Advertising Sponsored by the sellers of Eye Elixir

2024’s Essential Eye Treatments for Refreshed, Youthful-Looking Eyes

What to look for in an eye serum that visibly reduces the signs of aging around the eyes

  • Written by: Brilliant Staff
  • Fact Checked by: Heather Snead, Licensed Esthetician
Eye-Elixir-Brilliant-Buying-Guide-Hero-Images-r3
The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body—making it the most susceptible to fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

That’s why it’s important to use an eye treatment as a preventative tool to help delay the appearance of these signs of aging near the eyes. However, it's never too late to start — a high-quality eye treatment can halt any further aging signs from showing up. 

In this guide, we'll show you what to look for in an eye serum to help prevent and diminish the appearance of aging skin around the eyes at any age.

Quality Eye Serums & Creams Can:

  • Reduce the look of puffiness & under-eye bags

  • Delay the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles

  • Support a firm, lifted look

  • Brighten dark circles for a youthful glow

  • Visibly minimize crow’s feet & creases in the eye area

The two leading types of eye treatments available are eye serums and eye creams. Although they appear similar at first glance, it's important to consider a few key distinctions that can help you decide which option is best for you.

Eye Serum or Eye Cream?

Eye creams are mainly designed to hydrate the skin. Therefore, if combating dryness around the eyes is your priority, an eye cream could be an ideal choice. 

On the other hand, eye serums are formulated to reach deeper layers of the skin. Due to their potent ingredients, serums can be more effective in visibly minimizing puffiness, smoothing out fine lines, and tightening the skin around the eyes.
No matter which type of eye treatment you choose, its efficacy is directly linked to the quality and potency of its ingredients. Here’s what to look for and avoid when shopping for an eye product.

Step 1

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

Step 2

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

Step 3

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

Key Ingredients in an Effective Eye Serum:

Hyaluronic Acid for hydration

Often listed as Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful moisturizing ingredient that smooths and prevents the look of crow's feet, fine lines, and wrinkles around your eyes.

Niacinamide to soothe skin

A potent form of Vitamin B3 that helps soothe and balance your skin's oil production.

Caffeine for puffiness

Caffeine helps wake up tired eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles and de-puffing the under-eye area.

Squalane to moisturize

A skin moisturizer that visibly balances oil production, while locking in enough hydration to keep the skin looking clear, calm, and healthy.

Antioxidants for dark circles

Potent antioxidants, such as Activated Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid, help diminish and prevent the appearance of dark circles, sun spots, fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, and UV damage.

Watch Out For:

Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances

These synthetic ingredients may cause skin irritation, clog pores, cause blemishes, and even deplete your skin of its essential nutrients and oils.

Mineral Oil

A petroleum derivative that may cause breakouts by preventing the skin from absorbing vital nutrients. While this oil does have moisturizing properties, it may cause more harm than good over time for acne-prone skin.
Now that you know what to look for and avoid in your eye serum or cream, it’s time to shop. Check out our Brilliant recommendations below, including our very own serum: Tru Alchemy’s Eye Elixir.

2024’s Must-Have Eye Serums and Creams

eye-serum-comparison-chart-updated

What is lorum ipsum?

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

What is lorum ipsum?

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

What is lorum ipsum?

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

What is lorum ipsum?

Tellus facilisis donec blandit massa nibh nunc. Ipsum maecenas lobortis turpis amet volutpat sed. Sit lectus velit ac rutrum. Amet suspendisse est suspendisse dignissim euismod amet lorem amet cursus. Massa turpis vitae porttitor et.

What We Like:

    • Two-in-one eye serum and eye cream formula
    • Hyaluronic Acid
    • Caffeine
    • Niacinamide
    • Squalane
    • Brightening Antioxidants
    • Free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, & mineral oil
    • Includes cooling applicator
    • 60-day money-back guarantee

Room To Improve:

    • Sold exclusively online

Final Thoughts

Named one of 2022’s "Best New Eye Serums" by Vogue, Tru Alchemy's Eye Elixir is the Brilliant Choice because of its comprehensive formula that moisturizes while minimizing the appearance of crow's feet, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.

It contains a patented version of hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), caffeine, activated vitamin C, ferulic acid, niacinamide, and squalane, as well as other ingredients that work together to visibly reduce puffiness and help refresh the under-eye area with its cooling applicator.

To top it all off, our product Eye Elixir applies as a serum and sets as a cream—giving you the best of both worlds with its two-in-one formula that deeply penetrates like a serum and hydrates like a cream at the same time.

Although many reviews mention an instant brightening effect, long-time users report seeing smoother-looking skin after continued use.

Eye Elixir is also free of synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, petroleum, sulfates, mineral oil, and other harsh chemicals. And, Tru Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

Product Specs

  • 0.5 fl oz serum & cream hybrid
  • Twice daily application (morning and night)
  • Patented hyaluronic acid (HYALURONIX®)
  • Also includes: caffeine, niacinamide, squalane, ferulic acid, activated vitamin C
  • No parabens, sulfates, or synthetic dyes & fragrances
  • Price: $$

What We Like:

    • Squalane
    • Sodium hyaluronate
    • Brightening antioxidants
    • Free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, & mineral oil
    • 60-day money-back guarantee
    • Clinically studied
    • Vegan

Room To Improve:

    • May leave a heavy feeling on skin due to thick texture

Final Thoughts

Bioassance’s Squalane + Marine Algae Cream is made with squalane, jojoba esters, and sodium hyaluronate. As a result, users say this cream leaves their skin feeling hydrated for hours. Squalane + Marine Algae Cream is also formulated without synthetic dyes and fragrances.

While the formula is missing some of our favorite ingredients such as niacinamide and caffeine, that doesn’t stop it from delivering stunning results. Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream clearly earned its title as a 2020 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner and 2021 Glamour Beauty Awards Best Eye Cream. 

Biossance is one of the best regarded brands in clean beauty and generously offers a 60-day return policy. If you don’t see the results you’re looking for in that time frame, you can still get your money back.

Product Specs

  • 0.5 fl oz cream
  • Twice daily application (morning and night)
  • Key ingredients: paracress extract, pink marine algae, squalane 
  • Price: $$

What We Like:

    • Sodium hyaluronate
    • Brightening antioxidants
    • Caffeine
    • Includes cooling applicator
    • Free from parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, and mineral oil
    • 60-day money-back guarantee
    • Clinically tested

Room To Improve:

    • Missing synthetic fragrance and dye free claim
    • High price point at $270
    • May leave a heavy feeling on skin due to thick texture
    • Not certified cruelty-free by PETA or Leaping Bunny

Final Thoughts

The Eye Concentrate by La Mer has a lot going for it. This eye cream is formulated with trademarked Miracle Broth™, The Clarity Ferment, and Lime Tea Concentrate which work together to help slow down visible signs of aging and improve smoothness and brightness around the eyes.

This cream also includes sodium hyaluronate, brightening antioxidants, and caffeine to aid hydration and reduce the appearance of tired eyes. The cooling applicator that comes with the product offers additional firming benefits.

Allure’s editors were so impressed by The Eye Concentrate’s formula that it received a 2023 Best of Beauty Award in the “Best Splurges” category. At $270 per 0.5 oz jar, this luxury cream has the highest price tag of any other product on the list. If price is a concern, you’ll want to consider a more budget-friendly option.

Product Specs

  • 0.5 fl oz cream
  • Twice daily application (morning and night)
  • Key ingredients: Miracle Broth™, The Clarity Ferment, and lime tea concentrate
  • Price: $$$$

What We Like:

    • Retinol
    • Brightening antioxidants
    • 60-day money-back guarantee
    • Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and mineral oil
    • Clinically studied
    • Vegan

Room To Improve:

    • High price point at $89 
    • Contains synthetic dyes 
    • No synthetic fragrance free claim

Final Thoughts

Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum by Murad is made with a potent retinol formula. Retinol is known for its numerous benefits that reduce the appearance of aging skin. 

Even better, Murad’s eye serum contains a blend of both fast- and slow-release retinols. This innovative formula helps strike a balance between quick results and minimal irritation. For those new to using a retinol product, it’s best practice to incorporate the ingredient into your routine gradually. Take a week or two to see how your skin tolerates retinol before using it every night.

The clean formula is free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and the reviews are generally positive. The brightening antioxidants will also help keep the eye area looking hydrated and bright. We love that Murad has a 60-day money-back guarantee, giving customers ample time to see if this serum is a good fit for them.

Product Specs

  • 0.5 fl oz serum
  • Nightly application
  • Key ingredients: retinol, cotton wool grass extract, marine kelp complex
  • Price: $$$

What We Like:

    • Free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, synthetic dyes, and mineral oils
    • Hyaluronic acid
    • Brightening antioxidants
    • Vegan

Room To Improve:

    • Missing synthetic fragrance and dye free claim
    • Not certified cruelty-free by PETA or Leaping Bunny
    • Short 30-day money-back guarantee

Final Thoughts

Absolute Eye Serum by ELEMIS works to target crow’s feet and improve the appearance of dark circles. The serum’s key ingredients, chamomile, osmanthus, and cornflower, work together to visibly soothe, firm, and brighten skin around the eyes.

The formula is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Elemis’ eye serum has received positive reviews, but unfortunately may contain synthetic fragrance and is not certified cruelty-free.

While we appreciate that Elemis has a 30-day money-back guarantee, we believe 60 days would give customers a better idea of if the serum will be effective on their skin.

Product Specs

  • 0.5 fl oz serum
  • Twice daily application (morning and night)
  • Key ingredients: chamomile, osmanthus, cornflower
  • Price: $$

The Brilliant Process

How We Choose Products

Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality

Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.

At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.

Brilliant Criteria

We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
  • High-Quality Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain comprehensive ingredients for optimal impact.
  • Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else—period.
  • Brand Credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
  • Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.

Why Trust Us?

As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.

With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.

Citations

  1. A. Herman, A.P. Herman; Skin Pharmacol Physiol 1 December 2012; 26 (1). Available at doi: 10.1159/000343174
  2. Bauza, E., Oberto, G., Berghi, A., Dal, C. and Domloge, N. (2004). International Journal of Tissue Reactions. Available at: http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/15648443 
  3. Singh, O., Khanam, Z., Misra, N., & Srivastava, M. (2011). Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(9), 82. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79103
  4. Necas, J., Bartosikova, L., Brauner, P., & Kolar, J. (2008). Veterinární Medicína, 53(No. 8), 397-411. doi: 10.17221/1930-vetmed
  5. Chan, A. (1993). Canadian Journal Of Physiology And Pharmacology, 71(9), 725-731. doi: 10.1139/y93-109
  6. Kafi, R., Kwak, H., Schumacher, W., Cho, S., Hanft, V., & Hamilton, T. et al. (2007). Archives Of Dermatology, 143(5). doi: 10.1001/archderm.143.5.606
  7. Lu, Y., Lou, Y., Xie, J., Peng, Q., Shih, W., Lin, Y., & Conney, A. (2009). Journal Of Investigative Dermatology, 129(2), 468-475. doi: 10.1038/jid.2008.241
Read Time: 5 min read
SUMMARY
0%

Sign up for expert articlestrending newsproduct recs

Brilliant insights and expertise delivered straight to your inbox.
  • Expert articles
  • Trending news
  • Trusted product recs