Staff tested: The best eye creams (with a twist)

Forget your basic eye cream. Now in focus are innovative dispensers and formulas’at a variety of price points

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Isomers One 3000 for Eyes

Isomers One 3000 for Eyes

A cocktail of anti-aging ingredients targets the entire eye contour while cosmetic ‘lipolight’ aims to instantly improve the under-eye area. $60, 30 mL.

“With its eyedropper-type applicator, this seems like serious stuff. You apply the drops directly to the skin around the eye. I used it sparingly as the coverage is good. It’s milky in appearance, silky in texture.”
Bonnie Munday, editor

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Clinique Moisture Surge Refreshing Eye Mask

Clinique Moisture Surge Refreshing Eye Mask

Pre-moistened sheets contain an oil-free lotion with aloe leaf water and antioxidants such as caffeine and green tea. $32, 10-packet carton.

“I found these masks, which you place on the under-eye area, a novel way to hydrate and a good excuse to lie on the couch with your eyes closed. My usually parched winter skin was soft and moisturized.”
Kat Tancock, web editor

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Olay Professional ProX Eye Restoration Complex

Olay Professional ProX Eye Restoration Complex

Part of a new skincare line developed by a team of dermatologists and beauty scientists, it hydrates with caffeine, niacinamide and palmitoyl-peptides. $55, 15 mL.

“Using this light cream morning and night made the skin around my eyes feel smoother and hydrated. Massaging it in until absorbed-as suggested-also helped reduce puffiness.”
Margaret Nearing, senior editor

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RoC CompleteLift Pen for Eyelids and Bags

RoC CompleteLift Pen for Eyelids and Bags

Uniquely, this firm-lift treatment is for the lid as well as under the eye. It features a bevelled silicone tip for precise application. RoC says it takes several weeks to see an improvement. $34, 1.8 mL.

“I found the matte gel a good base for eyeshadow. A tingling sensation indicates that it’s working. Turning the base of the ‘pen’ releases just the right amount for one eye.”
Catherine Korman, researcher

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Bioré Renew Cooling Eye Gel

Bioré Renew Cooling Eye Gel

An oil-free gel for dark circles and puffiness, this contains natural ingredients, including cooling cucumber extract, and the mineral mica. $14, 15 mL.

“When I looked closely, I could see this gel actually has tiny shimmery particles in it that work to deflect light to help reduce the look of dark circles. It’s a bit sticky at first, but it absorbs quickly and leaves no residue.”
Lisa Hannam, associate editor

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Dermaglow Radiance Rx Under-Eye Brightener

Dermaglow Radiance Rx Under-Eye Brightener

This one combines vitamin C and peptides as well as light-diffusing spheres. $60, 15 mL.

“My skin verges on translucent in the thin-skinned under-eye area, so dark circles show. The sponge wand applicator made it easy to apply this cream right where I need it-it holds true to its promise of ‘instantly diminishing the look of dark circles.'”
Jennifer Masseau, assistant editor

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Nuyu Eye Cream

Nuyu Eye Cream

This treatment for wrinkles and dark circules lists a patented anti-aging ingredient (Linefactor), and vitamins E and B3. $13, 15 mL.

“Confession: I have sensitive skin, and because eye creams typically contain no perfume (as this one doesn’t), I sometimes dab them on the rest of my face. As for a ‘Nu Me,’ the verdict is still out, but my under-eye felt smoother and more hydrated-and you can’t beat the price.”
Rhonda Rovan, beauty editor

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Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

Formulated with caffeine and pro-vitamin B5, this is designed to massage the under-eye area. $19, 15 mL.

“The stainless-steel roller ball is cool to the touch-especially welcome for those early mornings when my eyes aren’t quite open. The gel creates a firming feeling, and my under-eye makeup went on really smoothly over it.”
Jennifer Walker, senior content editor

What eye creams or treatments do you swear by? Share them in the comments.

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