Psst: Our Favorite Depuffing Eye Cream is Under $15 (Yes, Really!) (2024)

If you're willing to spend a little extra cash, we think Sunday Riley's Autocorrect eye cream is totally worth the $$$. Made with depuffing ingredients like caffeine and ginseng extract, this splurge-worthy solution is a favorite among Amazon shoppers and Cosmo editors alike.

"My skin is sooo picky when it comes to skincare—my bathroom shelf has basically become a graveyard for half-used eye creams that I’ve had to discard," says Samantha Jones, commerce editor. "But!! This (admittedly expensive) option from Sunday Riley is a staple in my routine now: I love the lightweight yet super-hydrating formula that absorbs easily, and the inclusion of caffeine makes a noticeable difference in reducing dark circles and puffiness."

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "This cream is so expensive, but is the only thing I have found that noticeably reduces puffy and dark circles. My eye bags get BAD - it looks like I was punched in the eyes sometimes & this cream notably makes that bruised appearance lessen. I look normal within minutes!"

Like a shot of espresso for your under-eyes, this caffeine-filled eye cream helps to temporarily constrict blood vessels, which boosts circulation and reduces puffiness. For a two-pronged approach to depuffing, I like to keep the tube in the fridge. The combo of caffeine and coldness are a match made in heaven for tackling puffiness and under-eye bags—especially on rough mornings.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, peptides
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "My dermatologist recommended this for dark circles under my eyes and puffiness. I was shocked how fast it worked, I really saw a difference! The tube lasts for at least 3 months, and the price is right.”

Dark circles and puffiness getting you down? Then try this editor-loved product from Caudalie. "I use this eye cream every morning and it makes me look 100x more alive even at 7 a.m.," says Jasmine Hyman, assistant shopping editor.

Caudalie's eye cream uses the power of grape-derived enzymes to reduce the appearance of dark circles, along with caffeine to target bags and puffiness. "The caffeine is literally like a dose of awakening coffee for my eye area, and the cooling tip is great for de-puffing and massaging the product into my skin," Hyman says.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, viniferine (grapevine sap extract)
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening
  

Glowing customer review: "I wanted this serum so I could see if it would help with dark circles. I'm so happy that I did because it's actually brightened the skin underneath my eyes! It's very moisturizing, and it also helps with puffiness. It always makes me look more awake when I apply it in the morning."

Your eye cream should work as hard as you do—which is why our editors swear by this multitasking product. Filorga’s 3-in-1 treatment not only calms puffiness with the help of peptides, but it also targets fine lines and dark circles with hyaluronic acid and polyphenol, an antioxidant that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

"I've used Filorga a few times a week for about six months," says Jessica Dukes, commerce editor. "It definitely shrinks the puffy circles under my eyes, and even though I may be feeling tired, I don't look it!"

• Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, polyphenol
• Fragrance-free? No
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "I highly recommend Filorga Optim-Eyes to anyone looking to revitalize their eye area! After just a few weeks of use, you will notice a visible reduction in dark circles and puffiness, and you’ll find yourself addicted to this cream, just like I am!"

Prefer a more lightweight formula when it comes to skincare products? Look no further than the Dr. Loretta eye gel, which has a light-as-air texture and uses ingredients like peptides and antioxidants to firm and tighten the skin—meaning it's also great for reducing the appearance of fine lines.

"This eye gel immediately makes me look like I've been drinking a gallon of water a day and sleeping nine hours a night," says Beth Gillette, beauty editor. "I love how lightweight the gel texture feels—it's great under makeup or layered beneath a more moisturizing eye cream at night."

• Key ingredients: Peptides, algae extract
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "I have been looking for an eye cream that would give me instant results. It instantly refreshes my eyes and adds moisture. I have noticed that the fine lines around my eyes are gone. It is not too thick and I am able to use it right before I apply my makeup. "

If you’re on TikTok, chances are you’ve seen this unbelievable eye cream at work with some very shocking (and convincing) before and after videos. While it might seem too good to be true, this temporary tightener is the real deal, according to yours truly and more than 8,000 five-star reviews.

In addition to shrinking under-eye bags, the formula helps to smooth crow's feet and deep wrinkles in as little as three minutes, thanks to a patented blend of peptides, minerals, and seaweed extract. Of course, this isn’t going to be a permanent cure for puffiness and lines, but it can definitely help reduce their appearance temporarily.

• Key ingredients: Peptides, seaweed extract, alfalfa seed extract
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: As needed

Glowing customer review: "This stuff really works. When I put this on under my eyes it makes me look so much better that I don't even need makeup!”

Zeichner says that under-eye crepiness and puffiness are the result of weakening collagen and elastin fibers from things like aging, UV exposure, and inflammation from chronic rubbing of the eyes. The fix? This top-rated retinol eye cream, which happens to be a favorite of mine and many dermatologists. “It contains a gentle form of retinol to strengthen under-eye skin and reduce the appearance of lines as well as puffiness and dark circles," Zeichner said.

Since its retinol-infused formula can make skin more sensitive to the sun, we recommend saving this cream for the evening as a part of your nighttime skincare routine.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Evening

Glowing customer review “I've been using this product for about a week now. It is amazing! I can definitely see a difference in my under-eye puffiness and dark circles. Plus the price is great."

One of my personal favorites on the list, this eye cream from celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is nothing short of magical for your under-eyes. It has a very rich, almost balm-like consistency that traps moisture under the eyes so that the delicate (and often dry) skin in that area is left smooth and hydrated. Similar to other retinol-infused creams, we recommend using this cream in the evening to reduce the risk of sun sensitivity.

Zeichner is a fan too and says, “this rich cream combines retinol with antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E to strengthen and brighten the skin under the eyes.” He adds that the depuffing action is courtesy of a botanical blend.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, plant-derived stem cells, shea butter
• Fragrance-free? No
• Usage: Evening

Glowing customer review: “Literally life-changing. The only eye cream so far that doesn’t irritate my eyes. I have extremely dry eyes that borderline bleed from the cracking and this is the only cream that heals them."

CeraVe's Eye Repair Cream is an excellent choice for someone who is new to using an eye cream or anyone who has sensitive skin. I consider it the white T-shirt of eye creams; a basic that you can always rely on in your line-up. I love its gel-like formula under my eyes because it feels refreshing, weightless, and absorbs quickly. It gives me a little pick-me-up in the morning that won’t mess with my makeup for the day, either.

• Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "I have been using CeraVe Eye Repair Cream for a few weeks now and I can honestly say that it has made a significant difference in the appearance of my under-eye area. After applying it in the morning and at night, I've noticed a significant reduction in puffiness and my under-eye area looks more awake and refreshed."

A favorite of Dr. O’Connell’s (and cool girls everywhere), Dieux's Auracle Eye Gel is super hydrating yet incredibly lightweight. “This gel formula goes on so smooth and contains an algae complex which plumps the skin and peptides which help depuff,” Dr. O'Connell says. And not to judge a book by its cover, but the pale green bottle is super cute, making it all the more appealing IMO.

• Key ingredients: Glycerin, peptides, algae extract
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and evening

Glowing customer review: "I’m on my second bottle of the Auracle eye gel. I really like the consistency. My eyes look more rested, the lines are less visible and the puffiness is gone!! "

The first time I tested this eye cream, I was hooked. I've been using it for as long as I can remember, and it consistently makes my eye area look more wide-awake. I wouldn’t say that it’s the number one eye cream for puffiness, but it does brighten like a champ, which helps draw attention away from any bags or puffiness under my eyes. It's also *perfect* for wearing beneath concealer and makeup thanks to a creamy, non-pilling formula and a banana-inspired tint that helps neutralize discoloration upon application.

• Key ingredients: Hardy orange extract, vitamin C, jojoba seed oil
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning

THE REVIEW: "I love this product. It is very thick but feels really nice on my face. It left a glow under my eyes and when applying makeup on top, it seemed to sit on my face very well rather than getting splotchy."

Lack of sleep, change in environment, and stress can all lead to puffier eyes—so it's no wonder that you might notice extra swelling during travel. If you're looking for a solution that's perfect for applying on-the-go, Wander Beauty's Baggage Claim eye cream is a stellar option thanks to its convenient applicator that dispenses just the right amount of product and allows you to apply it without touching your face.

I love how the hyaluronic acid and vitamin C-infused formula has just a *touch* of shimmery mica, making my eyes look more awake in seconds. On no-makeup days, it's my go-to for brighter under-eyes sans concealer.

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: "This eye cream is a real multitasker. I use it in the morning to de-puff and brighten, and at night for deeper hydration. My under-eyes feel amazing and look better than ever."

One of the top ways to quickly get rid of puffiness is by gently pressing a cooling tool, or even a cold spoon, under your eyes. Lucky for you, this eye cream has a cooling ceramic tip applicator so you can leave your spoons in the kitchen. By massaging your under-eyes with the cooling tip as you apply the caffeine-and peptide-packed formula, you can double the depuffing benefits. This bb is an absolute staple in my morning skincare routine, especially after nights when I've had one-too-many margs at happy hour.

• Key ingredients: Sea fennel extract, peptides, caffeine, avocado extract
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning

Glowing customer review: "This product is easy to apply and absorbs quickly. It makes concealer and foundation easier to put on. It blends well in the skin and the applicator is easy to use. A definite must-have in my daily beauty routine."

Dr. O’Connell says that this eye cream from Tru Alchemy is one of her favorites for depuffing and brightening the eye area. “The formula is a hybrid of a cream and a serum, meaning it penetrates the skin deeply like a serum and hydrates just like a cream," she said. It also has all of the key ingredients for depuffing, brightening, and smoothing. Think: hyaluronic acid, caffeine, vitamin C, niacinamide, and squalane.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: Morning and/or evening

Glowing customer review: “This Tru Alchemy eye elixir does live up to its reputation. It de-puffs under your eyes while wiping out dark circles."

No, these aren't technically an eye cream, but there aren’t many things that feel as good (or work as well) as popping on a set of under-eye patches after a late night. I slap on these caffeine-and hyaluronic acid-infused patches while I do my eye makeup to help hydrate and depuff my under-eyes and help catch any fallout from my eyeshadow. Plus, I love that they’re made of a bio-cellulose material that helps seal in moisture, but without feeling too sticky or slimy on my skin.

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free? Yes
• Usage: As needed

Glowing customer review: “These are my absolute favorite under-eye patches. They feel soothing and they leave me looking well-rested."

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic & clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
• Jessica Cheung, MD, is a dermatologist practicing in Chicago and New York.
• Adrienne O'Connell, DO, is a doctor of osteopathic medicine in Laguna Beach, CA. Dr. O’Connell is also the president and medical director of Laguna Beach Aesthetics.

Keep an eye out for key ingredients.

“When choosing an eye cream it is crucial to read the ingredient list,” Dr. O’Connell says. “There are a few key ingredients—including caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid—that really work well at taking away puffiness, especially when combined, and so those are the ones you want to look for.”

Cheung also says that “ingredients that help firm and strengthen your skin, including retinol and antioxidants, will help to fight puffy eyes,” too.

Pay attention to the applicator.

Along with containing depuffing ingredients, many popular eye creams for puffy eyes come with a cooling, massage tip applicator (like Caudalie, Ilia, and Tru Alchemy, above) which helps with further depuffing. Plus, they feel incredible.

Consider your skin type.

Everyone's skin is different, and an eye cream that works for one reviewer may not work for you. For example, if you have drier skin, you may prefer a richer formula like the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream, while someone with oilier skin may have better results with a gel-based product like the Dieux Auracle Eye Gel.

Additionally, an eye cream that’s super potent and yields amazing results for one person may be too strong for someone with sensitive skin. We recommend patch-testing a product on your wrist to see if your skin is reactive to it before applying it to more sensitive areas like your eyes.

There are a few different methods for quickly reducing eye puffiness. To depuff your eyes fast, you can dunk your face in an ice bath or apply cold compresses to your eyes, Cheung says. She also says that placing chilled cucumber slices or damp tea bags on your eyes can depuff in a pinch as well.

Damp tea bags are especially useful because you'll get the cooling effects as well as some caffeine for reducing inflammation. Giving yourself a lymphatic massage (with your hands or an ice roller) can help to move any puffiness-inducing fluid around and deflate under-eye bags as well.

Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC and has since written for and contributed to top women's magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Byrdie and more. She has tested thousands of products and considers herself a professional guinea pig who's always on the search for the next big trends in beauty, wellness, and beyond.

Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor who writes about beauty products and the latest beauty trends. As a dermatologist's daughter, she has advanced knowledge about the skincare industry—and as an editor, she's passionate about helping readers navigate the beauty landscape and find products that are actually worth their money.