The 10 Best Eye Balms to Wake Up Sleepy Eyes (2024)

Song likes this cooling formula, as it "contains brightening ingredients like caffeine and probiotic extracts to soothe the skin." Plus, the slightly radiant finish helps awaken eyes on contact.

Key Ingredients: probiotic extracts, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil

Customer Review:

"I am literally obsessed with this product. It does exactly what it says, brightens and the cooling effect is great to help you wake up in the morning." —cbrawl

"I love this new launch because it feels heavenly on tired, dry eyes," says Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein. "It’s cooling, soothing, and moisturizing, but as some reviewers have found, I also think it’s not ideal to use before makeup or concealer. Instead, pack it in your travel bag for when you’re on the plane, or when you need a pick-me-up before bed."

Key Ingredients: caffeyelike vita, floral water, hyaluronic acid

Customer Review:

"This products works. It helped my dark circles. I love that it is unscented. I have sensitive eyes and it did not irritate my eyes." —Jeanie

"This easy-to-apply eye balm that is fragrance-free and contains vitamin C as an antioxidant," says Song of this drugstore find.

Key Ingredients: vitamin C, peptides

Customer Review:

"I take the eye balm with me everywhere, it gives such a natural glow, absolutely love it!" —ClaraA

From the beloved French skincare brand, this teeny-tiny eye stick is your secret weapon against dryness on the go. It's packed with hydrating ingredients and gives your under-eyes a cooling boost every time you pat it on.

Key Ingredients: aloe vera, glycerin

Customer Review:

"Is it a magic potion? No. Does it erase the stress lines gifted upon me by my teenagers? Nope. Does it feel a-ma-zing going on and moisturize the heck outta my under eyes? Yes m’aam! Totally worth it." —Hannah

Think of this balm as an extra-rich eye cream. All you need is a small dab to moisturize the delicate under-eye area deeply, plus it helps tighten and smooth skin while reducing puffiness.

Key Ingredients: Soy Isoflavones, vitamin E, sylmarin

Customer Review:

"This is a must have. I truly believe this is helping to keep the eye lines under control. I definitely can tell that is helping and my eyes are less puffy when using." —Helen

This formula is not only ultra-nourishing but also designed to strengthen the skin barrier, a major bonus for those with sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: shea butter + argan oil, aloe, proprietary calming phyto blend

Customer Review:

"You have to swirl your finger in the pot to get it warmed up and melted. If you have dry skin this is an amazing product." —phh710

Instantly brightening thanks to mineral pigments in the formula, this souped-up formula also packs in hydrating humectants and red algae extract to address puffiness.

Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cucumber extract, red algae extract

Customer Review:

"Love this eye balm, easy to use, just tap round the eye. Gives a beautiful glow" —Amanda

If you're nervous about using retinol on the thin skin around your eye, let this product be your entry point. It contains a gentle 1 percent granactive retinoid that's delivered via a deeply emollient balm texture.

Key Ingredients: granactive retinoid, shiitake mushroom extract, vitamin E, and black currant seed oil

Customer Review:

"I noticed recently due to my side sleeping habits that I was developing a fine line underneath ONE eye. I started using this product consistently mid April. It’s now the mid May and I’m happy to see that the fine line softened out, it’s hardly noticeable now only after 4 weeks." —Skye

The peachy color of this balm instantly color-corrects dark circles sans the need for makeup, while bakuchiol and hyaluronic acid add a boost of anti-aging power.

Key Ingredients: bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, turmeric, vitamin E

Customer Review:

"I have used so many eye products and this is the first time I can say a product really worked to erase lines, diminish puffiness." —Rebecca L.

With a formula inspired by the skin's natural sebum, this balm helps restore moisture balance by infusing under-eyes with antioxidant protection.

Key Ingredients: shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E

Customer Review:

"This seems like it may stay oily, but it soaks in and leaves my eye area looking healthy for the day." —Tonya T.

"Eye balms are generally thicker than eye creams and tend to be more occlusive and hydrating," explains Song, who adds that "they are great for irritated and dry skin."

That being said, the thickness can be too much for some skin types. "They may not be ideal for those with acne-prone skin, as it can increase the risk of milia formation," says the derm.

You should apply an eye balm when you would an eye cream, after you've used a gentle face cleanser.

You can use them day or night, but those with thicker consistency are best before bed. "Eye balms are best for intense hydration and protection for the skin barrier, making them ideal for nighttime use or when in dry climates, as compared to eye creams, which have a lighter consistency," explains Song.

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• The 20 Best Eye Serums for Hydration and Dark Circles
• 7 Best Reusable Under-Eye Patches You’ll Use Every Day

• Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York.