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The eye area is one of my main concerns when it comes to ageing, so I am a big believer in using a separate and targeted product on that skin. Here are my favourite picks of the best Eye Creams and Serums for 2026.
When to Use Eye Cream in Your Skincare Routine
I think this is down to preference and you can choose when to use eye cream whether day, night or both. I think that consistence use, twice daily will retunr the best results.
I tend to cleanse, tone, and do serum. Next I apply eye cream, before my moisturiser and SPF. However, I think it is best to choose a routine that works for you , as consistency is key.
I also like to use a light eye cream during the day before topping up my concealer. If the eye area is hydrated, makeup will sit on top more easily.
Best Hybrid Makeup & Skincare Eye Cream
I had to include this new section in the roundup because last year a created my very first-of-its-kind makeup and skincare hybrid eye product called Lid Elixir!
Lid Elixir is a serum-tint with a light gel texture. It is packed with peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane and skin tighteners to lift, tighten and smooth the lids with a glossy wash of colour in two shades, OG Nude and Toasted Cinnamon. It has a refreshing cooling effect too.
Best Eye Creams 2026 for Dark Circles
If you are suffering with darkness under the eyes, as well as brightening ingredients, it’s also really helpful to use something with optical brighteners for an instant boost. I have included a couple of those here.
Tatcha The Brightening Eye Cream
If you’re looking for an eye cream that focuses on radiance as well as hydration, Tatcha The Brightening Eye Cream is a lovely option. It’s designed to help the under-eye area look smoother, more luminous and well-rested, which is exactly what I want from my morning eye product.
The formula combines Japanese plum extract to help brighten the look of dark circles with niacinamide to support a more even, refined eye area over time. It also contains Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3 complex, which delivers lightweight hydration while helping to keep the delicate skin around the eyes feeling soft and comfortable.
The texture is a silky cream that feels light but nourishing, and it melts in beautifully without feeling heavy. It sits really well under concealer and gives the eye area a subtle, fresh-looking glow that makes everything look a bit more awake. I find it particularly nice in the morning when I want a bit of brightness as well as moisture. Use REALLYREESPH for 15% off at Sephora.
Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream
I am a big fan of the moisturiser version of this eye cream which you can check out in Best Moisturisers for 2026.
This formula uses a blend of Matrixyl 3000, Argireline Amplified and squalane to brighten the eye area and improve the appearance of dark circles. It has a lovely light yet hydrating texture and a little goes a long well. It sits really beautifully under makeup too.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream
This eye cream from Sunday Riley is so good under makeup and really does have an instant brightening effect that is super flattering.
It is a great one for day time especially if you want to skip makeup, because it really does lift the shadows under the eyes. In terms of ingredients, there is caffeine, horse chestnut, shea butter, watermelon extract and ginseng root to energise and soothe, and protect from oxidant damage.
You can shop Auto Correct via the following links:
Best Eye Creams 2026 for Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye
If your under-eyes need serious anti-ageing power, Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye is a proper treat. It’s a rich, indulgent cream that goes straight for fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, leaving the delicate area looking smoother and firmer.
The formula is packed with high-performance actives that plump, firm, and support the skin so you actually see a difference over time, not just temporary hydration. It sinks in beautifully, feels luxurious without being heavy, and layers well under makeup. If your lines are starting to show, this is a cream that really delivers. Use REALLYREESPH for 15% off at Sephora.
Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream
I am a big fan of Tatcha and this eye cream is as luxurious as it sounds.
The texture of this eye cream is so luxurious. It has a super soft, almost cushiony texture that is nice and instantly smoothing and plumping. It sinks in beautifully and works really well under foundation or concealer.
This super-antioxidant cream uses a silk protein that expertly moisturises the skin while Japanese white peony supports the skin barrier function.
The Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream is available via the following links. Use REALLYREESPH for 15% off at Sephora.
Tursian R31 Eye Contour Brightening Gel
I’m always looking for an eye cream that goes beyond basic hydration, and I have to say, this gel genuinely impressed me. It really stands out.
Tursian describes R31 as more than a typical eye cream, and it really does feel more like a targeted treatment for the eye area. It’s designed to tackle multiple concerns including puffiness, dullness, fine lines and loss of firmness. The formula combines high-performance ingredients such as peptides to help smooth and firm the look of the skin, bio-ferments and algae extracts to hydrate and energise, and exosomes with plant stem cells to support skin renewal and resilience.
The texture is a lightweight, cooling gel that instantly refreshes tired eyes and layers beautifully under makeup with no stickiness or pilling. I simply tap a small amount around the eye area and it leaves everything looking brighter and more awake, especially in the morning.
Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Eye Cream
If you’re looking for something that really goes after fine lines and sagging, Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Eye Cream is proper next-level. It’s all about lifting, smoothing, and firming the delicate under-eye area so it actually feels tighter and looks brighter.
The formula is packed with powerhouse anti-ageing ingredients, think retinol tech and firming actives, that target wrinkles and loss of elasticity, rather than just masking them. It also helps with puffiness and dark circles, but the main magic is definitely in the anti-wrinkle, lifting department.
Texture-wise, it’s a rich, silky cream that glides on effortlessly without feeling heavy. I love that it layers beautifully under concealer, so your eyes still feel hydrated and smooth but not greasy.
Vichy Neovadiol Multi-Corrective Eye and Lip Care
This is such a great eye cream that deliver a lovely instant smoothing effect.
It is packed with anti-aging ingredients like Proxylane + Cassia Extract, Niacinamide, Omegas 6-9 and Caffeine.
It’s a great one to carry in my bag to prep my skin if I want to top up my concealer and give it some bounce back. Read about the full Neovadiol range if you are interested in menopause skincare.
You can buy the Vichy Neovadiol eye cream via the following links:
Perricone MD Neuropeptides Eyelid Lift Serum
If your eyelids are starting to sag or creases are becoming more noticeable, Perricone MD Neuropeptides Eyelid Lift Serum is a game-changer. This ultra-lightweight, fast-absorbing serum smooths deep wrinkles, creases, and drooping lids, giving the eyes a more open, awake look.
It’s packed with neuropeptides to relax expression lines, biomimetic growth factor peptides to lift and improve elasticity, and acyl-glutathione to smooth and protect the delicate skin. The texture is fluid and comfortable, sinking in instantly while targeting the stubborn signs of ageing for a more youthful, lifted appearance. It’s a unique eye solution made just for lids and layers beautifully under my REESON Lid Elixir for eyelid perfection!
Best Eye Creams 2026 for Puffiness
Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate
This is a great one if you have sensitive eye and quite the multi-tasker.
MRL Eye-drate has such a beautiful texture. It is rich but light, and it really quenches, cools and depuff the skin. It sinks in beautifully, so perfect if you like something very lightweight but effective. The formula includes Kukui and Green Coffee Oil to soothe, protect and stimulate the skin around the eyes.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
If puffiness and tired-looking eyes are your main concern, The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream is such a brilliant budget-friendly option. It’s designed to wake up the under-eye area and quickly reduce the look of bags and dark circles.
The formula uses caffeine to help reduce fluid retention, along with Matrixyl 3000 peptides to smooth and firm, and Albizia Julibrissin bark extract to brighten signs of fatigue. The texture is lightweight, cooling and non-greasy, so it sinks in quickly and works really well under concealer.
It’s a great morning eye cream if you want your eyes to look fresher, brighter and a bit more awake without spending a fortune.
Best Luxury Eye Creams for 2026
Sisley Sisleÿa L’Integral Anti-Age Eye And Lip Contour Cream
I think this is one of the best beauty products I have ever tried, and even people I know that hate the idea of super expensive skincare absolutely love it in spite of themselves!
It works on dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles and is also brilliant for smoothing the lip area. The texture of this cream is stunning. It is pretty thick so you only need a tiny amount, and it melts into the skin effortlessly.
It just makes my eye area look so good and much smoother instantly. Plus it comes with it own tool that you use to prep the skin before application. I don’t always use the tool and I still love the results of the cream. It’s expensive but it’s just magic!
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Advanced Eye Cream
If you want an eye cream that tackles pretty much everything at once, Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Advanced Eye Cream is a brilliant all-rounder. It’s designed to address the key signs of ageing around the eyes including fine lines, crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles and loss of firmness.
The formula combines Vitamin C Ester to brighten and smooth, copper tripeptides to help firm, and omegas 3, 6 and 9 to support the skin barrier and keep the eye area plump and comfortable. The texture is a lightweight cream that sinks in quickly and sits beautifully under makeup without feeling heavy.
If you want something that gives the eye area a smoother, brighter and more lifted look overall, this is a really lovely multi-tasking option.
Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid
I love Sisley’s Black Rose range and this eye wand is no disappointment.
I absolutely love the texture of this serum. It is super lightweight yet intensely hydrating and comfortable. It melts into the skin with a very nourishing feel, yet the consistency is fresh and lightweight like a gel.
The formula uses micropearls to instantly illuminate the eye area. Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid smooths, depuffs, plumps and brightens the area and create the most perfect base for makeup. The ceramic applicator is perfection. I don’t usually care much for things like that, but this is almost addictive because it feels so cooling and sculpting.
It is expensive but everyone I know who has tried it has loved it so far. I save this for daytime use.
You can buy it at:
Read the full Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid review.
Best Budget Eye Creams for 2026
Dr. Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Eye Cream
If your under-eyes need serious moisture without breaking the bank, Dr. Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Eye Cream is such a gem. It’s all about hydration and barrier support, leaving the delicate eye area soft, plump, and protected.
The formula is packed with ceramides, which lock in moisture and help strengthen the skin barrier, so it’s perfect if your eyes feel dry, tight, or tired. It glides on easily, feels comforting and nourishing, and layers beautifully under makeup without any greasiness or pilling.
Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream
This is a brilliant eye cream if you’re on a budget and it visibly brightens the eye area instantly so you need less makeup.
It is packed with actives to tackle darkness and skin texture and the formula includes 4% Vitamin, Niacinamide, Caffeine & Banana Powder for an instant boost. It is a really good product.
Buy it from the following links:
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum
This is a super affordable eye serum that is designed to tackle the signs of ageing including fine line, dark circles and puffiness.
It’s a super lightweight, water-based formula so it layers really well under a cream if you want to double up. It uses Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 plus a This a combination of niacinamide, fraxinus excelsior bark extract, propyl gallate, gallyl glucoside, and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside. There is a lot going on!
You can buy it at:
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
This is a lovely budget option that uses a blend of ceramides, hyaluronic acid and a marine and botanical complex to soften lines, brighten darkness and thoroughly hydrate.
If you’re on a budget but still want results, you won’t be disappointed with this.
You can buy it at:
Is it necessary to use eye cream?
I think using eye cream is beneficial especially because the skin in the eye area is a lot finer than the rest of the face. This will be more important if you have mature skin like and if you suffer with dark circles, lines or puffiness.
When should you apply eye cream?
I like to apply an eye cream both day and night.
How much eye cream should you use?
You only need a small amount of eye cream compared to moisturiser as you are only treating a small area. If you use too much product, you could find that it can actually exacerbate any issues. Less is more.
If you suffer with dry skin around the eyes, you will also need to make sure that you are using the right moisturiser for you skin type. Check out my Best Moisturisers 2026 guide for the best Moisturisers for dry skin.
Also, if you do you have eyes prone to dryness, it’s likely that the skin on your lips with suffer in the same way. To choose the right lip balm for you, have a ready of my Best Lip Balms to find a solution for dry lips.
Please let me know if you have any questions at all.
