Best Brightening Eye Creams of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2025

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Brightening eye creams are a popular skincare item that many people use to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. These creams are specially formulated with ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine, and niacinamide to help brighten and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. Some brightening eye creams also contain light-reflecting particles to instantly brighten the eye area. These creams are easy to apply and can be used as part of a daily skincare routine. With regular use, users may notice a more radiant and refreshed appearance around their eyes.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

VELAMO ADVANCED Retinol Eye Stick Cover #TOP 1
VELAMO ADVANCED Retinol Eye Stick
ftb score rating icon 9.9
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream Cover #TOP 2
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.8
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream Cover #TOP 3
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Brightening Eye Creams

VELAMO ADVANCED Retinol Eye Stick

VA-ES-22SEP
Pink-Silver
1 Count (Pack of 1)
VELAMO ADVANCED Retinol Eye Stick Cover
Retinol Eye Stick, Retinol Eye Cream, Retinol Cream, Retinol Face Cream, Under Eye Cream Anti Aging, Eye Cream, Brightening Eye Balm Reduces Fine Lines and Dark Circles, Visible Results in 3-4 Weeks

VELAMO ADVANCED Retinol Eye Stick is a complete multi-treatment balm for younger-looking, brighter, and well-rested eyes. It is a power-packed and do-it-all balm that visibly boosts bounce and moisture levels, and is safe for sensitive skin. Clinically proven to reduce fine lines and dark circles, it hydrates, firms, and brightens. It locks in moisture, improves firmness and tone, and softens wrinkles and crow's feet. Customers have experienced visible results after 3-4 weeks of use.

What We Like
Encapsulated retinol, power peptide complex, vegan squalane, and astaxanthin target signs of aging for a more youthful appearance.
Easy to use and apply.
Reduces puffiness, dark circles & wrinkles.

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

3.01872E+11
White
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream Cover
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream | Under Eye Cream For Puffiness And Bags Under Eyes | Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide + Marine Botanical Complex | Hydrating Eye Cream | Oil Free & Opthalmologist Tested

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is a brightening cream with a non-greasy finish that helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in the under eye area. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to help retain skin's moisture and Niacinamide to soothe skin, it is fast-absorbing and can be worn alone or under makeup. Developed with dermatologists and ophthalmologists, it is tested for use around the eye area and accepted by the National Eczema Association.

What We Like
Effective moisturization
Reduces dark circles and puffiness
Suitable for delicate skin
Can be used before makeup application
No oily or sticky residue

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream

2339463
green
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream Cover
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream, Illuminating Eye Cream for Dark Circles and Puffiness, 0.5 oz.

Get brighter, hydrated, and smoother under-eyes while reducing the appearance of dark circles with this illuminating eye cream. It contains Niacinamide to help fade brown undereye circles by reducing melanin production. The cream is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, nano-free, artificial fragrance-free, and paraben-free. In a consumer study, 98% of participants saw brighter undereye areas after four weeks of use.

What We Like
Helps fade the appearance of brown undereye circles by reducing melanin production
Instantly brightens, hydrates and smoothes the eye area
98% of participants saw brighter undereye areas after four weeks of use in a consumer study
Free from harsh chemicals and safe for sensitive skin
Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, nano-free, and paraben-free
#TOP 4

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème

1 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème Cover
Ole Henriksen Olehenriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème 0.5 oz, 0.50 Ounce (Pack of 1)

The Ole Henriksen Eye Crème is designed to brighten, smooth, and hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes. With its special blend of antioxidants, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while protecting your skin from environmental damage. The addition of light-reflecting mineral pigments instantly corrects and revives tired-looking eyes, making you appear more awake. Plus, the triple vitamin C complex enhances brightness and elasticity, ensuring your skin looks fresh and youthful. This crease-resistant formula works well with concealers, providing a flawless finish.

What We Like
Brightens and hydrates
Reduces fine lines
Vegan and cruelty-free
Crease-resistant formula
#TOP 5

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream

Sunday Riley
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream Cover
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream

The Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream instantly lifts and depuffs the eye area, while also reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. Caffeine and Brazilian ginseng root extract energize tired-looking eyes, while horse chestnut and acmella oleracea extracts smooth the appearance of crow's feet and fine lines to give an instantly lifted look. This eye cream is also cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, phthalate-free, and fragrance-free.

What We Like
Instantly lifts and depuffs the eye area
Reduces the appearance of dark circles and fine lines
Energizes tired-looking eyes
Smooths the appearance of crow's feet and fine lines
Free of harmful ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates

Bubble Morning Rays Eye Cream

Bubble
108005
Bubble Morning Rays Eye Cream Cover
Bubble Skincare Morning Rays Brightening Eye Cream - Vitamin C Under Eye Cream for Dark Circles & Puffiness - Enriched with Green Tea Extract to Calm, Protect & Soothe Skin (15ml)

The Bubble Eye Cream is designed to brighten and rejuvenate your under-eye area. If you're dealing with dark circles, this cream features turmeric extract, which can help diminish their appearance. The addition of green tea extract soothes and protects your skin from environmental stress, making it a great choice for daily use. Packed with Vitamin C, this eye cream revitalizes tired eyes, giving them a fresh, bright look. For best results, apply it to clean skin in the morning and evening, ensuring you feel confident throughout the day.

What We Like
Brightens dark circles
Soothes with green tea
Contains Vitamin C
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 7

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum

2668630
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum Cover
Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream with Niacinamide - Visibly Brightens, Evens Under-Eye Texture and Hydrates the Eye Contour

Caudalie Dark Spot Serum is a lightweight serum suitable for normal and combination skin types. Its patented Vine Sap Viniferine is shown to be 62 times more effective than vitamin C at brightening, visibly diminishing and preventing dark spots and evening the look of skin tone. Olive Squalane is a non-greasy, hydrating ingredient that delivers moisture, while the Biomimetic Emulsifier enhances Viniferine's brightening efficacy. This serum is perfect for those with skincare concerns such as dark spots, dullness, and loss of firmness and elasticity.

What We Like
62x more effective than Vitamin C
Brightens and evens skin tone
Non-greasy and hydrating
#TOP 8

Naturium Vitamin Bright Eye Cream

Naturium
Light
Naturium Vitamin Bright Eye Cream Cover
Naturium Vitamin Bright Illuminating Eye Cream, Under Eye Repair Cream for Dark Circles, with Vitamin K, Phyto-Complex, & Mineral Pigments, Light/Medium, 0.5 oz

The Naturium Eye Cream is designed to nourish and hydrate the delicate under-eye area, helping to instantly reduce the appearance of dark circles. With a light/medium formula featuring a 2% vitamin K complex and mineral pigments, it not only moisturizes but also minimizes the look of fine lines while providing a luminous finish. Suitable for all skin types, this eye cream is easy to use—just tap it around your eyes morning and night. Plus, it's formulated to be skin-friendly and free of harsh chemicals, making it a great addition to your skincare routine.

What We Like
Reduces dark circles
Hydrates under-eye area
Brightening primer for concealer
Suitable for all skin types

LUMIFY Eye Illuminations Hydra-Gel Brightening Eye Cream

Multi
LUMIFY Eye Illuminations Hydra-Gel Brightening Eye Cream Cover
LUMIFY Eye Illuminations Hydra-Gel Brightening Eye Cream, Smoother Looking Skin with Subtle Glow, Contains Vitamin C, Caffeine, Niacinamide & Hyaluronic Acid, Clinically Proven & Hypoallergenic, 15 g

LUMIFY Eye Cream is a brightening and hydrating eye cream specially formulated for the sensitive area around the eye. This unique eye cream contains a blend of optic brighteners and firming ingredients that work together to give your skin a brighter and smoother appearance with a subtle glow. With daily use, the powerful combination of Niacinamide, Vitamins C, Caffeine, and Hyaluronic Acid helps improve the appearance of skin tone, texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. Developed with Ophthalmologists and Dermatologists, this hypoallergenic formula is free of fragrance, alcohol, sulfates, mineral oil, PEG, parabens, or phthalates. Simply apply a small amount of LUMIFY Eye Cream twice daily on cleansed skin and gently pat it around the eye area until absorbed. Experience the science of eye beauty with LUMIFY Eye Cream, brought to you by the eye care experts at Bausch + Lomb.

What We Like
Brightens and smooths skin
Improves skin tone and texture
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
#TOP 10

Harry's Brightening Eye Cream 2 Pack

White
Harry's Brightening Eye Cream 2 Pack Cover
Harry's Brightening Eye Cream | Reduce Appearance of Dark Circles | 0.5 Fl Oz, 2 Pack

Harry's Brightening Eye Cream is designed to refresh tired undereyes right from the first application. Its cooling formula helps diminish the look of dark circles, making you appear more awake and vibrant. With ingredients like seaweed and algae extracts, continued use can lead to even more noticeable improvements in the appearance of dark circles. Plus, this eye cream is fragrance-free and has been tested by ophthalmologists, ensuring it suits a variety of skin tones and is gentle on the skin. For best results, gently apply it with your ring finger both morning and night.

What We Like
Instant brightening effect
Reduces dark circles
Fragrance-free formula
Ophthalmologist-tested
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our brightening eye cream research, we found 48 brightening eye cream products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 314,181 customer reviews through our big data system to write the brightening eye creams list. We found that most customers choose brightening eye creams with an average price of $24.34.

The brightening eye creams are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of brightening eye creams, including VELAMO ADVANCED, CeraVe, First Aid Beauty, Ole Henriksen, Sunday Riley. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 244 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.