The Best Eye Creams and Treatments to Fake Looking Wide-Awake This January

Even though January is supposed to be a mental and physical reset – a new start if you will – we feel a little drained TBH. 2022 was busy AF, and as we slowly embrace 2023, we’re all just doing our best with the whole new year, new me thing.

One way to begin the transformative journey? Skincare. There’s nothing like a de-puffing eye cream or a refreshing under-eye patch to banish all signs of stress and let you live your life – looking lit-from-within.

Ahead, we’ve gathered 10 of the best eye treatments and products that brighten, plump, lift, and blur the lines, but only the unwanted ones. We’ll hang on to our laugh lines, thank you very much. Some things needn’t be completely erased after all.

1. Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream, $42

Source: Summer Fridays

Eyes looking dull post-holidays? Brighten ‘em up with a few taps of Summer Fridays’ vitamin C-peptide blend in a jar. Illuminated, dewy skin (and less noticeable hollows) are the result of daily use and we’re here for it.

2. Bloomeffects Black Tulip Eye Treatment, $80

Source: Bloomeffects

If you’re someone who believes eye treatments should always feel luxurious, you’ll be hooked on Bloomeffects’ Black Tulip Eye Treatment. Infused with orchid, Saponaria pumila (dwarf soapwort), and sea fennel stem cells, it breathes moisture back into thirsty skin while improving clarity, tightness, and elasticity.

3. Sweet Chef Turmeric + Vitamin C Booster Eye Cream, $18

Source: Sweet Chef

Turmeric teams up for greatness with vitamin C, ginger, niacinamide, and probiotics in this revitalizing gel-cream that soothes and revives the most delicate skin on your face – around the eyes.

4. WISHFUL Eye Lift & Contour 1% Bakuchiol & Peptide Serum, $45

Ever since we dropped this lightweight supercharged serum, it’s become our daily staple, and our undereyes have never been more thankful. Enriched with bakuchiol (retinol’s natural sister), as well as restorative peptides and brightening matcha, it lifts, firms, and depuffs all at once. Plus, the cooling tip helps tackle unwanted inflammation and feels oh-so-good.

5. Plantkos Phyto Vitality Eye Cream, $73

Source: planktos

Developed specifically for melanin-rich skin, this science-backed Ayurvedic multitasker brightens dark circles, lifts lines, and reduces hyperpigmentation, thanks to clinical actives, plus pink silk tree, bakuchiol, ashwagandha, and Gotu kola (Indian pennywort).

6. Mario Badescu Brightening Eye Serum, $24

Source: Mario Badescu Skincare

Suitable for all skin types, Badescu’s all-in-one serum is a godsend to minimize any signs of the night before. Centella Asiatica downplays stubborn under-eye circles while Arnica montana flower extract visibly firms and caffeine does its eye-opening thing.

7. Caudalie Premier Cru Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream, $85

Source: Caudalie

When’s the last time your eye cream was Harvard approved? File this one under: the high-tech product for tired peepers that deserve better. Caudalie founder Mathilde Thomas created this correcting cream in collaboration with the esteemed medical school, but it’s the exclusive patent (TET8) that combats eight signs of aging that’s worth the splurge.

8. Pacifica Dreamlit Glow Undereye Brightener, $16

Source: Pacifica

Vegan jojoba seed oil and light-reflecting minerals give the gift of glow – even after an all-nighter. Put your best face forward this Jan with an under-eye brightener that does it all, under $20.

9. Patchology Serve Chilled Rosé Eye Gels, $3

Source: Patchology

Best served (and applied) chilled. Stash a few of Patchology’s antioxidant and rosé-filled gels in your fridge for an instant pick-me-up whenever you want to check extra baggage. Resveratrol (from grapes!), strawberry extract, and hyaluronic acid hydrate and protect against environmental stressors so you look wide-awake even if you feel exhausted.

10. KORRES Black Pine 3D Eye-Lift Super Serum, $61

Source: KORRES

Taut, lifted eyes don’t have to involve needles or injections. Proof: Korres’ mighty serum wand that gives the effect of elastin-plumped under-eye skin. Packed full of the most potent part of prehistoric Greek pine trees that survived the Ice Age, consider it liquid collagen (aka a good night’s sleep) in one click.

If the festive season has taken a hit on your beauty sleep, DW boo; here’s every trick I’ve learned to get rid of dark circles.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.