These Eye Serums Brightened Our Under Eyes Like Nothing Else—Confirmed After Hundreds of Hours of Testing (2024)

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, copper peptides | Benefits: De-puffing, anti-aging, collagen boosting | Size: 0.5 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pillowy-soft formula absorbs quickly into the skin, making it a dream to apply before bed. Its primary active ingredient, Retinol, is known to increase cell turnover and boost collagen production, targeting fine lines and wrinkles. It can make the skin sensitive to the sun, so it’s best to save for the evening hours. Copper peptides are in there too, which also boost collagen and keep skin bouncy and fresh. Finally, there’s caffeine, a powerhouse ingredient that reduces puffiness and acts like a cup of coffee for the face. It’s housed in a unique airless pump container that makes it super easy to pump out product and can be recycled once you’re done.

Key Ingredients: Tripeptide blend, caffeine, kakadu plum extract | Benefits: Tightening, firming, brightening | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum had a considerable effect on the look of our tester Mandy’s under-eye bags. Not only did it de-puff the area, but it tightened the skin under the eyes over time. The light, easy-to-layer formula leans on three unique peptides to improve skin elasticity and amp up collagen production, as well as caffeine, which helps to brighten dark circles. Mandy was also a fan of the cooling applicator tip that gently massages, depuffs, and wakes up the eye troughs.

Although Mandy didn’t mind it, there was a slight tingling sensation immediately after application. It’s not a dealbreaker for us, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you have super-sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Probiotic extracts, prebiotics, peptides | Benefits: Reduces puffiness, balancing, smoothing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you haven’t gotten enough sleep or you’re just typically tired in the morning, a cooling serum might help you feel more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. This formula from Tula harnesses the power of peptides in addition to a few extracts—pink silk tree, sea algae, and probiotic extracts, to be exact—that reduce the look of tired, puffy, and dark under-eyes. After a few weeks, our tester Courtney’s under-eye skin felt softer, smoother, and looked a bit more youthful than before. However, the star of the show was the cooling applicator. Many other products in this list feature similar iterations, but something about the shape and size of this metal-tipped pen did the trick on slow mornings.

One thing we want to point out: during testing, Courtney started to notice tiny little bumps around the contours of their eyes. We’re not entirely sure if they were pimples or another type of irritation, but once they limited their use of the product to once daily (rather than twice), it seemed to improve.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Firming, anti-aging | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

The under-eye skin is thin and delicate, so it’s extra important to keep it hydrated. However, it’s also more sensitive than other areas of that face, so you can’t just slather on any old moisturizer. Enter this hydrating serum from Vichy. Designed to smooth and illuminate the delicate eye area, this formula leans on skin-plumping hyaluronic acid (which holds 1,000 times its weight in water) and mineral-rich volcanic water from Vichy, France.

During testing, we noticed an improvement in the hydration of our under-eyes and a slight wrinkle-plumping effect; however, it wasn’t super drastic. While hyaluronic acid is a nice ingredient to have on hand for temporarily improving the look and feel of skin, it won’t address the cause of wrinkles or eliminate them once and for all.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, toning, cooling, and depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to over-the-counter skincare products that yield noticeable results, Dr. Dennis Gross is one brand you can count on, and the Triple Correction Eye Serum is no exception. Right off the bat, our tester Sunita loved the airtight container, which houses the runny liquid securely. The serum boasts a cooling, depuffing effect that feels nice first thing in the morning.

The most noteworthy ingredient in this formula is retinol, which gets to work rather quickly on crow’s feet and fine lines. In addition, this eye serum contains bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), plus antioxidant all-star ferulic acid (which targets fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots) to address signs of aging more aggressively without compromising the delicate under-eye skin. Throughout the testing period, Sunita saw a noticeable difference in the lines underneath their eyes and was astonished by how much softer the skin felt. The serum takes a few minutes to sink into the skin, so we suggest waiting a bit before applying products like concealer on top of it.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C | Benefits: Anti-aging, brightening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Research suggests that, when topically applied, vitamin C can protect the skin from a whole slew of concerns, including hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, dryness, and uneven skin tone. It's also an antioxidant, which helps guard against environmental free radicals, like UV rays and pollution, that can damage the skin.

This vitamin C serum is intended strictly for the under-eye area and went on smoothly during testing. Our tester Linda found that a pea-sized amount covered both under-eyes—and even helps makeup, like under-eye concealer, go on more evenly. With a couple of weeks of use, Linda experienced an improvement in the radiance of their under eyes. While the results weren’t the most dramatic, she appreciated looking a bit more well-rested in the morning. Vitamin C can irritate the skin, but Linda didn’t experience any sensitivity, despite having very sensitive skin. Something to keep in mind: The formula can be runny right out of the tube, so use caution when depositing the product onto your skin.

Key Ingredients: Rooibos, honeybush, and reservatrol | Benefits: Hydrating, firming, refreshing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This formula leans on antioxidants in the form of plant-based alternatives—rooibos, honeybush, and resveratrol––to address skin damage and prevent future damage from occurring. Over a month, our tester Krystina saw an improvement in the look of dark circles. And, thanks to an illuminating sheen, the product offers a nice glow effect that makes under-eyes appear radiant and more plump within seconds. The product has a very lightweight consistency and a lot of stretching power; a small amount can cover a large area. The only downside is that it’s watery, so if you use too much, you risk wasting some precious formula. But, if you use a tiny amount twice a day the product will last up to several months without a refill.

Key Ingredients: Ginseng root extract, retinal liposome | Benefits: Moisturizing, wrinkle-improving | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Designed to improve sagging skin around the eyes, this sensitive skin-friendly under-eye serum boosts elasticity and restores damaged skin. It contains two potent anti-aging ingredients: retinal and ginseng. Similar to retinol, retinal, is an ingredient that helps increase cell and collagen production, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and does so while being a touch gentler than prescription formulas.2 Ginseng is an herbal ingredient that, when applied topically, can reduce inflammation, boost hydration, and protect the skin barrier. All that is to say, this stuff is the secret sauce for gentle yet effective anti-aging skincare.

During testing, Stacey appreciated the cooling effect the serum provided; it felt refreshing on the eyes and even made her look more awake after use. After a sinus infection that left Stacey’s under-eyes dehydrated, the serum restored radiance and reduced puffiness. Several online reviewers noted their under-eyes were dry after use. To address this, we recommend following up with a hydrating eye cream.

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, green tea cathechin | Benefits: Depuffing, refreshing | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you regularly wake up with tired, puffy eyes and dark circles, reach for this caffeinated serum from The Ordinary. It boasts a potent 5% concentration of caffeine, which stimulates blood circulation to the skin, reducing puffiness and dark circles. The serum gets an added boost from purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) an antioxidant compound found in green tea leaves that’s shown to hydrate skin while preventing wrinkles from forming. This is more of a quick fix than a long-game product; it will improve the appearance of your under-eye area instantly but temporarily—which is all you need sometimes.

Read Full Review: This $7 Caffeine-Powered Serum Is Like Coffee for My Dark Circles

Key Ingredients: Giant sea kelp, caffeine, sweet almond oil | Benefits: Lifting, depuffing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No

La Mer’s Lifting Eye Serum turns under-eye maintenance into a self-care experience. Apply a few drops of silky formula with the silver-tipped applicator and massage the eye area, smoothing, cooling, and boosting circulation. The formula itself contains La Mer’s Miracle Broth™, a secret cocktail of giant sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that aid the skin’s natural renewal process while soothing irritation. There’s also stimulating caffeine and moisturizing sweet almond and sesame seed oils. If your budget can stretch, make this a nightly ritual and notice your eye contours become more lifted and firm over time. Some reviews say that you only get a small amount of product for the price, but the serum seems to last a long time (six to 10 months, according to some reviews) so perhaps that’s not such a big deal.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, caffeine, glycerin | Benefits: Radiance-boosting, depuffing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re plagued by dark circles, this award-winning formula by Youth To The People is the product to reach for. Its star active is vitamin C, which boosts collagen and addresses pigmentation of the eye contour, creating a more radiant appearance. On top of that, the serum features caffeine to boost circulation, peptides to support collagen and elastin production, and glycerin to moisturize, making it a great all-rounder when it comes to under-eye care. It even works well with makeup, so you can apply it in the morning as well as at night. Some found the serum irritating, so take care if you have sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, vitamin E & B5 | Benefits: Hydrating, radiance-boosting | Size: 0.5 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Cetaphil is perhaps our favorite gentle drugstore skincare brand. Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this dermatologist-developed serum is a hydration-heavy hitter. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E combine to soothe the under-eye area and lock in moisture for up to 48 hours, reducing the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. It also comes with a silicon applicator tip for gently massaging the product where you need it most. Be warned: although Cetaphil is, as mentioned, sensitive skin-friendly, some reviewers experienced a burning sensation on especially delicate skin.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Caffeine, Panthenol | Benefits: Hydrating, cooling, soothing | Size: 0.5 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No

When you need an on-the-go pick-me-up, Clinique’s All About Eyes serum delivers. There’s no need to dab the formula on with your fingers; the cooling roller-ball applicator hygienically dispenses the perfect amount of product with a gentle massaging sensation. While the applicator itself helps drain fluid retention, therefore reducing puffiness, active ingredients in the formula get to work. Noteworthy ones include caffeine, panthenol, and glycerin to stimulate and hydrate the under-eyes. It’s not the most potent, actives-packed formula, but when you need a little relief post-flight, this is one to try.

FAQ

• What are the benefits of eye serums?

  Like general face serums, eye serums contain concentrated doses of various actives, like antioxidants, retinoids, and peptides. This allows them to target various concerns, like crepiness, fine lines, crow’s feet, dark circles, and under-eye bags.

• How do you apply eye serums?

  Deposit a small amount of product onto a clean finger (roughly the size of a grain of rice for each eye). Next, using your ring finger (aka the most gentle finger), tap the serum under the eyes. Hilal-Campo recommends focusing the application on the tear trough area below the eye, as well as the crow’s feet to avoid getting the product too close to the lash line.

• How often should you use an eye serum?

  You can apply an eye serum up to two times per day. Daily use is often recommended to achieve the desired effect. However, due to the nature of retinol, you may want to work your way up to everyday use with products containing the ingredient to avoid irritation.

• What do you do if you get an eye serum in your eye?

  According to Hilal-Campo, you should remove the product immediately and then flush your affected eye with a sterile saline solution to cleanse the eye. If irritation persists, contact your optometrist immediately.