The Best Drugstore Eye Creams, According to Plastic Surgeons

When it comes to eye cream, price doesn’t always tell the whole story. Some of the best formulas for brightening dark circles, smoothing fine lines and depuffing tired eyes are sitting pretty on your local drugstore shelves. To help separate the truly effective from the overhyped, we spoke with five top board-certified plastic surgeons to get their take on the best drugstore eye creams—and to see whether any of their picks overlapped. (Spoiler alert: they did.) Ahead, browse their top three picks (quality over quantity!)—all under $30. Score.

Featured Experts

• John Diaz, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills
• Lauren Moy, MD, is a board-certified surgeon in Beverly Hills
• Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Founder of LEA Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Lab in Newport Beach, CA
• Jaimie DeRosa, MD, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach
• Sachin M. Shridharani, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Luxurgery

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RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream ($30)

Two of the board-certified plastic surgeons I spoke with for this story independently recommended this drugstore eye cream. Dr. Diaz says he reaches for it for “several reasons,” starting with its use of retinol, “which is effective in stimulating collagen production and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.” He explains that many drugstore eye creams skip clinically active ingredients altogether and instead target puffiness or discoloration, which helpful in the short term, but not the kind of “long-term improvement” retinol can offer.

Dr. Moy backs his take, but also points out that it’s “balanced with glycerin, vitamin E and vitamin B5, ingredients that provide hydration and barrier support, helping to offset potential dryness or irritation that can occur with retinol use.” She adds that it’s generally less irritating than many other retinol eye products while still delivering results, making it a great pick for beginners or mildly sensitive skin. With consistent use, she says, you can “visibly reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and dark circles.”

• BUY ON ULTA – $30
• BUY ON AMAZON – $30

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CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream ($25)

If you frequent the drugstore skin-care aisle, you likely already know CeraVe—and its popular caffeine-infused eye cream. It’s the first drugstore pick that comes to mind for Dr. Taghva. “It’s dermatologist-developed and ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free and packed with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid,” she explains. “It strengthens the barrier and hydrates without irritation and is one of the cleanest, safest drugstore options.

The caffeine also helps constrict vessels to lessen dark circles and reduce puffiness, making tired eyes look more awake.”

• BUY ON ULTA – $25
• BUY ON AMAZON – $22

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CeraVe Eye Repair Cream ($20)

Clearly, CeraVe is a popular pick among experts when it comes to the drugstore skin-care aisle. This one earns the praise of both Dr. DeRosa and Dr. Shridharani. While it doesn’t contain caffeine like the one above, that makes it a bit gentler and more focused on overall hydration than on fine-line or wrinkle improvement. In other words, it’s a great beginner eye cream—or ideal for “those with even the most sensitive skin,” says Dr. DeRosa.

“It is allergy-tested and quickly absorbed, which can help reduce eye irritation that sometimes occurs with other eye creams that creep into the eyes,” she continues. “This is a great go-to eye cream for those who want to reduce dark circles and puffiness, as well as hydrate the thin skin under the eyes, with ingredients including niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”

• BUY ON ULTA – $20
• BUY ON AMAZON – $20