The 18 Best Eye Serums of 2023 | by Byrdie

We conducted hours of research on the best eye serums, evaluating formulas based on their active ingredients, benefits targeted, and how well they deliver results. After considering dozens of options and consulting with board-certified dermatologists, we landed on the following best in show.

There are eye serums for just about every skin type and concern, from dark circles and under-eye bags to crepiness and crow’s feet. “Top ingredients may include anti-aging peptides, growth factors, antioxidants, retinol, and humectants,” Dr. King tells Byrdie.

Dennis Gross MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, notes that serums have a thinner consistency than creams with more of a gel-like finish. “While it depends on the make and model, eye serums tend to be more targeted treatments,” he adds.

Not to throw shade at creams, but if you want visible results from your topicals, serums are where it’s at. “With an eye serum, the focus is more on the active ingredients than on the moisturizing properties,” explains New York dermatologist Hadley King, MD. “The formulation should still be hydrating, but it won’t be as rich as a cream.”

What to Look For

Best Overall

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum

4.5

Sephora

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I Tried Dr. Dennis Gross’ Eye Serum and It Smoothed My Under-Eye Skin in 3 Weeks

What We Like

• Airtight container

• Contains retinol

• Noticeable results

• Can be used morning and night

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

When it comes to over-the-counter skincare products that actually yield noticeable results, Dr. Dennis Gross is one brand you can count on, and the Triple Correction Eye Serum is no exception—on our list of the best retinol serums. “It’s FDA-approved to be applied both under the lid and on top for a lifting effect and incorporates retinol for treating crow’s feet, fine lines, and 11s,” says Dr. Gross. Thanks to the gel-like consistency, he adds, it boasts a cooling, depuffing effect.

In addition to retinol, this eye serum contains anti-aging newcomer bakuchiol, plus antioxidant all-star ferulic acid and rambutan to tackle the signs of photoaging. We also like that it comes in an airtight container and can be used morning or night.

Price at time of publish: $69

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

Byrdie / Olivia Hancock

Best Budget

The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum

4.2

Amazon

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This $7 Caffeine-Powered Serum Is Like Coffee for My Dark Circles

What We Like

• Budget-friendly

• Generous amount

• Noticeable results

What We Don’t Like

• Dropper bottle

You don’t have to shell out tons of money to make a difference in your eye area. Case in point: this brilliant tincture from The Ordinary. It calls on caffeine to depuff, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and unsung hero EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to minimize the look of dark circles.

Price at time of publish: $8

Active Ingredients: Epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Depuffing, toning, hydrating | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

 Byrdie / Joline Buscemi

Best Splurge

SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel

SkinCeuticals

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What We Like

• Minimizes dark circles

• Neutralizes free radicals

• Airtight container

What We Don’t Like

• Vitamin C gives the gel a slight smell

According to Dr. King, products containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and other antioxidants can address various eye-area concerns. Her favorite is SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel. “The antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment and will therefore brighten dark circles, improve pigmentation, and also prevent free-radical damage from UV light exposure,” she explains.

Price at time of publish: $98

Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, phloretin | Benefits: Reduces discoloration, protective, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Key Features

“Serums combine higher concentrations of active ingredients like antioxidants and anti-aging peptides. They are generally light and quickly absorbed.” — NYC-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD

Best Depuffing

Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula

4.3

Amazon

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I Tested Organys’ Budget-Friendly Eye Treatment and It De-Puffed My Eyes

What We Like

• Budget-friendly

• Airtight container

• Can be used morning and night

What We Don’t Like

• Contains alcohol

Puffy eyes got you down? Your best bet is Organys Spark. It banishes under-eye bloat with caffeine, reduces discoloration with vitamin C, then moisturizes and plumps with peptides and hyaluronic acid.

Price at time of publish: $18

Active Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Depuffing, smoothing, reducing discoloration, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Byrdie / Jenna Igneri

What Our Testers Say

“Overall, I found the Organys Spark Eye Cream to be quite effective in hydrating and soothing the skin surrounding my eyes.” — Jenna Igneri, Product Tester

Best Firming

Stacked Skincare Firming Eye Complex

Amazon

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What We Like

• Quick results

• Minimizes fine lines

• Neutralizes free radicals

What We Don’t Like

• Dropper bottle

This firming eye serum is a go-to for Byrdie senior editor Lindsey Metrus. The star ingredient is astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that tightens the skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines while simultaneously repairing and preventing free-radical damage.

Price at time of publish: $60

Active Ingredients: Astaxanthin, blue passion flower | Benefits: Firming, smoothing, toning | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Smoothing

Marla Rene Beauty & Co. IlluminEyez Eye Serum

Marla Rene

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What We Like

• Contains retinol

• Minimizes fine lines

• Generous amount

What We Don’t Like

• Has a slight smell

If it’s smoother skin you’re after, we recommend IlluminEyez. This gentle yet effective eye serum tackles fine lines and crepiness with retinol while calling on caffeine and vitamin E to depuff and soothe.

Price at time of publish: $56

Active Ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, vitamin E | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, soothing, depuffing | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 16 Best Anti-Wrinkle Eye Creams of 2023

Best for Crow’s Feet

Murad Youth Retinol Eye Serum

4.7

Amazon

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What We Like

• Contains retinol

• Noticeable results

• Airtight container

What We Don’t Like

• Contains fragrance

Murad is another tried-and-true skincare brand that delivers on its promises. It contains multiple retinoids to target crepiness, crow’s feet, fine lines, and deeper wrinkles—and you can count on noticeable results in as little as four weeks.

Price at time of publish: $89

Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, retexturizing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Brightening

Skinergy Beauty Eye Rewind Brightening Eye Serum

Skinergy Beauty

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What We Like

• Gentle enough for AM/PM use

• Instantly wakes up the eye area

• Brightens under-eye skin over time

What We Don’t Like

• Relatively pricey

Dark and puffy under-eyes got you down? This serum is here to save the day. The formula—which is brimming with skin-loving ingredients like kojic acid, retinyl palmitate (a retinoid derivative), bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and almond oil—helps combat dark circles and eye bags while simultaneously lightening, brightening, and hydrating the delicate under-eye zone. The result? A fresh and rejuvenated appearance, as if you actually got enough sleep the night before.

Price at time of publish: $43

Active Ingredients: Kojic acid, retinyl palmitate, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, almond Oil | Benefits: Brightening, depuffing, firming | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Under Makeup

Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Priming Eye Gel-Cream

Amazon

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What We Like

• Hygienic container

• Works quickly

• Lightweight

What We Don’t Like

• Contains fragrance

Need something to apply before swiping on your concealer? Fenty Flash Nap has your name on it. This lightweight gel quickly hydrates and smoothes to prep the eye area for makeup and make you look more awake.

Price at time of publish: $28

Active Ingredients: Green tea, hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 8 Best Under-Eye Concealers of 2023

Best for Instant Results

Meaningful Beauty Youth Activating Smoothing and Refreshing Eye Serum

Meaningful Beauty

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What We Like

• Instant results

• Minimizes fine lines

• Ergonomic applicator

What We Don’t Like

• Contains dye

“This formula instantly awakens eyes,” says board-certified dermatologist Marie V. Hayag, MD of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. She appreciates that it immediately hydrates the skin and smooths fine lines while firming the under-eye area with continued use. “The unique ergonomic applicator also helps to reduce puffiness,” she adds.

Price at time of publish: $58

Active Ingredients: Melon leaf stem cells | Benefits: Smoothing, cooling, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Long-Term Results

Hylamide SubQ Eyes Advanced Serum

Amazon

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What We Like

• Contains retinol

• Minimizes fine lines

• Noticeable results

What We Don’t Like

• Dropper bottle

If you’re in it for the long game, your best bet is Hylamide SubQ. With retinol, peptides, and darutoside, this intensive eye serum contains a medley of researched-backed ingredients to smooth and tighten the skin over time.

Price at time of publish: $39

Active Ingredients: Darutoside, peptides, retinol | Benefits: Smoothing, depuffing, hydrating, tightening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

The 15 Best Drugstore Eye Creams of 2023

Best With Retinol

Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

Sephora

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What We Like

• Contains retinol

• Minimizes fine lines

• Evens skin tone

What We Don’t Like

• Contains alcohol

We’re also big fans of Sunday Riley 5 Stars. Don’t let the cute container fool you—this eye serum blends skin-smoothing superstars retinol and niacinamide to reduce fine lines and deliver a more even skin tone.

Price at time of publish: $65

Active Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide | Benefits: Smoothing, retexturizing, hydrating, cooling | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 14 Best Retinol Eye Creams of 2023

Best With Caffeine

Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Depuffing Eye Serum

Nordstrom

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What We Like

• Tightens

• Noticeable results

• Lightweight

What We Don’t Like

• Contains fragrance

Dr. King likes caffeine-infused eye products like Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo-Recovery for puffy, droopy skin. “Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating,” she tells Byrdie.

Price at time of publish: $68

Active Ingredients: Caffeine, ice wine essence | Benefits: Depuffing, tightening, cooling, reducing discoloration | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best K-Beauty

Dr. Althea To Be Eyeconic Eye Serum

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

• Budget-friendly

• Generous amount

• Fragrance-free

What We Don’t Like

• Results aren’t dramatic

Korean skincare brand Dr. Althea’s take on eye serum is this ultra-gentle, silky-smooth formula that works to enhance the entire area. Standout ingredients include natural anti-inflammatory panthenol, wrinkle-reducing adenosine, and K-beauty favorite cica (centella asiatica).

Price at time of publish: $18

Active Ingredients: Panthenol, adenosine, centella asiatica | Benefits: Softening, smoothing | Size: 0.84 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Soothing

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

Sephora

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What We Like

• Cooling roller ball

• Dries quickly

What We Don’t Like

• Contains paraffin

This soothing eye serum from Clinique comforts irritated skin with vitamin B5 and depuffs with a dose of caffeine, while antioxidants like grape seed extract work to brighten dark circles and correct uneven skin tone. The metal roller ball also has a cooling affect on tired eyes, and the lightweight formula dries quickly—a perfect choice for your pre-makeup skincare routine.

Price at time of publish: $37

Active Ingredients: Caffeine, panthenol, grape seed extract| Benefits: Soothing, depuffing, brightening | Size: 0.67 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Gel

Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel

Derm Store

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What We Like

• Evens skin tone

• Addresses dark circles

• Nice consistency

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

If you like the feel and consistency of a gel, Dr. Loretta is your best bet. This hydrating eye treatment leans on the brand’s proprietary ingredients Chromabright and Lipochroman, promising to address dark circles, correct uneven skin tone, and protect against free radicals. Not only that, but alage extract supports collagen production and strengthens the skin barrier. The price is steep, but a little goes a long way, so overall we think this product is worth the spend.

Price at time of publish: $60

Active Ingredients: Chromabright, Lipochroman, algae extract | Benefits: Tightening, hydrating | Size: 0.67 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes