18 Eye Creams That Help Deflate Bags and Puffiness, Tested and Reviewed by Very-Tired Cosmo Editors

Why we love it: Whoever said you can't affordably get rid of your under-eye bags never met The Inkey List. The sub-$15 lightweight cream is made with caffeine (that’s right, it works in skincare and coffee), which is pretty much the key ingredient for depuffing. But you don’t just have to take our word for it: “Look for caffeine to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling,” says Dr. Gohara. It also contains ingredients like squalane and glycerin to give a super smooth, silky feel when you apply it on its own or under makeup.

Why we love it: Some of your favorite lip balms’ delivery method is a metal or ceramic applicator, but plenty of eye creams do the same, including this lightweight depuffing gel from K-Beauty brand Belif. It makes perfect sense: The ceramic tip keeps application clean and helps depuff instantaneously, while ingredients from hyaluronic acid to vitamin C are working overtime to reduce the appearance of bags, dark circles and more.

Why we love it: Puffiness and dark circles can go hand-in-hand. That’s just the way things go! But no biggie, because Olay’s five-in-one multitasking eye serum is designed to treat both of those and more. With a slightly pearlescent finish, it makes your eyes look more awake immediately, and heavy hitters like caffeine and vitamin C give serious brightening and deflating results over time.

Why we love it: At the first sign of a fine line or wrinkle, it can be so tempting to have a lil breakdown. Instead, consider reaching for this Alastin eye cream, which has been clinically tested to make eyes look more youthful and luminous (read: less puffy and tired). Sounds like a big win. It also visibly improves the look of lines, like the crow's feet forming around your lids.

One Cosmo editor says: “I have used this eye cream for years, it's one of my holy grails. The peptide-packed formula is excellent for smoothing, firming, and plumping. I use it all around my eyes and even under makeup as a smoothing primer.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

Why we love it: In the words of Sabrina Carpenter, “I’m working late, ‘cause I’m a singer…” I may not be a singer, but aren’t we all working late and in desperate need of an eye cream that’ll keep up with late nights and early mornings? It’s way too perfect that she sings this lyric and names this song “Espresso”—hello, caffeine—as this lightly tinted, golden glowy balm is chock-full of caffeine (and lots of other good ingredients too). Bonus: The stick format makes it ridiculously easy to swipe on over or under makeup.

Why we love it: After visiting the Paula’s Choice Labs in Seattle and hearing a scientist tell me the brand doesn’t add anything to the products that won’t provide benefits/results (as in, there’s nothing just in there for show or marketing), I knew I could trust the brand even more than I already did. This gel-like eye serum with a cooling metal applicator tip contains high levels of multiple kinds of peptides to lift lids, depuff, smooth lines, firm, and more. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, it’s also super hydrating, so it’s the perfect primer for eye makeup, especially in dry winter weather.

One Cosmo editor says: “I love the cooling metal applicator that comes with this eye cream. It gives instant depuffing and soothing benefits. As for the formula, it's more of a gel, so it soaks in quickly with no greasy residue and helps to firm and smooth with continued use. It's also great for refreshing your eye area midday too.”—LB

Why we love it: If waking up to undereye puffiness wasn’t enough, adding in dry undereye skin can really put you over the edge. We get it: Trying to apply concealer and your skin looking cracked and dry underneath is enough to send anyone into an orbit. But you don’t have to settle for less: This gel-texture serum is uber hydrating but also softens the look of wrinkles, dark circles, and puffy eyes too. The chic bottle is just the beginning: With antioxidants, peptides, and more, it’s full of skin barrier-supporting, skin-improving ingredients that really work.

Why we love it: Ever feel like you have Béis-level luggage under your eyes? Dr. Brandt’s perfectly-named No More Baggage eye gel instantly depuffs for when you need to deflate those bad boys in T-minus five minutes. The viral formula will also brighten dark circles in those five minutes too. It is temporary, but you can reapply as needed throughout the day.

Why we love it: No ice roller, no problem. Caudalie’s metal tip applicator gives a cooling sensation (yes, even if you forgot to put it in the fridge), and the brand’s famed retinol alternative, resveratrol, delivers really strong firming and brightening perks. The cute pink tube is just the cherry on top (or should we say grape—resveratrol is a vine antioxidant derived from grapes and other sources).

One Cosmo editor says: “I loved the cool touch of the applicator, which feels nice and makes it easy to smooth onto my under-eyes. Puffy eyes are my biggest insecurity, especially in the mornings (and especially after a night of too little sleep). I see some immediate relief with this cream, and it plays nicely with my different concealers and foundations too.” —MADELEINE FRANK REEVES, FORMER SENIOR SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR

Why we love it: You know it, you love it. The TikTok-viral instant eye tightener became a sensation for a reason. It temporarily—but very quickly—smooths over any puffiness like spackle. Like, we’re talking results in less than two minutes. Because the results don’t last all day, this product is perfect if you’re trying to look less tired before an event or meeting as you run out the door.

Why we love it: In a world where every beauty product seems to cost a small fortune (like, has anyone walked out of Sephora spending less than $50 lately? LMK), The Ordinary is switching things up. For less than $10 (!!!!!!), you can get a caffeine-packed eye treatment that depuffs and reduces the appearance of dark circles. It’s even housed in a super luxurious-feeling glass bottle with an easy-to-use dropper.