9 Iconic Anti-Aging Eye Creams, and Their More Affordable Dupes
We know we're not alone when we say that we could easily spend a large chunk of our salaries on skincare. Between the constant new launches and those OG holy grails, there are just too many opportunities to shop. As beauty editors, we're lucky enough to have access to the most luxurious products on the market, but we're well aware that it's not always feasible to shell out so much money on lotions and potions—especially on a polarizing product like eye cream.
Some folks swear by the stuff for refining fine lines and keeping puffiness at bay, while others just don't see the point. We happen to identify with the former and as such are quite looped into the formulas that perform best. On the other hand, we're committed to bringing you the affordable options that still get the job done. Luckily, there are plenty of lower-cost products that can help mitigate the effects that aging has on the delicate orbital skin.
Here, find nine iconic eye creams beauty insiders swear by and the similar, more affordable dupes that will help you leave tired eyes behind. Just because there are bags under your eyes doesn't mean you have to pay designer prices to get rid of them. (Unless you want to, in which case, you also have our blessing.)
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $60
How they're similar: The hero ingredient in both of these potent eye treatments is albizia bark, otherwise known as Persian silk tree. This extract can help eliminate toxic collagen inhibitors like glycogens. On top of reducing the appearance of crow's-feet and other fine lines, you can also expect either of these products to de-puff and brighten the eye area.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $57
How they're similar: You can thank a number of exfoliating and hydrating acids and highly efficacious stabilized vitamin C for the lifting and plumping effects you'll see when using these science-backed formulations. Both are highly respected among skincare professionals, so you really can't go wrong here.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $148
How they're similar: While the Royal Fern option is beloved for its ultra-clean approach to effective, result-oriented skincare, the price tag certainly says a lot about the barrier of entry for experiencing the products. While you're saving up, try the similarly natural select by Korean label Thank You Farmer, which boasts cooling aloe, moisturizing shea butter, and plumping ceramides.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $70
How they're similar: Aloe barbadensis leaf extract is at the forefront of both of these plant-based products. Each of their ingredient lists is densely populated with organic, botanical ingredients that deliver youth-preserving results.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $48
How they're similar: While the PCA Skin version is admittedly more advanced in its formulation (hello, orange stem cells!), each of these formulas contains wrinkle-reducing peptides as well as light-reflecting titanium dioxide.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $72
How they're similar: It's no surprise that the Goop option is cleaner than the Mario Badescu cream (and most others on the market, honestly), but olive leaf drives the hydration factor in both formulas. You'll get a luxurious-feeling, deeply hydrating cream either way.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $61
How they're similar: Powerful, yet natural, blueberry is the antioxidant that helps each of these creams reverse the signs of damage while also preventing new lines and wrinkles from setting in.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $53
How they're similar: Retinoids are at play here, with SkinMedica's use of vitamin A and Olay's implementation of retinol. In addition to smoothing out the delicate eye area, both formulas visibly firm and brighten while also working to even out the skin tone.
If you love…
Try…
Savings: $44
How they're similar: Both of these lightweight gel creams absorb quickly and offer skin-firming effects from tree barks and peptides. The Dermalogica utilizes retinol to encourage cell turnover, while red algae and seaweed help the First Aid Beauty select deliver similar results.
Up next: The $20-and-Under Eye Creams That Will Make Your Skin Look Like a Million Bucks
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.
-
No Lie—These Eye Patches Autocorrected My Under-Eyes in 15 Minutes
My before-and-after pictures say it all.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
14 Strategic Skincare Products That Have Totally Saved My Dry, Perimenopausal Skin
Hint: They all have one thing in common.
By Marie Lodi
-
I Tried Alix Earle's Hack for My Aggressive Under-Eye Bags, and All I Can Say Is Wow
And it's so easy.
By Shawna Hudson
-
I'll Be 30 Next Year and Want the Best Skin of My Life—5 Swaps I'm Making
I'm prepping now.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
29 Eye Creams That Always Work on Dark Circles
Including some celebrity favorites.
By Mica Ricketts
-
This Hero Japanese Skincare Ingredient Transformed My Dry, Perimenopausal Skin
I'm obsessed.
By Marie Lodi
-
I'm 28, But My Neck Looks Way Older: I Asked 2 Derms What to Do About It
Operation "reverse-age my neck" has commenced.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
An Expert Told Me This Cutting-Edge Molecule Is the Key to Visibly Youthful Skin
It also gives you a serious glow.
By Shawna Hudson