These Are the Best Drugstore Eye Creams Under $40 (2025)

$12

Key Ingredients:Hyaluronic acid |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: No

For a product without all the standard eye-cream ingredients, I wasn’t expecting to love this gel cream as much as I did. I’ve been using it pretty regularly. It doesn’t promise to brighten or de-puff, but it does deeply hydrate the under-eye area, and that goes a long way. It doesn’t pill or feel too heavy, so it makes a great base for under-eye concealer.

$16

Key Ingredients:Peptides, niacinamide |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: No

Similar to Neutrogena’s formula, this one is infused with niacinamide and peptides, ingredients to help brighten and boost the skin barrier. In terms of brightening, the results are subtle, but I love the lightweight consistency and hydration it offers.

$20

Key Ingredients:Retinol |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: Yes

Best for smoothing and firming, this eye cream has thousands of five-star reviews. Anti-aging retinol is the top ingredient, but don’t worry about the adverse effects; it smoothes and firms without irritating the under-eye area.

$20

Key Ingredients:Vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: Yes

I’ve tried a lot of eye creams, and this one has the best texture. It’s a thick, silky cream that rivals some of the pricier formulas, and it feels so moisturizing. Since it has a thicker texture and pills a bit, it’s more ideal for nightly wear and maybe layering under a reusable eye mask.

$14

Key Ingredients:Peptides and hyaluronic acid for smoothing, vitamin C for brightening |Sizes:0.68 fl oz. |Cruelty free:Yes

Byoma has some solid formulas that are mostly hydrating. Again, I love gel formulas, and this is moisturizing and lightweight. It’s also soothing and de-puffing, something I always need in the morning —especially during allergy season.

$35

Key Ingredients:Vitamin C, caffeine, niacinamide |Size:0.45 fl oz. |Cruelty free: Yes

Like you, I get a handful of my skin-care recommendations from our beauty column, “Why Is Your Skin So Good.” Along with a luxe eye cream from La Prairie, content creator Cyrus Veyssi said they use this brightening and smoothing serum for makeup prep. It has soothing aloe and amino peptides, in addition to standard eye-cream ingredients for brightening and smoothing, like vitamin C and caffeine.

$35

Key Ingredients:Hyaluronic acid |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: Yes

You usually can’t expect instant results from any skin-care product, but this one does offer some instant brightening, since it’s a corrector as well. It lives up to its name, making your under-eye area look a little more radiant while also working to brighten your skin over time. It is, however, a thicker formula, so it doesn’t work as well with concealer and other makeup.

$14

Key Ingredients:Peptides, niacinamide |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: No

Everyone wants to get rid of under-eye circles, so even brands beloved by Gen Alpha make brightening eye creams (with gentle ingredients, of course). I’ve used this lightweight and quick-absorbing formula forever and loved the results. It’s hydrating and offers some subtle brightness so you look more well rested, and it plays well with makeup.

$15

Key Ingredients:Caffeine, vitamin C, niacinamide |Size:0.5 fl oz. |Cruelty free: No

The roll-on applicator does wonders for de-puffing, especially with caffeine as one of the active ingredients. It’s cooling and applies the lightweight gel exactly where you need it.