The area around your eyes contains some of the body’s most delicate skin. Therefore, using the best products in that vicinity is key. Luckily for you, some of the most popular skin care products formulated for these areas include eye serum and eye cream. But what's the difference between them?
Since eye serum and eye creams are so similar (due to the fact that they're applied to the areas around your eyes), Shop TODAY tapped dermatologists to acquire a more in-depth understanding about them, in addition to information regarding when each should or shouldn’t be used (and by whom).
Read on for our expert- and editor-approved eye cream and eye serum picks which can be applied to the eye area in a blink.
Overall best eye cream$42.00$46.69
Editor-favorite eye serum$undefined$46.00
Eye serum vs. eye cream
The main differences between eye serum and eye cream has to do with their weight and active ingredients. Although both products treat the skin around the eye area, they do so differently.
Kunal Malik, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology, notes that many eye serums contain vitamin C, peptides and retinoids with firming and tightening properties.
“Eye serums are typically much lighter in weight and feature a more concentrated, targeted ‘dose’ of active ingredients in comparison to eye creams, which are formulated with nourishment in mind,” explains board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav.
Hadley King, board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist, adds that although eye creams have a heavier feel, they usually don’t contain the same intensity and volume of active ingredients that eye serums do.
What are the benefits of eye serum?
Eye serums are most commonly used for their fast-acting and targeted formulas. They’re especially great if you’re looking for a product that will absorb into those deeper layers of skin surrounding the eyes (which most eye creams are unable to) with the intentional addition of active ingredients, explains Yadav.
In addition to “reducing puffiness, dark under-eye circles and fine lines, incorporating it into a skin care routine can give the under-eye area a boost in hydration,” explains Jeannette Graf, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
Best eye serums, according to experts
For an eye serum made with 100% vegan ingredients, Yadav recommends this one from Clinique. “This product is a classic — it’s very hydrating due to the inclusion of glycerin and hyaluronic acid, but it’s best known for its ability to help depuff and brighten,” says Yadav.
“The primary goal of this eye serum is to de-puff the eye area with the inclusion of its stainless-steel applicator that feels cooling on the skin during application and includes caffeine and arginine to reduce puffiness and firm the skin,” says Graf.
Graf recommends this eye serum from Perricone MD for its lifting effects. “This eye serum helps to give the eyes a lifted appearance while firming and smoothing the skin with the inclusion of glycerin, niacinamide and more,” she says.
Editor-approved eye serum
Jess Bender, a senior editor at Shop TODAY, recommends this under-eye serum from Summer Fridays. She says, "I’ve incorporated this serum into my evening routine over the last two months and can’t believe how much moisture it delivers around my under eye region in such a small amount. While I can’t speak on how well it tackles fine lines (I don’t have many at this point in time), it works wonders when it comes to puffiness and dryness after a long day staring at screens."
What are the benefits of eye cream?
One of the key benefits of eye creams is their ability to moisturize the skin surrounding the eyes. Many eye creams are able to provide moisture due to their inclusion of lipids. “Lipids help prevent water from escaping the skin and from irritants from getting into the skin,” explains Yadav.
Malik adds that many eye creams are made with peptides and antioxidants and are designed to constrict blood vessels to minimize puffiness.
Best eye creams, according to experts
When it comes to eye creams that won’t break the bank, Connie Yang, board-certified dermatologist at PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, recommends this one from RoC.
“This retinol is specifically formulated to be gentle enough around the eyes yet still effective in treating and preventing wrinkles,” she explains. It’s also non comedogenic and won’t leave your face looking (or feeling) greasy.
If you’re looking for an eye cream that will moisturize your eye area and do so with ingredients derived from nature, Yadav recommends this one from Kiehl’s. With avocado oil and beta-carotene as its main ingredients, Yadav appreciates its straightforward formula made with a combination of powerful, yet nourishing ingredients.
If you’ve been searching for an eye cream that’ll help firm up your eyes (and their surrounding skin), Debra Jaliman, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, recommends this one from Neutrogena. “This contains ceramides for hydration and peptides to help with fine lines,” she explains.
Editor-approved eye creams
Amanda Fama, an editor at Shop TODAY, has been using this hydrating under-eye cream (along with the brand's vitamin C serum), and says she can "immediately" feel the difference in her skin after using it. Fama continues, "The skin under my eyes immediately feels softer and less puffy. I have sensitive skin, and this doesn’t irritate it, either."
Lauren Witonsky, an associate partnerships editor at Shop TODAY, says she's "been on the fence about whether eye creams were worth up until I tried this one." She continues, "I’ve been using this product for months now, but swear after just the first application my under eye area looked brighter and more lifted. The metal applicator feels soothing to apply during my nighttime routine, and I use my ring finger to dab any excess product over my eyelids — a little goes a long way!"
Sierra Hoeger, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, says "this is the only eye cream I’ve found that works to reduce bags and puffiness for me." Hoeger continues, "It truly does last a long time (I’m still on my first bottle from three months ago!) and it has a light texture that doesn’t leave any sorts of residue."
"I don’t use eye creams consistently but I recently started using Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct when I need some extra help after a long week or day and the results are pretty noticeable," says Shannon Garlin, an associate editor at Shop TODAY.
Garlin continues, "It has caffeine as a main ingredient that’s meant to help with depuffing; this is my main concern as well as dryness. I just dab a little under my eyes as my last step in my skin care routine and my under-eye feels moisturized without feeling thick, and I wake up looking way better than the day before."
How to apply eye serum and eye cream
Although it is a best practice to apply any eye serum or eye cream you may be using following the manufacturer’s directions, Jaliman and Yadav note that it is typically a best practice to apply each product by placing a small amount on the ring finger and massaging and/or patting it (often in and upwards and outwards direction starting at the innermost area).
“Because they [eye serums] may be less occlusive than an eye cream, I recommend applying them underneath your face moisturizer, rather than on top like an eye cream is,” advises.
Which product is best for you?
When trying to determine which product is best for you, taking your skin care goals into consideration is key.
If you’re looking for a product that is more targeted and fast-acting, you might find it more beneficial to start with an eye serum. If your main goal is to keep your eyes looking hydrated and nourished, an eye cream can help you get started with the process.
That said, many eye serums and eye creams can work together to complement the other’s effects for achieving healthy eyes with an eye-catching glow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use eye cream and eye serum together. Both Graf and Yadav agree that using both types of products simultaneously is likely to help you achieve better results by targeting multiple skin concerns at the same time.
You should use eye serum first to better allow both products to work at their full potential. “If you put the cream first the serum won’t penetrate,” explains Jaliman. Yadav adds that by applying an eye cream on top of an eye serum can aid in its efficiency and efficacy in treating skin by preventing product (serum evaporation).
The frequency with which you can use an eye cream, eye serum or both should depend on various factors including manufacturer’s instructions, physician’s advice, ingredients and underlying conditions.
That said, you can expect most eye creams and eye serums to advise usage once or twice per day (except for those containing retinol), says Jaliman.
Graf adds that those who have particularly sensitive skin or are prone to milia may find it helpful to listen to their bodies and adjust their eye skin care regimen as needed.
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How we chose
After chatting with dermatologists about the differences between eye creams and eye serums, we curated a best-of list for both types of products along with some editor favorites from the Shop TODAY team.
Meet the experts
- Kunal Malik, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and assistant professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
- Geeta Yadav, MD, is board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.
- Hadley King, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist.
- Jeannette Graf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.
- Connie Yang, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank.
- Debra Jaliman, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and author of “Skin Rules” (St. Martin’s Press).
