5 Best Eye Serums - Sept. 2023 - BestReviews (2023)

The eyes are usually the first area of the face to show the signs of the aging because the skin there is so delicate. Whether it’s dark circles, bags, fine lines, or wrinkles, there are a variety of problems that can plague the under-eye area. Fortunately, a good eye serum can help reduce the appearance of many of those issues and keep the skin under your eyes looking as youthful as possible.

But finding the right eye serum can be a challenge. You have to know what ingredients and consistency would work best for your skin type. Furthermore, there are different types of serum containers that offer different benefits, and it helps to know which container is best for you.

Are you on the hunt for the perfect eye serum? If so, you can find our top recommendations in the product list above. If you just want general tips on choosing an eye serum, keep reading our shopping guide.

What can an eye serum do?

Depending on the formula you choose, eye serums can provide an array of benefits for your under-eye area.

• Hydration

The skin under the eyes is thinner than most other parts of the body, which means it’s easy to lose moisture there. Many eye serums contain ingredients that not only moisturize but also attract moisture.

• Dark circle reduction

Whether it’s due to poor sleep, stress, or heredity, most people suffer from dark circles under the eyes from time to time. Some eye serums contain ingredients that help fade darker pigmentation and make the skin less transparent, so the under-eye area appears brighter.

• Puffiness reduction

Many people experience bags or puffiness under the eyes as they age. This can result from lack of sleep, fluid retention, smoking, allergies, and even heredity. An eye serum may contain ingredients that help temporarily tighten the skin to reduce puffiness.

• Fine line and wrinkle reduction

If you have fine lines or crow’s feet around your eyes, a good eye serum can help smooth the area. Most eye serums contain ingredients that help promote cell turnover so the skin appears smoother and less textured.

• Improved firmness and elasticity

If you notice some sagging beneath your eyes, the right eye serum can help firm the area. Many formulas contain ingredients that stimulate collagen production, which helps make the under-eye area firmer.

Did you know?

It can take six to eight weeks to see results from an eye serum, so you have to be patient.

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Eye serum vs. eye cream

Eye serum and eye cream share some similar benefits, but there are several important reasons why a serum is often a better option.

• Lightweight formula

Eye serums are thinner and more lightweight than creams, so they’re ideal for oily skin and skin that’s prone to milia – small, hard bumps that form beneath the eye when the oil glands are blocked by heavy, rich products.

• Easy absorption

Because they’re lightweight, eye serums absorb more easily into the skin than creams do. That means you don’t have to rub them in as much, which helps prevent the kind of under-eye tugging that can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

• No residue

Because eye creams are heavier, they often leave behind a residue. Eye serums, on the other hand, sink right into the skin, which makes it easier to apply makeup (like concealer) over them.

Eye serum features

Active ingredients

When you’re considering eye serum ingredients, think about the under-eye issues you wish to address.

Fine lines and wrinkles

• Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that helps promote cell turnover and collagen production to smooth the skin under the eyes.

• Peptides are amino acid chains that help stimulate collagen production to smooth the under-eye area.

• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps boost collagen production and fights free radical damage for a smoother under-eye area.
  

Dark circles

• Vitamin K slows blood flow to the capillaries beneath the eyes, preventing pooling that can cause darkness.

• Kojic acid helps minimize the production of melanin that causes dark pigmentation in the skin under the eyes.

• Caffeine helps constrict the blood vessels beneath the eyes so they don’t appear as dark.

• Vitamin C helps brighten the skin and minimize discoloration beneath the eyes.

• Retinol helps stimulate collagen production so the skin beneath the eyes isn’t as thin.
  

Puffiness

• Caffeine helps constrict the blood vessels beneath the eyes so the skin appears tighter.

• Green tea extract has anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling beneath the eyes.

• Retinol helps boost collagen production to improve elasticity and reduce swelling.
  

Sagging

• Retinol stimulates collagen production to improve elasticity, so the skin beneath the eyes appears firmer.

• Peptides help firm and tighten the skin.
  

Dryness

• Hyaluronic acid helps the skin beneath the eyes retain and absorb moisture more effectively.

• Ceramides are lipids that occur naturally in the skin and can help reduce moisture loss in the skin beneath the eyes.

For your safety

Avoid storing your eye serum in the bathroom, as heat and steam could affect the active ingredients.

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Consistency

While eye serums are usually thinner and more lightweight than eye creams, they can vary in terms of consistency.

• Some formulas are extremely thin and watery, so they absorb into the skin especially quickly. They work well if you have oily skin or are prone to milia.

• Other eye serums have a thicker consistency that’s somewhere between a liquid and a gel. They tend to be more moisturizing, so they’re most effective if the skin under your eyes is dry.

Fragrance

Like many skincare products, eye serums often contain some type of fragrance. But if you have sensitive skin or eyes, it’s best to choose a fragrance-free formula – synthetic fragrances can irritate the skin and the eyes, which may make whatever skin care issues you have beneath your eyes even worse.

Product size

The standard size for a bottle or container of eye serum is 0.5 fluid ounces. However, some serums actually provide a full fluid ounce. Consider the size of the serum when you’re evaluating the price. While you’ll usually pay more for a larger bottle, it often turns out to be a better value overall.

Container

Eye serums typically come in glass or plastic bottles. Because serum is so thin, the bottles often feature a medicine dropper dispenser that makes it easy to dispense just the right amount of product each time. However, medicine dropper dispensers can sometimes get messy because it’s easy to spill the serum.

Other eye serum containers feature a pump dispenser. This prevents a mess when you’re dispensing the product. But a pump doesn’t offer the same control that a medicine dropper does when it comes to how much product is dispensed, so you could inadvertently waste some product with a pump dispenser.

Eye serum prices

Eye serum prices vary based on the quality of the active ingredients, but in general, you can expect to spend between $10 and $245.

• Budget-friendly

Eye serums made with lower-quality active ingredients typically run from $10 to $30.

• Mid-range

Eye serums made with average-quality active ingredients typically run from $30 to $75.

• Expensive

Eye serums made with high-quality active ingredients typically run from $75 to $245.

"If you’re having trouble blending the eye serum into your skin, try wetting your fingertip a bit before applying it."

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Tips

• Don’t apply too much eye serum. Use a drop about the size of a sunflower seed for each eye.

• To prevent fine lines and wrinkles, use your ring finger to gently tap the eye serum into the skin until it’s fully absorbed. Your ring finger is your weakest finger, so it won’t pull on the skin as much.

• Avoid placing eye serum too close to your lower lash line. If you’re not careful, it could seep into your eyes and cause irritation. Eye serum spreads across the skin as it warms to your body temperature, so it’s not necessary to apply it right beneath the lower lashes.

• If you’re using eye serum in the morning, give it a minute to absorb into the skin before applying your makeup over it.

FAQ

Q. When should I start using an eye serum?

A. Most eye serums are concentrated formulas that focus on anti-aging benefits, so you typically don’t need to start using one until your mid-20s. While you may not see the signs of aging until your 30s, starting earlier can help minimize them as they develop. However, if you’re in your early 20s and experience dark circles or puffiness, you may want to use a serum that targets those issues.

Q. Can I use an eye serum with an eye cream?

A. In most cases, it’s not necessary to use an eye serum and cream at the same time. However, if your under-eye area is particularly dry, you may want to start with a serum and top it with a cream for added moisture. If your eye area isn’t particularly dry, you may prefer using a serum during the day because it’s more lightweight, which allows makeup to layer better over it. You can use the heavier cream at night when it has more time to absorb into the skin.

Q. How often should I use an eye serum?

A. You’ll typically see the best results if you use the serum twice a day: once in the morning and once at a night. It should be one of the first products that you apply because it absorbs into the skin so quickly and easily. You can then top the serum with an eye cream if you feel the need for extra moisture.