Found: The 18 Best Drugstore Eye Creams

Puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles and fine lines all show up around the eye area at one point or another but the good news is, there’s a host of beauty products that can fight these unsightly problems. The orbital saviors are real must-haves for those days when your eyes don’t want to wake up.

When should you start using eye cream?

While you may wait for those first fine lines to show up under your eyes or just arbitrarily decide to worry about eye creams in your 30s, you actually need to be proactive. It’s best to start using creams in your 20s since the eye area ages 5 to 10 years faster than the rest of your face.

Can you use face creams or moisturizers instead of eye cream?

Thinking of saving some money by using your anti-aging face cream around your eye instead? Don’t. Most beauty products manufactured specifically for the face contain active ingredients at high concentrations that may irritate the skin around the delicate eye zone. Plus, they’re usually not ophthalmologist tested, which is a big deal when it comes to your eyes.

What kind of issues do the best drugstore eye creams tackle?

These lightweight, multifunctional eye creams are formulated to address the major signs of aging and fatigue, visibly transforming the entire eye area. You also want to watch out for the best drugstore eye cream that suits your needs. If the skin around your eyes is parched, look for an eye cream that offers intense hydration. Puffy eyes? Pick up a rollerball since massaging those formulas into the eye area actually helps disperse fluid. You can also rely on caffeinated eye creams to depuff. Dark circles got you down? The best drugstore eye cream for dark circles will have light reflectors to camouflage those shadows. You can also use concealer approved for the undereye area. And to combat aging, retinol and other collagen-plumping ingredients are key.

Do drugstore eye creams perform as well as more expensive versions?

You don’t have to spend big bucks on an expensive eye cream. Surprisingly, some of the best treatments to combat skin care woes around the eyes can be found at your local drugstore. If you start using one of these best drugstore eye creams early, it can help keep common eye issues under control.

What’s the best way to apply eye cream?

Obviously, read the instructions, but there are some universally accepted practices. It’s best to use your ring finger since it packs the lightest punch. Gently dot the cream under your eyes and don’t rub. Tap or press it on for maximum absorption and to avoid irritation.

Choosing the best drugstore eye cream

Here are our picks for the best drugstore eye creams (in no particular order). Click through the slideshow above to see which one is best for your needs.