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Even if you're not a coffee drinker, you can appreciate the unique power of caffeine. And your skin care routine? The best caffeinated eye creams contain the same basic ingredients as coffee, but because the eye area doesn't need to be loaded, these products aim to reduce puffiness and fine lines.
"As a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor, caffeine has many benefits for the skin under the eyes," Blair Murphy-Rose, a dermatologist at the Skin and Laser Surgery Center in New York City, tells Bazar . In addition to reducing puffiness and discoloration, caffeine eye creams can increase collagen production, which helps treat fine lines and fight free radical damage. "To tackle multiple under-eye problems at once, caffeine is a welcome addition to an eye cream," he adds.
Even those with sensitive skin can enjoy the benefits of one of the best caffeine eye creams on the market. Murphy-Rose recommends looking for hypoallergenic formulas without fragrance, parabens or dyes.
To help you round out your routine, we've put together a short list of our favorite eye creams, top-rated by beauty professionals and fans alike.
Related Topics: Best Eye Patches to Reduce Puffiness, Dryness, and More
AGE eye complex
"It's a great retinol-free eye cream that contains caffeine and a unique blend of peptides and flavonoids to help lift, tighten and rejuvenate skin," says Murphy-Rose of SkinCeuticals AGE Eye Complex. "Optical diffusers minimize the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Proxylane and cranberry extracts support and strengthen the dermal matrix while hydrating dehydrated skin under the eyes to reduce and reduce fine lines."
Eye cream with caffeine
This best eye cream on Inkey's list costs less than $15. It combines caffeine with Albicia yulibrisin bark extract and a unique peptide blend to smooth and reduce puffiness.
A satisfied customer wrote: "The best eye cream I've ever used." Very moisturizing and gentle, a small amount is enough for one tube. Great product at such a low price. " - Beth
Pigmentclar corrective eye cream
Here's a cream that works specifically against blue and brown under-eye circles and makes it easy to brighten up the eye area. Combine ferresarcinol with caffeine and your favorite La Roche-Posay thermal water to whiten skin without irritation.
A satisfied customer writes: "Honestly, it's a hectic pace at the moment and dark circles under the eyes are normal." I decided to try this eye cream and I'm glad I did. This is not a concealer. It magically reduces the appearance of dark circles. and it's a good base for my makeup. Highly recommended." -JLK
Chok Chok eye cream with green tea and water
"Green tea is another high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient that also contains caffeine," Murphy-Rose notes. This option from the TonyMoly K-Beauty brand has a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin.
A satisfied customer wrote: "I first tried TonyMoly The Chok Chok Face Cream a few years ago and when I needed an eye cream for puffy eyes and saw it in the search results I knew I had to look no further." The formula is light, absorbs easily and doesn't have a strong scent. It moisturizes the delicate skin around the puffy eyes. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light eye cream.” – Estefania
Bright Start Retinol Alternative Eye Cream
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Eye Cream won the 2023 Bazaar Skincare Award for a reason: it's an editors' favorite (myself included) for reducing puffiness and fine lines and providing the perfect pre-skin prep.
A satisfied customer writes: "This is the best eye cream ever. I'm obsessed with the cooling massage for a change. I can already see the difference in reducing the bags under my eyes. Now I have to have it! —Lauren B."
Super Nova 5% Vitamin C + Caffeinated Brightening Eye Cream
Herbivore Botanicals Super Nova Eye Cream lightens dark circles for seven consecutive days with powerful turmeric and THD Vitamin C. It is best suited for everyday use, especially as it makes an excellent foundation.
A satisfied customer wrote: "This is the best eye cream ever!" It really brightens up the eyes and is a must have every morning. - Britney P
Eye cream with caffeinated coffee beans
The 100% caffeinated eye cream made from pure coffee beans comes from coffee and green tea and is therefore highly concentrated. The formula also contains rosehip oil to keep skin soft and nourished.
A satisfied customer wrote: "This has been one of my favorite products for years. I can never live without it! I love the smell and the firming effect and it's amazing how quickly the firming results are visible. Also, I love the glowing effect. du. I love using it when traveling or when I have puffy under eye bags. One of the few products I buy regularly, thank you!!!" - Amanda
Eye cream with caffeine
Simply use a small amount of Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream every day to perfectly reduce puffiness and wrinkles. As a bonus, it also contains squalane and jojoba oil to help moisturize dry eyes.
A satisfied customer writes: "I was hesitant to try it because the price is quite low compared to some eye creams I've used. But I haven't found it to lighten my under eye circles. I thought I had nothing to lose! Wow!! I was amazed! The difference on the third night I noticed. I plan on repurchasing when I run out, but the jar is a pretty good size and you only need a small amount. So I'll be fine for a while!" - Hayden S.
Awake Peptide Eye Gel
Murphy-Rose also offers this eye gel from Dermalogica, which uses caffeine and active peptides to reduce congestion, fill in fine lines, and brighten the eye area.
A satisfied customer writes: "I love the gel in front of the eye cream." It makes the baby feel flexible, glides easily and eliminates puffiness. It does exactly what is described. - Michelle
Peptight 360˚ Firming Eye Serum
Unlike other creams, this cream can be applied to the eye area without fear of irritation. And its formula with caffeine, kakudu plum extract and peptides not only tightens the skin, but is said to improve eyelid wrinkles and sagging upper eyelids.
A satisfied customer writes: "I have always had excess skin on my eyelids, lower eyelids and upper eyelids." It didn't age me, but it was boring. Especially when applying eyeliner. I used it under an eye for the first time. At night, oh my god, you could tell the difference, it tightened my skin more than I expected without plastic surgery. It's a regular part of my skincare routine now and I'll be so devastated I'd sue you for mental anguish if you stop it! " -JLEW42
super youth
The name of this popular cream says it all: with moisturizing shea butter, wrinkle-smoothing peptides and ingredients like Coleus forskohlii extract that reduce inflammation, a small amount is enough for this skin essential.
A happy customer writes: "This eye cream is great for my eye area. It really helps to tighten the skin and reduce those fine lines caused by wearing makeup all day. No, it irritates the eyes, which is always a problem during hay fever. - Vics26
Superhue illuminating eye cream
This vegan version is very safe for contact lens wearers. It contains Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C THD and of course caffeine that directly combats hyperpigmentation while improving texture.
A happy customer writes: "Anyone else have dark circles under their eyes? It's amazing how this cream gets rid of my dark circles instantly! I also love that there's a refreshing tip to help reduce morning puffiness. My eyes also felt hydrated throughout the day, which I usually don't get due to dryness. .I can't wait to see how her eyes change over the next few weeks!- Chrissy D
Vinoperfect Concealer Brightening eye cream
If you're a fan of Caudalies Vinoperfect Dark Spot Serum, this brand's cream should be a good addition to your range. It has a cooling ceramic tip that helps remove lint while evening out the texture of the eye area.
How often and when should you apply caffeine eye creams?
"Caffeinated eye creams can be applied once or twice a day or at night, depending on the other ingredients in your formula," says Murphy-Rose. "Retinol, for example, should only be used once a day under the eyes before going to bed."
Is caffeine a better treatment than other skin care ingredients?
Caffeine is the most popular choice among skin experts and one of the best and most effective ingredients for dealing with puffiness under the eyes. Other important ingredients are arnica and vitamin K.
What are the signs that an eye cream may irritate the skin?
According to Murphy-Rose, signs of irritation include redness, itching, burning, swelling, flaking, roughness and cracking. "Be aware that contact hypersensitivity reactions are delayed, so symptoms may appear five to seven days after exposure to the product in question," he advises.
Meet the experts
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a dermatologist based in New York City and the Hamptons. He is also Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
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