The best Korean eye creams can combat dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness. While they contain many of the same ingredients you’ll see in the rest of your eye creams (retinol, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid), they’re often blended with ingredients signature to Korean skin care. Two classic examples are ginseng (an anti-inflammatory that can plump fine lines) and snail mucin (for hydration and antiaging). To find the very best Korean eye creams worth adding to your skin care routine, we asked dermatologists, estheticians, celebrity makeup artists, and Glamour editors to share their top picks and then tested them ourselves. We found that Acwell licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream and Superegg Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution worked best for making dark circles look less prominent. Below are the rest of the standouts worth adding to your cart, whether you’re looking for a firming overnight treatment or a refreshing AM eye serum.
The best Korean eye creams, at a glance
- Best Korean Eye Cream for Dark Circles: Acwell licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream, $30
- Best Brightening Korean Eye Cream: Superegg Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution, $50
- Best Korean Eye Cream for Fine Lines: Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream, $28
- Best De-Puffing Korean Eye Cream: Belif Aqua Bomb Depuffing Eye Gel, $32
- Best Anti-Aging Korean Eye Cream: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal, $16
- Best Korean Eye Cream for Firming: Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum, $32
Your Korean eye cream questions, answered
What to look for in a Korean eye cream?
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Whether or not you’re shopping for Korean beauty brands, the right eye cream depends on your skin type and specific skin needs. “For dark circles, common ingredients include niacinamide and licorice root extract, which are antioxidants that have been shown to brighten the skin,” says Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania. Effective de-puffing ingredients include “caffeine to reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels and reducing excess fluid,” as well as “anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea extract and Cica (Centella asiatica) to reduce inflammation,” she says.
If you’re looking for an anti-aging Korean eye cream, try ingredients known to target lines and wrinkles such as peptides, snail mucin, retinol, bakuchiol, and ginseng, says Dr. Chung. “Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, peptides, and squalane help hydrate the thin eyelid skin and reduce the appearance of lines, while ingredients like bakuchiol, retinol, and ginseng can help stimulate collagen to prevent fine lines.” Just keep in mind that the skin around your eyes is very delicate so you should pat very gently when applying creams.
Meet our experts
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- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City.
- Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania.
- Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam based in New York City.
- Fiona Stiles, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Reed Clarke based in Los Angeles
Best Korean Eye Cream for Dark Circles: Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream
ACWELL Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Licorice water, licorice extract, glutathione, blueberry fruit extract, bifida ferment extract, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Lightweight yet hydrating, recommended for all skin types (including sensitive skin), subtle brightening effect
If you’re looking for an eye cream for dark circles, try Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream. While even the most brightening eye creams can’t do the camouflaging of an under-eye concealer, this one can give it a subtle glowy boost. “Licorice is my favorite natural brightener, so it’s a no-brainer to reach for it when I haven’t had enough sleep and I’m trying to brighten my under-eye area,” says Charlotte Cho, licensed esthetician and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam, who swears by the comfortable texture and brightening formula. You’ll also find both licorice water and licorice extract in the ingredients list, along with caffeine, a popular eye cream ingredient that studies have shown helps brighten and depuff. “I love the light yet creamy texture,” she says. “It absorbs quickly and is extremely hydrating.”
Best Brightening Korean Eye Cream: Superegg Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution
Superegg Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Tremella mushroom, peptides, caffeine, adenosine, niacinamide, amino acids, diamond powder
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Clear gel, immediately brightens, gentle on sensitive skin, layers well under concealer
Superegg Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution received glowing reviews from four of our experts, cementing its well-deserved spot on our list. This clear gel contains powerful hydrators like hyaluronic and tremella mushroom, along with caffeine and niacinamide (a popular brightening ingredient). Because it’s so lightweight and smoothing, it layers well under makeup. “I discovered this eye cream from Superegg about a year ago, and I haven’t looked back since,” says Fiona Stiles, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Reed Clarke. “The fear, especially getting someone ready for a red carpet event, is that eye cream will make their concealer crease or mascara run.” Stiles says that this gel “tightens, cools, and nourishes without manifesting any of my makeup nightmares.” She also uses it on herself before applying concealer and “nothing shifts or creases” throughout the day. “More importantly, I trust it on my clients,” she says.
Cho says this is her favorite formula for sleepy mornings. “When dealing with puffy under eyes, I typically need a lightweight gel textured eye cream that is cooling and will work well with my eye roller tools,” she explains. “This adds immediate cooling relief with a hyaluronic acid boost.” Dr. Chung confirms that the formula is “great for brightening and smoothing, especially for people who have normal to sensitive skin that suffer from dark circles.” While the formula isn’t shimmery, it immediately adds glow to under eyes. “There’s a sprinkle of diamond powder in this formula, which you won’t detect just by looking at it,” says Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu. “It’s so subtle that the gel still goes on clear, but it makes my concealer look extra dewy and lit-from-within.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Fine Lines: Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream
COSRX Snail Peptide Eye Cream with
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, peptides
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Recommended for sensitive skin, lightweight hydration, subtle brightening, has a temporary smoothing effect on fine lines
Snail mucin is one of K-beauty’s most popular ingredients, and you can find it in Korean eye cream, too. “Snail mucin contains a complex mix of glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, copper peptides and antimicrobial peptides,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. According to Dr. Chang, the ingredient’s “potential benefits” include “improved hydration, brightening, soothing, and anti-aging,” although she adds that “unfortunately large, randomized controlled trials that specifically evaluate impact of snail mucin on human skin are lacking.” Still, Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream remains one of her personal favorite formulas. (The brand makes one of the most popular Korean toners, too.) “It has 72% snail mucin to hydrate, soothe, and brighten the skin,” she says. “It’s also formulated with my favorite brightening ingredient, niacinamide, as well as five types of peptides to increase collagen production.”
Dr. Chang also recommends this eye cream if you have sensitive skin. “It’s very lightweight and has no fragrance,” she says. Cho swears by this formula for “gently filling in fine lines when my under-eye area is dry, irritated, and crepey.” Like Dr. Chang, she notes that the formula “does not irritate” so she applies it “all over my under eye and on my eyelids.”
Best De-Puffing Korean Eye Cream: Belif Aqua Bomb Depuffing Eye Gel
Belif Aqua Bomb Cooling Eye Gel
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, adenosine, collagen
- Fragrance-free: No
- Fast facts: Cooling ceramic tip, instantly helps reduce swelling, lightweight clear gel, brightening and hydrating ingredients
Glamour editors chose Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb as one of the best Korean moisturizers, and the Belif Aqua Bomb Depuffing Eye Gel is just as good. It’s also a dermatologist pick for its instant depuffing effects. “I love the instant cooling effect you get when applying this eye gel,” says Dr. Chang. “It also absorbs into the skin well so that makeup can be applied smoothly after, without any pilling.” The formula contains caffeine, which Dr. Chang says “reduces swelling around the eyelids,” along with niacinamide and vitamin C “to brighten dark circles” and hyaluronic acid “to improve hydration.” Part of the depuffing effect comes from the cooling ceramic tip, which she advises using “to massage the eye area and help drain away swelling.”
Wu has used this eye gel since it launched and still keeps it in her regular rotation. “This is easily the most effective de-puffing formula I’ve tried,” she says. “I give myself a little massage with this every morning and it feels heavenly. Paired with a giant iced coffee and a layer of concealer, it actually makes me look and feel like I got a solid night’s sleep.”
Best Anti-Aging Korean Eye Cream: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal
Beauty of Joseon Revive eye serum
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Panax ginseng root extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinal
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Affordable ginseng eye cream, non-greasy silky texture, dermatologist-recommended ingredients for anti-aging, long-lasting hydration
Ginseng is another signature ingredient you’ll often find in Korean skincare. “K-beauty brands love to include ginseng and it makes a ton of sense for eye creams,” says Dr. Chung. “Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help balance out irritation.”
Much like the ingredient itself, ginseng eye creams can range widely in price. For a more affordable eye care option, try Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal, which Dr. Chang says is one of her favorite anti-aging Korean eye creams. “It contains a powerful combination of two anti-aging ingredients, retinal and ginseng, which both fight signs of aging and help stimulate collagen,” she says. It’s paired with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid “to help brighten and hydrate the skin, respectively.” Beyond the ingredients list, she also loves the “silky and non-greasy texture,” which “applies nicely and keeps skin feeling moisturized for many hours after I apply it.” Wu also regularly uses this ginseng-infused eye serum. “It feels very rich and nourishing without being greasy or causing milia around my eyes,” she says. “I first heard about Beauty of Joseon because of its TikTok-viral Korean sunscreen, but this is one of the line’s sleeper hits. I only need a little bit to make my under eyes feel hydrated and smooth and I love how it just melts into my skin.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Sensitive Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, fermented black rice, niacinamide, Panax ginseng root extract
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Recommended for sensitive skin, retinol alternative, lightweight and fast-absorbing
Even those with sensitive skin can find a Korean eye cream that does more than just hydrate. Take the derm-loved Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream. “If you have sensitive skin or cannot tolerate retinols around the eyes, this eye cream is a retinol alternative formulated with bakuchiol and niacinamide to reduce signs of aging,” says Dr. Chang. It’s also one of the most affordable picks on our list. Wu says she’s gone through four tubes of this formula since she first tried it. “The texture is super lightweight and fast-absorbing and layers beautifully under concealer,” she says. “It’s also intensely hydrating but never causes milia under my eyes. I use mine both morning and night.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Dry Skin: Medicube Deep Lifting Peptide Eye Cream
Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye Cream
Amazon
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptide complex, niacinamide, squalane
- Fragrance-free: No
- Fast facts: Intensely moisturizing, lightweight, contains hydrating and firming ingredients to target fine lines
If you have dry skin, try the intensely moisturizing Medicube Deep Lifting Peptide Eye Cream, which feels more nourishing than most of the other Korean eye creams we tested. It’s made with hyaluronic acid to target dryness along with a blend of peptides, an ingredient Dr. Chang says helps target fine lines. Wu says this is the eye cream she uses most in winter, when her skin tends to dry out. “I have combination skin but my midface gets dry and irritated,” she says. “I actually love taking this down past my under eyes and tapping a little on top of my cheeks, too. The hydration lasts and lasts without getting greasy or clogging my pores. It also makes my skin feel so smooth. I’m impressed that the formula still feels relatively lightweight despite how moisturizing it is. Also—you only need the tiniest amount, so one tube will last you forever.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Evening: Laneige Bouncy + Firm Eye Sleeping Mask
Laneige Bouncy + Firm Eye Sleeping Mask
Amazon
Sephora
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, peony extract, peptides
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Best for overnight use, thicker texture, hydrating and firming, recommended by dermatologists for reducing puffiness
You’ve probably heard of Laneige’s TikTok-viral, celebrity-loved Lip Sleeping Mask, a Glamour editor favorite. The Laneige Bouncy + Firm Eye Sleeping Mask applies the same concept of a concentrated overnight treatment—but one that’s made for your under eyes. According to Dr. Chung, it’s a “great nighttime option for those who have a tendency to wake up with puffy eyes.” Wu, who says she often wakes up with puffy eyes after late nights, agrees. “This eye sleeping mask has such an interesting texture,” she says. “It feels like a cushiony whipped gel that cocoons my under eyes in moisture. It’s meant to be worn at night and I do find it a little heavy for daytime, but I’ve noticed that when I apply this before bed, my under eyes don’t look as tired in the morning. It’s got a lot of brightening, hydrating, and firming ingredients that dermatologists like to recommend for eye treatments. I usually slap on some under-eye patches before bed if I’m up late working on deadlines, but this is a much more convenient way to get a similar effect.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Morning: innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum
innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum with Niacinamide
Amazon
Sephora
- Key ingredients: Green tea, caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Cooling massage applicator, lightweight serum texture, absorbs fast, helps depuff and brighten
Dr. Chung and Wu both like to travel with a tube of innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum, which combines a cooling metal rollerball with a refreshing formula. It’s made with green tea, an ingredient known for its proven anti-inflammatory properties, along with caffeine and niacinamide. “This one is my summer and travel go-to,” says Dr. Chung. “The caffeine and niacinamide are a great morning pick-me-up for tired eyes or those that are having a lot of nighttime fun! The packaging is just perfect for when I’m on the go.” Wu loves the fast-absorbing texture and applicator. “This is such a small detail, but I sometimes notice that rollerball applicators get stuck or don’t glide on as comfortably as I want them to,” she says. “This one glides so smoothly across my under eyes and feels nice and cool even if I don’t keep it in the fridge. It helps refresh my under eyes when they’re puffy in the morning and the formula has a true watery serum texture that spreads easily and sinks in fast. I also like that I can dispense this eye serum onto the rollerball by pressing down on the applicator, which gives me more control over how much I’m using.”
Best Korean Eye Cream for Firming: Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum
Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum
Amazon
Soko Glam
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sugarcane extract, Centella asiatica
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Triple rollerball applicator, recommended for visible plumping effect, watery serum texture, lightweight hydration
Dr. Chung calls Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum “an HA (hyaluronic acid) monster.” You’ll often find this ingredient in eye creams because it’s “fabulous for keeping the thin skin around the eyes hydrated,” she says. Try this eye serum if you want to target fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes. While it won’t erase them entirely, the extra moisture will help them look smoother. “It’s great for plumping the appearance of fine lines, especially in the 35+ year-old crew who are just starting to notice age-related changes around the eyes,” she says.
Wu’s favorite feature of this eye serum is the applicator. “I was surprised when I uncapped this for the first time,” she says. “Instead of a single rollerball, it has three tiny ones, which helps disperse the cooling effect when I apply this. I squeeze the tube to get a little bit of serum out and then gently swipe it back and forth across my under eyes. I tend to love any type of massage applicator for morning because that’s when I need the depuffing benefits most.” As for the formula, she confirms it’s as hydrating as Dr. Chung says. “The texture itself is very watery,” she says. “It makes my under eyes feel instantly plumped and hydrated and the effect lasts all day.”
Best Lightweight Korean Eye Cream: Axis-y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum
Axis-y Vegan Collagen Eye Serum
Amazon
Yesstyle
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, jojoba seed oil, green apple extract, peptides
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Fast facts: Lightweight refreshing texture, cooling rollerball applicator, very lightweight, layers well under makeup
This fast-absorbing eye serum is the most lightweight out of the Korean eye creams we tested. It’s packed with dermatologist-recommended ingredients for under eyes, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides. It also comes with a metal rollerball applicator for a built-in massage, as well as a press-to-dispense tube that lets you control the amount of product you apply. “I saw this collagen eye cream all over my Instagram and TikTok this summer, so naturally, I had to investigate further,” says Wu. “It’s another great option for a morning massage when my eye bags are looking scary. My favorite thing about this formula is how well it layers under concealer. It helps my makeup sit smoother, look glowier, and doesn’t cause creasing.”
Best Korean Eye Cream Splurge: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
- Key ingredients: Ginseng saponin, ginseng retinol
- Fragrance-free: No
- Fast facts: Loved by dermatologists, recommended for targeting signs of aging, feels luxurious
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream is a definite splurge, but dermatologists say it’s a worthy one. “I love how luxurious it feels and how it makes my skin feel soft and smooth,” says Dr. Chang. The formula contains “Panax ginseng to help calm, repair, and fight signs of aging skin as well as licorice root extract, which can help revitalize and brighten the eyelid skin,” she says of the “hydrating, anti-aging” formula. While ginseng is this eye cream’s hero ingredient, you’ll also find other eye cream regulars inside, like “peptides and hydrating factors to nourish.” It also contains Sulwhasoo’s signature ginseng retinol.
Dr. Chung also calls this retinol eye cream a “great option for people who tolerate retinol well but have sensitive skin.” But if you have a little extra to spend, she recommends investing extra in her favorite Sulwhasoo Ultimate S Eye Cream. “My skin runs on the sensitive side so I personally love the Ultimate S Eye Cream because it does not contain retinol, which I find to be too drying for the skin around my eyes,” she says. “I feel that dry skin always adds years to a person’s appearance. This does everything I’m looking for in an eye cream: It keeps my skin hydrated, supple, and bright. The formula includes Sulwhasoo’s trademark Ginseng Berry SR, and my family are believers in the powers of ginseng root.”
The post 12 Best Korean Eye Creams, Approved by Dermatologists & Editors appeared first on Glamour.