This Drugstore Eye Cream Is Lab-Proven to Firm Sagging Skin (2024)

Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye cream test, proving it's worth the splurge for hydrating and firming.

The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture in Lab Corneometer measures, by 41% over six hours, and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use in Cutometer calculations. Testers rated it the best texture and it earned a perfect score for not irritating eyes, though it didn't soak into skin quickly.

Several users said they could see a noticeable difference: "My bags are almost gone," one said. "The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my undereye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use," another marveled.

A great drugstore buy packed with plant extracts, this Burt’s Bees formula is luxe-feeling and rich. GH Beauty Lab evaluations showed it improved skin’s moisturization by 21% and increased firmness by 18%. You may want to apply it overnight, since its thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin.

“It was soothing and left my eye area much more moisturized," one tester said. Another reported, "My skin did look smoother with less fine lines and puffiness."

Smooth on this plush Biossance eye cream with moisturizing plant-based squalane and firming peptides to fortify delicate eye-area skin. The GH Beauty Award winner, which is made without fragrance, a common irritant, came out on top in Lab evaluations for hydrating immediately.

Testers also gave it a perfect score for its "wonderful" texture, however it takes time to absorb so may not work as well under makeup, one noted. Two commented on the "soft glow" and "dewy finish" it imparted. “It feels cushiony and my skin is plumped with hydration after applying it,” said Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.

RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue in GH Beauty Lab anti-aging eye cream testing, increasing firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reducing wrinkles by 10%, brightening dark circles and depuffing — all with a price below the average treatment! Testers said the vitamins C and E formula had an appealing texture, but a few thought it was "heavy" and "greasy."

"I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes (puffiness, dark circles and fine lines) were diminished," one said. A second agreed: "This eye cream firmed the skin around my eyes and faded away my wrinkles."

Made with smoothing peptides, this No7 drugstore pick rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab testing at diminishing crow’s feet and creases. In digital imaging with the Lab’s Visia Complexion Analyzer, the lotion minimized eye-area wrinkle size and severity by 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and 30% more hydrated.

Although it was overall well-tolerated, one tester did develop irritation after two days of use. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported. "It noticeably decreased my fine lines," another echoed.

With this rich, luxurious Chanel eye treatment, you get what you pay for: A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the gentle formula with hyaluronic acid and peptides was one of the most hydrating of all eye creams evaluated. It increased eye-area skin moisturization by an impressive 34% over six hours and earned near-perfect scores for its "smooth" texture and "light" scent.

"This is flat out amazing," a tester raved. "I love the way it made the lines and wrinkles soften from around my eyes — my skin there feels baby smooth." Another commented: "My eyes did appear brighter and younger." This product is pricier than many other options, however, and note that some testers experienced a slight tingle upon application.

Infused with collagen-stimulating retinol, Murad’s serum was the strongest in GH Beauty Lab testing at tightening slack skin around the eyes. It raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Lab's test, and was the only product to show visual improvement in undereye bags. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved moisture levels by 18%, although it didn't have as strong brightening effects.

Users rated the formula best for its lightweight texture and nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “The best eye treatment I’ve ever used and really delivered dramatic and noticeable results," a tester marveled. A second said: "It helped the bags under my eyes."

In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 5% with powerhouse anti-aging ingredient retinol. It didn't perform as well at moisturizing and firming skin, though. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, Lab testers didn’t report any issues.

“I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one — very impressive,” and "this cream made my eyes appear well-rested and younger-looking," two commented. Be sure to only use this cream at night, then apply face sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity.

A GH Seal star, Mary Kay's eye cream reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes dry, crepey mature skin for up to 12 hours. The tube also has a smart design; squeeze out the product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth the cream onto skin. The immediate cooling sensation helps depuff eyes. However, some users said they thought the texture was a bit too thick.

In the Lab, experts track changes in skin attributes like lines and wrinkles using the Visia Complexion Analyzer after four weeks of eye cream use. Skin firmness is assessed using the Cutometer, a device that measures skin's elasticity. Hydration effects are also measured over six hours using a Corneometer machine, which gauges skin's moisture content.

To determine the best eye creams, 163 testers completed the study, with 1,793 survey questions submitted. There were 2,334 Cutometer data points recorded and 3,000 Corneometer data points taken. Finally, all the data points are compiled and results are tallied to determine the the best eye creams you can buy.

It depends on the eye area issue you are aiming to address. To treat multiple eye area issues, look for a combination of ingredients targeted to your needs.

✔️ For wrinkles and sagging, look for formulas that include peptides and retinol.

✔️ For puffiness, look for caffeine, advises Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

✔️ For dark circles, "vitamin K can help," says Dr. Robinson. You can also seek out niacinamide or vitamin C, which "help brighten dark pigmentation," Wizemann adds.

✔️ For dryness, Dr. Mraz suggests looking for "hyaluronic acid [to help] with hydration." Glycerin also "temporarily plumps papery skin," Wizemann notes.

Yes, GH Beauty Lab testing has found that some eye creams produce measurable and noticeable results. "Eye creams can have immediate and long-term effects," Wnek says. "Our Lab studies over the years have shown that anti-aging eye creams can keep skin hydrated over six hours as well as firm and improve the look of wrinkles with daily use over a four-week period."

"It is not only long-term use of these products that can produce benefits," she explains. "Eye creams can contain pigments that can immediately brighten or color correct dark circles upon application and cooling applicators that can soothe and temporarily relieve puffy eyes."

✔️ Apply eye cream every morning and night to clean, dry skin (using clean hands) to replenish moisture and treat the skin with problem-specific skincare ingredients, the GH Beauty Lab recommends. Smooth it on before your face moisturizer, Wizemann suggests, which helps you reap the benefits of the cream because it has direct contact with the skin. An exception: Swap the order if the product contains retinol and you are sensitive to the ingredient, Wnek says. "That way, it has a little bit of a base/buffer and can be released into the skin a bit slower."

✔️ Read your product directions thoroughly because not all eye creams are meant for eyelids. Reading the directions will ensure you are using the product correctly, Wnek notes.

✔️ Be gentle: Pulling and tugging around the eyes when applying skincare products can promote wrinkles and sagging in the long-term, explains Mona Gohara, M.D., a dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Instead, apply eye cream using gentle tapping motions, covering the entire shadowed area, Wizemann recommends.

✔️ Don’t forget SPF...even around the eyes. People miss about 10% of their faces when applying sunscreen, primarily on and around the eyelids (where in addition to skin aging, an estimated 10% of skin cancers occur), a study in the journal Plos One found. Apply a broad-spectrum face sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher around the eyes each morning, Wizemann advises. Look for mineral-based sunscreen active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which tend to be gentler.