best korean eye creams

These are 9 Best Korean Eye Creams for Every skin

As Korean skincare continues its domination all over the world, we thought it would be a great time to talk about the best Korean eye creams that help with puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. They are real multitaskers that address several skin issues at the same time. When you get a Korean eye cream, you really get a swiss knife in skincare form!

What makes Korean eye creams different than others?

Firstly, Korean eye creams use natural ingredients that have been effective throughout centuries. This doesn’t mean that natural is always better. The way K-beauty brands go about it is that they include traditional ingredients such as ginseng, snail mucin, Centella Asiatica, or tea tree oil that help target specific skin problems.

They are tried and true ingredients that have proved to be effective. Whether it is dry under eyes or dark circles, there is always a Korean eye cream to tackle them all. They are very moisturizing and most of them are made with sensitive skin in mind. All these factors do make them stand out among other Western skincare brands.

What ingredients should I look for in a Korean eye cream?

Almost all eye creams moisturize under the eyes with some anti-aging effect. That said, it is better to know your ingredients so you can opt for a specific eye cream that targets a specific problem. As I mentioned before, Korean eye creams are very versatile, they can tackle many issues at the same time. Same goes for the ingredients used in their formulation, one ingredient can help with several issues. Don’t be surprised if you see the same ingredient hailed amazingly for different purposes. Here is a short recap to help you out:

Best ingredients in Korean eye creams for dark circles:

  • Niacinamide, aka Vitamin B3 (brightens the skin)
  • Vitamin C (decreases melanin production)
  • Hyaluronic acid (hydrates and plumps the under-eye area)
  • Caffeine (constricts blood vessels under eyes + wake up effect)
  • Bakuchiol (treats hyperpigmentation, a gentler alternative to retinol)

Dark circles can be a pain in the ass (or, in the eye!). They are a result of numerous health issues, such as lack of sleep, allergies, or simply genetics. Also, as we age our skin becomes less elastic due to the loss of collagen, and the process of aging speeds up. It is tricky to get rid of dark circles completely, however, some OTC eye creams can be very effective. Opt for eye creams with brightening ingredients and don’t forget about the hydration factor!

Best ingredients in Korean eye creams for fine lines and wrinkles:

  • Retinol (a powerhouse for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines)
  • Peptides (amino acid chains that stimulate collagen production)
  • Ceramides (help retain moisture)
  • Snail Mucin (a staple K-Beauty goodie that firms up the skin)
  • Vitamin C (in addition to brightening, also promotes collagen production)
  • Hyaluronic acid (makes sure that wrinkles are less visible)

The anti-aging benefit of any eye cream should be the focus regardless of the brand. You want an eye cream that specifically works for ironing out wrinkles (esp tear-through wrinkles) and providing moisture. The key here is consistency, and sticking to a routine that gives you real results.

Best ingredients in Korean eye creams for puffiness:

  • Caffeine (depuffs the eyes and has a cooling effect)
  • Ginseng (hydrates and improves dullness)
  • Vitamin K (stimulates blood flow)
  • Peptides and copper peptides (they tighten the under eye area so puffiness is gone)
  • Fermented Black Tea (aka Kombucha will depuff the under eyes) 

When it comes to puffiness, you need an eye cream that wakes those under the eyes. You need ingredients like caffeine, for example, that constricts the blood vessels and tightens the skin. Besides eye creams, incorporating healthy habits into your life such as getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and decreasing your salt intake can be super beneficial. I find that eye patches are great to slap on in the morning if you experience extra puffiness. The Heimish Hydrogel patches are my go-to these days.

So, without further ado, let’s get into the best Korean eye creams formulated for every skin concern ever!

Best Korean Eye Creams for every skin

#1. Overall the Best Korean eye cream for all skin types: COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Cream

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Amazon
The Good
  • A multitasker to depuff, firm and brighten the under eyes
  • Packed with moisture (72% snail mucin)
  • Has 5 essential peptides
  • Non-greasy and light
  • Ideal for all types, esp dry under-eyes
The Bad
  • Packaging can be small (25 ml)

If you have been following K-beauty brands, it is impossible for you to miss the COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Cream. As a skeptic, it changed my mind about the efficiency of eye products that you can read about in my review here.

It is truly a multitasker that takes on many roles: moisturizes, firms, brightens, and smoothes out fine lines. The snail mucin at 72%, delivers a moisture boost, the blend of 5 peptides targets even the deepest wrinkles, and Niacinamide accounts for the brightening effect. It is like the “all in one” eye cream that does it all!

#2. Best Korean eye cream for wrinkles and fine lines with firming effect: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye sleeping mask

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Amazon
The Good
  • Formulated with encapsulated retinol
  • Packed with antioxidants
  • Great for depuffing eyes and dark circles
  • Non-irritating
The Bad
  • On the pricey side

This eye cream with a cult following needs no introduction. One of the bestsellers by Glow Recipe packs encapsulated retinol (beginner-friendly, non-irritating retinol), avocado rich in antioxidants, and coffeeberry.

The first two ingredients help with the formation of wrinkles and moisturize, while coffeeberry helps depuff under the eyes and give them visible firmness. According to reviews, it improved dark under-eye bags in a matter of days!

#3. Best nourishing Korean eye cream for sensitive skin: Dear Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter 

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Amazon
The Good
  • Very nourishing and moisturizing
  • Suitable for sensitive and oily skin
  • Rich enough without feeling oily
  • Infused with peptides and caffeine
  • Fragrance-free
The Bad
  • Nothing to report

This might be one of the most nourishing eye creams out there. Don’t freak out by the “butter” in the title, there is nothing buttery or oily about this eye cream. It has a lightweight, silky smooth texture that gets easily gets absorbed. Formulated with powerhouses like vitamins A and E, and non-comedogenic sunflower seed oil, it is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Plus, it has peptides and glides beautifully under makeup.

#4. Best Korean eye cream for mature skin: MIZON Collagen Power Firming Eye Cream

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Amazon
The Good
  • Works for severest wrinkles
  • Includes copper peptides
  • Amazing for dry, mature skin
  • Increases skin elasticity
  • Very affordable
The Bad
  • Some people complained about the packaging

Formulated with skin superstars like Hyaluronic acid, 46% of marine collagen, and copper Tripeptide-1, this eye cream by Mizon regenerates damaged, mature skin around the eyes. It produces excellent results for dry, sensitive skin, as well as mature skin on the dry side. Little goes a long way with this eye cream, using a pea-sized amount for both under eyes is more than enough!

#5. Best Korean eye cream for dark circles and puffiness: Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Cream

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Sephora
The Good
  • Brightens the dark circles
  • Made with 7 peptide mix technology
  • Provides long-lasting hydration
  • Decreases puffiness
  • Doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes (hypoallergenic)
The Bad
  • Doesn’t have added fragrance, though it is scented

If you want to see quick results for dark circles, you have come to the right place. This eye cream promises brightened dark circles after only 2 weeks. But that’s not all! This eye cream is formulated with a whopping 7 peptides, hyaluronic acid, Avocado protein extract, and date seed extract that is rich in antioxidants. It is also cruelty-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic. 95% of testers reported satisfaction with improvements they saw in visible brightening.

#6. Best brightening and tightening Korean eye cream formula: Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream

best-korean-eye-creams
Courtesy of Ulta
The Good
  • Ultimate brightening formula
  • Contains Niacinamide, ginseng, green tea, bakuchiol (0.5%), and skin-loving ceramides
  • Has skin tightening effect
  • Vegan, cruelty, and gluten-free
The Bad
  • Scented
  • A bit expensive

The Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream is your ultimate brightening eye cream. Powered by natural Retinoic Complex, this eye cream has all skin-loving and brightening ingredients combined. Bakuchiol at 0.5% and Niacinamide (2%) aim to brighten the under eyes. The rosehip seed oil has trans-retinoic acid aiming at fine lines and wrinkles. Peach extract and ginseng make sure that your skin is radiant all day long. The only catch here is that it is lightly scented with an uplifting mango scent.

#7. Best Korean eye cream for sensitive under eyes and wrinkles: Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum: Ginseng + Retinal

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Beauty of Joseon
The Good
  • Made for sensitive skin
  • Targets wrinkles with the gentlest retinol derivative
  • Has a brightening effect
  • Budget-friendly
The Bad
  • Nothing to report

Looking for a retinol eye cream that won’t irritate sensitive under eyes? Well, this is your lucky day. This eye cream’s key ingredient is retinal, which is what retinol turns into when you put it on your skin. Then your skin finally recognizes it as retinoic acid.

It basically goes retinol → retinal → retinoic acid. Retinal works faster on the skin and is known to be the most sensitive skin friendly among other retinols. This study shows that it is as effective for improving wrinkles as your traditional retinol even at 0.5%. In addition, this eye cream blends Korean beauty staple – ginseng that draws moisture into the skin. The texture is smooth and silky and gets absorbed by the skin quickly.

#8. Best hydrating Korean eye cream: LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Sephora
The Good
  • Provides long-lasting hydration
  • Ideal for dry, flaky under eyes
  • Plays well under makeup
  • Contains Niacinamide and Caffeine
The Bad
  • Expensive

Laneige is a Korean brand that is loved by so many for its hydrating products like lip balms, essences, and moisturizers. They believe that great skin is hydrated skin and they call themselves true hydration experts for a reason! This smooth, soft eye cream is infused with Blue
Hyaluronic acid
– next-gen HA that is double fermented with deep sea algae for long-lasting hydration. With Niacinamide and Caffeine joining the party, you will notice that your under eyes look brightened, depuffed, and just moisture-packed all day long.

#9. Best Korean eye cream for dull, dry under eyes: PYUNKANG YUL Black Tea Time Reverse Eye Cream

best korean eye creams
Courtesy of Amazon
The Good
  • A multi-tasking formula
  • Extremely nourishing
  • Scent-free
  • Lightweight texture
  • Packs Niacinamide and peptides!
The Bad
  • Contains alcohol (although it is mainly fatty alcohols that enhance the product’s performance, do a patch test before using if you have very sensitive skin)

Another Korean favorite, Pyunkang Yul, makes its way to this list as one of the most moisture-packing K-beauty eye creams. Not just for the cute packaging (I mean, it is like a piece of art), but also for its multi-tasking quality. The ingredients behind the product are Shea Butter, Macadamia Seed Oil, and Yeast beta-glucan that will nourish dull, saggy under eyes. The formula also contains fermented black tea (aka Kombucha) to enhance skin elasticity, along with 3 Hyaluronic Acids and beloved Ceramides to support the moisture barrier.

FAQ

I feel like this is a personal choice. The truth is, the skin around the eyes is very delicate and thin. It is also the eye area that gives away the first signs of aging. For example, it is not uncommon to develop under-eye wrinkles or bags in your twenties. Considering all of this, yes, it makes sense to get an eye cream, at least to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

It is wiser to choose eye creams formulated with specific ingredients that will deal with dark circles, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, or whatever your concern might be. So, it is all about how effective an eye cream is and how fast it can generate results. If you don’t have any serious issues with your under eyes, you can just slap on your moisturizer under your eyes, it is absolutely fine!

Yes, you can put eye cream on your face too. What goes under your eyes can go on your face and body.

Yes, absolutely. Most moisturizers have the same ingredients that eye creams do. Just make sure that it doesn’t have any harsh ingredients or potential irritants (like Highly concentrated retinol, Vitamin C, AHAs, or BHAs)

Again, it is a subjective opinion. To me, they are far superior to any other Western/American brands. They pack unique ingredients suitable for sensitive skin. They are very lightweight and melt into the skin like a dream.

What is the best Korean eye cream for wrinkles and fine lines?

To recap, these are the best Korean eye creams for wrinkles and fine lines:

What is the best Korean eye cream for dark circles and puffiness?

The best Korean eye creams for dark circles are:

What is the best moisturizing Korean eye cream for dry skin?

Best moisturizing Korean eye creams are:

Final Thoughts on Best Korean Eye Creams

Korean skincare is very unique in its formulations. When it comes to Korean eye creams, they are real multi-taskers that address many skin concerns. Whether it is dark circles, fine lines, or puffiness, there is always a K-beauty eye cream that deals with two or even three problems at the same time. Your choice of eye cream is really up to what you want to achieve. You can’t really go wrong with K-beauty which has a solution for every skin issue out there.

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