The best drugstore eye creams prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to treat dark circles, puffiness, or fine lines (or all of the above). There are smart, affordable formulas with dermatologist-approved ingredients that can actually work.
From caffeine-powered eye serums that mimic the appearance of a full night’s sleep to rich eye creams packed with peptides and brighteners, these wallet-friendly options are designed to target common under-eye concerns, like wrinkles and undereye bags, without irritating your skin or depleting your bank account. “It really comes down to the ingredients, not the price tag,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.
Our Top Drugstore Eye Creams
Whether you’re looking to smooth crepey texture, brighten discoloration, or simply hydrate dry under-eyes, these editor- and dermatologist-approved picks deliver visible results, and all for less than you’d pay for a decent brunch. Keep scrolling to find your perfect match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Why it’s worth it: A Best of Beauty Award winner, RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is loved for its gentle yet effective formula. It combines pure retinol with glycerin, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 to hydrate, smooth fine lines, and visibly reduce dark circles. “Retinol is my most recommended ingredient for skin care, and this is a drugstore option I suggest often,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. “It delivers an immediate boost of moisture, and with continuous use, you should see improvement in fine lines and dark circles around the eye,” he says. Dr. Engelman notes the unique, time-released format of the retinol makes it safe for the delicate eye area. “It delivers clinically proven smoothing and firming results, and I recommend it to patients who want to tackle fine lines and crow’s feet without irritation,” she says. “It’s a great choice for anyone starting an anti-aging regimen, especially those with sensitive skin.”
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“RoC’s eye cream has been a tried-and-true formula for many years now. I’m probably aging myself by linking to this review I wrote in 2021, but with the added years (I’m 32 now), my concerns about volume loss and creasing around the eyes are even more prevalent, so RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream has made its way back into my nighttime rotation. After all, not much can beat retinol in terms of wrinkle-reducing efficacy. I’ve never had any sensitivity using it either, perhaps due to the fact that irritating-soothing glycerin is one of the top ingredients. All in all, this is a very affordable treatment that outperforms many pricier creams.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: retinol, glycerin, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Crow’s Feet: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum
Why it’s worth it: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Wrinkle Replumping Eye Serum comes with a built-in massage roller that feels like an instant wake-up call for tired eyes—cooling, soothing, and so refreshing. The lightweight formula inside is just as impressive: two types of hyaluronic acid hydrate and plump, while a 10% complex of caffeine, niacinamide, and hepes (short for hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, which helps keep the active ingredients stable) works to smooth fine lines, brighten dark circles, and firm up the delicate under-eye area. It’s fragrance-free, gentle enough for sensitive eyes, and perfect for anyone who wants their eye cream to feel as good as it works.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if an eye cream doesn’t have a metal applicator, I don’t want it! And this La Roche-Posay treatment not only has a metal tip, but a rollerball tip, which is why I deemed it an instant favorite after the first use. The formula itself is more serum than cream (it’s literally in the name) and easily seeps into undereye crevices to plump with hyaluronic acid and lock in moisture with glycerin. It’s great for day and night, but I find its lightweight texture lends itself to more morning use.” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, caffeine, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Puffiness: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Why it’s worth it: While it’s not technically a drugstore product, The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream rings in at a comparable price point, making it a budget-friendly pick for tired, puffy eyes. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula uses caffeine to improve circulation and reduce puffiness. “It helps plump the eye area, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and also minimizing puffiness,” says Dr. Hartman. It also features the brand’s proprietary Matrixyl 3000 peptides to hydrate and smooth the look of fine lines. “Peptides help add hydration to the skin for a smoother appearance,” he says. We love the non-greasy texture, which feels even more refreshing after you pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“This is like an espresso shot to my under eyes! I keep a tube of this with me every time I travel, because it can make red-eye level sleep look like I got 8 hours of restful bliss. The price is fantastic, and I am constantly having friends reach out about this specific eye cream. It’s pretty gentle as well, and doesn’t cause me any irritation.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
- Key ingredients: caffeine, Matrixyl 3000, albizia julibrissin bark extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dark Circles: Hero Cosmetics Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream
Why it’s worth it: No concealer? No problem. Hero Cosmetics Bright Eyes is a lightweight, illuminating eye cream with a soft, universal tint that instantly brightens and color-corrects dark circles. “I like this option for patients who are concerned with dark circles and fatigue-related puffiness,” says Dr. Engelman. “The caffeine and niacinamide offer a brightening, de-puffing effect, while peptides help firm the skin.” The packaging is genius, too: The cooling metal applicator glides on the formula with ease, instantly soothing and refreshing tired eyes.
If you want to layer concealer on top, the good news is that this formula wears beautifully under makeup. Just give it a minute or two to fully absorb, then apply your concealer as usual. Thanks to the subtle tint that neutralizes shadows, you’ll likely find yourself reaching for less makeup.
- Key ingredients: niacinamide, caffeine, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Bioderma Sensibio Eye+
Why it’s worth it: We may hit up the drugstore aisle for Bioderma’s cult-favorite micellar water, but their Sensibio Eye+ deserves just as much love. “This is a go-to for my patients with sensitive or reactive skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “It hydrates the delicate eye area with squalane and glycerin without causing irritation and helps reduce puffiness, thanks to caffeine and a soothing base that supports the skin barrier.” Speaking of puffiness, this lightweight gel-cream also addresses other signs of stressed-out eyes, such as dark circles, with a blend of anti-inflammatory peptides and brightening rhamnose (a sugar molecule) that leave the under-eye area visibly smoother, calmer, and more refreshed.
Glabridin, a brightening extract from licorice root, is gentle enough for the delicate under-eye area (unlike some stronger lightening ingredients that can cause irritation). It works especially well on brown or pigment-based dark circles.
- Key ingredients: caffeine, squalane, acetyl tetrapeptide-5, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Cetaphil Healthy Renew Eye Gel Serum
Cetaphil
Healthy Renew Eye Gel Serum
Why it’s worth it: If traditional retinol doesn’t play nice with your sensitive under-eyes, Cetaphil Healthy Renew Eye Gel Serum is a gentler alternative that still gets the job done. “Formulated with peptides and retinol-like peptides, it helps minimize the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and signs of fatigue,” says Dr. Engelman. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and panthenol (B5) round out the formula to hydrate, soothe, and support the skin barrier. And if the skin around your eyes leans dry or crepey, ingredients like shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, and coconut oil step in to deliver deep, lasting hydration and a smoother, more supple finish.
Rice lees extract might not get as much buzz as niacinamide, but it’s a quiet overachiever. Made from the nutrient-rich byproduct of sake fermentation, it’s loaded with antioxidants and amino acids that help brighten, calm, and revive tired under-eyes (basically a reset for dull skin).
- Key ingredients: niacinamide, panthenol, peptides, shea butter, coconut oil, rice lees extract
- Fragrance-free:
Best for Crepey Skin: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Why it’s worth it: We’ve all heard about the skin-strengthening benefits of ceramides (they help lock in moisture and support the skin barrier), and CeraVe Eye Repair Cream packs in three of them. “This eye cream is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin looking for an option to ease the appearance of wrinkles and brighten the eye area,” says Dr. Hartman. “It’s fragrance-free, gentle, and uses hyaluronic acid to add hydration, giving skin a smoother appearance, while niacinamide helps brighten skin.” If uneven texture is your primary concern, this lightweight, no-fuss formula is a reliable solution.
This is a great “starter” eye cream for anyone new to under-eye skin care. It covers all the basics: hydration, barrier support, and brightening.
- Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Uneven Tone: No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum
No. 7
Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve tried everything for your dark circles without much luck, there’s a chance you’re dealing with discoloration caused by hyperpigmentation, not just shadowing. (It’s especially common in people with deeper skin tones.) No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum is designed to target uneven tone from multiple angles, with ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to help fade dark spots, plus additional actives that address thinning skin and sun damage.“ It also uses the brand’s peptide technology to help support the skin renewal process and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Hartman. The formula also includes brightening niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E to smooth texture and visibly even out discoloration. “It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used daily to help revitalize the skin’s appearance,” he adds.
Ascorbyl glucoside is a stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and helps fade pigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. It’s more gentle than pure ascorbic acid, so if you have sensitive skin, that’s a plus.
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, rice proteins, peptides, ascorbyl glucoside
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do drugstore eye creams work?
Drugstore eye creams can be just as effective as pricier options. “Many drugstore eye creams can be quite effective,” says Dr. Engelman. While luxury options might offer more refined textures or high-tech delivery systems, “you don’t need to splurge to see results—just focus on the formulas,” she says. Many affordable formulas contain proven actives, such as caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, which help target puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles. Consistent use is key, no matter what’s on the label.
Are eye creams “necessary” for undereye wrinkles?
Eye creams may not be mandatory in a basic skin care routine, but when it comes to treating under-eye wrinkles, they’re often worth it. “I believe eye creams are necessary for under-eye wrinkles,” says Dr. Hartman. “The skin under the eye is thin and delicate compared to the rest of the face, so it needs special care.” He adds that because the eye area is so close to the eye itself, it’s important to use products specifically formulated and tested for that zone. “The active ingredients in eye creams will be tailored to an appropriate percentage for delicate eye skin, which is another reason why I recommend including an eye cream in your daily skin care routine,” he explains. For mild to moderate wrinkles, eye creams with ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid can be effective. However, for more advanced wrinkling, professional treatments (such as lasers, fillers, or RF microneedling) may offer better results.
Meet the experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic based in New York City
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, Alabama
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best drugstore eye creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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