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8 holy-grail eye serums for next-level luminosity

Eyes that mesmerise

By Tiarne Blackwell

Content Producer / July 31 2023

When it comes to achieving optimal outcomes from your topicals, one mustn't throw shade at creams, but instead direct their attention towards a game-changing alternative: serums. These potent elixirs, coveted by beauty enthusiasts and skin care aficionados alike, hold the key to unlocking a world of transformative possibilities for the delicate eye area.

So what's the difference between an eye cream and an eye serum, you ask? Well, the allure of serums lies in their focus on active ingredients, rather than purely moisturising properties. They should still be hydrating, of course, but not nearly as rich as an eye cream.

In other words, sometimes the delicate skin surrounding our eyes needs some dynamic active ingredients. After all, with countless movements throughout the day, coupled with its extreme fragility (aka being thinner and possessing fewer oil glands than the rest of our body) it's no wonder our eyes usually show the first signs of ageing.

Here are our top picks for next-level eye serums...

Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye Stick

If you're gonna commit to one eye serum in your entire life, let it be something that makeup artists use to achieve smoother and brighter eye contours. This award-winning express serum immediately cools and soothes the eye area, instantly depuffing eye bags and brightening dark circles thanks to hero ingredient, niacinamide.

Was $38, now $34 at French Beauty Co.

Tribe Skincare Hydrating Eye Serum

This best-seller is designed with a roller system that disperses a really small amount of product evenly across the area to allow maximum absorption and reduce puffiness. The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate, so this is an ideal way to calm and hydrate the skin while plumping fine lines and encouraging lymph drainage.

$48 at Tribe Skincare

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% EGCG Treatment

Contrary to what we've been told, you don't need to fork out a truck load of cash to make a difference to your eye area. This budget-friendly (but exceptionally effective) buy uses caffeine to depuff, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to minimise the look of dark circles.

$14 at Myer

Samson & Charlie Ageless Anti-aging Ceramide + B3 Eye Serum

Infused with niacinamide, blueberry and licorice, this humectant-rich eye serum is powered by four forms of hyaluronic acid to inject a major dose of hydration where it's needed most. Your under-eyes will be left plumper and brighter, fine lines will fade and puffiness will become ancient history.

$54.95 at Samson & Charlie

Lancôme Absolue Eye Serum

Lancôme Absolue Eye Serum boasts an indulgent formula enriched with exceptional ingredients. Day after day, signs of fatigue, puffiness and wrinkles around the eyes become even more diminished. The eye contour looks rested and revitalised for a brighter, more youthfully expressive look.

$256 at The Iconic

Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum

This lightweight vitamin-C packed serum is formulated to slow that pesky ageing process right down. You'll see brighter eyes thanks to the vitamin C content, as well as firmed skin, with less lines and seriously hydrated, smooth skin. What's not to love is the only thing we're left wondering.

Was $119, now $105.90 at Adore Beauty

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum

If you're looking for something that's sure to deliver on its promises, Murad's always a safe bet. This restorative retinol serum for under-eyes and lids dramatically improves the look of lines, wrinkles and firmness in no time at all.

$140 at Sephora

SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel

Products containing vitamin C, ferulic acid and other antioxidants are darn good at addressing various eye-area concerns. And luckily, SkinCeuticals' AOX+ Eye Gel has this in spades. This breakthrough serum-in-a-gel contains a synergistic antioxidant combination to help protect the delicate eye area from oxidative stress, while targeted actives revive under-eye skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness.

$150 at Adore Beauty

Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Eye TR Serum

Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Eye TR Serum is an advanced vitamin A night serum that uses a specialised time-release delivery system to care for the delicate eye area, firming and rejuvenating skin while you sleep. Just as the time-release system suggestions, you can expect the formula to penetrate into deeper layers of your skin, ensuring maximum results without overwhelming or irritating it.

$49 at Oz Hair & Beauty

Now that we've covered eye serums, why not explore what peptide serums have to offer?

Main image credit: @kdeenihan

Tiarne Blackwell

Tiarne is BEAUTYcrew's Content Producer. Between crafting narratives about all things beauty, you might catch her indulging in an endless stream of TikTok videos and obsessing over her dog. Her words have also appeared across other mastheads such as Better Homes & Gardens, New Idea, Now To Love, Bounty Parents and more.