Top 8 Eye Creams to Lift & Infuse Radiance | Best in K-Beauty

Although a perfectly normal part of life, eye fine lines can make us feel older than we are. They start in early 20s (especially with stress), so really it's just a sign of being an adult that we all must bear. The most common factor that increases eye lines is dehydration or poor moisture (meaning even a little boosting cream will help refresh eye lines). They accumulate with movements (such as blinking) and a loss of collagen, elasticity and reduced hyaluronic acid and peptides. 

According to a study by a team of dermatologists, the best skincare ingredients that have been shown effectively to reduce fine lines is: 
- retinol (and other retinoids) 
- vitamin C 
- vitamin E 
- peptides 
- ceramides 
- hyaluronic acid 
- caffeine 
- niacinamide

These ingredients have the best evidence for long-lasting benefits for individuals of all ages and skin types. Retinol and niacinamide are among the most irritating, whereas vitamin E and ceramides are the most gentle (and safe for anyone in any quantity). 

Also, there are new and innovative skincare ingredients (especially dominating Korean beauty) that have not been tested specifically for eye care, but are finding their way into products due to their general skin benefits. This includes spicules (microneedles that stimulate collagen production), low-molecular weight collagen and PDRN. These are the ingredients of the moment and commonly used, so we’ll analyze these too. 

This is the eye cream for dark under-eye circles to improve brightness and natural glow. Tranexamic acid naturally improves circulation under the skin to deliver better nutrients and vitamins to cells, whilst also inhibiting pigment formation. This helps reduce under-eye darkness for refreshed, brighter and more lifted eye appearance. Infused with vitamins, niacinamide and panthenol – it's soothing and a gentle formula for all skin types.

Enriched with salmon PDRN to repair and energize skin cells, this lightweight eye cream is infused with firming peptides that help enhance and lift eye wrinkles for refreshed and brighter eyes. Balanced with retinol, niacinamide and plumping hyaluronic acid – it delivers a deep finish and youthful eye appearance. You can feel the firmness after just two weeks, enhanced with natural and lifting peptides.

This luxurious and rich eye cream delivers powerful and luscious hydration with peptides extracted from golden silk strands, balanced with firming and lifting peptides. With background shea butter and hyaluronic acid, this cream goes on incredibly soft and delivers a refreshing glow. For deep hydration and lasting softness, this is the best eye cream.

With boosting retinal sealed in gentle liposomes, this protein-rich cream boosts fine lines and promotes collagen production from within fine lines of the eye. Balanced with gentle bakuchiol and niacinamide, this light and effective eye cream is a favourite for sensitive skin for lasting effect. You tend to see immediate results for dehydrated eyes and more subtle results in mature skin.

This eye cream is boosted with plant-based collagen and botanical extracts to provide a natural and rich boost to tired and dull eyes. Infused with niacianmide, avocado extract, brightening cocoa and lifting hibiscus; this eye cream helps depuff eye bags with a massaging metal tip. Balanced with vitamin E and boosting peptides, this eye cream is a favourite to refresh and soothe mature eyes with a gentle formula.

Refresh and vanish fine lines with the power of Celimax’s gentle, but effective retinol serum. Blended with soothing panthenol and vitamin E, it helps refresh dehydrated skin and lifts with collagen-boosting spicules. This serum is lightweight, absorbs quickly and provides an immediate lift to skin. Spicules can be irritating, but this light blend is refreshing and gentle for all skin types.

This lightweight cream burst onto the scene this month with a careful combination of retinol in liposomes, boosted by microneedles (spicules) and cooling PDRN to improve healing. This careful balance leads to a quick lift to fine lines and can be used all over the face; but is great to improve crow's feet or lines gathering around the eye. It must be used with care as it can be irritating (it has a high concentration of actives), but generally most users find it delicate and beneficial. 

For maximum benefit, but light application, the Beauty of Joseon eye serum is famous. Enriched with 10% ginseng extract and 2% retinal in liposomes, this eye serum delivers fast and long-lasting results with a great boost to elasticity. Despite having retinal, it’s featherlight and gentle on skin with very low risk of irritation.

Some By Mi mastered retinol a long time ago, but are back on the scene with their new and brightening Retinol Bakuchiol Dual Cream. With a push of a button, this tube mixes vibrant, purple bakuchiol with light-golden retinol cream with a background of peptides, B12 and collagen water. This cream delivers rich hydration and boosts fine lines everywhere on the face with minimal irritation. This rich cream delivers an unparalleled glow and is the perfect boosting combination for fine lines.

If you are after dramatic eye makeovers, we cannot overlook Dr Melaxin. If you are looking to vanish undereye bags and puffiness, this light cream powered by Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) reduces eye bag volume by 150% and lifts fine lines by 120%. 

How does it do it? This cream also contains boosting spicules, ceramides and brightening agents (glutathione, arbutin and niacinamide), but its signature agent are peptides that help tighten the skin appearance for a temporary, but dramatic boost. This is a great cream for special occasions and to look your best (but make sure you apply it correctly).

Eye creams are a core part of K-beauty, for deeper moisture and gentle formulas designed for the more delicate membranes around the eyes. Remember, hydration is the first and most important step, to maintain refreshed and bright eye appearance.