15 Best Eye Creams for Puffiness That Work Like Magic

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 07, 2024
Eye Creams for Puffiness That Work Like Magic
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We’ve all woken up to the shock of looking into the mirror and seeing a barely recognizable face because of our puffed-up eyes. After the initial groan of despair, to fix the solution the most effective and easy solution is to reach out for the best eye cream for puffiness to alleviate the situation.

Eye cream formulas are packed with caffeine and peptides that boost collagen production and tighten the skin and vitamin C that lightens the skin. Other ingredients like hyaluronic acid, green tea, and aloe vera hydrate and soothe the skin reducing puffiness significantly. Dr. Andrea Suarez, a board-certified dermatologist and skincare expert, says, “Topical caffeine in eye creams can really improve the look of under-eye puffiness as well as dark circles. Using humectants on the delicate skin of your eyes can have a plumping effect and temporarily smooth out wrinkles and fine lines.”

Our review of the most effective eye creams will definitely make it simpler for you to choose a cream to pamper one of the most delicate and sensitive skins of your body.

15 Best Eye Creams for Puffiness

Get a rested, smooth and bright look with Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream which is packed with the goodness of hyaluronic acid and gives intense hydration for the whole day to your skin. In addition, it also contains a vitamin B3 and vitamin E complex that is further enhanced with licorice extracts. This unique formula of this gel cream gets easily absorbed by the under-eye skin like a gel and has a deep moisturization effect on the delicate skin around the eyes like a cream. This eye cream that is infused with chamomile and green tea extracts is how to get rid of eye bags as it gives your skin long-lasting hydration to restore and protect your skin.

Pros
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Lightweight formula
  • Long-lasting hydration
  • Clinically tested
  • Travel size
  • Dermatologist-recommended
Cons
  • Contains added fragrance
  • Fast-absorbing formula

    Filorga Laboratories Optim-Eyes 3-in-1 Eye Contour Cream

    Filorga Laboratories Optim-Eyes 3-in-1 Eye Contour Cream
  • A great way to “optimize” your skincare routine is to incorporate this eye cream by Filorga Laboratories. It wouldn’t be wrong to consider this product as an “anti-fatigue cream” as it not only reduces more visible puffiness around the eyes but also eliminates other minor factors that may give you a tired appearance. Infused with the goodness of hyaluronic acid and peptides, the cream replenishes the tender skin around your eyes and retexturizes its surface. Despite being a cream-based formula, the product’s consistency is such that you may as well think of it as a hydrating serum.

    Pros
    • Boosts moisture
    • Absorbs like a dream
    • Reduces dark circles
    • Plush with micronutrients
    • Gives a healthy glow
    • Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
    • Refreshes the skin around the eyes
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Terrible dispenser
  • StriVectin Hyperlift Eye Instant Eye Fix

    StriVectin Hyperlift Eye Instant Eye Fix
  • To smoothen the puffy skin around your eyes caused by aging, we recommend using this eye cream by StriVectin. The formula consists of rich peptide complexes that restore the skin’s building blocks and elasticity, so the skin doesn’t have to get crepey or take on an odd texture due to lack of nourishment. These properties are boosted by the product’s hero ingredients — clear quartz crystal and French pink clay that further revitalize the under-eye areas. Moreover, the product leaves behind no tacky white residue.

    Pros
    • A little goes a long way
    • Blends seamlessly
    • Emollient-rich
    • Brimming with antioxidants
    • Leave-on formula
    Cons
    • Overpriced
    • Watered-down
  • LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream

    LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream
  • LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream immediately reduces eye bags as it intensely hydrates and moisturizes the skin to prevent puffiness. It also does a great job of reducing dark circles and smooths out wrinkles and fine lines. This anti-aging eye cream firms and lifts the skin and gets absorbed in no time. With magical botanical ingredients like rosehip seed oil and hibiscus in this eye cream, it works wonders! It’s also infused with a blend of other natural ingredients like aloe vera and sunflower seed oil. Applying it in the morning and evening is the best as it gives you quite spectacular results and you never have to wonder how to get rid of puffy eyes in the morning instantly.

    Pros
    • Contains niacinamide
    • Absorbed quickly
    • Intense hydration
    • Preservative-free
    • Non-toxic ingredients
    • Not tested on animals
    Cons
    • May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin
  • BEST HYPOALLERGENIC EYE CREAM

    RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

    RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
  • The 3-in-1 action of RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is quite remarkable as it tackles puffy under eyes, wrinkles, and dark circles and rejuvenates the delicate skin of the eyes. Retinol along with the exclusive mineral complex brightens and prevents puffiness of eyes significantly in 4 weeks and cuts down the appearance of fine lines by half in 12 weeks. Potent retinol and vitamin E together make this eye cream effective and safe for everyday use. This cream comes packed in an opaque tube to control its exposure to light and air to preserve the efficacy of the formula.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Exclusive mineral complex
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Dermatologist-tested
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    • Suitable for all skin types and tones
    Cons
    • Contains parabens
  • Best Combination Cream

    Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream

    Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream
  • To know how to get rid of eye bags, there’s no better product than Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream. Puffiness, wrinkles, and fine lines become a thing of the past as its combination of potent retinol and hydrating hyaluronic acid targets them in particular. Especially designed for the delicate under-eye skin, you are assured of a brighter and even skin tone as it plumps your skin. Formulated without parabens, dyes, or any other toxins, this cream hydrates and refreshes the skin around your eyes. This dermatologist-recommended anti-aging eye cream gives you noticeable results in just a few days.

    Pros
    • Fragrance-free
    • Lightweight
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Intense hydration
    • No harsh chemicals
    • Dermatologist-approved
    Cons
    • Not oil-free
  • Best Skin Tightening Eye Cream

    Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Temporary Eye Tightener

    Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Temporary Eye Tightener
  • Get rid of under-eye puffiness with the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Temporary Eye Tightener with instant results. Its innovative formula gives temporary results but the effect is immediate and quite incredible. This unique anti-aging eye cream for puffy eyes is fortified with a trio of advanced skin tighteners. Firm-A-Tite technology instantly firms and lifts the skin removing fine lines and wrinkles. It also boasts of an  Eyeliss complex which comprises a number of peptides to reduce puffiness.  Eye Regener creates a tightening effect on the skin and removes eye bags so that it looks younger.

    Pros
    • Oil-free
    • Anti-aging
    • Melanin reduction
    • Rich in peptides
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    • Suitable for all skin types
    Cons
    • May leave a residue
  • Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream

    L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power LZR Hydrating Eye Cream

    L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power LZR Hydrating Eye Cream
  • Get rid of under-eye puffiness with just a few applications of L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power LZR Hydrating Eye Cream. Its superior hydration firms the skin, reduces wrinkles and significantly brightens the skin. It also carries the goodness of vitamin C and pro-retinol that not only get rid of puffiness, they also make your skin softer and smoother. The antioxidants in vitamin C make your skin even toned and radiant and also fight the effect of free radicals. Apart from that it layers really well under makeup. The rich and non-greasy texture of this eye cream for puffiness can be applied easily with a metal tip applicator and gets absorbed by the skin in no time.

    Pros
    • Unscented
    • Quickly absorbed
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Non-greasy formula
    • Allergy tested
    • No harsh chemicals
    Cons
    • May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin
  • Best Fragrance-Free Eye Cream

    L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Eye Cream

    L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Eye Cream
  • Packed with the benefits of pro-retinol and centella asiatica, L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Eye Cream reduces under-eye puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. Pro-retinol helps to not only improve the structure of your skin, it also boosts skin regeneration. It also firms the skin around the eyes significantly reducing the signs of aging. In just a few applications you will notice your eyelids getting firmer and smoother. This unique eye cream for puffy eyes is blended especially for the delicate and sensitive areas around the eyes.For a hydration boost for your under eyes, this is the cream, irrespective of your skin type. Buy using this cream, rest assured that it’s absorbed by the skin almost instantly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.

    Pros
    • Fragrance-free
    • Not greasy
    • Lightweight
    • Contains pro-retinol
    • Dermatologist-tested
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    Cons
    • Contains parabens
  • Best Multifunctional Cream

    Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Eye Transforming Cream

    Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Eye Transforming Cream
  • Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Eye Transforming Cream will do the job of transforming your under eyes with its potent antioxidants. This under-eye cream effectively fights the 7 signs of aging — reduces the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, restores moisture, enhances skin brightness, evens skin tone, and smoothes and evens skin texture. Rich in vitamins, this formula is specially designed to hydrate and nourish the delicate skin around the eyes. A powerhouse of vitamin B and vitamin E, this VitaNiacin Complex helps in the exfoliation and regeneration of the skin. It visibly reduces wrinkles and  fine lines, minimizes skin pores and dark spots, and restores the firmness of your skin.

    Pros
    • Oil-free
    • Fast absorbing
    • Instant hydration
    • Packed with vitamins
    • Full of antioxidants
    • Non-greasy formula
    Cons
    • Contains fragrance
  • Best Lightweight Eye Cream

    Citygoo Caffeine Eye Cream

    Citygoo Caffeine Eye Cream
  • The anti-aging Citygoo Caffeine Eye Cream is packed with caffeine, collagen and polypeptides that battle under eye puffiness, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It also gets rid of dark circles and sagging eyelids. The other nourishing ingredients like retinol and glycerin give quick results so that your skin looks youthful and radiant. This cream penetrates deep into the delicate eye skin and provides the required moisturization and nourishment for a refreshed appearance. It glides onto your skin like silk and is absorbed by it in no time without leaving a residue.  Made with completely safe and clean ingredients, this lightweight and potent eye cream for puffiness can be layered with other serums and moisturizers.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Vegan formula
    • Lightweight texture
    • Non-irritating
    • Suitable for all skin types
    • Not tested on animals
    Cons
    • Dispenser could be improved
  • Best Antioxidant Eye Cream

    L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Cream

     L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Cream
  • L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Cream is the perfect way to fight 5 signs of aging — puffiness, bags under the eyes, dark circles, fine lines, and droopy lids. An innovative blend of vitamin E and a patented antioxidant, it helps in the regeneration of skin cells. These antioxidants also help protect your skin from environmental aggressors. Your skin recovers its radiance and youthfulness in just a matter of days and you can see the difference in puffy under eyes with a single application. It’s absorbed by the skin in no time and keeps your skin hydrated for the next 24 hours. And the best part is that it leaves neither a residue nor greasiness.

    Pros
    • Rich in antioxidants
    • Paraben-free
    • Non-greasy
    • Absorbs quickly
    • Contact lens suitable
    • Dermatologist-tested
    Cons
    • May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
  • Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy - Medium

    Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy - Medium
  • With potent ingredients, Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Anti-Aging Renewal Therapy gives you back your youthful and rejuvenated look. It visibly diminishes signs of aging and its mineral SPF 35 protects your skin from sun damage. Puffiness under the eyes, dark circles, and fine lines begin to fade and your skin looks brighter and rested. Its cooling applicator helps greatly in reducing under eye puffiness. Its non-comedogenic formula ensures that your skin pores do not get clogged. Free of all harsh chemicals, this vegan and cruelty-free eye cream allows you to use it without any guilt pangs.

    Pros
    • Has SPF 35
    • Vegan formula
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Not tested on animals
    • No harsh chemicals
    • Ophthalmologist-approved
    Cons
    • May not be suitable for contact lens wearers
  • CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream

    CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
  • After finding the perfect blend of caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, as well as ceramides and niacinamide, you couldn’t ask for anything better for eye puffiness than CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream. Its deep hydration along with its smoothing action ensures that your skin is bright and firm. Caffeine plays a huge role in curbing under-eye puffiness while peptides reduce crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles. Niacinamide smoothens and brightens the skin while the 3 essential ceramides help to maintain its natural barrier. This lightweight cream keeps the skin around your eyes moisturized all day long so that your eyes look brighter and younger. The skin becomes soft and smooth and eye bags and puffiness disappears.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Fragrance-free
    • No harsh chemicals
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    • Suitable for most skin types
    • Suitable for contact lens wearers
    Cons
    • May not be suitable for extremely sensitive skin
  • RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream

    RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream
  • For those of you who wish to have plump skin around your eyes, RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream is the best choice. Ideal for under eye puffiness and dark circles, it is infused with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine. As natural hyaluronic acid levels drop, the delicate skin around your eyes may look tired and puffy. This eye cream which is full of the magic of hyaluronic acid smoothes the skin by filling the fine lines. Peptides visibly firm and lift the skin while caffeine helps with reducing puffiness and rejuvenates the skin.

    Pros
    • Fragrance-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Contains natural ingredients
    • Dermatologist-tested
    • Ophthalmologist-tested
    Cons
    • Might make eyes water in some cases

    Eye creams are used widely and are the answer to how to get rid of bags under eyes. Our review has hopefully given you a pretty good idea of the options that you have available and which will keep your eyes from looking tired, dull or puffed up. So let’s look at some of the things to consider before choosing the best eye cream for puffiness.

    How to Choose an Eye Cream for Puffiness

    One of the most important things to consider is the ingredients in the eye cream, but let’s see what else should be considered while choosing the best eye cream for puffiness.

    Ingredients

    An eye cream for puffiness should definitely be rich in antioxidants. Coffee oil, that is rich in caffeine and tannin, is a powerhouse of antioxidants with soothing properties that keeps the skin healthy and reduces puffiness. 

    It  should also be packed with humectants that moisturize, hydrate, and soften the under-eye skin. This plumps the skin reducing wrinkles and fine lines and hyaluronic acid should be one of the forerunners in your eye cream. 

    Another natural ingredient that is quite amazing is chia seed oil. It's full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids so your skin stays hydrated and fine lines and wrinkles begin to reduce.  

    Niacinamide and vitamin C greatly reduce pigmentation and even out skin tone. 

    Always try to choose an eye cream natural and organic as well as chemical-free. 

    Additional Benefits

    Go for a versatile eye cream that not only alleviates under-eye puffiness but also moisturizes dry skin under the eyes, camouflages dark circles, and helps your concealer to sit on the skin better. Formulas that have plenty of hydrating agents like hyaluronic acid and peptides are always a safe bet. The firm and tighten the skin and are good anti-aging agents.

    Packaging

    Products that come in bigger packs are usually easier on the pocket and you are actually paying less for more. Also, some packaging is more hygienic than others — a cream packed in a pot or tub may get contaminated when you keep dipping your fingers into it as compared to a cream packed in a bottle with a pump or dropper.

    Surface Texture

    The best eye creams for puffiness are easy to apply and have a creamy, smooth, and light texture that doesn’t clog your pores and allows your skin to breathe. 

    Skin Type

    Different eye creams are available for different skin types so make it a point to go for one that suits your skin best. No one wants an allergic reaction or skin irritation when using a cream. Not all creams are suitable for sensitive skin so you need to check the ingredients to get the one most suited to your skin type.

    Now that you have a fair idea of the various eye creams for puffiness that are available for your asking and also know what to look for to get the best deal, it’s time to figure out how to use them for the best results.

    How to Use Eye Creams For Puffiness

    • Take a pearl-sized amount of cream on your ring finger. As these creams are extremely concentrated, that’s all you need for both eyes. Use your ring finger for a light touch as you shouldn’t apply too much pressure as the under-eye skin is very delicate.
    • Put minute dots of the cream from the inner corner of your under-eye and extend it to your brow bone. Start applying it with gentle taps in a semi-circle pattern from the inner corner of your eye. Do this until all the cream is absorbed as this stimulates circulation until the product is fully absorbed. Try to avoid stretching or pulling the skin while doing this as the under-eye skin is sensitive and delicate.

    Tip: Try to keep the cream away from your eyelids and avoid getting too close to your eyes as it can cause irritation. 

    • After applying eye cream, wait for about 2 minutes for it to be fully absorbed by the skin before applying concealer or any other makeup product.

    Tip: For optimal results, use an eye cream both in the morning and at night. Use your eye cream after cleansing and toning but before a moisturizer or night cream.

    The fact is that whatever the cause for puffiness may be, it can really detract from a fresh, rejuvenated look and make you look dull and tired. The skin under your eyes is extremely thin and to top it there are no oil glands there. This, with time, leads to dryness and eventually fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness. So, to rescue you we leaked the news on the 13 best eye creams for puffiness. With all their magical ingredients they will help you find something to alleviate the problem.

     A few lifestyle tweaks will go a long way in making things better but then so does the right eye cream for puffiness. So why not give yourself the attention you deserve with the whole range of creams with wonder ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera just waiting to help you as they target puffiness and give you the results you are looking for. Time to give up that tired and dull look and look at the world with bright and glowing eyes with the best eye creams for puffiness.

    Contributor:  Dr. Andrea Suarez,  Board-certified Dermatologist

    FAQ's

    What is the best thing to do for puffy under eyes?
    A cold compress is by far the best thing you could do for puffy eyes. A cold compress reduces swelling and inflammation by reducing blood circulation to that area. Anything like an ice pack or a frozen bag of vegetables would do the job.
    Is there any cream for puffy eyes?
    A retinol night cream with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C or green tea extract is good for under-eye puffiness.
    What makeup is good for puffy eyes?
    A good quality moisturizer and a face serum or oil that suits your skin type is good for reducing puffiness under the eyes. You should apply this before applying the rest of your makeup.
    Does Preparation H work on puffy eyes?
    Yes, it does. It is a vasoconstrictor and reduces puffiness by narrowing the blood vessels.
    How do you cover up bags under your eyes for mature skin?
    As under-eye skin is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, it is imperative to use an eye cream that is especially designed to treat that particular delicate area. A regular face moisturizer has a heavier formula that is not suitable for the skin around the eyes and may weigh down the area.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    As the skin around the eyes is a direct indicator of one’s lifestyle, our in-house skincare expert Anoushka is a staunch advocate of using eye creams in one’s beauty regime. She laid out different skin problems around the eyes and topical ingredients that help reduce them — caffeine, green tea, peptides, centella, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and niacinamide. Then, she looked for products that employ these ingredients and dived deep into the customer testimonials of each eye cream. This list of recommendations comprises products that are suitable for different skin needs.

    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