When the signs of aging begin to creep up and get the best of us, and I mean the best of us (the eyes are one of the first places we start to spot fine lines and smile creases), a good eye cream can hydrate the skin around your peepers, minimizing the appearance of lines. A truly great eye cream that contains effective ingredients can even help prevent lines and lighten dark circles.
But most eye creams you've probably heard about, the ones that win popularity contests all over the Internet, are a small investment. If you're looking for a cream that won't break the bank, these 6 eye creams and gels are highly rated on drugstore.com.
Olay Age Defying Classic Eye Gel
Using cucumber extract, Witch Hazel, and pro-vitamin B5 formula, this gel minimizes the appearance of fine lines and puffy eyes and is ideal for all skin types. Reviewers say it doesn't irritate the skin, is soothing, non-greasy, and yes, helps eliminate the appearance of fine lines, which makes makeup application a lot smoother.
Olay Age Defying Classic Eye Gel ($9.44)
Physicians Formula Luxury Eye Cream
Users say you should expect this cream to have a thick, moisturizing consistency, even slightly greasy, but that it works perfectly as a highly emollient night eye cream. Several customers claim they tried much pricier products, but always return to this one because it is just as effective for a fraction of the cost.
Physicians Formula Luxury Eye Cream ($5.95)
Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch
These patches work a bit differently than your typical eye cream or gel: you apply the strips to the area beneath your eye and give it a little time to deliver ingredients that include Vitamins A, C, and E; green tea; cucumber, chamomile; and aloe vera. Customers rave about their ability to instantly smooth fine lines and reduce the appearance of puffy, tired eyes. If you've got a few minutes in the morning, these sound like a solid way to pamper yourself.
Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch ($8.79)
Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream
The Internet has done a lot of great things--allowing beauty mavens outside of Great Britain to purchase Boots products is just one of them. This cream wins points from users for being light-weight and gentle on skin--it can easily be used in conjunction with Retin-A, according to users. Cons, however, include not being moisturizing enough on some skin types.
Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream ($7.29)
e.l.f. Eye Refresh
Here's the deal: when you're paying less than a cup of fancy coffee for an eye product, you can't realistically expect it to be an anti-aging miracle come to life. But here's what users claim this product does: a solid job at reducing the appearance of red, puffy eyes--especially if you place it in the fridge overnight, as suggested by one user.
e.l.f. Eye Refresh ($3)
Earth Therapeutics Orange Eye Pads
These eye pads make you look more alert and alive by delivering Vitamin C, orange, gingko biloba, green tea, and chamomile to help hydrate eyes and reduce puff. Users say they could see immediate results and that they even help allergy sufferers who often struggle with undereye bags. For best results, use these prior to your regular eye cream.
Earth Therapeutics Orange Eye Pads ($7.20)