
15 Best Korean Eye Creams for Dark Circles, Fine Lines, and More
The best Korean eye creams can combat dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness like no other. While they contain many of the same formulas youâll see in the rest of your products (retinol, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid), theyâre 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 options, I spent three months in Seoul learning about the latest innovations and talking to dermatologists, estheticians, celebrity makeup artists, and more, all of whom shared their picks. Then I tested them and tapped Glamour editors to do the same. We found that Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Circle Eye Cream worked best for making dark circles look less prominent, for example. Below are the rest of the standouts worth adding to your cart, whether youâre looking for a firming overnight treatment or a refreshing a.m. eye serum to add to your skin care routine.
The best Korean eye creams, at a glanceBest Overall: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Circle Eye Cream, $14Best for Fine Lines: CosRx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream, $20Best for Dark Circles: Belif Aqua Bomb Depuffing Eye Gel, $19Best for Wrinkles: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal, $16Best for Puffiness: Chasin Rabbits Bunny Line Smoother, $24Best for Mature Skin: TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream, $21What to look for in a Korean eye cream
Whether or not youâre shopping for Korean beauty brands, the right eye cream depends on your skin type and specific skin needs. âFor dark circles, common ingredients include niacinamide and licorice root extract, which are antioxidants that have been shown to brighten the skin,â says Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania. Effective depuffing ingredients include âcaffeine to reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels and reducing excess fluidâ as well as âanti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea extract and Cica (Centella asiatica) to reduce inflammation,â she says.
If youâre looking for an antiaging Korean eye cream, try ingredients known to target lines and wrinkles, such as peptides, snail mucin, retinol, bakuchiol, and ginseng, says Dr. Chung. âIngredients 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.â Just keep in mind that the skin around your eyes is very delicate so you should pat very gently when applying creams.
Best Korean Eye Cream Overall: Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Circle Eye Cream
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Circle Eye Cream
Letâs get one thing straight: Donât expect even the best brightening eye cream to do the camouflaging of an undereye concealer. But if the delicate skin around your eyes could use a subtle glow boost, try the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita-C Dark Circle Eye Cream. Glamour editors and dermatologists love vitamin C as a key ingredient for brightening, plumping, and protecting skin. This eye cream gets its vitamin C boost from green tangerines, a fruit thatâs naturally rich in the antioxidant. Itâs paired with niacinamide, another popular ingredient for brightening and helping smooth skin texture and fine lines.
âI always reach for this formula after a late night,â says Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu. âI love the lightweight texture that glides on and sinks right in, and it creates a beautiful smooth base for my makeup. It also makes my skin look slightly dewier and glowier, which in turn makes my concealer look extra dewy and glowyâalways the effect Iâm after.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Wrinkles: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
Ginseng is another signature ingredient of Korean skin care. âIt makes a lot of sense for eye creams because its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help balance out irritation,â says Dr. Chung. Much like the ingredient itself, ginseng eye creams can range widely in price. For a more affordable option, try Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum, which Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, says is one of her favorite antiaging Korean eye creams. âIt contains a powerful combination of two antiaging ingredients, retinal and ginseng, which both fight signs of aging and help stimulate collagen,â she says. Theyâre teamed with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid âto help brighten and hydrate the skin, respectively.â Beyond the ingredients list, she also loves the âsilky and nongreasy texture,â which âapplies nicely and keeps skin feeling moisturized for many hours after I apply it.â
Wu also regularly uses this ginseng-infused eye serum. âIt feels very rich and nourishing without being greasy or causing milia around my eyes,â she says. âI first heard about Beauty of Joseon because of its TikTok-viral Korean sunscreen, but this is one of the lineâs sleeper hits. I only need a little bit to make my undereyes feel hydrated and smooth, and I love how it just melts into my skin.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Dry Skin: Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye CreamTested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye Cream
If you have dry skin, try the intensely moisturizing Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye Cream, which feels more nourishing than most of the other Korean eye creams we tested. Itâs 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 cold weather, when her skin tends to dry out. âI have combination skin, but my midface gets dry and irritated,â she says. âI actually love taking this down past my undereyes 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. Iâm impressed that the formula still feels relatively lightweight despite how moisturizing it is. Alsoâyou only need the tiniest amount, so one tube will last you forever.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Evening: Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping MaskTested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask
Youâve probably heard of Laneigeâs 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 treatmentâbut one thatâs made for your undereyes. According to Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania, itâs a âgreat nighttime option for those who have a tendency to wake up with puffy eyes.â
Wu, who says she often wakes up with puffy eyes after late nights, agrees. âThis eye sleeping mask has such an interesting texture,â she says. âIt feels like a cushiony whipped gel that cocoons my undereyes in moisture. Itâs meant to be worn at night, and I do find it a little heavy for daytime. Iâve noticed that when I apply this before bed, my undereyes donât look as tired in the morning. Itâs got a lot of brightening, hydrating, and firming ingredients that dermatologists like to recommend for eye treatments. I usually slap on some undereye patches before bed if Iâm up late working on deadlines, but this is a much more convenient way to get a similar effect.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Firming: Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum
Dr. Chung calls Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum âan HA monster.â Youâll often find hyaluronic acid (HA) in eye creams because itâs âfabulous for keeping the thin skin around the eyes hydrated,â she says. Try this eye serum if you want to target fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes. While it wonât erase them entirely, the extra moisture will help them look smoother. âItâs great for plumping the appearance of fine lines, especially in the 35-years-and-older crew who are just starting to notice age-related changes around the eyes,â she says.
Wuâs favorite feature of this eye serum is the applicator. âI was surprised when I uncapped this for the first time,â she says. âInstead 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 undereyes. I tend to love any type of massage applicator for morning because thatâs when I need the depuffing benefits most.â As for the formula, she confirms itâs as hydrating as Dr. Chung says. âThe texture itself is very watery,â she says. âIt makes my undereyes feel instantly plumped and hydrated, and the effect lasts all day.â
Best Collagen Korean Eye Cream: Abib Collagen Eye CrĂšme
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Abib Collagen Eye CrĂšme
Collagen is one of K-beautyâs most popular moisturizing ingredients, and the Abib Collagen Eye CrĂšme packs on all the long-lasting hydration you could want. Along with plant-derived collagen extract, itâs formulated with plenty of dermatologist-recommended ingredients for undereyes, such as niacinamide, bakuchiol, peptides, and caffeine. The creamy texture and intense nourishing effect help immediately make your under eyes look smoother and firmer.
âThis eye cream is just incredibly luxurious, without the luxury price tag,â says Wu. âThe texture is on the thicker side, but itâs not greasy and doesnât cause any irritation or milia around my eyes. I love how hydrating the formula is, and the ingredients really help my eye area feel bouncier and smoother as soon as I apply.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Mature Skin: TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream
TirTir Collagen Lifting Eye Cream pairs hydrating, firming, and smoothing ingredients with a cooling metal roller that instantly helps take down your morning puffiness. While all skin types can get in on this formula, itâs particularly great for mature skin and for targeting the signs of aging like fine lines and crepiness. Along with popular hydrating ingredients like avocado oil and plant-based collagen, it also contains peptides to help firm and niacinamide to help smooth and keep your skin supple.
âI always enjoy an eye cream with a built-in massager,â says Wu. âThis formula makes my undereyes feel firmer and look more refreshed, and I love that the ingredients list features dermatologist favorites like peptides. The texture is both lightweight and nourishing, so I can easily use this in both my morning and evening skin care routines.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Puffiness: Chasin Rabbits Bunny Line Smoother
Original video by Jenifer Calle testing Chasin Rabbits Bunny Line Smoother
Chasin Rabbits Bunny Line Smoother
The cooling sensation of this eye creamâs roller not only helps with blood circulation, but it also makes for an enjoyable sensory experience during your skin care routine. Sarah Chung Park, founder and CEO of Landing, a technology firm supporting beauty retailers, agrees and loves the Chasin Rabbits Bunny Line Smoother for that reason. âItâs a refreshing roller that instantly cools and smooths my undereyes, perfect for mornings when I wake up puffy,â says Park. Youâll find a lightweight formula made with probiotics, matcha, and Plukenetia volubilis seed oil, a cold-pressed oil from a vine plant found in the Amazon rainforest, to reduce the appearance of those undereye bags.
Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle is also a fan. âI wake up with very puffy eyes, and I love the cooling sensation of this eye cream roller. I also like that itâs so lightweight. In the past Iâve been plagued with milia from using heavy eye creams, but I donât have to worry about that with this one. I actually use it in the evenings and mornings.â
Best Korean Eye Cream for Dark Circles: Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu
Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel
Glamour editors chose Belifâs The True Cream Aqua Bomb as one of the best Korean moisturizers, and the Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel is just as good. Itâs also a dermatologist pick for its instant depuffing effects. âI love the instant cooling effect you get when applying this eye gel,â says Dr. Chang. âIt also absorbs into the skin well so that makeup can be applied smoothly after, without any pilling.â The formula contains caffeine, which Dr. Chang says âreduces swelling around the eyelids,â 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 you use âto massage the eye area and help drain away swelling.â
Wu has used this eye gel since it launched and still keeps it in her regular rotation for combating dark circles. âI give myself a little massage with this every morning, and it feels heavenly. Combined with a giant iced coffee and a layer of concealer, it actually makes me look and feel like I got a solid nightâs sleep,â says Wu.
Best Korean Eye Cream for Mature Skin: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye CreamOriginal photo from Audrey Noble testing Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream
The hero ingredient in this Sulwhasoo eye cream is ginseng, which firms the skin to smooth out fine lines and help boost your skinâs natural radiance. As an added bonus, itâs super lightweight and blends smoothly into the skin for easy application. In terms of cost per use, Glamour contributor Audrey Noble says itâs an investment that pays back in dividendsâskinwise, of course. âCan a $120 eye cream live up to its hype (a.k.a. steep asking price)? In the case of the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream, absolutely,â she says.
Best Korean Eye Cream for Dry Eyes: Mixsoon Bean Eye CreamOriginal photo from Audrey Noble testing
Mixsoon Bean Eye Cream
Another pick from Park, the Mixsoon Bean Eye Cream is ideal for those with dry skin. âItâs lightweight yet deeply hydrating; a perfect daily eye cream that layers well under makeup and brightens skin over time,â she says. It uses soybean amino acids, hibiscus syriacus callus extract, and phytoestrogen to improve uneven texture and your skinâs elasticity, which smooths over those fine lines. As an added bonus, she says, itâs gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin to use.
Best Korean Eye Cream for Fine Lines: CosRx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream
CosRx Snail Peptide Eye Cream
Snail mucin is one of K-beautyâs most popular ingredients, showing up quite frequently in eye cream. Dr. Chang says, âSnail mucin contains a complex mix of glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, copper peptides, and antimicrobial peptides,â and the âpotential benefitsâ include âimproved hydration, brightening, soothing, and antiaging.â However, she says that âunfortunately, large, randomized, controlled trials that specifically evaluate impact of snail mucin on human skin are lacking.â Still, CosRx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream remains one of her personal favorite formulas. (The brand also makes one of the most popular Korean toners.) âIt has 72% snail mucin to hydrate, soothe, and brighten the skin,â she says. âItâs also formulated with my favorite brightening ingredient, niacinamide, as well as five types of peptides to increase collagen production.â
Dr. Chang also recommends this eye cream if you have sensitive skin. âItâs very lightweight and has no fragrance,â she says. Cho swears by this formula for âgently filling in fine lines when my undereye area is dry, irritated, and crepey.â Like Dr. Chang, she notes that the formula âdoes not irritate,â so she applies it âall over my undereye and on my eyelids.â
Best Retinol Alternative Korean Eye Cream: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye CreamSkin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Though it comes with loads of benefits, the sad truth about retinol is that it can be harsh on the skin. Thatâs where bakuchiol comes in. The retinol alternative gives the same exfoliating and smoothing benefits sans the irritation. Dr. Chung adds that the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream also has hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help skin retain moisture.
Best Korean Eye Cream for the Skin Barrier: Mizon Snail Repair Eye CreamMizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, a cosmetic physician and founder of Koru Wellness & Aesthetics NYC, explains that Korean skin careâs snail mucin formulations can reach high concentrations compared with their Western counterparts, making them more effective.âIt’s really the precise formulation methods and concentration balances that set them apart,â says Dr. Chin. Her pick is the Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream, which contains 80% snail mucin, plus niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, to maintain skin health and tackle the most pressing antiaging concerns such as fine lines and dark circles.
Best Korean Eye Cream for Plumping: Swanicoco Bio Peptine Eye Care CreamSwanicoco Bio Peptine Eye Care Cream
A personal favorite pick from Winnie Zhong, founder of the viral New York City-based Asian beauty store Senti Senti, the Swanicoco Fermentation Peptide Cream does a lot to help your eyes look brighter and more awake. It is packed with fermented peptides and epidermis growth factors (proteins that help stimulate collagen and firm the skin) to lift any sagging skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Itâs also made with wild ginseng root to brighten those dark spots and glycerin to provide any needed hydration. Zhongâs pro tip on finding the right Korean eye cream: Find one youâll actually use. âWear one that you like in terms of texture,â she says. âAnd then focus on the functionality of the eye cream.â
Meet the expertsY. Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York CityChristina Chung, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in PennsylvaniaCharlotte Cho, licensed esthetician in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailerFiona Stiles, celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles and founder of Reed Clarke online beauty retailerVivian Chin, MD, MPH, cosmetic physician and founder of Koru Wellness & Aesthetics NYCSarah Chung Park, founder and CEO of Landing International, a business platform bringing K-beauty brands to the USWinnie Zhong, founder of the viral New York City-based Asian beauty retailer Senti Senti