8 Best Caffeine Eye Creams, Backed by Testing in Our Beauty Lab
Wake up tired eyes!
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
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There’s a reason so many of us reach for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning: It can help you feel more awake and energized. Turns out caffeine can have a similar effect on our eyes, which explains why caffeine eye creams are so popular.
“Caffeine is one of my favorite ingredients for the eye area because it tackles puffiness, dark circles, and tired-looking skin all at once,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at the Shafer Clinic in NYC. “Caffeine is a potent antioxidant as well, protecting the thin under-eye skin from environmental damage and premature aging.”
As a vasoconstrictor, caffeine helps reduce swelling by narrowing blood vessels and improving microcirculation. When included in an eye cream, it is thought to “reduce undereye puffiness and dark circles,” explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. Below are the best caffeine eye creams we tested, to depuff, minimize dark circles, and brighten.
Best Deal
Pros
- Great value
- Tested high for brightening
- Reduces puffiness and bags
Cons
- Below average testing score for visibly firming undereye area
This GH Beauty Award winner wakes up tired eyes with brightening vitamin C, niacinamide, and depuffing caffeine. There’s also aloe vera to help prevent free radical damage and amino peptides to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Lab testing revealed the serum was a winner for brightening and minimizing the look of undereye puffiness and bags. However, it earned a below average score for visibly firming the undereye area.
Tester notes: “The Olay eye cream was the perfect consistency and felt super creamy,” a tester said. “I was shocked at how well it worked. My undereye wrinkles were less noticeable as were the occasional bags! It felt cool and made my eyes feel so hydrated. After a few weeks my eyes looked brighter and felt amazing.”
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin C, caffeine, niacinamide, amino peptides, aloe vera |
| Size | 0.45 fl. oz. |
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Pros
- Gentle on skin and eyes
- Improves firmness
- Boosts hydration
Cons
- Hard to pump out all the product out of the bottle
If you’re looking for a quick brightening effect, this eye cream has shimmer that helps give the appearance of wide-awake skin, plus it improved skin hydration by 17% over six hours in Beauty Lab testing. But it works over time too, improving firmness by 8% over four weeks. It also scored points for being gentle on skin and eyes. One drawback: It is hard to pump out all the product out of the bottle.
Tester notes: “This eye cream really helped moisturize the skin under my eyes,” one tested shared. “I've tried product after product and have never had an eye cream work as effectively as this one. I also have very sensitive skin and most eye products irritate my skin. This one didn't bother my skin at all.”
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin E, caffeine, glycerin, shea butter |
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
- Gentle on skin, despite that it contains retinol
- Reduced the appearance of fine lines
- Diminishes undereye puffiness
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as other products
When puffiness is a problem, this eye cream can help. After four weeks of use, GH Beauty Lab evaluations and consumers ranked it high for diminishing undereye puffiness. It also absorbed quickly and reduced the appearance of fine lines. However, it wasn’t as moisturizing as other products, as it only improved skin hydration by 10% over six hours. This might be a result of the retinol in this formula, which is known to leave skin feeling dry.
Tester notes: “As soon as I started using the cream, the area was visibly more moisturized and as I continued using it, my crow's feet were less pronounced, to the extent that you can hardly see them,” one tester said. “I like that it's neither heavy nor greasy and that it blends well with makeup. I am very pleased with the results and will continue using it.”
| Key Ingredients | Caffeine, retinol, glycerin, thermal spring water |
| Size | 15 ml |
Pros
- Cooling rollerball applicator
- Brightens
- Hydrates
- Depuffs
Cons
- Expensive
The official skincare line from the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a past GH Sustainability Innovation Award winner for its sustainably sourced ingredients like silica and microalgae. In addition to formulating the serum with the famously healing Blue Lagoon seawater, it contains three types of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate, licorice root, and vitamin C to brighten and minimize dark circles, caffeine to depuff, and their signature BL+ Complex to stimulate collage and strengthen the skin barrier.
Tester notes: “I noticed plumper, clearer skin that looked hydrated,” a judge said. I also tested the product myself, and I loved the cooling rollerball applicator that also helps to depuff, plus the formula is so lightweight and instantly sinks into skin.
| Key Ingredients | Blue Lagoon seawater, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, vitamin C, licorice root |
| Size | 0.33 fl. oz. |
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream
Pros
- Pleasant consistency
- Rated best scent in testing
- Doesn’t irritate skin or eyes
- Diminished the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Hard to dispense all product from the packaging
Turn back time with this anti-aging formula that works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as well as visibly lift and firm, courtesy of quinoa seed extract, multipeptides, and electric daisy. The hydrating formula also redensifies and refines skin texture, working to address signs of aging around the entire eye area. However, a few testers reported that it was hard to dispense all product from the packaging.
Tester notes: “I loved the way this product made my eyes look,” one tester said. “It greatly reduced puffiness, which is a constant struggle for me. It was also very moisturizing, and helped with fine lines. In a short period of time, I saw results which shows that this is a good product.”
| Key Ingredients | Caffeine, quinoa seed extract, multipeptides, electric daisy |
| Size | 0.5 oz. |
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Eye Serum
Pros
- Pleasant consistency
- Nice scent
- Top tester for reducing appearance of crow’s feet
- Leaves skin feeling firmer
Cons
- Product didn’t dispense equally from all three chambers
Talk about a triple threat! The packaging contains three serums to tackle lifting, depuffing, and smoothing of fine lines around the eyes. It mixes freshly with each pump for maximum efficacy, addressing additional signs of aging such as texture and crepey skin. It was a winner in Beauty Lab testing for reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, plus testers appreciated its firming powers, pleasant scent, and consistency. However, a few testers noted that the product didn’t dispense equally from all three chambers, especially initially.
Tester notes: “The product had a really pleasant smell and absorbed quickly,” a tester said. “It did not interfere with any makeup finish. It did a nice job reducing the fine lines around my eyes and helped to smooth out that skin. I also thought the packaging was elegant and it cleanly and evenly dispersed every time to avoid wasting any product.”
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, caffeine |
| Size | 0.67 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Increases skin hydration by 15% over 6 hours, per testing
- Leaves skin feeling firmer
- Decreases the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet
- Brightens undereye area
Cons
- Expensive
Superbly hydrating and firming, this eye cream is a worthy splurge. Made in Korea and formulated with ginger and magnolia extracts to improve undereye circulation and brighten the skin, this formula tackled every anti-aging concern we tested it against and earned consumers’ raves. Beauty Lab testing revealed it increased skin hydration by 15% over 6 hours. Testers appreciated that it left skin feeling firmer, decreased the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet, and brightened the undereye area.
Tester notes: “I liked that it seemed to produce results and had a pleasant scent and feel. It applied smoothly and absorbed quickly,” a tester said.
| Key Ingredients | Green tea, shea butter, caffeine, ginger, magnolia extract, ginseng root |
| Size | 0.51 oz. |
YSE Beauty Brightening Eye Masks The Overachiever
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Stay in place
- Minimize puffiness and undereye bags
- Hydrating
Cons
- Cooling ingredient might be uncomfortable for sensitive skin
One of the most common gripes about undereye patches is that they’re uncomfortable to wear because they can be prone to sliding around and not fitting right. But that isn't the case for these little guys, which earned the highest score for fitting comfortably beneath the eyes, staying put during application, and being easy to apply, according to testing. They also earned top scores for reducing the look of undereye puffiness and bags, scent likability, hydration, and overall satisfaction. One thing to note though is the cooling ingredient, menthol, might be uncomfortable for users with sensitive skin.
Tester notes: “It was very easy to know which side of the eye patch to use since there was writing and it was very obvious,” a tester said. “The patches stayed on very securely and did not slide down at all as I was doing my normal morning routine, which was very nice. They were cooling and soothing without being sticky and when you took them off the serum soaked into the skin, so it was easy to then do my normal skin care routine / makeup after without any trouble.”
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin C, peptides, allantoin, caffeine |
| Size | 6 pairs |
How we test caffeine eye creams
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested hundreds of eye creams and treatments over the years. When testing, GH Beauty Lab scientists recruit consumer testers from across the country to help evaluate formulas of various price points, from drugstore to luxury brands. Each tester uses a label-masked product as part of their daily skincare routine for four weeks, then provides feedback on performance, ease of use, and overall satisfaction.
In the Lab, our experts track changes in skin attributes like eye area fine lines and wrinkles using the Visia Complexion Analyzer after four weeks of eye cream use. Skin firmness is measured using the Cutometer, a device that assesses skin's elasticity. Hydration effects are calculated over six hours using the Corneometer machine, which examines skin's moisture content.
What to look for when shopping for a caffeine eye cream
“Caffeine eye creams typically include more than just this ingredient for the facial skin benefits they claim,” Wnek says. “During our previous anti-aging eye creams studies, we tested eye creams that contained caffeine among other ingredients, and some have showed overall skin improvements.”
When shopping for a caffeine eye cream, Dr. Engelman recommends looking at the full formula, not just the caffeine content. She suggests shopping by skin concern:
✔️ Brightening: “Brightening agents such as vitamin C, niacinamide, or licorice root can complement caffeine’s circulation-boosting effects for more noticeable improvement in dark circles,” Dr. Engelman says.
✔️ Hydrating: Ideally, caffeine should be paired with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides to plump and smooth fine lines.
✔️ Strengthening: “Peptides are excellent for long-term firming and strengthening of the thin under-eye skin,” Dr. Engelman says.
How much caffeine should an eye cream contain?
“In terms of caffeine concentration, most effective formulas contain between 0.5% and 3%—enough to stimulate microcirculation without causing irritation,” Dr. Engelman says.
What is the best way to apply an eye cream with caffeine?
“The skin in the eye area is thinner and more delicate than other areas of the face,” Wnek says. “As with any eye cream, it is best to tap the product into the area rather than tugging or rubbing it in.” As far as when to apply it, consumers should follow the directions on the individual product for best results.
How long does it take caffeine eye creams to work?
“One of the nice things about caffeine in eye creams is that you often see some results quickly,” Dr. Engelman says. “Because it constricts blood vessels and reduces fluid buildup, you can notice less puffiness and a more awake appearance within 15–30 minutes of application. If you have chronically dark circles, you may need to take a closer look at your daily habits and lifestyle.”
Can a caffeine eye cream help with fine lines?
“Caffeine eye creams can help fine lines look softer, but mostly in an indirect, temporary way,” Dr. Engelman says. “Its antioxidant properties also help protect collagen and elastin from free radical damage, which can slow the development of new lines over time. However, caffeine doesn’t actively rebuild collagen or deeply hydrate like peptides or hyaluronic acid, so I usually recommend pairing it with other targeted ingredients for long-term wrinkle reduction.”
Is retinol or caffeine better for under eyes?
“Retinol and caffeine work very differently, so which is better depends on your concern,” Dr. Engelman says. “Caffeine is ideal for quickly reducing puffiness, improving circulation, and giving an instant refreshed look—it’s more of a fast-acting, short-term solution.
Retinol, on the other hand, stimulates collagen production and speeds up cell turnover, which helps soften fine lines, smooth texture, and improve discoloration over time. If you want both immediate and long-term results, I often recommend using them together—caffeine in the morning for de-puffing and brightening, and retinol at night for its reparative, anti-aging benefits.”
Is caffeine or vitamin C better for dark circles?
“Caffeine and vitamin C target dark circles in different ways, so the ‘best’ option is dependent on what’s causing the dark circles,” Dr. Engelman says. “Caffeine improves microcirculation and reduces blood pooling, which helps with blue or purple-toned dark circles caused by poor blood flow or puffiness. Vitamin C brightens by inhibiting excess melanin production and providing antioxidant protection, making it more effective for brown or hyperpigmentation-related dark circles.”
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Temporary Beauty Editor Celia Shatzman has covered beauty for nearly 20 years, including all things skincare. She worked closely with GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, who has been developing and overseeing the testing of multiple beauty categories, including skincare, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback.
Dendy Engelman, M.D., F.A.C.M.S., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in NYC.
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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