7 Best Eye Creams for Men [2023]
Written by Emily Crane |
Last updated February 22, 2023
Medically reviewed by Enrizza Factor, M.D.
Eye cream has become an essential part of every man's skin care routine, as more of us realize the eyes are often one of the first areas to show signs of aging -- crow's feet, puffiness and just looking plain old tired. Eye creams absolutely can help by keeping the area moisturized, reducing puffiness and dark circles, and can even help protect against environmental damage. With eye creams designed specifically for men now widely available, there is no reason not to take advantage of their benefits. To help you find the eye cream that best meets your unique needs, Derm for Dudes has picked a few of our favorite eye creams for men on the market today.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Geologie Dark + Puffy Under Eye Cream
Best Before Bed: hims Goodnight Wrinkle Night Cream
Best For Anti-Aging: Lumin’s Dark Circle Defense Balm
Best For Oily Skin: CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
Best For Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Cream
Best for Dark Circles: Brickell Men's Restoring Eye Cream for Men
Best Overall: Geologie Dark + Puffy Under Eye Cream
Looking for a way to fight those pesky dark circles and puffy eyes? Say goodbye to tired-looking eyes with Geologie's Dark + Puffy Under Eye Cream. Formulated with potent ingredients like caffeine and vitamin B3, this eye cream helps reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and bags. Plus, it's cooling formula feels refreshing and awakening - perfect for mornings when you need an extra boost.
The "Good"
- Specifically formulated for men
- Good for tired eyes
The "Could Be Better"
- Mixed overall results
- Price point
Active Ingredients
Runner-Up: Every Man Jack's Triple Action Anti Aging Eye Cream for Men
Every Man Jack's Triple Action Anti Aging Eye Cream for Men is a powerful eye cream that reduces dark circles, puffiness, and fine wrinkles around the eyes. Formulated with cocoa butter, aloe, and myrtus leaf extract, this cream provides long-lasting hydration and nourishment to tired eyes. It's also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and colorants.
The "Good"
- Fragrance Free
- Cruelty Free
- Great price point
The "Could Be Better"
- Eye bags impact limited
Active Ingredients
Best Before Bed: hims Goodnight Wrinkle Night Cream
For the man who wants to keep his face looking young and healthy, hims Goodnight Wrinkle Cream can certainly help. This cream is designed to reduce wrinkles and fine lines while you sleep, so you can wake up looking refreshed and rejuvenated. A hydrating nightcap for any man's skin and a good fit for all skin types, whether dry, oily or combination.
The "Good"
- Good thickness
- Absorbs quickly with little to no residue
The "Could Be Better"
- Strong scent
Active Ingredients
Best For Anti-Aging: Lumin’s Dark Circle Defense Balm
Lumin Skin is a newer entrant into the skin care world with premium products designed and formulated specially for the unique biological needs of men and their daily habits.
Lumin’s Dark Circle Defense Balm is crafted in South Korea and specifically targets those pesky dark under eye circles many men contend with. It's a solid product with a mix of caffeine, ginger root, green tea extract and a number of other common ingredients to help brighten skin and deliver anti-aging benefits.
The "Good"
- Targeted at dark circles
- Specially formulated for men
The "Could Be Better"
- Can leave a sticky residue
Active Ingredients
Best For Oily Skin: CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
CeraVe Eye Cream for Wrinkles is a solid eye cream that gets the job done. The main ingredients are caffeine, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. The caffeine helps to reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles, while the peptides and hyaluronic acid help to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. The niacinamide brightens up the under-eye area, and the ceramides help to lock in moisture.
The "Good"
- Fragrance free
- Kick of caffeine helps reduce puffiness
- Good moisturizer
The "Could Be Better"
- It’s a bit thick
Active Ingredients
Best For Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Cream
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream with hyaluronic acid is a moisturizing cream specially designed to smooth skin around the delicate eye and under-eye area. It quickly replenishes moisture, leaving you feeling refreshed while looking more awake. With an increased level of hydration, you can expect cleaner healthier skin without any residue or stickiness.
The "Good"
- Great for dry skin
- Doesn’t clog pores
The "Could Be Better"
- Some instances of irritation or redness
Active Ingredients
Best for Dark Circles: Brickell Men's Restoring Eye Cream for Men
Do you have wrinkles, lines or bags under your eyes? If so, then you need to check out Brickell Restoring Eye Cream for Men. This eye cream has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of all three of those pesky problems. Plus, it's made with natural ingredients and is totally safe for use on the sensitive skin around your eyes.
The "Good"
- Quick absorption
- Kick of caffeine
The "Could Be Better"
- Inconsistent texture
- Not exactly odor free
Active Ingredients
Should Every Man Use Eye Cream?
Using an eye cream as part of your daily skincare routine can have numerous benefits for men.
Firstly, the skin around the eyes is delicate and tends to be one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Using an eye cream can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet, keeping you looking younger for longer.
Secondly, eye creams can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, making you look more awake and alert. If you're looking for an eye cream specifically to prevent or reduce dark circles, check out our Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles Men article.
Lastly, eye creams can help hydrate and nourish the delicate skin around the eyes, keeping it smooth and supple. By incorporating an eye cream into your daily skincare routine, you can enjoy these benefits and maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin around your eyes.
What To Look For By Skin Type
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, finding the right eye cream can be tricky. Look for an oil-free and non-comedogenic formula that won't clog your pores or leave you feeling greasy.
Exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid can help get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil. Benzoyl peroxide or retinol can also be helpful for reducing the appearance of blemishes.
But don't forget about hydration! Look for a lightweight moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated without making it feel oily. And since UV rays can wreak havoc on oily skin, make sure your eye cream also offers some sun protection.
Dry Skin
If you're on the hunt for an eye cream to keep your dry skin in check, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, look for an oil-free and lightweight formula that won't leave you feeling greasy. Choose eye creams that have hydrating ingredients like natural oils, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil to help lock in moisture.
For an added boost, pick up a cream that also contains antioxidants like vitamin E, green tea extract, or Coenzyme Q10. These will help protect the delicate skin around your eyes from environmental damage.
Avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances that can cause irritation or make your dryness worse, and try to find a product that's been formulated specifically for the sensitive skin around your eyes. With a little bit of research and the right product, you'll be able to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated and healthy.
Sensitive Skin
Men with sensitive skin should look for a daily eye cream that is gentle, non-irritating, and free of harsh ingredients that could cause a reaction. Avoid fragrances that may cause irritation and look for gentle ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea can be soothing to sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can also be prone to breakouts, so choose a non-comedogenic eye cream that won't clog pores.
When trying out new products, always patch test them first and introduce them slowly into your routine to make sure they don't cause any irritation. And if you're ever unsure about which products are safe for your sensitive skin, don't hesitate to consult with a dermatologist.
Acne-Prone Skin:
If you have acne-prone skin, finding the right eye cream can be a challenge. When looking for an eye cream, it's important to choose one that won't clog your pores or exacerbate your acne. Look for an eye cream that is non-comedogenic and free of heavy oils and fragrances.
Ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can be helpful in treating acne, but be careful not to overuse them as they can be drying and irritating to the delicate skin around your eyes.
Instead, opt for an eye cream with calming ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, or chamomile. These ingredients can help soothe and reduce inflammation, while also providing hydration to the delicate skin around your eyes.
Remember to always patch test new products before applying them to your face, and if you're unsure about which products are best for your skin, consult with a dermatologist. With a little bit of research and the right products, you can keep your skin looking healthy and clear.
Common Symptoms And Their Causes
Wrinkles, crow's feet, puffiness and dark under eye bags are some of the most common skin issues that men face. A daily routine including the right eye cream can be used as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen to help ensure your eyes remain healthy and youthful-looking. Eye creams contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and peptides which help to nourish and hydrate the delicate eye area for softer, smoother skin. By taking the time to find an eye cream that is specifically tailored to your skin type and concerns, you can help ensure that your eye area looks healthy and youthful for years to come.
Crow's Feet: Crow's feet are an all too common eye condition in men. Even younger men may develop wrinkles around their eyes as a result of aging and other skin conditions. While genetics can play a role, there are also lifestyle factors that can contribute to the development of crow's feet, such as spending too much time outdoors without eye protection or smoking cigarettes. The good news is that eye creams designed specifically for men can help reduce the appearance of crow's feet and promote healthy skin around the eye area. Eye cream formulations are typically lightweight yet packed with powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants to hydrate and protect from environmental stressors.
Eye Puffiness: Eye puffiness and dark, under eye bags are annoying conditions that men often deal with. While eye puffiness can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, allergies, and lack of sleep, it’s not at all difficult to take steps to reduce it. Using the right eye cream regularly can help decrease eye puffiness and improve overall skin care health. Eye creams are specially formulated with ingredients like retinol, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid which work together to firm and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. With regular use, eye cream helps reduce eye puffiness for more youthful-looking eyes.
Common Ingredients And Their Benefits
Caffeine: Caffeine has antioxidant properties which help to fight free radicals and reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles around the eye area. It also stimulates circulation, helping skin retain moisture and appear plumper. Additionally, it helps reduce inflammation and redness in the eye.
Retinoids: Retinoids are naturally occurring compounds that can help improve the appearance of skin. When used in eye creams, they can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots while helping to diminish dark circles around the eye area. Retinoids also stimulate collagen production, which helps to keep skin firm and youthful.
SPF: SPF is a common ingredient in eye creams as it offers an additional layer of protection to the eye area. SPF helps protect skin from UV radiation, which is important for eye health and reduces the risk of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Additionally, eye creams that contain SPF will help reduce puffiness and dark circles, as well as providing hydration to the eye area.
Peptides: Peptides are a key ingredient in eye cream, as they help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area. Peptides are important proteins that can increase collagen production which helps your skin stay firm and healthy. Peptides also have powerful antioxidant effects, helping protect against environmental damage while promoting cell renewal and healthy skin.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and swelling around the eyes, which can cause puffiness. It can also help brighten the skin and improve the overall appearance of the under-eye area.
To reap the benefits of vitamin C for eye puffiness, look for an eye cream that contains a high concentration of vitamin C. You can also try incorporating more vitamin C-rich foods into your diet, such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens. As always, be sure to talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you have any concerns about your skin or eye health.
In Summary
To summarize, finding the right eye cream for your needs is essential for maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin around your eyes.
When choosing an eye cream, consider your skin type, concerns, and personal preferences. Look for products that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, caffeine, vitamin C, retinol, and antioxidants, which can all help to address common concerns like dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. It's also important to choose a product that's free of harsh chemicals and fragrances, and that's been specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can find the best eye cream for you and enjoy the benefits of brighter, smoother, and more refreshed-looking eyes.