13 Best Cruelty-Free Eye Creams (2024), As Per An Esthetician
Gentle formulas to help keep redness and irritation at bay to get the skin of your dreams.
Becky Sturm is a multi hyphenate beauty maven who has been in the salon and spa industry for 30+ years as a hairdresser, esthetician, as well as product development and product expert. After graduating in the HORST/Aveda Institute Advanced Training program in 1985, she went on to do an apprenticeship at The Red Carpet Salons for three years in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and then 1 year at Regis Corporation.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 3 yearsEshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
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The best cruelty-free and scientifically formulated eye creams that are supported by clinical data are a great fit for your eye care routine, especially for treating issues related to dark circles. Work stress and sleepless nights can affect the sensitive skin under your eyes. These clinically-tested eye creams can repair the damage without any potential negative effects.The darkness under your eyes can be because of dehydration of the eyes, stress, or the formation of excess melatonin. This may also cause puffiness, crow’s feet, and fine lines (1).
In this article, scroll down for the 13 best cruelty-free, animal-friendly eye creams that effectively manage signs of premature aging and puffiness under the eyes. Test them yourself before including them in your beauty routine!
In This Article
13 Best Cruelty-Free Eye Creams For Dark Circles And Crow’s Feet – 2024
Best Overall:Burt’s Bees Eye Cream
The Burt’s Bees Eye Cream is an ethical beauty product that helps soothe the sensitive skin around the eyes. It relaxes the entire eye region and creates a luminous and hydrated look. It is lightweight and hypoallergenic and is infused with softening cotton extract and hydrating aloe extract that calm the sensitive regions and delicate skin around your eyes. The cream has clinically-proven ingredients, which helps heal the outer layer of your eyes and minimizes any irritation caused by using harsh soaps or cleansers. This 98.9% natural, cruelty-free formula keeps redness and irritation at bay. Click on the review to learn the benefits of Burt’s Bees Eye Cream.
Key Ingredients: Cottonseed extract
Pros
- Reduces puffiness
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Effective for daily use
Cons
- May leave skin feeling rough
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 2,168 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Best For Reducing Puffiness:KissRedE Kissable Anti Aging Eye Cream
The KissRedE Kissable Anti Aging Eye Cream is made of natural, vegan, plant-based ingredients that hydrate and rejuvenate the sensitive skin around your eyes. The cream is infused with natural organic and clinically-verified ingredients like aloe leaf extract, almond oil, jojoba oil, organic green tea leaf extract, and nicotinamide that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and minimize eye puffiness. Almond oil contains retinol, vitamin E, and vitamin K that help soothe and smoothen the skin around the eyes without causing any irritation. The cream also helps lighten the dark circles under the eyes and reduces under-eye puffiness. It is lightweight and is formulated for normal and combination skin.
Key Ingredients: Almond oil, jojoba oil
Pros
- Minimizes puffiness
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Enhances skin radiance
Cons
- Does not absorb well
- Greasy texture
Best For Sensitive Eyes:Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula
The Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula rejuvenates and adds a spark to your tired eyes. The fast-absorbing eye cream is formulated with expert-recommended ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and fruit acids that hydrate and nourish the area under the eyes. Peptides help hold collagen strands in place, aiding wrinkle reduction, skin repair, and rejuvenation. Peptides help hold collagen strands in place, aiding skin repair and rejuvenation. Peptides also have shown to minimize dark spots and improve the appearance of under-eye puffiness. Hyaluronic acid is claimed to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water to moisturize sunken and dehydrated eyes. Vitamin C and fruit acids brighten the skin around the eyes. Caffeine helps tighten loose skin that results from aging or tired eyes.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, caffeine
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- No harmful chemicals
- Absorbs quickly
- Suitable for all ages
- Silky and lightweight
- Can be used by both men and women
- Safe and gentle for daily use
- Seals moisture
- Professional-grade formula
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
Cons
- May cause a burning sensation
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 8,970 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
| Burt’s Bees Eye Cream Best Overall | KissRedE Kissable Anti Aging Eye Cream Best For Reducing Puffiness | Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula Best For Sensitive Eyes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.54 x 1.54 x 3.23 inches | 2 x 4 x 2 inches | - |
| Weight | 1.7 Ounces. | 1 Ounces | - |
| Number of Items | - | - | 1 |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 2,168 | 7,043 | 8,970 |
| Price | $12.68 | $9.99 | $16.97 |
Best Non-Comedogenic Formula:NEOCUTIS Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
The NEOCUTIS Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream is a restorative, line-smoothing formula with growth factors that target the delicate eye areas and reduce under-eye puffiness and dark spots. It is formulated with 30% growth factors that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the fragile eye area, imparting an illuminating effect. It is also infused with clinically backed skincare ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, and soothing chamomile extract. All these active ingredients moisturize skin, lighten the under-eye dark spots, and alleviate the signs of eye fatigue. Click on the video to find out all about the NEOCUTIS Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream along with the reviewer’s experience.
Key Ingredients: Growth factor, hyaluronic acid, and glycyrrhetinic acid
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- No artificial colors
- Fragrance-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Hydrating and moisturizing
- Can be effectively used both day and night
- Suitable for dry, normal, and combination skin
Cons
- Contains parabens
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 627 great reviews on Amazon.
Best Chemical-Free Option:e.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream
The e.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream is infused with clinically-tested ingredients like jojoba, vitamin E, and cucumber extract that help minimize dark circles. This deep hydration eye cream is made with 100% natural, cruelty-free ingredients that soothe eyelids and the under-eye area. The cream can be used safely in the morning and night, along with other moisturizers. Click on the review to know all about the E.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream along with the reviewer’s experience.
Key Ingredients: jojoba oil, vitamin E
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Free from harmful chemicals
- Hydrate and nourish skin
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 3,138 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
Best pH-Balanced Formula:Tree To Tub Ginseng Green Tea Retinol Eye Cream
The Tree To Tub Retinol Eye Cream is infused with clinically-verified ingredients like ginseng root extract that boosts blood circulation around the eyes for a brighter appearance. The active ingredients in this product, like retinol-balancing and healing vitamins viz. vitamin B5, C, E, and K with the organic soothing botanical extracts balance the skin pH. The green tea extract is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce irritation and protect the eye skin from environmental aggressors. The cream is gentle to the eyes, and its essential oils leave a refreshed, rejuvenating feeling.
Key Ingredients: Vitamins, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Gluten-free
- Free from harmful toxins
- Dermatologist recommended
- Safe and gentle for daily use
- pH-balancing formula
Cons
- Consistency could be too thin
- Expensive
Best For Daily Use:The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream
The Body Shop Eye Cream is formulated with vitamin E, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. It also helps protect the eyes from free radical damage. It hydrates, soothes, and protects the delicate skin around the eyes. You can give a gentle massage around and under your eyes to reduce the appearance of puffiness.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E
Pros
- Gentle and safe for daily use
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- None
Best In Natural Ingredients:LilyAna Naturals Rosehip & Hibiscus Eye Cream
The LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream absorbs quickly to soothe and calm the eye region and leaves a relaxing effect. It is infused with a blend of botanical extracts and antioxidants like provitamin A, B5, vitamin C ester, vitamin E, rosehip seed oil, hibiscus flower, and rosemary leaf extract. Rosehip oil helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, Crow’s feet, and puffiness around the eyes. It also eliminates the signs of tiredness in the skin around the eyes and adds a radiant glow to it. It provides a long-lasting effect and protects the skin from the effects of aging all day and night. It is ideal for all skin types and is safe for sensitive eyes.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip seed oil, hibiscus flower extract
Pros
- Safe and gentle for sensitive skin
- Made of 94% natural ingredients
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- SLS-Free
- Free from harmful chemicals
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 10,558 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
Best Fragrance-Free Option:Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex
The Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex contains microencapsulated retinol that reduces aging signs around the eyes. The Age Reversal Firming Complex with vitamin C, peptides, and botanical extracts makes the under-eye area smooth. This eye cream prevents fine lines in the under-eye area. Niacinamide and ash tree bark extract hydrate the skin and treat dark circles.
Pros
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- No artificial fragrances and colors
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant women
Best Non-Greasy Formula:Kleem Organics Firming Eye Cream
The Kleem Organics Firming Eye Cream is among the best products that reduce the appearance of puffy eyes, eye bags, crow’s feet, and eye sagginess in just 6 weeks. The potent natural ingredients in this anti-aging eye cream include caffeine, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells, and green tea that provide permanent results for dark circles and wrinkles. Green coffee beans are rich in antioxidants, and are a potent natural moisturizer that comfort and soften the delicate skin around your eyes. This anti-aging cream promotes skin elasticity and erases signs of tiredness, bagginess, sagginess, and puffiness while fading dark circles, wrinkles, and discoloration.
Key Ingredients: Green coffee beans, caffeine, plant stem cell, amino acids
Pros
- Smoothens the skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Non-greasy
- Suitable for sensitive eye skin
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 2,394 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
Best Hydrating Eye Cream:Beauty By Earth Under Eye Cream
The Beauty By Earth Under Eye Cream is formulated with coffee seed extract that gently nourishes and tightens the delicate under-eye skin. It is an invigorating blending of aloe vera, cucumber, pineapple, sea buckthorn, and cranberry extract that deeply hydrates tired eyes all day. It is a lightweight and non-greasy formula that reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. The gentle formula made with safe botanical extracts are suitable for sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Coffee seed extract
Pros
- Reduces eye irritation and calms inflammation
- Hydrating and moisturizing
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Not effective to reduce under-eye bags
- Overwhelming floral fragrance
- May dry skin out
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 528 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
Best Dewy Effect:Boscia Cruelty-Free Indigo Eye Cream
The Boscia’s Indigo Eye Cream provides a luminous and hydrating look as it helps reduce the appearance of puffiness around the eyes. This product is not just for normal skin; it works equally well on sensitive skin. It is made of natural ingredients that reduce inflammation or redness around the eyes. Due to the product being cruelty-free and devoid of chemicals, it caters to rejuvenating the skin and reduces fine lines, rough patches, or wrinkles. If you’re someone who wishes for faster results, this cream might actually be helpful for you.
Key Ingredients: Wild indigo, hand-harvested fucus algae, and cacao root
Pros
- Reduces puffiness
- Increases luminosity of the skin
- Gives a dewy effect under the eyes
- Uses non-irritating formula
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Expensive
"This eye cream hydrates nicely and does not irritate my dark circles. It is long-lasting and remains lightweight. It softens my skin and brightens the undereye a bit."
Best For Dehydrated Eye Area: Dennis Gross Eye Cream
Dr. Dennis Gross Eye Cream is formulated with ferulic acid and retinol for smooth, younger-looking eye skin. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that stimulates collagen production and blurs fine lines and wrinkles. Ferulic acid is packed with antioxidants that improve dark under-eye areas caused by pigmentation. The potent, high-quality ingredients moisturize the delicate, dehydrated skin around your eyes and manage the appearance of Crow’s feet and dark circles.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, ferulic acid
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Restores younger appearance
Cons
- None
These are the 13 best eye creams to buy online. The following buying guide helps you make a better purchase decision. Take a look!
Picking The Best Cruelty-Free Eye Cream – A Buying Guide
- Ensure the eye cream has natural, cruelty-free ingredients that refresh the eye region. Retinol (helps in collagen production and development to improve the elasticity of mature skin), hyaluronic acid (moisturizes skin), vitamin C (an antioxidant that protects skin from environmental stressors, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles), peptides (stimulate the synthesis of elastin and collagen), nicotinamide (lightens and brightens dark spots). Pick the right one as needed with retinol or an effective retinol alternative.
- Pick a fragrance-free, toxin-free cream that won’t harm the delicate skin around your eyes.
- Make sure the eye cream is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and suitable for treating anti-aging symptoms.
Infographic: Things To Consider When Buying A Cruelty-Free Eye Cream For Dark Circles
Cruelty-free eye creams are safer as they are packed with potent ingredients that moisturize the skin around your eyes without irritating them. They also lighten the dark circles and promote skin firmness. The market is overflowing with brands selling such eye cream, so picking one is tricky. Therefore, check out the infographic below to learn what to consider when buying an eye cream and make an informed decision.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Dark circles and crow’s feet commonly occur due to stress, dehydration of the eyes, and aging. You can eliminate or minimize the appearance of dark circles or crow’s feet by using the right eye cream from a trusted brand. The Burt’s Bees Eye Cream is a great option to calm redness and soothe sensitive skin, while the NEOCUTIS Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream is a restorative formula to combat under-eye puffiness. But if you are looking for a product that helps minimize dark circles and soothes eyelids, try the e.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream. It helps to soothe the skin, lighten the dark circles, and combat fine lines and wrinkles. So it would be of great help to invest in eye creams to keep the skin around the eyes healthy. And a hypoallergenic eye cream is a boon for those with sensitive skin. However, stay away from the eye creams that dry out the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you put cruelty-free eye cream on eyelids?
Yes, use a cruelty-free eye cream on the eyelids as long as it hydrates the skin and does not irritate.
How often should I apply cruelty-free eye cream?
Use an eye cream every morning and night to prevent the appearance of fine lines and puffiness.
Is it better to use eye cream at night or morning?
Applying an eye cream in the morning, along with other makeup products, does not give it enough time to get absorbed. So, it is better to apply it at night for the best results.
Is Vaseline a good eye cream?
No, Vaseline is not a good eye cream as it acts as a moisture barrier, preventing other products from getting absorbed into the skin.
At what age should you start using an eye cream?
Your mid-20s is a good time to start using an eye cream.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach. She carefully goes through the ingredients listed on the products before reviewing any product. After extensive research and sifting through multiple user reviews, she has prepared this list of the best cruelty-free eye creams. These top-rated products are known to repair the damage without any potential negative effects.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Matsui, Mary S et al. “Physiological and lifestyle factors contributing to risk and severity of peri-orbital dark circles in the Brazilian population.” Anais brasileiros de dermatologia vol. 90,4 (2015): 494-503.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4560538/
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