The 10 Best Eye Creams for Under-Eye Bags: A Dermatologist's Advice

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updated Mar 22, 2020

A closeup of an eye looking toward the left with 3 dots of white cream under the eye. — deniskomarov / Getty Images

If you've never paid much attention to eye creams in the past, just skimming a few labels but never letting a single one make it into your medicine cabinet (let alone your skincare routine), you may want to reconsider their benefits—especially if you've already turned the big 3-0. According to dermatologist Ronald Moy, MD, it's the age when one's skin begins to downshift.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Ronald Moy is a cosmetic surgeon, lecturer, and author. Dr. Moy is also a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, and has published more than 200 scholarly articles on cosmetic and dermatologic surgery.

"We're all born with an optimal amount of DNA repair enzymes that restore skin," says Moy. "After the age of 30, the amount of these enzymes naturally decreases, requiring supplementation with topical DNA repair enzymes to prevent skin's aging." And as our skin thins and loosens over time, unsightly, and highly annoying, bags can begin to form under our eyes.

DNA Eye Balms

To help fight this process, Moy recommends using eye balms containing such DNA enzymes (they'll help rebuild and hydrate damaged skin) as well as those with epidermal growth factors, which are dynamic (albeit mystifying) molecular proteins that stimulate skin cells to repair themselves by increasing blood flow and even boosting the production of collagen and elastin. Add a product with this potent combo to your morning and evening skincare routines (after cleansing), and in roughly nine weeks, "you should see a noticeable improvement in the tightening of the under-eye area," says Moy, "which is most commonly recognized as looking less tired."

The following 10 dermatologist-recommended eye creams and serums will further help you treat the appearance of under-eye bags—and come with Moy's stringent seal of approval (heck, he even invented two of these). If you're anything like us, it's welcome advice, especially for those navigating the trickier parts of growing older with grace.

Lightweight & Quick-Absorbing

A white pump bottle of DNA Eye Renewal eye cream for under-eye bags.

DNARenewal DNA Eye Renewal $70

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"This one's great if you're looking for a thinner eye cream," says Moy. "It's made with DNA repair enzymes that help plump and hydrate the skin."

Combats UV Damage

DNARenewal DNA Eye Balm Best eye creams for bags

DNARenewal DNA Eye Balm $80

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"Its serum-meets-lotion texture works great as a makeup primer, and also targets cell renewal and boosts hydration," he says.

Fast-Acting

A box of Plexaderm Rapid Reduction serum for under-eye bags and wrinkles next to a pump cream.

Plexaderm Rapid Reduction Serum $60

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"This is good for tightening under-eye bags," Moy continues.

Naturally Derived

A green glass pump bottle of under-eye cream with a gold top.

Tata Harper Restorative Anti-Aging Eye Creme $105

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"If you're looking for a natural-ingredient approach, this is a great option," says Moy. "It reduces fine lines and wrinkles and brightens dark circles, too."

Silky & Hydrating

A small pot of Susanne Kaufmann Eye Cream Line A eye cream for under-eye bags.

Susanne Kaufmann Eye Cream Line A $251

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"This eye cream has a luxurious texture and feels good on," he explains. "It helps smooth eye bags with its plant-based ingredients."

Peptide-Powered

A silver pot of Revive Intensite Creme Lustre Night eye cream for under-eye bags.

RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre Night $275

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"This one has powerful peptides that help reduce the appearance of bags instantly," adds Moy.

Rich & Emollient

A black pot of La Mer's The Eye Concentrate eye cream for under-eye bags.

La Mer The Eye Concentrate $225

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"The hematite mineral in this product helps de-puff bags and reduce dark circles," Moy explains. "It also offers instant hydration with a powerful seaweed blend."

Puff-Reducing

A pump bottle full of SkinMedica's TNS Illuminating Eye Cream for under-eye bags.

SkinMedica TNS Illuminating Eye Cream $92

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"This cream has a unique combination of N-hydroxysuccinimide [an organic compound that helps the skin correct dark circles] and chrysin [a skin-conditioning and anti-inflammatory flavonoid] to help improve eye bags," he notes.