Why you should layer an eye serum under your eye cream

Like their facial counterparts, eye serums tend to be formulated with more potent ingredients and made with smaller molecules that allow them to penetrate deeper into your skin for faster-working action and more intensive results.

However, that doesn’t mean you should be ditching your eye creams, which help to hydrate your delicate eye area and create a protective film to prevent moisture loss.

If you’re worried about applying too many products near your peepers, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the best lightweight eye serums that get absorbed effortlessly and won’t leave any sticky residue, making them perfect for layering under your favourite eye cream.

What’s the difference between an eye serum and eye cream?

Think of eye serums as the sleek, fast-acting overachievers in your skincare lineup. They’re lightweight, absorb in a flash, and pack a punch with concentrated ingredients targeting the heavy hitters, fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, you name it.

Eye creams, on the other hand, are the more nurturing type. Richer in texture, they focus on locking in moisture and cushioning the delicate under-eye area, creating a barrier that keeps everything soft, soothed, and hydrated. TLDR: Serums treat, creams protect and the best routines make room for both.

Biossance Squalane + 5% Niacinamide Brightening Eye Serum, $72, Sephora

Running on three hours of sleep and too much screen time? Biossance’s Squalane + 5% Niacinamide Brightening Eye Serum is here to do damage control. Housed in a sleek roll-on tube, the formula combines 5% niacinamide, oil-soluble vitamin C, and caffeine to deflate puffiness and dial up the brightness fast. The built-in lymphatic roller isn’t just for show; it glides on cool, de-puffing on contact while easing the serum into your skin. One swipe and you’ll look like you’ve actually been resting, not revenge-scrolling at 3 a.m.

Buy here.

N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Eye Serum, $156, Chanel

Chanel’s N°1 Revitalising Eye Serum isn’t just about looking awake, it’s about future-proofing your face. Infused with red camellia extract (yes, the same bloom that’s become the brand’s skincare signature), the gel-serum tackles oxidative stress while cooling, smoothing, and quietly undoing the evidence of your latest all-nighter. The best part? The metal-tipped applicator doubles as a de-puffing massage tool, and the bottle is refillable, because good habits should feel indulgent, not wasteful.

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Dior Prestige Le Micro-Serum de Rose Yeux Advanced, $351 for 20ml, Dior Beauty

This isn’t your average eye serum. Dior’s Le Micro-Serum de Rose Yeux Advanced is part skincare, part sculpting tool and all about looking like you actually slept. Infused with the regenerative Rose de Granville, it targets puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines with a silky texture that sinks in fast. Then there’s the applicator: 11 micro-pearls glide along your eye contours like a chilled massage, instantly de-puffing and boosting circulation. It’s skincare that performs and looks like it belongs in a jewelry box.

Buy here.

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum, $98 for 15ml, Sephora

If your under-eyes are starting to spill your secrets, think fine lines, puffiness, general fatigue. Drunk Elephant’s A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum pulls double duty. With 0.1% vegan retinol and 3% caffeine, it smooths out creases while dialing down the bloat. Copper peptides step in to support collagen and elasticity, so your eyes look less stressed, more well-rested even if you’re not. It’s the kind of retinol that plays nice with delicate skin.

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Bio-essence Bio-VLift Eye Lifting Essence, $47.30, Watsons

Bright eyes, no filters needed. Bio-essence’s Bio-VLift Eye Lifting Essence zeroes in on puffiness and dark circles with a gentle blend of Blue Copper Peptide and its signature Eye ActivLift™ tech. The result? Firmer skin, less bloat (by up to 40%), and a visible glow that doesn’t rely on concealer. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and made to work overtime, just like you.

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The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum, $49, Sephora

Late nights, early mornings, too much screen time, the usual suspects behind tired eyes. The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum tackles all of it with a no-frills, water-based formula stacked with peptides, niacinamide, and ash bark extract. It helps smooth out fine lines, fade dark circles, and de-puff the damage without feeling heavy or greasy. No wonder beauty forums won’t stop talking about it.

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Shiseido Ultimune Eye Power Infusing Eye Concentrate, $115, Shiseido

This has a blend of botanicals like skin regenerating Reishi mushroom and energising iris extract to strengthen your delicate eye area and fight stress. It also has a Smoothing Defense Complex that acts like a shield to protect against friction, and hydrating ingredients to moisturise and plump.

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The Inkey List Caffeine Under Eye Serum, $18

This serum is infused with coffee extract and antixoidants to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, as well as fight free radical damage. As caffeine is a diuretic, this also works to relieve water retention to treat puffiness.

Buy here.

This article was originally published in FEMALE.