13 Best Cruelty-free Eye Creams That Make Your Undereye Youthful

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 22, 2024
best cruelty-free eye creams
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Eye cream is probably the most neglected skincare product we often ignore in our younger days but realize the grave mistake later as we age. However, even if we consider applying eye creams, we often end up putting harsh chemicals around the sensitive skin of our eyes in the name of skincare, and knowingly or unknowingly do more harm than good to our skin and the environment. But these best cruelty-free eye creams are specially formulated to give you the best result without any adverse effects on your skin or the environment. The best part about them is that they are not tested on animals, which is an excellent plus point for mindful beauty lovers.

Shedding some more light on cruelty-free eye creams, our contributor Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, Health Content Advisor at Welzo, an online healthcare platform, says, “Cruelty-free eye creams do not involve animal testing in their development, but their effectiveness in addressing specific concerns varies based on their formulation. The primary difference is in ethical production practices rather than product performance.”

Keeping these factors in mind, we have rounded off a few products, based on our experience, that can really change the eyecare game for you. Trust us when we say that your skin deserves much more than a basic moisturizing cream. And when it comes to cruelty-free eye creams, they definitely get an extra brownie point for the obvious reason. Take a look at the products that we have curated for you -

13 Best Cruelty-free Eye Creams

LilyAna offers you a one-of-a-kind cruelty-free eye cream that is loaded with rosehip and hibiscus botanicals to treat the undereye dark circles and puffiness right from day one. The moisturizing ingredients present in the eye cream infuse hydration into your sensitive skin to treat dryness, undereye bags, and wrinkles. Furthermore, rosemary leaf extract, vitamin E, B3, and provitamin A help brighten the undereye area, boosting collagen production, and replenishing the skin saggy skin for a youthful and firm look.

Pros
  • Thoroughly hydrates
  • Minimizes fine lines
  • Firm sagging skin
  • Deflates puffiness
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Eliminates wrinkles
Cons
  • Thick consistency
  • Best to Soothe Undereye Area

    100% PURE Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

    100% PURE Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
  • Enriched with vitamin E, vitamin C, rosehip, and green tea extracts, the eye cream ensures a youthful and vibrant undereye area minus puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, and other pesky aging signs. The caffeine present in the eye cream further stimulates blood circulation and ensures a healthy glow, while the licorice root promises an even skin tone. Besides, it is well suited for all skin types. So, why wait? Make your eyes look awake and bright with the help of this cream just like this!

    Pros
    • Boosts collagen production
    • Stimulates blood circulation
    • Natural anti-aging formula
    • Illuminates dull eyes
    • Soothes undereye area
    • Gluten-free
    Cons
    • Doesn't smell nice
  • Editor’s Pick

    CITYGOO CAFFEINE Eye Cream

    CITYGOO CAFFEINE Eye Cream
  • CityGoo offers a high-quality eye cream that takes the upper hand at blurring wrinkles, fine lines, undereye bags, and crow's feet to give you the best results. Loaded with anti-aging ingredients like collagen, caffeine, and polypeptide, the eye cream is a boon for those who are looking for clean, vegan-friendly ingredients with a moisturizing and repairing formula. To note more, the cream also gently firms and brightens up the undereye area for an even-toned complexion.

    Pros
    • Diminishes fine lines
    • Nourishing formula
    • Lightweight texture
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Hydrating ingredients
    • Works on eye bags
    Cons
    • Not for allergy-prone skin
  • Best Lightweight Formula

    EIGHT SAINTS All In Eye Cream

    EIGHT SAINTS All In Eye Cream
  • Get this vegan eye cream in your beauty stash and unleash all the benefits without leaving a footprint on the environment. Loaded with active ingredients like peptides, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycolic acid, and vitamin C, the potent formula diminishes the signs of fatigue, stress, and expression lines. It also plumps up the undereye area while improving the texture at the same time. To note more, the hydrating formula deeply penetrates into the skin while reducing inflammation, if any, around the sensitive area.

    Pros
    • Minimizes fine lines
    • Lightweight
    • Leaves no residue
    • Fragrance-free
    • De-puffs eyebags
    • Soothes under-eye area
    Cons
    • Runny consistency
  • Best to De-puff Eye Bags

    bee naturals Peeper Keeper Bright Eyes Riche

    bee naturals Peeper Keeper Bright Eyes Riche
  • The eye cream contains exotic active ingredients like marigold extracts that help in addressing the puffiness under the eyes. On the other hand, the polypeptide present in the product claims to visibly reduce the signs of aging effectively without being harsh on your skin. It also has a super lightweight texture that gets quickly absorbed into the skin facilitating fine lines and wrinkle-free undereye areas. What’s more? It contains zero nasty ingredients and artificial fragrance or color, thereby ensuring full protection of your undereye area.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Diminishes fine lines
    • No greasy residue
    • Fragrance-free
    • Visibly reduces aging signs
    • De-puffs undereye bags
    Cons
    • May cause breakouts
  • Best Paraben-free Formula

    DERMA-E Hydrating Eye Cream

    DERMA-E Hydrating Eye Cream
  • Packed with effective ingredients like green tea extracts, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, the hydrating eye cream infuses the right amount of moisture while soothing the undereye area at the same time. It also works effectively to lift the eye area and tighten it at the same time for a toned look. On the other hand, the sustainable eye cream claims to protect the undereye area from sun damage. Furthermore, it nourishes the undereye skin without infusing anything harmful into it. So, why wait? Grab yours right now!

    Pros
    • Reduces puffiness
    • Protects from sun damage
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Paraben-free
    • Rich in antioxidants
    • Promotes younger-looking skin
    Cons
    • Could be more moisturizing
  • Best Tinted Formula

    HONEST BEAUTY HONESTLY BRIGHT EYES Tinted Eye Cream

    HONEST BEAUTY HONESTLY BRIGHT EYES Tinted Eye Cream
  • The tinted eye cream is loaded with powerful and potent ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene to give your undereye area a boost of youthfulness. It not only hydrates the eye area but also instantly brightens it at the same time. Furthermore, the cream diffuses dark circles with the tinted formula, loaded with illuminating pearl, which covers the same just like a concealer. Last but not least, the cruelty-free cream is vegan-friendly and free of phthalates, fragrances, PEGs, and mineral oil to deliver you the best quality.

    Pros
    • Brightens undereye area
    • Diffuses dark circles
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Paraben-free
    • Phthalates-free
    • Tinted formula
    Cons
    • Oxidizes a bit
  • Best Moisturizing Formula

    bliss ex-glow-sion Eye Cream

    bliss ex-glow-sion Eye Cream
  • The B-corp-certified brand pledges to come up with planet-friendly skincare products that are free of harmful chemicals and animal testing. Bliss offers a cruelty-free eye cream that is packed with ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide that gradually improve your undereye area for a brighter and healthier appearance. The planet-friendly product further ensures healthy and glowing skin without infusing any harmful chemicals into your skin. Last but not least, it not only diffuses dark circles but also moisturizes the undereye area at the same time for a plumpy and refreshing look.

    Pros
    • Paraben-free
    • Moisturizing
    • Brightens up undereye area
    • Fragrance-free
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Planet-friendly
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive eyes
  • Best Lightweight Formula

    haruharu wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream

    haruharu wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
  • The Haruhuru Wonder eye cream is loaded with exotic ingredients like fermented black rice, bamboo shoot bark extract, and bakuchiol that work wonders on your aging signs like fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and hyperpigmentation to give you a youthful and radiant look. It also improves the elasticity of your skin while improving the moisture levels at the same time for plumper and softer skin. What’s more? The lightweight formula gets quickly absorbed and leaves you with a refreshing glow.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Anti-aging formula
    • Lightweight
    • Exotic ingredients
    • Keeps undereye moist
    • Vegan-friendly
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive skin
  • Best to Blur Imperfections

    Hanalei KONA PEPTIDE HAWAIIAN Eye Cream

    Hanalei KONA PEPTIDE HAWAIIAN Eye Cream
  • Enriched with active ingredients like kukui oil, spirulina, and coffee berries, the Hanalei Kona Peptide eye cream promises to reduce the appearance of dark circles and make your undereye area youthful. With an irresistible scent of caffeine, the hydrating formula melts into your skin to deliver the ultimate hydration for reduced aging signs. It also contains a powerful formula containing nutrient-enriched volcanic soil, peptides, and Aloha Nui complex that helps in blurring all the imperfections for an overall glow.

    Pros
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Exotic ingredients
    • Revitalizes tired eyes
    • Provides maximum hydration
    • Blurs aging signs
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive eyes
  • PACIFICA WAKE UP BEAUTIFUL RETINOID Eye Cream

    PACIFICA WAKE UP BEAUTIFUL RETINOID Eye Cream
  • The eye cream is a perfect option for people with severe wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. It boasts of containing glycerine and petroleum-free granactive retinoid, which is known to be effective yet gentler on aging signs. The lightweight formula further gets quickly dissolved into the skin and provides utmost hydration that eventually makes the skin look plump. Now lack of sleep, more screen time, or working overtime is less likely to affect your undereye area! Get this product now!

    Pros
    • Works excellently on aging signs
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Treats fine lines
    • Gentle on skin
    • Petroleum-free
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Slight tingling effect
  • ELIZABETH MOTT- SURE THING! Vitamin C Eye Cream

    ELIZABETH MOTT- SURE THING! Vitamin C Eye Cream
  • Elizabeth Mott Sure Thing is one of the most popular vegan undereye creams that could be your holy grail to reduce dark circles, puffiness, and hyperpigmentation and get a radiant soft complexion. Infused with vitamin C, the skincare item is also excellent for getting bright under eyes while restoring the plump effect for a youthful appearance. Apart from being cruelty-free, the vitamin C cream blends like a dream and can also be used as a makeup primer.

    Pros
    • Fragrance-free
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Gives glowing skin
    • Removes puffiness
    • Provides radiance
    • Removes discoloration
    Cons
    • Not for oily skin
  • HERBIVORE SUPER NOVA Eye Cream

    HERBIVORE SUPER NOVA Eye Cream
  • Packed with ingredients like 5% THD vitamin C, soy, and caffeine, the Super Nova eye cream from Herbivore is extracted from plant-based ingredients to give you a bright undereye area minus any puffiness, for a refreshed look. It also contains powerful components like turmeric and hyaluronic acid that even out the skin tone while providing long-lasting hydration. To be noted, just a pea-sized amount of the clinically proven formula will work wonders for you!

    Pros
    • Brightens appearance
    • Contains antioxidants
    • Provides long-lasting hydration
    • Requires a little
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Diminishes dark circles
    Cons
    • Unpleasant smell

    Now that you have checked out the products, take a look at how you can pick the best one among them—

    How to Choose the Best Cruelty-free Eye Cream?

    Here are the parameters to consider before buying the best cruelty-free eye cream - 

    a) Ingredients- Take a close look at the ingredients before picking your product! A cruelty-free product doesn’t always mean that it is free of harmful chemicals or full of organic ingredients. Make sure your eye cream doesn’t contain phthalates, parabens, SLS, and SLES, to ensure overall protection of the most sensitive area of your face.

    b) Skin Concern- Take into consideration your skin concerns before picking the right cream. If your concern is aging signs, pick a formula that contains retinol. Similarly, a formula loaded with hyaluronic acid will ensure a boost of hydration, thus making the undereye area plump. Caffeine-enriched eye creams are best to depuff your eyes and eliminate dark circles. On the other hand, vitamin C is a great component to even out the skin tone.

    c) Texture- Well, it depends on the skin type and personal preference. If you don't like the greasy feeling, a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula is the one for you! But if you want visible hydration, a well-nourished moisturizing formula is what you need.

    So, that’s it! We hope that we have managed to get you an inch closer to sustainable beauty with these best cruelty-free eye creams that are loaded with effective formulas to give you a youthful undereye area without being harsh on your skin or the environment. As per our expertise, they can really be the one-stop solution to get the desired outcome minus dark circles, puffiness, and uneven skin tone! Getting youthful skin cannot be easier than this when you know that beauty doesn’t come at the cost of the suffering of an innocent being! Let’s embrace that!

    Contributor: Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, MD, Welzo Medical Officer

    FAQ's

    How can I verify if an eye cream is truly cruelty-free?
    A truly cruelty-free product will have a certification stamp or logo over the label like Leaping Bunny, PETA, CCF, etc.
    Are cruelty-free eye creams as effective as non-cruelty-free alternatives?
    Of course, they are! The only difference between cruelty-free eye cream and non-cruelty-free eye cream is that the former is not tested on any animal.
    Are there cruelty-free eye creams for specific skin concerns like wrinkles or dark circles?
    Yes, every cruelty-free eye cream is formulated to address different concerns! There are various types of eye creams that target different types of skin concerns like puffiness, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc. And oh! There are multitaskers as well.
    Are all cruelty-free eye creams vegan as well?
    No, a cruelty-free product doesn’t necessarily mean that they are vegan as well. Cruelty-free products aren’t tested on animals, while vegan-friendly products are free of any animal-derived products like milk or honey.
    Are there any natural or organic cruelty-free eye creams available?
    Yes, there are plenty of suggestions for eye creams that are cruelty-free and organic as well. Herbivore Super Nova Eye Cream, haruharu wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, and more are examples of the same.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Our in-house expert, Anoushka, is an avid skincare enthusiast who doesn’t mind taking out her time and energy to curate the best products for our readers. In this article, Anoushka, being a mindful beauty lover, has considered the formulation, cruelty-free tag, texture, and outcome to pick a few eye creams for herself. She has used them over a period of time and noted their effectiveness. Later, she rounded off the best ones for the article considering all the above-mentioned parameters.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Anoushka Sinha
    Skincare Coach & Writer

    Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More