The 12 Best Eye Serums For Hydration And Dark Circles

You’ve likely heard time and time again that no skincare routine is complete without an eye cream, but that’s not entirely true. You can also swap out the heavier cream with an eye serum, a.k.a. a lighter (but still ingredient-packed) formula that addresses specific concerns, such as dark circles or fine lines and wrinkles.

Like you would a face serum, you can layer an eye serum underneath an eye cream for added efficacy. Or, you can use it solo; we like using these lighter-weight eye serums in the morning, and more nourishing eye creams at night.

So what eye serum should you use? Below, find 12 of the best eye serums, including picks from board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.

Best Overnight Eye Serum

Pros: As hydrating as an eye cream

Cons: Contains retinol, which some are sensitive to around the eye area

Hydrating glycerin, a gentle retinoid blend, and puffiness-reducing licorice root extract come together in this eye serum that gets to work while you sleep.

Customer Review: “I have used it 3 nights in a row and love it!! Not irritating and results start showing right away. Even my dark circles appear lighter.” — Jods547

Related article: The 9 Best Eye Creams For Men That Experts Actually Recommend

Best Luxe Eye Serum

Pros: Can be used multiple times a day, whenever you want a refresh

Cons: Pricey

Yes, this roll-on formula from Chantecaille contains actual 24k gold (it contains antioxidant properties), but it’s the multiple peptides and stem cell extract for fine lines that will have you reaching for it again and again.

Customer Review: “The best Eye Serum hands down!!! Saw a difference in two days...tried many but this one is a keeper!!” — Ava B.

Best For Millia

Pros: Refillable

Cons: Some reviewers had a hard time with the pump dispenser

Dieux’s gel serum is ultra hydrating (courtesy of 10 percent glycerin) but remarkably lightweight, so it’s less likely to cause a milia outbreak under your eyes. It’s also formulated with biotech-derived algae complexes that help brighten dark circles and keep skin looking plump and smooth.

Customer Review: “A perfect eye serum! Already on my second one. I can’t get enough of this product! I love the way it makes my under eyes feel in the morning, I love it so much!! So hydrating, it makes me look more awake and bright.” — Jade C.

Expert Pick

Pros: Contains antioxidants, absorbs quickly

Cons: Some reviewers find it drying

Hartman is a fan of this refreshing gel from SkinCeuticals containing vitamin C, caffeine, and ferulic acid, “which is a powerhouse combo that will help brighten dark circles and protect skin from free radical damage caused by exposure to UV rays,” according to the derm.

Customer Review: “I’m so excited about this new addition to my skincare cabinet. I love that this is bottled in a pump bottle so that it’s not exposed to the air (oxidation).” — Taylor

Best Eye Serum For Puffiness

Pros: Works in seconds

Cons: May leave a film on the under-eye

This TikTok-viral treatment is “a nice choice if your main concern is crepey skin and you want to tighten the skin around the eyes,” says Hartman, adding that “results can be seen shortly after application—the eye area looks lifted and firmer.” The key ingredients are Firm-A-Tite, a blend of silicates and seaweed for tightening, and Eyeliss, a peptide complex that helps soften wrinkles.

Customer Review: “My high school friends ask if I’ve had a facelift. This product does wonders for removing under eye bags and wrinkles (temporarily).” — Lisa

Related article: 15 Hydrating Eye Serums Which Erase Dark Circles

Best Eye Serum For Dark Circles

Pros: Lightweight texture, brightening ingredients

Cons: Some reviewers said the dropper deposits too much product

For a budget-friendly option, Hartman likes this serum that “helps reduce the appearance of dark circles due to its active ingredients caffeine and ECGC,” the derm explains. “They work to constrict blood vessels under the eye, which helps keep blood flow moving and reduce fluid in the area.”

Customer Review: “After using this for a few weeks, I’ve definitely noticed my fine lines/wrinkles softening and my dark circles going away. My makeup sits much nicer under my eyes.” — MrsBougs

Best Due-Action Eye Serum

Pros: Multitasking formula, reviewers love how hydrating it is

Cons: Has a fragrance

Clarins’ Double Serum is one of the all-time greats—and there’s a version for eyes, too. Each pump combines two formulas (containing ingredients like turmeric and wild chervil, oat sugars, and leaf of life) for a product that smooths, firms, and hydrates in one application.

Customer Review: “I love the thoughtful design of the packaging and that this is a cream and serum in one. It feels refreshing on the skin, my skin seems to absorb it well, and it has enough occlusives to seal in the moisture. It does a great job smoothing the fine lines around my eye area.” — Skinandvelvet

Best Awakening Eye Serum

Pros: Great for travel

If you’re looking for the product equivalent to putting cold spoons over your eyes, look no further. Roll on Osea’s water-light serum first thing in the morning for a quick wake-up call, and let the seaweed, hyaluronic acid, and peptides do their thing to soothe and smooth skin.

Customer Review: “I love everything I’ve tried from Osea, and this eye roll on is no exception. I use it in the morning, and it’s great at adding light moisture while depuffing.” — Katie

Best Retinol Eye Serum

Pros: Contains multiple anti-aging ingredients

Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin

With 0.1 percent retinol, this serum will help soften wrinkles without irritating skin. Even better, Drunk Elephant added caffeine and copper peptides to the mix to address puffiness and promote collagen production, respectively.

Customer Review: “I’ve used so many eye creams, this is the only one I’ve tried that I can see makes any real difference. I use it at night and pat a small dot gently around my eyes. After a week or two my eyes look rested and bright. Love it!!!” — Langleyy

Best Customisable Eye Serum

Pros: Available in three different strengths

Cons: Price increases with strength level

Made with twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde (a less irritating form of retinol), this eye serum comes in three different strength levels to fit your skin’s needs and routine: 3 contains 0.03 percent retinaldehyde, 6 contains 0.06 percent, and 10 contains 0.1 percent.

Customer Review: “I love this eye cream treatment. This glides on silky smooth and I’ve noticed a reduction in fine lines. No irritation what so ever! Highly recommend even if you have sensitive skin.” — Brian R.

Best Brightening Eye Serum

Pros: Both hydrating and brightening

Cons: Reviewers said bottle was smaller than expected

If you love Skyn Iceland’s cult-favorite eye patches (and who doesn’t?), you’ll want to try this silky, hydrating serum, featuring brightening stars like vitamin C and glycolic acid.

Customer Review: “This works best in tandem with the eye gels. Works wonders on my skin and is great to layer on with other products. Serum has a great consistency and really makes the eye contour look rested and radiant.” — Ludwig

Celeb Pick

Pros: Works quickly

Cons: Has a fragrance

Made with energising biocellular longoza technology, toning rye extract, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this luxe serum can help with puffiness instantly and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles in as little as a week. Plus, it feels “like a little massage under your eyes,” according to Gossip Girl star Thomas Doherty.

Customer Review: “This Dior serum is the best for my sensitive skin. I do see an improvement in puffiness and a little darkness that was visible on my under eye area. Very light scent, soothing. This is another wonderful Dior product.” — shecap

Related article: The 13 Best Caffeine Eye Creams That De-Puff In A Flash

What Is An Eye Serum?

Think of them as face serums targeted to the delicate skin around the eye. “Eye serums are lightweight skincare products formulated for use around the eye area,” says Hartman. “Eye serums are formulated with active ingredients designed to remedy common skincare concerns around the eyes, from dark circles to puffiness and crepey skin.”

What Is The Difference Between Eye Serum And Eye Cream?

If you’re wondering what makes an eye serum different from an eye cream, there are a couple of factors. “Eye serums are different from eye creams in two main ways. The first is the consistency of the product. A serum will be a runnier, less viscous formula. Eye creams are usually thicker,” explains Hartman.

“The second difference is that eye serums tend to have a higher concentration of active ingredients in the formula,” just like face serums, says the derm. “The molecule size of active ingredients also tend to be smaller in a serum compared to a cream, which allows for deeper penetration into the skin.”

When Should You Use An Eye Serum?

“You can use an eye serum in both your morning and evening skincare routine as long as your skin tolerates it,” says the dermatologist, who says to “apply your eye serum to the eye area after you apply moisturizer.” You can use eye serum in lieu of eye cream or beforehand; just let the serum absorb first before applying eye cream.

Meet The Experts

Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist, and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.

This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.