Tried & tested: 10 of the best eye creams

"This is a novel concept, little massage balls roll the eye gel onto your eye and then pat in. There is a definite tightening effect and though it says use morning and evening, I would say morning use has the most payback. It says best kept in the fridge but who wants to faff around with that: I didn't and it still had a noticeable effect for me."

Star rating: 4/5

Available from Thalgo

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Lush Enchanted Eye Cream, £11.50 for 45g

The brand says: Lavender honey water, almond oil and jojoba oil are made into our lightest loosest emulsion, to give a very refreshing cream that sinks in easily without overloading the skin. We have kept this product very delicate and simple, with just the right amount of mild ingredients to help you keep the skin plumped and hydrated without puffiness or irritation.

Our mum tester says:

"This is a standard lotion, with a suprisingly subtle scent for Lush! It smooths on easily (good instructions on the packaging to use your ring-finger for this) and works as a good base for make-up. No gimmicks – no little balls(!), tingling or tightening, just a really effective moisturiser which didn't irritate my sensitive eyes. Nice that it's natural and organic too!

Star rating: 4/5

Available from Lush

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Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Bee Venom Eyes, £55 for 15ml

The brand says: A natural alternative to botox. Containing Manuka Honey, renowned for its soothing and healing properties, Bee Venom Eyes works to control muscles around the eyes for immediate lifting, tightening and firming. Bee Venom Eyes also contains softening and calming Shea Butter, Rose and Lavender essential oils and River Silt* to feed the tissue, firming and tightening the skin, for an instant anti-ageing and rejuvenating effect.

Our mum tester says:

"Despite being slightly wary of the 'bee venom' name this eye cream proved to be the softest sting-free potion I've ever used. It has an ultra-light texture, goes on like a dream and is instantly absorbed, leaving no oily residue, just a lighter, brighter eye area. It'll take a while longer for my lines to buzz off, but I have every confidence they will!"

Star rating: 5/5

Available from Heaven Skincare

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Balance Me Wonder Eye cream, £20 for 15ml

The brand says: Our three-in-one naturally active eye cream is rich but not heavy and absorbs beautifully. We’ve blended Roman chamomile and skin-brightening lemon, cucumber oil and witch hazel with super hydrating hyaluronic acid, anti-oxidant spruce knot, softening and smoothing virgin coconut, rosehip and carrot oils, all to help brighten and smooth the delicate skin around your eyes.

Our mum tester says:

"This is a must-have for tired mums who need a quick pick-me-up in the morning. It glides on well, tingles – so you know it's working, and absorbs quickly. Although it says to only use it morning and night, it's the perfect size to pop into your handbag and whip out if you feel your panda eyes coming on. Only tiny niggle is that the pump dispenses too much product each time."

Star rating: 4/5

Available from Balance Me

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Pure Natural Beauty Super Active Eye Serum, £8.50 for 15ml

The brand says: This anti-ageing serum gently helps to soothe, condition and smooth the eye area. Contains a naturally active complex with omega 3 and omega 6. No artificial colours or synthetic fragrance, parabens, silicones or mineral oil.

Our mum tester says:

"This serum felt light and refreshing on the eye area, with a gel like texture. It says use morning or evening, and I used it both as it brightened the eye area in the morning and soothed it at night. It says to pat it into the eye contours, and this felt very invigorating and helped to plump the skin under my eyes. I would use it again."

Rating: 4/5

Available from Marks & Spencer

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No7 Youthful Eyes Serum, £19.50 for 15ml

The brand says: The advanced formula with a blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C and Soft focus Spheres instantly smoothes, revitalises and brightens to give the skin around the eyes a youthful radiance. In addition, an effective fusion of Vitamin A, Cassava and Anti-Ageing Peptides work day by day to visibly improve skin firmness, reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness and reduce wrinkles including crow’s feet.

Our mum tester says:

"It has a slight tingle when you apply it so it feels like it should have a tightening effect, and there seems to be a slight reduction in the puffiness round my eyes, but cannot see any change to the wrinkles just yet! Poitive point is that I have sensitive eyes and it is gentle enough not to cause any irritation."

Star rating: 3/5

Available from Boots

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RéVive Intensité Volumising Eye Serum, £200 for 15ml

The brand says: The newest member of the Intensité family - this advanced formula helps visibly plump, rebuild volume, diminish the look of dark circles and re-contour the delicate eye area, “filling in hollows”

Our mum tester says:

"This product had me hooked from first use – it's lovely and cooling to tired eyes in the morning, and I definitely felt the plumping effect promised. The scent was subtle which is nice in a world full of heavily fragrances products. It has hugely reduced the puffiness of my undereyes and I would definitely recommend this for anyone who needs a bit of rejuvenating! It's a bit pricey, but perhaps it would make a good cumulative birthday present? It's worth giving up other presents for!"

Star rating: 4/5

Available from Space.NK

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Freeze 24-7 eyecing, £70.00 for 18ml

The brand says: Eyecing® noticeably reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, helps to eliminate "bags", puffiness, & dark circles around & under the eye. This high-tech formula aides in cell detoxification from environmental aggressors & provides overall improved skin tone & clarity by improving circulation & drainage. Eyecing® rejuvenates the skin & fights off fatigue by increasing hydration & restoring resiliency to the skin.

Our mum tester says:

"I love a good pun, so right away had a good feeling about this bijoux, suitably scientific looking pot of concentrated cream. Name aside, there are no gimmicks here, just a light formula reminiscent of whipped angel delight and (despite it’s spearmint hue) no overpowering scent or tingle. After a few days’ use my weary undereyes feel pert and plumped like proper rich girl’s skin, and a little goes a long way – which is just as well as my boyfriend seems quite taken with it too!"

Star rating: 4/5

Available from Debenhams

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bareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment, £23 for 15ml

The brand says: Restore firmness and reduce puffiness around the eye area with this dramatically effective treatment that reveals younger looking eyes. Powered by our 100% pure ActiveSoil Complex, this formula delivers firmer, smoother skin around the delicate eye area morning and night.

Our mum tester says:

"This easy-to-use eye cream was quick to apply – just six small dots in a "C'" curve from brow bone to under-eye day and night. The lightly fragranced cream had a luxuriously thick texture – which always seems like a great sign when you need to hydrate, firm and smooth skin. The effects were noticeable within days. The skin around my eyes feel more plump, youthful and maybe even a few less fine visible lines."

Star rating: 4/5

Available from bareMinerals

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Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Serum, £56.50 for 15ml

The brand says: Gives spectacular results after just one month. Puffiness is reduced by 49%, dark circles reduced by 35% and 81% of women tested said their eye area was more luminous after using the product for one month. A subtle blend of lightness and comfort, the serum-cream combines a feeling of frshnees, instant absorption and wellbeing.

Our mum tester says: "Gorgeous packaging and excellent results already. My eyes felt hydrated and pumped after just a couple of uses. It felt luxuriant to use and a real treat. As a busy mum, I don't get much 'me-time' so this is a quick beauty fix which made me feel better and brighter."

Star rating: 5/5

Available from Debenhams

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