The 18 Best Drugstore Eye Creams of 2024

Best Overall

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

$22 at Target $11 at Ulta $22 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E, glycerin, panthenol | Benefits: Smoothing, toning, depuffing, plumping, increases collagen | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Looking to address crow's feet, fine lines, and crepiness or achieve all-around smoother skin? New York dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., recommends a nightly retinoid or retinol cream like the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream to increase collagen. The vitamin A derivative is a go-to for treating the most common concerns about the eye area, including wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dark circles, and lack of elasticity. This reasonably priced anti-aging eye cream also contains a medley of soothing, plumping hydrators such as vitamin E, glycerin, and panthenol (vitamin B5). By delivering moisture to the skin, RoC Correxion will make your eye area look instantly smoother and less puffy. After several weeks, you can expect a noticeable improvement in fine lines and dark circles.

Best Budget

e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Eye Cream

$10 at Target $10 at Ulta $10 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Peptides, cucumber extract, green tea | Benefits: Depuffing, soothing, boost radiance, hydrating | Size: 0.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Most drugstore formulas are relatively affordable, but if you want to spend as little as possible, you can't go wrong with e.l.f. The brand's Holy Hydration eye cream calls on peptides, cucumber extract, and green tea to gently plump, smooth, hydrate, and boost radiance. We love this product for nighttime use, as it has a thick consistency that still feels lightweight and nourishing on the skin. It’s also an effective hydrator for all ages, so you’ll still see a difference even if you have yet to develop deep dark circles or lines.

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

$10 at Amazon $15 at Target $20 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, aloe, almond oil | Benefits: Hydrating, plumping, depuffing, replenishes the skin barrier | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Reactive complexion? Reach for CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. The no-nonsense, fragrance-free formula delivers ample moisture while replenishing the skin barrier with essential ceramides. If you battle dark circles no matter how much sleep you get, niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a foolproof radiance-boosting agent. With continued use of this eye cream, expect to feel comfortable enough leaving home without any under-eye concealer.

Best K-Beauty

CosRx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream

$17 at Amazon $21 at Ulta $28 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Peptides, snail secretion filtrate, niacinamide | Benefits: Firming, hydrating, radiance-boosting, depuffing | Size: 0.85 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

From the K-beauty aisle, we're big fans of CosRx (as are supermodels like Emily Ratajkowski). The brand's Advanced Eye Cream contains ultra-hydrating snail mucin, plus niacinamide and peptides to firm, plump, and boost radiance—and it gets extra points for the airtight container, which helps to limit contact with bacteria. While no eye cream can completely banish fine lines and wrinkles, this product can help diminish their appearance over time. This eye cream is also long-lasting; a little goes a long way when it comes to application.

Best Daytime

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Soothing Eye Cream

$30 at Amazon $31 at Ulta $30 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Squalane, thermal spring water, caffeine, vitamin C | Benefits: Hydrating, radiance-boosting, depuffing | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

While La Roche-Posay is on the pricier end of the drugstore spectrum, you can count on their gentle products that do what they say. Toleriane Ultra Eyes contains Dr. King's favorite depuffing ingredient, caffeine, along with mineral-rich spring water and radiance-boosting vitamin C. This eye cream is also considered a holy grail for sensitive skin types, especially if you’re looking for an under-eye makeup primer. Simply apply under the eyes, and let the product sit for five minutes before applying your concealer. This will help keep any under-eye makeup from settling into fine lines.

Best for Dark Circles

Naturally Serious Zero Baggage Anti-Dark Circle Eye Cream

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora $26 at Macy's

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, sodium phytate, hyaluronic acid, green tea | Benefits: Depuffing, radiance-boosting, hydrating, reduces dark circles | Size: 0.67 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"This potent eye cream with plant-derived sodium phytate and caffeine helps you say goodbye to the look of under-eye bags, dark circles, and fine lines," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marie V. Hayag, M.D. of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. Tested and approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists alike, this fast-absorbing option is specifically formulated to wake up tired eyes. Some reviews liken it to an easy and effective eye lift—without going under the knife.

Best Illuminating

Olay Ultimate Eye Cream

$22 at Amazon $30 at Target $26 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, brightening pigments | Benefits: Radiance-boosting, depuffing, smoothing, hydrating | Size: 0.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Does hyperpigmentation get you down? Your best bet is Olay's peptide-rich Ultimate Eye Cream. This brilliant multitasker contains radiance-boosting niacinamide and color-correcting pigments to tackle uneven skin tone and illuminate the eye area. To cover deep dark circles, it’s slightly pigmented to add a bit of coverage on a variety of skin tones. We also love that it doesn’t feel cakey under makeup that’s applied on top, and that it keeps the under eye looking bright and smooth all day. This eye cream boasts a hint of concealer that works well with all skin tones. It is also fragrance-free, making it an ideal option for those looking to limit their exposure to fragrances.

Best Illuminating, Runner-Up

Hero Cosmetics Bright Eyes Cream

$20 at Amazon $24 at Target $24 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine | Benefits: Brightens, smooths | Size: 1.17 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have dark circles and are looking for a bit of a boost in the morning, look no further than Hero Cosmetics Bright Eyes. This illuminating eye cream has a subtle fragrance and is lightly tinted with a yellow hue, which helps color-correct and complements any skin tone, making for a seamless skincare routine that’s refreshingly effective. We love that it has a thick and smooth texture without being greasy.

Best With Retinol

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

$19 at Amazon $22 at Target $28 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, radiance-boosting | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Dr. King loves retinol eye creams, like this little guy from Neutrogena's widely celebrated Rapid Wrinkle Repair Line. With ongoing use, the smoothing formula offers a noticeable improvement in fine lines, crow's feet, and uneven skin tone while targeting hyperpigmentation and dark circles with vitamin C. Reviewers say this eye cream, which also helps with puffiness, has exceeded their expectations, citing significant results within two weeks of usage.

Best With Caffeine

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

$11 at Amazon $11 at Sephora $11 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, peptides | Benefits: Hydrating, depuffing, smoothing | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're dealing with puffy under eyes, Dr. King says any eye cream containing caffeine should help. From the under-$12 selection, your best bet is this little ditty by The Inkey List. It's budget-friendly, notably lightweight, and effective. As Dr. King explains, "Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating." We love this pick due to its moisturizing properties and nongreasy feel. Just like other eye creams on this list, the best results come from using it consistently on a nightly basis.

Best Natural

Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Cream

$15 at Amazon View on Burtsbees.com $17 at CVS

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, cotton flower extract, shea butter | Benefits: Depuffing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Partial to plant-based formulas? We suggest Burt's Bees 98.9% natural Eye Cream. The supremely creamy concoction comes in a hygienic airtight container, goes on smoothly, and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. This standout offering is as gentle as they come. Whether you’re looking for a depuffing eye cream to use the morning after a sleepless night, or looking for a lightweight formula to help calm irritation, this eye cream gets the job done.

Best Clean

Amara Beauty Eye Cream Gel

$16 at Amazon View on Amarabeauty.com

Key Ingredients: Peptides, plant stem cells, hyaluronic acid, amino acids | Benefits: Smoothing, strengthening, hydrating | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those on the clean-beauty train, we recommend Amara Beauty. This lightweight eye gel contains a plethora of plant-based goodness, such as stem cells, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids to plump up parched complexions and replenish the skin barrier. Since you need only a little product when you apply, this eye cream can last for a long time. It’s able to  improve dryness and breakouts around the eye area, and you can even use it on the rest of your face and hands.

Best Serum

Olay Eye Lifting Serum

View on Ulta $30 at Target View on CVS

Key Ingredients: Peptides, panthenol, caffeine, niacinamide | Benefits: Resurfacing, depuffing, smoothing, firming, lifting | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Eye serums are having a well-deserved moment, and our favorite from the pharmacy is this scarlet tube by Olay. The exceptionally lightweight, fast-absorbing formula works to depuff, firm, and lift the eye area with all-star ingredients such as peptides, niacinamide, vitamin B5, and caffeine. We like this pick for its shimmery application, which helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles. After a few weeks of use, you’ll notice that your eyelids are more soft, supple, and hydrated.

Best Serum, Runner-Up

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Hydrating Eye Serum

$28 at Amazon $28 at Target $36 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, vitamin C | Benefits: Plumps, hydrates, anti-aging | Size: 0.67 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While not technically a cream, this eye serum from L’Oreal does what some of the other eye creams on this list do (aka diminish the appearance of dark circles and fine lines). What really makes it a standout, aside from delivering a more youthful-looking appearance, is its triple roller applicator that effectively spreads the serum while also providing a full eye contour massage. Think of it as a spa treatment without the hefty price tag.

Best Depuffing

No7 Lift & Luminate Eye Cream

$16 at Target $25 at Ulta $25 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter | Benefits: Depuffing, plumping, brightening, smoothing | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you often wake up with puffy skin or under-eye bags, this one's for you. No7 Lift & Illuminate Eye Cream is an ultra-lightweight formula that promises to depuff and tighten the delicate eye area while plumping the skin and delivering a heaping dose of moisture. It also helps to treat telltale signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Since the formula might cause irritation to those with sensitive eyes, we recommend using this only once a day.

Best Tinted

Honest Tinted Eye Cream

$22 at Amazon $22 at Target $17 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane | Benefits: Color-correcting, brightening, hydrating | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those who like to rock a no-makeup makeup look, we highly recommend this tinted eye cream from Honest Beauty. It’s not a concealer per se, but it does offer light coverage. The semi-sheer pigment instantly color-corrects dark under-eye circles while offering a plumping boost. The formula is said to deliver 24 hours of hydration, making it an ideal eye cream for the cold weather. We also love that it’s able to stay on for hours without creasing or irritation.

Best Nighttime

Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm

$18 at Target View on Versedskin.com View on Revolve

Key Ingredients: Retinoid, vitamin E, black currant seed oil, shiitake mushroom extract | Benefits: Firms, strengthens, anti-aging | Size: 0.42 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Reserving thicker, more restorative products for bedtime is a must. Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm satisfies the need for a little something extra at night, thanks to its thoughtful blend of nourishing and conditioning ingredients that includes granactive retinoid—the anti-aging base of this eye cream—vitamin E, black currant seed oil, and shiitake mushroom extract. You’ll fall asleep feeling moisturized and wake up looking well-rested. This pick from Versed is easy to use daily because it has a deeply hydrating balmy texture that melts into the skin.

Best Gel

Garnier SkinActive Anti-Puff Eye Roller

$12 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $13 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, peppermint, caffeine | Benefits: De-puffing, radiance-boosting, soothes | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rolling away tired, puffy under eyes is possible with Garnier’s all-time classic (and incredibly hygienic) product. We love that this eye serum is packed with ingredients—such as antioxidant-rich vitamin C, peppermint, and caffeine—that reenergize, soothe, and hydrate the eye area. We love the cooling effect from the stainless steel roller, and you can even place the gel roller in the fridge overnight for an extra refreshing start to your morning.