Most Eye Creams Are Snake Oil, but This Rich Formula Instantly Reduces My Morning Puffiness

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleIs Sunday Riley Eye Cream Worth It?Add to CartWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

View All

In This Article

Is Sunday Riley Eye Cream Worth It?

Add to Cart

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Shalwah Evans

People / Shalwah Evans

If I’m being honest, I think mosteye creamsare snake oil: They don’t work for me, and they tend to be costly.

Experts Say“Dark circles under the eyes are a common concern that can appear for many reasons — some of them are simply due to aging,” board-certified dermatologistDr. Naana Boakyetells PEOPLE. “Over time, the natural shifts in fat distribution, muscle changes, and volume loss in the midface can all contribute to that familiar shadowed look beneath the eyes.”

Experts Say

“Dark circles under the eyes are a common concern that can appear for many reasons — some of them are simply due to aging,” board-certified dermatologistDr. Naana Boakyetells PEOPLE. “Over time, the natural shifts in fat distribution, muscle changes, and volume loss in the midface can all contribute to that familiar shadowed look beneath the eyes.”

Then a few years ago I discoveredSunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles, and it changed my world.

This eye cream not only hydrates my eye area, but itinstantly depuffsmy eye bags andbrightens my dark circlesin a way no other eye cream does. It’s thebest eye creamI’ve ever used, and that’s why you’ll always find a bottle on my vanity or in my fridge.

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark CirclesPHOTO: Amazon$65 at Amazon$65 at Nordstrom$65 at Sephora

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles

PHOTO: Amazon

$65 at Amazon$65 at Nordstrom$65 at Sephora

Size:0.5 oz. |Key Ingredients:Caffeine, Brazilian ginseng, horse chestnut, watermelon extract, lutein |Skin types:Balanced, Dry, Combination, Oily

Absolutely. My morning skincare routine used to get long when I woke up with particularly puffy eyes. I’d have to take a few minutes to put a cold spoon against the skin to help with puffiness and dark circles. But once I started using Sunday Riley Auto Correct, I reserved that spoon exclusively for my morning cup of coffee.

There are a couple of things that really make this eye cream worth the investment.

Rich Texture

Sunday Riley Auto Correct has a thick, creamy texture that you expect from a $65 eye cream. Because it’s so rich, it does take about a full minute to absorb, and you want to massage it into the eye area for about a minute before that, but it’s well worth the time investment (and coin).

The buttery smooth eye cream hydrates the eye area so well, I wholeheartedly believe it’s the reason why my dark circles look less pronounced just ten minutes after application. Plus, it never feels greasy or sticky and doesn’t pill when layered with other skincare or makeup. Nothing else erases the darkness under my eyes so quicklyandkeeps my eyes looking refreshed for the entire day.

Instant Results

After just four weeks of using Sunday Riley eye cream, my under-eye bags look reduced, my dark circles look brighter, less sallow and deep, and my under-eye area feels more hydrated. And I love that for me! I admit, because I’ve been so underwhelmed with most eye creams I can be a bit lazy about using it consistently, but whenever I pick it up, I’m never disappointed.

Day to day, I feel like my eyes look better, and overall my eye area shows vast improvement. When I catch the right golden hour light wearing just skincare and myfavorite sunscreen, my face looks flawless. I’m talking, “What dark circles?” flawless.

And I’m not the only one. Just days ago, a Sunday Riley Auto Correct customer said, “I love this stuff! It feels good under your eyes and it gives nearly instant results. Does exactly what it says it does!”

Did You Know?Dr. Boakye explains that while age plays a big role in why you may have dark circles, there are other factors that can cause them, or make them worse, including genetics, skin conditions, lifestyle habits — like lack of sleep and smoking — and certain medications used for glaucoma.

Did You Know?

Dr. Boakye explains that while age plays a big role in why you may have dark circles, there are other factors that can cause them, or make them worse, including genetics, skin conditions, lifestyle habits — like lack of sleep and smoking — and certain medications used for glaucoma.

Effective Ingredients

Fortunately for us ingredients nerds, Sunday Riley is transparent about everything that goes into Auto Correct eye cream.

To effectively target dark circles, Sunday Riley eye cream containscaffeine, Brazilian ginseng, and horse chestnut(all known for their anti-inflammatory properties), andlight-reflecting particles(which would explain the immediate brightness). It also has watermelon extract for hydration, and lutein, an antioxidant known for protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light and oxidative damage.

Picked up a bottle of Sunday Riley Auto Correct? Sa-weet! Now check out a few accompanying products that can enhance your skincare regimen.

EcoTools Rose Quartz Facial RollerView on Ecotools.comCooluli Infinity Mini Fridge$80$77 at Amazon$80 at Wayfair$114 at Macy’sNYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Undereye Patches$12 at AmazonPopmask Starry Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks$21 at Amazon$20 at Target

EcoTools Rose Quartz Facial RollerView on Ecotools.com

EcoTools Rose Quartz Facial Roller

View on Ecotools.com

Cooluli Infinity Mini Fridge$80$77 at Amazon$80 at Wayfair$114 at Macy’s

Cooluli Infinity Mini Fridge

$80$77 at Amazon$80 at Wayfair$114 at Macy’s

NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Undereye Patches$12 at Amazon

NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Undereye Patches

$12 at Amazon

Popmask Starry Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks$21 at Amazon$20 at Target

Popmask Starry Eyes Self-Heating Eye Masks

$21 at Amazon$20 at Target

Shalwah Evansis a senior shopping editor for PEOPLE. She has covered beauty for more than 10 years, with a specialty in skincare and skincare ingredients. She has tried hundreds of products over the years and has consulted with experts on various topics in skincare.

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source: people.com