These 13 Cheap Eye Creams Are Just as Good as Their Expensive Counterparts

It’s fair to say that I have made no secret of my scepticism about eye creams. They are usually eye-wateringly expensive when you look at the cost per millilitre and come with a whole host of unwarranted promises about their ability to reverse wrinkles and eradicate eye bags. In fact, until I discovered The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution I basically didn’t use eye cream at all. This one really only changed my mind because it’s pleasingly affordable at just £10 and didn’t make any ludicrous claims that it then failed to deliver on. Fast-forward four years, however, and how times have changed. I am now in my early thirties with a toddler, and contending with dark circles and under-eye puffiness has become a daily challenge. If an eye cream lands on my desk these days? Trust me—I’m trying it.
Thankfully, I have since discovered a whole array of brilliant eye creams that help to minimise dark circles and allow me to fake an uninterrupted night's sleep. Having said that, whilst I am so grateful to be able to test out some of the best eye creams in the beauty industry as part of my job, I am still totally not on board with the fact that basically every eye cream I get sent is ridiculously expensive. In my opinion, diminishing puffiness and brightening shadowy under-eyes shouldn’t set you back £100+.
It's good news, then, that more and more skincare brands are coming out with affordable eye creams that are brimming with ingredients that actually work—and have the customer reviews to prove it. Even if you’re already loyal to a premium eye cream, I think you just might be converted once you try these.
Ahead are 13 of the best affordable eye creams that actually work.
13 of the Best Affordable Eye Creams:
1. Best eye cream for first signs of ageing
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This more affordable Templespa eye cream helps boost moisture and plump fine lines while helping to brighten dark circles, making it a great all-rounder if you want to target multiple skin concerns. The additions of echinacea, eyebright, cucumber and edelweiss make it a soothing and cooling experience, which makes the eye area look and feel well-rested.
2. Best eye cream for lines
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Dehydration is often the culprit behind fine lines, so looking for a hydrating eye cream can help to plump their appearance for a smoother under-eye area. Beauty Pie's is formulated with three forms of hyaluronic which help to plump through all layers of the skin, helping the eye area to look plumped, hydrated and smooth. For deeper fine lines, use this in tandem with the Super Retinol Eye Cream for best results on dynamic wrinkles such as crow's feet.
3. Best eye cream for de-puffing
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Beauty editors rave about both of these eye creams for their ability to reduce puffiness and inflammation thanks to a healthy dose of caffeine. Admittedly, The Inkey List's purse-friendly version feels more lightweight than Sisley's ultra-luxurious serum, but it's to be expected with the huge difference in price.
4. Best eye cream for sensitive eyes
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5. Best retinol eye cream
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Retinol is one of the few skincare ingredients actually proven to slow down signs of skin ageing, like fine lines. Retinol can be irritating when you first use it, however Murad's sophisticated formula has slow-release retinol and hydrating ingredients to help reduce irritation.
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6. Best eye cream for brightening
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7. Best eye cream for hydration
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If you're looking to target fine lines or that crepey skin appearance under your eyes, then hyaluronic acid based eye creams will do a solid job of nourishing and toning. However, it's the cooling metal applicator which really makes it a treat to use—providing a mini massage to revive sleepy eyes.
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8. Best lightweight eye cream
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I have to admit, La Mer's Eye Concentrate is one of the most luxurious eye creams I've had the pleasure of using, and my skin always drinks it up when I've applied it. It has a lightweight texture that sinks in well and won't leave skin greasy. However, it's extortionately expensive.
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9. Best eye cream for an immediate boost
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10. Best travel eye cream
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This travel-friendly option from internationally-acclaimed aesthetics doctor Barbara Sturm is a wonderful combination of her signature formulation of powerful natural compounds alongside medical grade actives. The rich cream of course is also packed full of purslane, the key ‘super plant’ used across Dr. Sturm’s range.
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Are you in need of a carry-on friendly eye cream option that is equally brightening and affordable without compromising on a balanced formula of natural compounds and gentle actives? In that case, Caudalie's Viniferine complex is possibly one of the best options on the market.
11. Best eye cream for dark circles
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Dark circles are largely genetic which means that treating them topically is actually quite difficult. The next best thing? An eye cream that contains brightening pigments to neutralise cool tones and reduce the appearance of dark circles. This Ole Henriksen one is a cult classic for good reason.
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12. Best eye cream for dry skin
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Ask any brand fan and you'll hear just how special Japanese skincare brand Tatcha is. Renowned for efficacious, luxurious, sensorial products, there's little not to love. Besides, perhaps, the price tag. This beautiful eye cream contains white peony, silk and whey protein to melt moisture into the skin.
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13. Best eye cream for tired eyes
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For mornings when you didn’t manage to get your full eight hours sleep the night before, this affordable eye cream will help your eyes to both look and feel more awake. Calendula extract, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid help to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.
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