OK let’s do this: after the success of the Budget Skincare That Really Works video, we now have my Top Affordable Eye Creams. So many people ask for recommendations in this category, especially friends and family, and I’m writing this post mainly so that I can just give them the link when they quiz me instead of repeating myself.
Although, it’s difficult to give someone a link face to face, isn’t it? And when friends and family ask me stuff then it usually is face to face. What am I going to do then? Say to them, “well why don’t you look at my post on double-u double-u double-u dot, a model recommends dot com, slash best hyphen budget hyphen eye hyphen creams”?
It’s easier just to give them the bloody recommendations. None of them will have a pen to hand anyway, and half of them still won’t be able to use the internet properly, or they will have their smart phone on them and I’ll have to stand there whilst they painfully tap in the url.
“Wait, wait Ruth: say the link more slowly. I’ll type it now. Double-u, double-u – what was next?”
“Double-u, Bianca. Double-u. Three times. Oh God I want to pluck my own brains out with the BBQ tongs.”
“Then what was it after the double-u? A module recommends?”
I’ve tried out dozens and dozens of products at the “affordable” or “budget” end of the pricing scale and these are my favourites: the best budget eye creams. I think that they perform brilliantly and give a great return on investment – all are around the £10-£15 mark and will keep your undereyes hydrated, primed for makeup and (in one case) de-puffed.
The Best Budget Eye Creams:
Inkey List Caffeine Eye Serum, £8.99 here*.
This one is the de-puffery one and it is, praise be, actually very effective. Not just cooling and with a de-puffing feel, this has visible results and it’s also the cheapest of my top picks. I have @NadineBaggott to thank for this one – she wrote about it on my app (The Night Feed, here) and it forced me to do a proper testing stint.
This pleasing tube of straight-talking cream doesn’t only tackle puffiness, it improves fine lines and has a go at dark circles too. If we’re all being honest, topical treatments are never going to be as effective on dark circles as a good concealer, but I think that the Inkey List have come out with a really solid all-rounder of an eye cream here. Top marks.
Inkey List Caffeine Eye Serum*
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, £11 here* (should be £15)
CeraVe make brilliant creams and lotions for sensitive skin and this eye cream is rich, creamy and kind to your delicate undereyes if you err towards flare-ups. I have some weird red patches that come up from time to time, if I test out crazy combinations of face products, and this is one of my staple fixers.
Bioderma Sensibio Eye Gel, £15 here*.
This lightweight, incredibly refreshing eye gel suits all skin types (all the ones on this page do actually, so that’s a misnomer!) and is gorgeous if you like to use a rich cream on your face but keep your eye area feeling cool and soothed. It has been formulated for intolerant, reactive skin (as has the CeraVe) and is fragrance free, so well worth a try if you need something calming for the old peepers.
I’ve just realised that all of the above picks are fragrance free and sensitively formulated – hurrah! Isn’t it great that it’s now so much easier to find excellent skincare at reasonable prices?
Oh bloody hell; I forgot the brilliant Eucerin Hyaluron Filler eye cream, which has SPF15 that doesn’t sting your eyes. Too late for me to pop that in the photos above, but there’s a whole review post written about it here! If you’re always hunting for something sturdy and (very) hydrating for the eye area but contains SPF then this will be your bag.
That Caffeine one sounds good!
I was told by an official stockist in Australia that Bioderma has discontinued their eye cream, just when I want to try it! Has anyone heard anything?
PS: I remember the early years of this site, lovely to see how it has grown :)
Everyone I’ve seen online has been raving about Cerave moisturizers. I hope their eye cream wouldn’t be any different.
Do you usually switch in between these products or use one brand until you’re out before using a different one?
I always come back to the CeraVe eye cream as well! It’s such a great standby to have on the shelf. Many eye creams are too rich for my skin and can break me out or even give me milia around the eye which is the actual worst. I also find its great on the lips before lipstick as well. Really moisturizing without the slip of a lip balm. xx
I have to admit I have tried expensive eye creams but nothing has blown me away, these all sound lovely, thanks! The caffeine de-puffer one sounds especially to have around for my occasional but ALWAYS when I’m travelling “who smashed my face” morning eyes!
I’ve been wanting to try out some products from the Inkey List for a while now and its eye cream sounds fabulous, so I’ll have to check it out. It’s nice to know that you don’t always have to splurge on skincare to get results!
I am a huge fan of The Inkey List Caffeine eye cream – it works brilliant, so I just ordered their new version, the I-Bright. Have you tried that one?
Anne from Doctor Anne
No I hadn’t seen it! Oooph, will have to get that! xx
I have a real problem with eye creams breaking me out! The CeraVe one is great, but alas even it breaks me out. I always recommend it to my friends, though, because it is such a great and affordable eye cream notwithstanding the fact it doesn’t work for me. Fortunately, I found Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel based on a really positive review from your wonderful pal, C.H. It doesn’t break me out, and I am absolutely in love with it! I’d definitely put in the the reasonable, not so much budget, category. (P.S. I love your candid writing style. I always makes me smile. You are amazing!)
Oh I shall check that one out! x
The Bioderma eye cream is incredible! I’ve used it for years after you had recommended it and everything else pales in comparison. I can’t use anything else near my eyes during hayfever season, and this actually soothes as well as hydrates. It’s also amazing under make-up. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Good to know! x
You read my mind, need a good eye cream! It’s great these are affordable but could you recommend a really great eye cream, affordable or not? What are you using right now?
The Inkey list one!! For wrinkles, the Murad retinol one is great. Or any of the Kate Somerville ones.. xx
Great, thanks Ruth! Loving your latest posts/videos. I’m not a newbie to skincare and have a pile of products in the bathroom cabinet but thinking about going back to basics having seen your basic skincare recommendations x
xxx