Anyone who’s ever forgotten to drink their eight glasses of water and woke up with dark, puffy eyes knows the value of a good eye cream. And while we don’t recommend you binge on salty foods and forego hydration in favor of slathering on some moisturizer, we will say this: Signs of aging often happen first around the eyes, and over time, it adds up.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with aging, but there’s also no shame in not wanting to look a decade older than you are. Still, if you’ve browsed a department store beauty counter — or fallen victim to the dreaded high school friend peddling a $100-plus miracle cream on Facebook — you know skin care can get pricey.
With that in mind, we found the best, most effective eye creams under $25 — and they’re packed with skin-saving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and even retinol, which just about every dermatologist recommends if you want to stave off fine lines and wrinkles.
Ahead, find nine of our favorites — and rejoice that they won’t cost you more than your water bill.
Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration eye cream
This 99 percent natural eye cream plumps up crepey, tired skin.
Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration eye cream (Target, $9.39)
L’Oréal Advanced Revitalift Eye Cream
This non-greasy night cream calls on retinol, the gold standard for antiaging, to tighten the eye area.
L’Oréal Advanced Revitalift Eye Cream (Ulta, $17.99)
Garnier Skinactive Clearly Brighter anti-puff eye roller
Vitamin C and caffeine combine to brighten and cool the eye area, reducing puffiness over time.
Garnier Skinactive Clearly Brighter anti-puff eye roller (Target, $9.89)
Milk Makeup cooling water
This cooling gel stick reduces puffiness and feels like heaven on your skin — especially if you stick it in the fridge before use.
Milk Makeup cooling water (Sephora, $24)
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Instantly hydrate the eye area with this hyaluronic acid–packed formula from Mario Badescu, which feels light as a feather on the skin.
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream (Ulta, $18)
The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream
This vitamin E-, algae- and shea butter–packed cream is ideal for sensitive skin.
The Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream (Ulta, $19.50)
Neutrogena HydroBoost eye gel-cream
This gel-cream hybrid is free of fragrance, oils and artificial dyes — and the hyaluronic acid and olive extract it does have will help your skin retain moisture.
Neutrogena HydroBoost eye gel-cream (Ulta, $19.99)
No. 7 Protect & Perfect intense eye cream
Packed with moisturizing glycerin and shea butter, this lightweight eye cream helps reduce dark circles over time.
No. 7 Protect & Perfect intense eye cream (SkinStore, $21.99)
Olay Total Effects Anti-aging eye cream treatment
While we can’t vouch for its “seven-in-one” claim, this oil-free cream absorbs quickly, blurs fine lines and instantly plumps the delicate eye area — and that’s good enough for us.
Olay Total Effects Anti-aging eye cream treatment (Ulta, $24.99)
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