The 11 Best Peptide Eye Creams That Firm and Hydrate

Pros

• Ideal for minimizing crow's feet
• Helps de-puff under-eyes
• Boosts radiance

Cons

• Over $100

It's an investment, but this eye cream is packed with high-tech skincare ingredients. “Peptides and caffeine help to strengthen the integrity of the delicate skin around the eyes,” says Evans, who adds, “The caffeine will help with vasoconstriction and the appearance of fine lines.”

• Key ingredients: Concentrated Proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid blend, Matrixyl 3000, glycyrrhetinic acid, caffeine
  

Customer review: "I have really bad crows feet on my under eyes, and nothing seemed to work. I tried this for 7 days every morning and night, and for the first time in years, I don't need to cake on concealer!!! Thank you so much! I have confidence I haven't felt in a long time." —Sasha

Pros

• Leaves a soft-focus glow
• Great for dark circles
• Helps smooth fine lines

Cons

• Over $100

Every Bazaar editor is obsessed with this eye cream, which works within just a couple of weeks to fight wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness and maintains those results. It also has the perfect not-too-thick but still creamy texture. We won't lie; it's an investment, but you can also sign up for a subscription to score a 20 percent discount (the worst thing that can happen is you run out).

• Key ingredients: Diamond powder, pure beta glucan, marine plankton extract

Customer review: "The name says it all! I can’t get enough of this product! My eye area is smoother and much brighter after only 2 weeks of use! I love the texture and instant moisture feeling of it." —Tetyana

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This well-rounded formula tackles three main issues for the eye area: softening fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to acetyl hexapeptide-8; brightening and protecting with vitamin C; and depuffing with caffeine. It's a triple threat and one with a cult following.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, caffeine

Customer review: “The Summer Fridays eye cream with Vitamin C and Peptides is fantastic. It has a light texture that absorbs quickly, brightens dark circles, and reduces fine lines. My eyes look more awake and refreshed after just a few weeks. Highly recommend!” —megan813a

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Great for beginners
• Helps brighten under-eyes

Cons

• Best for fine lines and crow's feet

Peptides work alongside the brand's signature ceramide blend in this lightweight but high-powered formula. Because it also has caffeine to target puffiness and niacinamide to brighten, the affordable tube is an all-around winner.

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, hyaluronic acid
  

Customer review: “I absolutely love how this eye cream feels on my skin. It feels very light yet super moisturizing. It is not sticky at all. No strong scent. Definitely worth the price!” —briannaf137

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Pros

• Great for dark circles
• Helps reduce fine lines

Cons

• May not be ideal for those looking for a traditional cream formula

Putting on this gel serum first thing in the morning is the best wake-up call (especially if you pair it with the brand's Insta-famous Forever eye masks). It works hard, too: The palmitoyl tripeptide complex is a firming powerhouse, while algae polysaccharides reduce the look of dark circles.

• Key ingredients: Glycerin, algae extract, algae polysaccharides
  

Customer review: “First of all, I love the packaging, and it’s mostly recyclable. This is amazing eye cream year-round. I don’t get milia from it; it doesn’t irritate my sensitive, acne-prone skin. Yay!" —TaylorJ38

Pros

• Great for fine lines
• Soothing formula

Cons

• Best for overnight use

Similar to an overnight mask, this is the kind of eye cream you'll notice if you skip the step in the morning. Peptides and bakuchiol help plump up fine lines and wrinkles, while the addition of calming chamomile keeps skin soothed and moisturized.

• Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, chamomile, green algae
  

Customer review: “This is truly the best eye cream out there. I was having some serious undereye dryness/puffiness, and this is the only product that has rectified it within a matter of days. This is my new go-to and I recommend it to everyone I know!" —mlk114

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Pros

• Great for brightening
• Hydrating
• Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Cons

• Subtle pink tone may be off-putting for some

The peachy hue in this eye cream cancels out purple and dark circles within seconds—so much so that you might even be able to forgo concealer. The cream itself is also infused with Snap 8 peptide to firm skin, brightening niacinamide, and the retinol alternative reneseed.

• Key ingredients: Niacinamide, reneseed
  

Customer review: "I tried so many eye creams, but this one is top-tier! After applying it, my skin feels so good, and I can already see a difference in my dark circles. And the best thing is that it can be used as a primer before concealer!" —laurykritel

Pros

• Earth-friendly
• Great for fine lines

Cons

• Over $100

OneSkin's signature OS-01 peptide has impressive clinical studies behind it. These studies showed that it increased a key collagen production biomarker and decreased a key collagen degradation biomarker. In other words, it helps the skin behave younger. It's also housed in a reusable bottle, and you can order a subscription so you never run out.

• Key ingredients: Moringa oleifera seed extract, fucus vesiculosus algae extract, vegan collagen
  

Customer review: “So far, so good; I've been using the eye serum ever since it came out. My skin looks good, and I use eye serum all over my face as it has the highest concentration of their OS-O1 peptide. It is part of my morning regimen as soon as I get out of the shower.” —Brian P.

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Pros

• Great for treating dark circles
• Lightweight
• Helps de-puff under-eyes

Cons

• Best for mature skin

This nourishing eye cream won't feel heavy on your skin, and contains a trifecta of peptides, caffeine, and cranberry fruit extract to firm, brighten, and reduce dark circles.

• Key ingredients: Argireline, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine, cranberry fruit extract

Customer review: "I use eye cream for preventative purposes, as well as reduce natural puffiness under the eyes. Since using this cream, I definitely see a brightening around my eye area and a decrease in puffiness. I have sensitive skin, and haven't noticed irritation on my face." —Kudos

Credit: Amazon

Pros

• Includes a cryo applicator
• Helps strengthen the skin barrier
• Great for dark circles

Cons

• Over $100

A little goes a long way when it comes to this hardworking eye cream from the experts at Timeline. You can use the staple around the full eye orbital area to minimize fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness at the same time.

• Key ingredients: Mitopure, peptides, watercress, sodium hyaluronate

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Pros

• Under $25
• Great for beginners
• Hydrating

Cons

• Formula may not be ideal for those looking for a traditional cream

This eye gel from Cocokind has a weightless, serum-like feel and is ultra-hydrating thanks to the addition of squalane and glycerin. The light pink color isn't just fun—it also helps reflect light for a brighter overall appearance.

• Key ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, glycerin
  

Customer review: “New fave! It definitely adds a little illumination/glow to the undereyes, which I love! Blends well with the other products I use with it and my makeup!” —Sarah W.

FAQs

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What Are the Benefits of Peptide Eye Creams?

Peptides are an excellent anti-aging ingredient that is well-tolerated by all skin types. “Peptides can stimulate collagen and elastin production and improve the structural properties of the skin,” explains Evans. In other words, expect formulas with peptides to help with things like crow's feet around the eyes, as well as generally firm the skin.

Who Should Use Peptide Eye Creams?

According to experts, the best peptide eye creams are a great choice for just about anyone looking to firm and smooth their under-eyes. “All skin types can benefit from a peptide eye cream as they can be less irritating than retinols,” adds Evans.

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Meet the Experts

• Dr. Tracy Evans, M.D., MPH, is a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco and Corte Madera, California.

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