24 best anti-ageing eye creams, tried and tested (2024)

Score: 88/100

Made from 94% natural ingredients, this formula champions harungana, a plant-powered retinol alternative, which helps stimulate the production of collagen to combat early signs of ageing.

The cream claims to tackle the big three: puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles. The results? Our testers said it glided easily onto their skin, absorbing quickly with a pleasant tightening effect, while the skin around the eye area felt instantly more moisturised.

Nearly all saw an improvement in dark circles, puffiness and fine lines at the end of the trial period, leaving the eye area looking brighter and smoother.

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Score: 88/100

Designed to target even the deepest of smile lines, this eye cream blends retinol, peptides, mango butter and soybean extract to increase firmness, elasticity and hydration levels, helping to instantly wake up tired under-eyes.

Our panel praised how effective it was at reducing dark circles, de-puffing and diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Testers noticed their under-eye area was visibly brighter after use and the lightweight formula provided a soothing sensation when applied - ideal for those early mornings.

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Score: 87/100

This lightweight cream-gel works as a primer to make sure your concealer doesn’t budge throughout the day, as well as helping to cool and calm puffy under-eyes.

All our testers loved the deep hydration it gave them, softening the delicate under-eye area. The panel also noticed a smoothing and brightening effect once applied, making wrinkles appear less prominent.

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Score: 87/100

This cream addresses several signs of ageing around the eyes, from wrinkles and frown lines to crow’s feet. Using a mixture of hyaluronic acid and Guerlain’s exclusive supply of honeys and royal jellies, the velvety formula is a treat for dried-out skin.

All our testers said it sunk into the under-eye area instantly, providing immediate hydration. Most also saw a reduction in wrinkles, with one noticing an immediate improvement in dullness and puffiness. This is a luxurious cream that will leave you feeling refreshed.

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Score: 86/100

Formulated with effective anti-wrinkle peptide technology, No7 targets even the finest of lines with this hardworking cream, while a blend of antioxidant ingredients helps skin build a protective barrier against daily pollutants.

Our panel found it melted into skin, leaving the under-eye area looking more radiant, and it covered blemishes well. Testers said they would continue to use this product after the trial, impressed by how effective it was at smoothing out wrinkles and reducing dark circles.

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Score: 86/100

Filled to the brim with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and cucumber extract, this eye cream was a crowd pleaser, seriously hydrating parched peepers.

It left a pleasant cooling sensation after application and proved to be extremely effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines in our lab test. Nearly all agreed that it lived up to its claims and left under-eyes firmer, with the majority seeing an improvement in prominent crow's feet.

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Score: 84/100

Our panel loved the instant hydrating effect this cream left around their eyes, but the texture was a bit too thick for some, with a few reporting that it took a while to absorb.

Overall, though, testers felt it brightened dark circles and all agreed skin felt moisturised and fine lines felt nourished after use. Leave overnight and wake up with touchably softer skin.

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Score: 83/100

Our testers praised this cream for its plumping and nourishing effect. It helped smooth out crow’s feet and puffy eyelids after application, but didn’t have much of an impact on deeper wrinkles.

The tube design dispensed the ideal amount of product though, which spread easily and left skin feeling instantly moisturised. A great value cream that gives some visible results.

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Score: 83/100

This fragrance-free formula is packed with moisturising vitamin E – an antioxidant known for helping to prevent free radical damage – and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Light in texture and easy to dispense, it brightened our panel’s peepers and noticeably smoothed out any creases.

It spread and absorbed quickly, making it a good primer for makeup, and left the eye area looking and feeling more refreshed, nourished and supple.

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Score: 83/100

Containing hyaluronic acid and watermelon snow algae, all our testers enjoyed the cooling gel-like texture of this eye cream, which refreshed tired eyes.

Our panel noticed fine lines became less prominent and dark circles vanished during the trial. The cream's ability to sink in quickly and smooth skin made it an ideal primer to apply before makeup, too.

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Score: 83/100

This dual system aims to help prevent premature ageing with a two-pronged approach – you gently pat the cream into the skin under your eyes and then apply the gel to your eyelids.

Our testers appreciated the two-in-one design and said both formulas spread like soft butter, without leaving a residue. The gel’s tightening effect lifted their skin and helped it look less crepey, while the lightweight cream softened fine lines. Together, both products reduced puffiness and boosted brightness.

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Score: 82/100

Formulated with vitamin C and designed to boost your collagen levels, this cream's butter-like texture makes a great base for make-up, due to its smoothing effect on the under-eye area.

All testers found it easy to spread over skin and said it left the area feeling more moisturised. It also helped tackle the appearance of both dark circles and crow's feet, leaving eyes looking rejuvenated.

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Score: 82/100

Retinol is the gold standard when it comes to reversing signs of ageing, but it can cause sensitivity, especially on the thinner under-eye skin. This wrinkle cream is the best of both worlds with its 0.1% retinol and retinol booster complex, meaning you can have the age-defying powers, without the irritation.

Despite being incredibly hydrating for all, this lightweight cream wasn't greasy. It left almost all participants with brighter eyes and most agreed it didn't irritate their skin, while our lab test proved it was highly effective at minimising fine lines.

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Score: 82/100

Claiming to boost collagen levels and stimulate elastin reproduction, this innovative cream features purified bee venom (yes, really!) to help firm and plump up skin.

Its natural scent split opinion, but the non-greasy formula absorbed in a flash to refresh and brighten under-eyes. Everyone found it soothing and hydrating, resulting in instantly reduced puffiness.

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Score: 81/100

Those with hooded eyelids can find puffiness harder to combat. But our testers with hooded lids were seriously impressed with how well this shea butter and retinol formula helped reduce the look of puffy under-eyes, as well as targeting dark circles and fine lines.

Skin felt firmer and refreshed after use, with most finding only a small amount was needed to achieve a more radiant appearance.

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Score: 80/100

As we get older, skin becomes more fragile and needs a little more TLC to keep the fine lines at bay. This retinol eye cream promises to do just that, thanks to its unique blend containing bakuchiol (crowned the best “natural” retinol alternative).

Testers said their under-eyes appeared smoother after use, with the majority seeing an improvement in wrinkles, crow's feet and dryness. One tester reported seeing a difference in wrinkles in just three weeks, while everyone was irritation-free.

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Score: 80/100

Voted best in our test for firming, nearly everyone noticed a difference in the firmness of their eye area, with the majority finding their wrinkles were less prominent too.

Packed with ceramides to strengthen skin, this under-eye cream was a favourite for its rich but lightweight texture. All testers said their puffiness was reduced and most noticed their eye areas looked brighter and more hydrated.

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Score: 80/100

Not just chic packaging and punchy claims, Soho Skin clearly walks the walk with its formulations, too. In our tests, this cream scored higher than all others for how quickly users saw a change in the appearance of the skin around their eyes — with most saying fine lines and wrinkles appeared reduced.

The panel also loved the metal applicator, which “had a good ergonomic design and a wonderful cooling effect on the skin.”

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Score: 76/100

This gel-serum hybrid is a hard worker when it comes to brightening tired under-eyes. It contains hyaluronic acid for a hit of hydration that helps to wake up lacklustre, dull looking skin and provide a bit of necessary bounce under makeup.

Our panel said it was the perfect base for their concealer and it impressed our experts in the lab, with users enjoying a firmer-looking eye area after the trial period, according to our VISIA machine. It lost a few points for the excess packaging though — many noted the plastic-per-product ratio didn’t seem so eco.

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Score: 74/100

Olay has long been a fan favourite for its firming skincare and nourishing formulations, but did this niacinamide night cream live up to the brand’s usual standards? In short, yes.

Our testers told us their skin felt “conditioned and hydrated” after use, with a few noting that a small amount went a long way. Some said the product left them a little tingly and itchy though, so it may not be the best good choice for those with super sensitive skin.

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