14 amazing eye creams

The skin under your eyes is four times thinner than on the rest of your face, and is the first place to show signs of tiredness and ageing. Ronita Dutta scoured the shelves for the most eye-popping creams to keep your peepers pristine

The skin under your eyes is at least four times thinner than on the rest of your face, has fewer oil glands and is consequently the first place to show signs of tiredness, dehydration and ageing. Award-winning beauty expert Ronita Dutta scoured the shelves for the most eye-popping creams to keep your peepers pristine

Most soothing

Trilogy Eye Contour Cream, 20ml £22.45

A fabulous fragrance-free organic cream containing soothing Aloe Vera, Rosehip oil and Carrot oil. It quickly absorbs to revive tired eyes and reduce puffiness and also contains age-fighting Retinol and Vitamin A.

Available at SoOrganic.com
Olay Regenerist Derma Pods £29.99

These mini pods are an innovative little at-home eye treatment. The uniquely designed applicator delivers a hydrating anti-ageing amino-peptide complex to improve surface skin whist at the same time massaging to relieve puffiness. Use three times a week for eight weeks for noticeable results.

Available at www.boots.com
Darphin Wrinkle Corrective Eye Contour Cream £39 (Available April 2010)

A lightweight, newly-formulated cream that's an absolute joy to use. Light reflecting particles help to instantly brighten while clever wrinkle-fighting technology (that, frankly, we don't really understand) does its work behind the scenes to minimise the appearance of fine lines.

Available at www.beautyportions.co.uk
Dermalogica Total Eye Care £33.20

Given the thin and delicate nature of the under-eye area, it's surprising how few eye creams contain a decent sunscreen. Dermalogica's brilliant Total Eye Care is a complete treatment for eyes, containing a chemical-free sun screen SPF 15, alpha hydroxy acids to reduce puffiness and optical light diffusers to diminish dark circles. We like!

Available at www.dermalogica.com
Boots Protect & Perfect £16.50

A practical and good value eye cream which harnesses the power of No 7's unforgettable cult bestseller - Protect & Perfect beauty serum - but is gentle enough for use around the eyes. Can be used in conjunction with the rest of the P&P range or on its own to firm and brighten peepers.

Available at www.boots.com
OSKIA Eye Wonder £58.00

One of the few products we tested that can be used over the entire eye area. All Oskia products contain their patented MSM-Regen Complex™ which is proven to help the skin's natural production of collagen. Our tester, who has very sensitive eyes, really loved the light texture of this silky serum.

Available at www.oskiaskincare.com
Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream £65

Made using Hungarian thermal water, this luxuriant super-eye cream is rich in vitamin K for diminishing dark circles, arnica and cucumber to de-puff and natural hazelnut peptides for firming and lifting. Yes, it's expensive but just a tiny drop goes a very long way. Our tester likes it so much she's refusing to give it back.

Available at shop.harveynichols.com
Henriksen Fresh Start Eye Cream £30

We loved the texture of this quick absorbing cream enriched with avocado, wheat germ and grape seed oil. Ideal for contact lens wearers whose eyes can become extra dry and irritated over the course of the day.

Available at www.lookfantastic.com
Estee Lauder Time Zone Anti-Line/Wrinkle Cream £32

The scientific explanations behind this wrinkle wonder cream gave us a headache. Techy terms like Sirutuin Ex-1, biomimetic barrier complex and anti-hyaluronidase technology had us flummoxed, but clinical studies showed a reduction in the look of lines and wrinkles after just four weeks of use on every woman tested, so we've got high hopes. Our tester has only been using it for a few days, so it's too early to say, but so far so good.

Available at www.esteelauder.co.uk
Eve Lom Eye Serum £35

Frequent flyers need to take extra special care of their eyes. Air conditioning, even on short-haul flights, can severely dry out the area around the eyes. A thin layer of this rich serum containing malachite - a source of free radical scavenging minerals - should be applied like a leave-on mask to keep eyes hydrated in flight. Celebrity fans include Adele.

Available at www.evelom.com
Origins GinZing™ Refreshing Eye cream £20

This caffeine and ginseng-packed cream really works wonders as a quick fix. Our party girl tester swears by it. A quick dab provides an almost instant brightening boost for morning-after puffy eyes, but sadly won't cure your hangover.

Available at www.origins.co.uk
Garnier Caffeine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Roll-on £9.99

A clever roll-on eye treatment containing caffeine and concealer, available in three shades. The applicator cools and massages away puffiness while the built in concealer hides dark circles - be sure to blend using your fingers. Our tester reckoned it was great to keep in your handbag for quick touch-ups but doesn't replace the role of a proper eye cream.

Available at www.boots.com
Neal's Yard White Tea Toning Eye Gel £22

Prolonged hours of sitting in front of your computer screen can take its toll on your eyes. This organic formula toning gel is a handy little desk companion containing anti-oxidant white tea and witch hazel to cool and tone.

Available at www.nealsyardremedies.com
ESPA 24 hour Eye Complex £24

A lovely, nourishing blend of essential oils including neroli, frankinscense, patchouli and cell-regenerating ginkgo biloba, which works particularly well on dry and dehydrated skins. Can also be used as an emergency moisturiser and lip mask.

Available at www.espaonline.com