. You need to ask yourself what you want or need from the product, to pick the perfect formula. Whether you’re looking to de-puff with the best eye creams for puffiness, smooth, or brighten, focus on these antioxidant-rich and active ingredients, all supported by expert research.

　　• Retinol: A powerhouse ingredient, renowned for its ability to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It works by speeding up cell turnover, which not only smooths the skin but also helps reduce pigmentation that can contribute to dark circles.

　　• Vitamins C and E: Both are essential in an effective eye cream, providing a protective shield against environmental damage while also brightening the under-eye area. These ingredients help neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that can worsen the signs of aging.

　　• Peptides: Promotes skin repair and improves elasticity, making them indispensable for addressing sagging and crepey skin.

　　• Hyaluronic acid and ceramides: The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body, making it more prone to dryness and irritation. Soothe thirsty skin with moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Bonus: When your skin is well-hydrated, it appears plumper, making wrinkles less noticeable.

　　• Niacinamide and kojic acid: Even the best eye creams for bags can’t fix a bad night’s sleep. However, if under-eye discolouration persists even after a good night’s rest, genetics might be the culprit.Try niacinamide and kojic acid – they brighten skin by reducing activity in pigment-producing cells.

　　There’s an eye cream for everyone. These dedicated moisturisers can combat dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles, firm and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes, making signs of ageing far less prominent with consistent use. Formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes, these creams deserve a prime spot in any routine focused on keeping skin radiant and wrinkle-free. Ahead, find the 9 best eye creams 2025 for dark circles, wrinkles and more, according to a Closer beauty writer.

　　SHOP: The best eye creams for dark circles and wrinkles 1. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Creme

　　Best overall eye cream

　　Ole HenriksenPrice: £38www.cultbeauty.co.uk

　　View offer One of the OG eye creams on the shelf, this bestseller uses a triple vitamin C complex to enhance skins brightness and elasticity (which makes wrinkled skin begin to bounce back) and subtly help reduce the look of dark spots, illuminating the complexion instantly. It also includes bioflavonoids, which help your skin to absorb vitamin C, therefore protecting your skins natural production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, as well as brightening orange extract. The formula is hydrating, absorbs instantly, and also preps skin for concealer.

　　Pros ConsProsGentle on sensitive skin, since it's fragrance freeVisibly improves both dark circles and fine linesIdeal for tackling dullnessConsSmall pot doesn't last too long2. Revolution Skin Espresso Eye Lift Eye Serum

　　Best lightweight eye cream

　　RevolutionPrice: £8www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer This skin awakening serum contains de-puffing caffeine as well as hyaluronic acid, which has hydrating properties. Together they lift sagging skin and energise to give your under-eyes a much-needed wake-up call. If you frequently wake up with puffiness around your eyes, youll love the cooling rollerball applicator that helps reduce swelling by gently massaging away fluid build-up, which can lead to under-eye bags. It absorbs quickly and seems to have made my eye area look much more refreshed in a matter of weeks.

　　Pros ConsProsHydratingBrighteningEnergising and refreshingConsPackaging makes it difficult to get last drops of product out3. BareMinerals Ageless Retinol Eye Cream

　　Best eye cream for quick results

　　BareMineralsPrice: £46www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer Reviewers mention this eye cream provides fast results - and Id have to agree! Its powered by a plant-based retinol alternative to tackle signs of ageing, as well as firming protein peptides and hyaluronic acid to plump with hydration and smooth skin. Ive been using this every morning and have noticed my eyes looking less tired, and my concealer applies better without creasing so much.

　　Pros ConsProsAbsorbs quicklyWorks well under makeupWorks immediatelyConsPricey4. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Cream

　　Best smoothing eye cream

　　NeutrogenaPrice: £9.55www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer Cant splurge right now? Not a problem. My eyes looked much smoother and hydrated after using this budget-friendly cream for just four weeks. The formula helps to hydrate and refresh the skin. I loved the consistency, as despite it being a gel-like formula, its not too watery or jelly-like but sinks straight into skin.

　　Pros ConsProsNon-greasyHard-working ingredientsYou only need a small amountConsHave to persevere for benefits to dark under-eye circles5. Byoma Barrier Repair Eye Cream

　　Best hydrating eye cream

　　ByomaPrice: £13.99

　　View offerAlternative retailersBoots£13.99View offerCult Beauty Global£13.99View offerSpace NK - UK£14.00View offer Byoma has two great budget-friendly eye creams, with ingredients specific to repairing the skin barrier and hydrating eyes. My favourite is this one, which is highly rejuvenating. Its so rich and the barrier lipid complex it contains will minimise water loss and ensure the eye area stays hydrated for much longer.

　　Pros ConsProsComforts skin with soothing formulaAffordableLong-lasting hydration with instant resultsConsSome reviews complained the pump dispenses too much product in one pump6. Skinstitut Ultra Firming Eye Cream

　　Best multi-purpose eye cream

　　SkinstitutPrice: £46www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer Dry and sagging eyes can benefit from a highly moisturising formula, like this one from Skinstitut. There are a few reasons why this one stands out for me. Its great at tackling multiple concerns, including puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. It also contains peptides which promote firmer-looking skin - which is particularly important for mature skin types. Plus, the texture is rich enough to feel nourishing whilst remaining lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about it leading to milia.

　　Pros ConsProsAntioxidant richImpressively smoothingA lovely, rich textureConsMay be slightly too rich for those with oily skin7. Fenty Skin Thicc N Smooth Eye Cream

　　Best eye cream for dry skin

　　FentyPrice: £32www.lookfantastic.com

　　View offer With Persian silk tree and caffeine, this invigorating eye cream is deeply moisturising, long-lasting and does a really, really great job at making dry under eyes look bright, less puffy and generally happier. Its further boosted with baobab oil and superstar active niacinamide, which visibly brightens the complexion and improves uneven skin tone. I loved every moment of using this eye cream, and the results it gave were just as satisfying.

　　Pros ConsProsBeautifully richSmoothing and hydratingBalmy yet non-greasy formulaConsQuite expensive8. UpCircle Eye Cream

　　Best eye cream for a morning boost

　　UpCircleRrp:21.99

　　Price: £14.66View offer Packed with hyaluronic acid and coffee oil extracted from repurposed grounds, I like to think of this as a cup of coffee for my under-eye area. It reduces dark circles and fine lines while firming and protecting the delicate eye area. It has a hydrating, creamy consistency that melts instantly into the skin, making it great to use on busy mornings and as prep for makeup too. Plus, its (beautifully) scented with a coffee smell - talk about a wake-up call!

　　Pros ConsProsReduces dark circlesDiminishes fine linesFirmingConsTakes time to see results9. Facetheory Retinal Eye MultiBalm

　　Best overnight eye cream

　　FacetheoryPrice: £41www.facetheory.com

　　View offer This anti-ageing balm did nothing but impress me, as, after two weeks of continuous use, my under-eyes looked brighter and smoother. The hero ingredient in this tube is skin-firming retinal, a retinoid thats 20x more potent than retinol that converts directly to retinoic acid, making it less irritating to skin. Teamed with clarifying granactive retinoid and vitamin C, you can expect an all-round powerhouse formulation, which I found improved my dark circles in a matter of weeks.

　　Pros ConsProsRetinal formulaVisible long term resultsSoothingConsThose with sensitive skin may find the retinal irritating How I tested the best eye creams Im an experienced beauty writer who tests new products as they launch. During testing, ease of application was considered, along with how the formula felt and looked on the skin, and how long the ingredients took to plump, smooth, brighten or firm the complexion.

　　Does everyone need to use an eye cream? While not everyone wholeheartedly believes in the concept of an eye cream (if you’re only after essential hydration, your regular face moisturiser will likely suffice), a targeted product is a good idea if you’re hoping to tackle any particular concerns. So, are eye creams really worth it? Whether or not they’re completely necessary, you may find that the simplicity of using an actual designated product for the right area is just easier.

　　Phoebe Denman is Senior Style Writer for heat and Closer where she covers fashion and beauty content. She writes broadly across both for print and online, covering everything from trend reports and shopping pages, to product reviews and chatting to celebs about their style faves.