We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. No matter how many hours I sleep I always seem to wake up with puffy eyes—and there’s only so much under-eye concealer can wear to make my eyes look less tired. Incorporating a depuffing eye cream (and the occasional cold compress) into my skincare routine—specifically, one of the 15 eye creams for puffiness I've rounded up below.
Trust me when I say our editors have tested hundreds of options, from drugstore eye creams to eye creams that smooth wrinkles, and these are absolute standouts. I'm not the only one obsessed with these depuffing eye creams. I consulted three dermatologists—Joshua Zeichner, MD, Jessica Cheung, MD, and Adrienne O'Connell, DO—who shared their favorite eye creams for puffy eyes, along with their expert tips for choosing the right one for your skin types and concerns.
Whether you're looking for a lightweight formula that won't pill under makeup or a rich and creamy option for dry skin, I found depuffing eye creams for every skin type and concern. Why we love it: Although this is billed as a lifting and firming eye cream, it’s fantastic for depuffing. The formula uses harungana extract, a natural retinol alternative, to help tighten skin, which can make fluid retention under your eyes appear less noticeable.
Plus, there’s caffeine to help improve the microcirculation of your blood vessels, which can reduce the look of swelling and under-eye bags right away. Cosmo editor’s review: "I applied product to my left eye only here to really see the difference. I make sure to go all around my eyes, including my full eyelid, crow's feet, and just below my brows. 30 seconds after application, my bags look significantly less pronounced, my brow is lifted, and my skin looks a little smoother."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR Why we love it: Winner of the Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award for best depuffing eye cream, this gel formula uses a mix of lightweight hydrators, antioxidant-rich caffeine, and soothing ingredients to help calm down under-eye puffiness.
The tip applicator, which stays chilled to even further reduce swelling, is an added touch. Cosmo editor’s review: “This first entered my rotation when I was sleep-deprived in Korea. But now, I swipe it under my eyes nearly every day, regardless of how much sleep I’m working with, to help hydrate my delicate eye area and depuff any bags.” —BG Why we love it: If you're willing to spend a little extra cash, we think Sunday Riley's Autocorrect eye cream is totally worth the $$$.
Made with depuffing ingredients like caffeine and ginseng extract, this splurge-worthy solution is a favorite among Amazon shoppers and Cosmo editors alike. "My skin is sooo picky when it comes to skincare—my bathroom shelf has basically become a graveyard for half-used eye creams that I’ve had to discard," says Samantha Jones, commerce editor. This (admittedly expensive) option from Sunday Riley is a staple in my routine now: I love the lightweight yet super-hydrating formula that absorbs easily, and the inclusion of caffeine makes a noticeable difference in reducing dark circles and puffiness." Why we love it: Like a shot of espresso for your under-eyes, this caffeine-filled eye cream helps to temporarily constrict blood vessels, which boosts circulation and reduces puffiness.
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