The under-eye area is, frankly, tricky. They can be crepey, hyper-sensitive, and one of the first spots on your face to show signs of aging (hi, crows' feet). However, one of the best tools in my skincare arsenal for keeping the thin skin around my eyes plump and healthy is a hydrating eye cream.
There are two unique key features of skin around the eye area that make it important to keep hydrated. The first is its anatomy—the area is extremely delicate, home to some of the thinnest skin on the body. Secondly, it's constantly exposed to outside influences, including your fingertips, particles in the air, smoke, gases, sweat, and tears. "Taken together, these two things present a challenge for keeping eyes soft and hydrated because of the inherently delicate structure of the skin and its interface with all the insults like chemical and environmental stressors," says board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka, M.D.
The takeaway? It's up to us to treat our under-eyes right. That means applying regular, gentle eye cream. "Each eye cream serves a different purpose, including being anti-aging, reducing puffiness, or focusing on a specific eye condition," adds nurse practitioner Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, FNP-BC. Regardless of your concern, I've got you covered. Ahead, discover the best hydrating eye creams on the market and application advice from the experts.
The Best Hydrating Eye Creams
- The Overall Best Hydrating Eye Cream: Alastin Restorative Eye Cream
- The Best Full-Eye Hydrating Eye Cream: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream
- The Best Hydrating Eye Cream That Combats Dark Circles: ISDIN Isdinceuticals K-Ox Eyes
- The Most Refreshing Hydrating Eye Cream: Topical Skin Radiance Renewal Eye Cream + NMF Complex
- The Best Hydrating Eye Serum: Maya Chia The Eye Achiever Multi-Correction Serum
A favorite among Marie Claire staffers (Beauty Director Hannah Baxter recently called it "the best"), Alastin's superstar Restorative Eye Treatment is powered by a green tea extract, a peptide complex, niacinamide, and the brand's proprietary TriHex technology. It has a super silky texture, and, though it's specifically marketed for its wrinkle-diminishing powers, it can do a whole lot more. It's great for tackling dark circles and toning down puffiness—plus a whole lot of hydration, obviously.
Key Ingredients: Proprietary TriHex Technology (supports elastin and collagen production); Green tea extract (diminishes dark circles); Niacinamide (evens tone and texture)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Silky cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Editor-approved; Silky texture is nice to apply and feels great on skin; Lasts longer than you'd think; Sanitary pump dispenser
What I Don't: More expensive than other options
Review: "The first time I ever put this eye cream on, I thought to myself, 'Oh, so this is how luxury skincare is supposed to feel.' The mega-silky cream treats my delicate under-eye area so nicely while also treating my soul as a whole; it just feels so good to put on! I apply it all over the area around my eye twice daily, and yes, someone recently asked me my college major." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Alastin's Restorative Eye Treatment comes in a sleek metallic purple pump bottle and hydrates like no one's business.
It's no secret that Glossier is good at naming their products. Full Orbit, which was created for use around your entire eye for a 360-degree approach to hydration, is just another excellent example. Though the product inside is surprisingly lightweight, this pretty pink tube carries some intense moisturizing capabilities—its formula features a proprietary moisture-sealing combo of polyglutamic and hyaluronic acids to lock in hydration.
Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic and hyaluronic acids (intensely hydrating); White floral complex (brightening); Arctic microalgae and niacinamide (reduce puffiness and minimize the appearance of fine lines)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Gel cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Can be used on entire eye area; Hydration lasts a long time; Skin looks dewy; Nice applicator and packaging; More affordable than other options
What I Don't: Brightening effects are less noticeable than hydrating effects
Review for MC: "I've been a Glossier girl since college, and the fact that they've grown with me the whole time, now supporting me with a great eye cream when I really need one, is so special. I've been loving Full Orbit since it was released almost two years ago; the best part is that I can tap it onto my eyelid and orbital bone, too. My makeup goes on so smoothly after it goes on (I also adore the long applicator!)." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Glossier's Full Orbit eye cream has long held a spot in Sophia Vilensky's skincare cabinet.
A Marie Claire Skin Award Winner (it was named "favorite eye cream for mature skin" in 2023), ISDIN's very smart K-Ox Eyes features vitamin K oxide to target dark circles, haloxyl to improve firmness, and a cooling ceramic tip to assist with de-puffing. These features make it a triple threat already, but since we're here, it's worth noting that it would win a hydrating contest, too. It was formulated to protect skin from moisture loss and does just that while also adding moisture back into the skin via hyaluronic acid.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin K oxide (brightening), Haloxyl (firming); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Cream
Fragrance: Yes
What I Love: Marie Claire Skin Award Winner; Ceramic applicator feels cooling against under-eye area
What I Don't: More expensive than other options; Applicator can release too much product, which feels wasteful
Review for MC: "I have fairly sensitive skin, which in the eye cream testing world can mean a multitude of milia. Not with this baby, though. The cooling ceramic tip provides ultimate application ease and enjoyment, and I get to enjoy its hydrating effects long after I put it back in my beauty cabinet." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Editor
Under that little gold cap? Isdin's genius ceramic applicator, which was so relaxing it was apparently hard to keep eyes open during testing photos.
Have you heard of Topical Skin? I'll admit I didn't know the company until somewhat recently, but I think they're going to go big time. This eye cream was formulated with the brand's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) Complex, which was designed to optimize moisture retention and enhance skin barrier function. Despite all its heavy-hitting ingredients, it's lightweight and absorbs easily with zero heaviness.
Key Ingredients: Amino acids, algae, and oleosomes (hydrating); Chaga mushroom (antioxidant-rich); Tsubaki oil (nourishing and softening)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Lightweight cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Nice and lightweight; Interesting formula with clever ingredients; Hydration is immediately evident
What I Don't: Smell is a little earthy (thanks to the mushroom, perhaps?), but not bad
Review for MC: "In a 28 day consumer study, 97% of testers said the skin around their eyes felt hydrated after using this eye cream. If I was on that panel, the result would've been 98. Thanks to that eight amino acid, three humectant, osmolyte, and pollyhydroxy acid-full NMF complex, this eye cream feels so hydrating that I'd call it refreshing. The addition of a little light-reflecting mica powder to provide instant luminosity while the active ingredients get to work on long-term benefits is nice, too." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
During the day, Topical Skin's Radiance Renewal Eye Cream offers a touch of shimmery mica powder for some added brightening. At night, it does the same thing...but the only one who gets to enjoy it is Sophia Vilensky's silk pillowcase.
While their eye cream is also super hydrating, indie skincare darling Maya Chia's active-infused eye serum might be the product to reach for. Oil-forward, it features an impressive list of nutrient-dense ingredients like five macro and micro marine extracts, chia seed oil, raspberry, black cumin seed oil, rooibos tea extract, pomegranate, and cranberry. Slide the roller ball applicator across your delicate eye area and let your skin absorb all that goodness.
Key Ingredients: Micro marine extracts (hydrating); Supercritical chia seed oil (intensely moisturizing); Rooibos tea extract (soothing)
Size: 0.3 oz.
Texture: Oil serum
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Impressive ingredient list; Lightweight but super hydrating; Leaves skin dewy after application; A little goes a long way
What I Don't: Takes a second to absorb
Review for MC: "My bestie is a Maya Chia girl through and through, which means when I last visited her and left my eye cream at home I too became a Maya Chia girl. This serum applies with a nice, cool little rollerball in a process that feels like a gentle massage for your under-eye area. When you're done, you're left with a lovely residue that makes the area look immediately glowy. I love this best in the morning or post shower when my skin is still a little bit wet." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Before soaking into the skin, Maya Chia's The Eye Achiever leaves a glossy glean on the skin thanks to its oil-based formula.
If you want to feel rich, why not try this rich eye cream? Like all of their products, Hollywood-favorite skincare line Augustinus Bader's The Rich Eye Cream features their patented TCF8 complex for optimal cellular renewal. And while their classic eye cream, lovingly named The Eye Cream, is also hydrating, this thicker formula is the height of luxury.
Key Ingredients: TFC8® (Augustinus Bader's patented technology for optimal cellular renewal); Matrikine anti-wrinkle complex (smoothing); Wild yellow gentian root (lifting)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Rich cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Thick and luxe feeling; Impressive ingredients and formulation
What I Don't: Expensive
Customer Review: "The Rich Eye Cream by Augustinus Bader lives up to its claims. It deeply nourishes, visibly firms, and reduces puffiness, leaving my under-eye area smooth and rejuvenated. Fine lines are noticeably softened, and my eyes feel refreshed. A luxurious, effective addition to my skincare routine." — Sephora
As much a drugstore darling as the rest of its family, Cetaphil's Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid was designed to deeply hydrate, brighten, and smooth the delicate skin around the eyes. Its hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested gel cream formula helps it absorb quickly, and it's clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Vitamin E (soothing and provides antioxidants); Niacinamide (locks in moisture)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Gel cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Super lightweight; Great value; Gentle
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream is a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, making it ideal for daily use under makeup or on its own. The texture is a refreshing gel-cream hybrid—cooling like a gel but moisturizing like a cream—so it feels soothing on the delicate under-eye area. It's fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive skin since there's no noticeable scent to irritate. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid for hydration, licorice extract for brightening, and a blend of vitamins and botanicals that help improve the skin's texture over time. The packaging comes in a slim, hygienic squeeze tube that makes it easy to dispense the right amount of product without waste, while also being travel-friendly and clean to use." — Ulta
Coming in at a great price point, this hydrating eye cream (100 percent of testers had visibly hydrated skin during clinicals) features caffeine and hyaluronic acid to hydrate while tackling puffiness and tired-looking eyes. "I love this cream because of my long lived and well-earned trust of the brand and the gentleness of the product," says Dr. Zalka. "Use it twice daily for best results and great moisturizing, plus peptides, which may help thin skin be more resilient. It is fragrance-free and both dermatologist-tested and ophthalmologist-tested."
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating and plumping); Caffeine (awakens under-eye area); Peptides (soothing)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Expert approved; Clinical results; Amazing price point
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "I am a bit of a skincare snob, so when I tried this I was skeptical it wouldn't do anything. However, I saw that it had several noteworthy ingredients including glycerin, niacinamide, and copper peptides. I've been using this for about four weeks and my skin definitely feels more hydrated and plump." — RoC
Another of Dr. Zalka's favorite hydrating eye creams, this highly concentrated and intensely nourishing balm was made to restore essential lipids to help nourish dry and delicate skin. Marie Claire also previously named it a favorite eye cream for sensitive skin, hence its label here, with editors pointing out its moisturizing, de-puffing, calming, and firming capabilities.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (nourishing); Sylmarin (antioxidant benefits); Soy isoflavones (firming)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Balm
Fragrance: Subtly scented
What I Love: Provides free-radical protection; Nice texture; Expert-approved
What I Don't: Feels a little heavy, especially if you're wearing it under makeup
Customer Review: "Skinceuticals Eye Balm is a game-changer for dry, aging under-eyes. I’ve been using it consistently, and I can already see how much smoother and more hydrated my eye area looks. The rich, balmy texture feels luxurious without being greasy, and it absorbs beautifully. Fine lines appear softer, and my concealer sits better too. A little goes a long way—definitely worth the investment if you're looking for a nourishing, anti-aging eye treatment." — Dermstore
Also a Marie Claire 2023 Skin Awards winner, Biossance's whipped eye cream has long come highly recommended. In their search for maximum efficacy, its formulators paired marine algae and paracress extract to "naturally relax the look of fine lines and instantly firm and lift." Its light-but-rich texture (the power of whipping!) melts as soon as it touches the skin, leaving behind a smooth surface that's excellent for makeup application.
Key Ingredients: Paracress extract (smoothing and firming); Pink marine algae (reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles); Squalane (weightlessly hydrating)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Texture: Cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Whipped texture feels luxurious; Editor favorite; Looks great under makeup
What I Don't: Some with sensitive skin have reported irritation—proceed with caution
Customer Review: "This eye cream is so light yet so rich in ingredients and moisturizing. A little truly does go a long way and it’s so hydrating. No scent and very gentle around the eyes. I can truly say my eyes have gotten more firm and even brighter since using this product. Highly recommend!" — Sephora
Dr. LoGerfo is a big fan of Clinique's All About Eye Cream, which she calls a "go-to for dry, crepey eyes." "For me, it is the perfect eye cream to use in the morning and at night or after using a retinoid because it really does help boost hydration and the overall look," explains the expert. Lightweight and soothing, it also features vitamin C to brighten up dark circles and help calm puffiness.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (brightening); Caffeine (reduces puffiness); Whey protein (boosts collagen and elastin production)
Size: 1 oz.
Texture: Gel Cream
Fragrance: None
What I Love: Time tested; Expert approved; There's also a thicker version available; Double the size of most eye creams
What I Don't: Feels a little greasy at first, but absorbs nicely
Customer Review: "Look, I don't know if it works against dark circles, because mine are genetic (+ hollow tear through, but I don't have bags). But it's my go-to eye cream for hydration and soothing. It's a thicke,r almost-gel-like texture that glides super well, leaves my under-eyes plumped, smoothed, and fresher. Using it regularly (morning) does make my skin more hydrated, hence with fine lines not as noticeable, and soft. And I absolutely love how it feels." — Sephora
What Do I Look for in a Hydrating Eye Cream?
- Hydrating Ingredients
Dr. LoGerfo says that when shopping for a hydrating eye cream, you should look for a product that contains humectants. It's also important to understand the base ingredient. A water-in-oil emulsion will typically be more hydrating than an oil-in-water formulation.
"Generally, eye creams that contain humectants are probably the most hydrating. These moisturizing ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which attract moisture to the skin," she explains. "Sometimes those humectants are combined with occlusive or emollient ingredients which can further lock in moisture and improve skin texture."
When scanning an ingredient list, also keep your (soon-to-be-hydrated) eyes out for ceramides, shea butter, niacinamide, or white petrolatum (also known as Vaseline).
"Hyaluronic acid has been shown to improve skin hydration and decrease wrinkle depth. Ceramides are very similar to the skin's own natural moisturizing factors and have been shown to intensify skin hydration for up to 24 hours after application," adds Dr. Zalka. "Humectants like glycerin pull water into the skin, and occlusive ingredients provide a protective barrier that can avert water loss. They are perfect for eye creams that are used overnight."
- Benefits
An eye cream can have multiple benefits. Your perfect hydrating eye cream might also tackle puffiness, for instance, though you should be wary of certain claims and how they impact hydration capabilities.
"If an eye cream contains a retinoid to treat fine lines and wrinkles around the eye, it may not necessarily provide significant hydration," says Dr. LoGerfo. "Certain eye creams contain emollients that create a barrier on the skin rather than hydrating it. Some eye creams have specialized ingredients but do not provide real moisturizing benefits."
"Not all eye creams are primarily hydrating; they are created to treat many different concerns," adds master esthetician Rachael Gallo. "Some target dark circles, puffiness, or small wrinkles. While these products may contain hydrating ingredients, their formulas focus more on active ingredients addressing those specific concerns."
- Fragrance-Free
On a whole, its best to look for eye creams that are fragrance-free, as perfumes and fragrances can lead to irritation. Remember—that skin is so, so delicate.
Do I Need Eye Cream?
You don't need an eye cream, but you might really want one. Even if you're not concerned with dark circles or puffiness, hydration is important. As Dr. Zalka says, "keeping the skin moisturized is a great step in self care."
If you're looking for even more hydration, the expert suggests eye masks and oils "to combat very dry skin or mature skin."
How Do I Apply Eye Cream?
Experts agree that "gentle" application is key. "Apply eye cream in a 'tapping' or 'gliding' motion using your pinky finger (clean hands) and work from the inner eye to the outer eye," Dr. Zalka says. "Avoid rubbing and avoid using a brush or applicator with bristles, as I find this can cause irritation or even a superficial scratch to the eyelid skin or eye itself."
How We Tested
When searching for the best hydrating eye creams, the testing process merged long-time editor favorites with new discoveries. Contributing beauty writer Sophia Vilensky tapped dermatologists and the Marie Claire beauty team to share their favorite hydrating eye creams and scoured through thousands of reviews before calling in samples for testing. Then, she evaluated each eye cream on efficacy, ingredients, packaging, ease of use, benefits, texture, and of course moisturizing ability.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner and celebrity skin guru at Orentreich Medical Group in New York City. She studied pharmacy at St. John’s University and nursing at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY.
Dr. Alicia Zalka, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, and the founder of Surface Deep.
Rachael Gallo is a licensed master esthetician, and Chief Operating Officer of Silver Mirror Facial Bar.
