What do puffiness, dark circles and fine lines around the eyes have in common? They are all major skin concerns for anyone over 18. The eye area is the first part of your face to show the signs of aging. The skin around the eye area is thin and delicate and is especially vulnerable to the effects of pollution and the sun, therefore aging faster. The lack of oil glands in the eye area also means that this area cannot lubricate itself and needs external moisturization.

On top of aging and dryness – lack of sleep, fatigue and fluid retention in the lower lid can cause puffiness and dark circles.

To tackle all these issues you need a good eye treatment. The right eye treatment not only makes you look younger but also more awake and vibrant. The most effective eye treatments have a mix of antioxidants (which fight free radicals and also help reduce inflammation), moisturizing ingredients and ingredients that aid in cell turnover. Some treatments take time to work as they target the cause of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles while others have ingredients that work immediately but only temporarily. In our testing we looked for proven ingredients that work over time as well as immediate results (from items that claim to make an instant difference in your appearance). There are hundreds of eye creams in the market but we’ve narrowed down your options to give you only the best. Whether you are battling the signs of aging, puffiness, dark circles or all of the above there is an eye treatment for you.

Puffiness/Dark Circles

Zia Natural Skincare Essential Eye Gel uses a blend of chamomile, cucumber and seaweed to firm and hydrate the eye area while smoothing skin, reducing puffiness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants help fight environmental damage and help to repair the skin. The gel has a cooling effect and the consistency is similar to a serum. Essential Eye Gel is all natural and paraben free and is packaged in a container made of 50% post-consumer waste. Zia Skin Basics can be found at fine health food stores nationwide and at zianatural.com $23.95

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream uses a blend of natural botanicals and brightening ingredients to instantly illuminate and brighten eyes. The main ingredient is Panax Ginseng, which works to boost circulation to the eye area, and is known to reduce the signs of fatigue. Hesperidin (an antioxidant) and Coleus Barbatus (a relative of the mint family) work with Panax Ginseng to combat puffiness. Caffeine helps to soothe skin while Vitamin B complex works to strengthen skin and fight off stressors. Brightening ingredients in silica and mica instantly illuminate the eye area while shea butter and other moisturizers soften skin. Clinical results showed improved moisturization and radiance. Available at origins.com $29.50

Anti aging

Avon ANEW Clinical Eye Lift is Avon’s answer to dermatologist procedures. This two-part treatment has a dual-chamber jar that features two different formulas to target both the upper and lower eye areas – a gel for the upper areas and a cream for the lower area. The upper eye area is prone to drooping and sagging so the upper eye gel features Avon’s exclusive Dimensional-Lift Technology – which is formulated to strengthen and firm the skin of the upper eyelid by boosting elastin and collagen. The under eye area is prone to puffiness and dark circles so the under eye cream features Avon’s exclusive Derma-Refine Technology – which is formulated to increase cellular metabolism and rebuild the skin. Clinical studies show that ANEW Clinical Eye Lift visibly reduced sagging and drooping of the upper eye area while also reducing dark circles and creepiness on the lower lid. Available at avon.com $28

Lancome Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Cream uses Lancome’s Renergie Microlift technology to combat the signs of aging. Renergie Microlift is Lancome’s top anti-aging line and it is inspired by current advances in facial plastic surgery. Best for those over 40, R.A.R.E. stands for Re-bundling And Repositioning Effect – and it aims to tighten and lift skin. R.A.R.E. targets Lumican, a collagen building protein that decreases as we age. R.A.R.E. is designed to double the production of collagen leading to an improvement in the appearance of sagging. R.A.R.E. also uses new ingredients – Oligopeptides (which works to double Lumican production) and Microlifters (silica particles and soy proteins designed to immediately lift and tighten skin). A four week study concluded that 79 percent of women showed improvement in skin tightness, 76 percent found increased firmness and 84 percent found their skin smoother. Available at Lancome counters and lancome.com $58

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage Daily Eye Cream SPf 15 is the first Garnier Nutrioniste eye cream to contain SPF. As has been thoroughly documented and researched, using SPF is the best way to ward off the signs of aging. In addition to SPF 15, Anti- Sun Damage Daily Eye Cream also includes Lycopene, Vitamin C and soothing minerals to help repair sun damage and reduce sunspots and fine lines. Clinical studies show that in 8 weeks signs of UV damage were reduced. This is our pick for best mass-market eye cream due to its effective ingredients, friendly price and SPF content. $12.99 at drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide.

Estee Lauder Time Zone Anti-Line/Wrinkle Eye Crème uses the science of cellular regeneration to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It uses three powerful anti-aging technologies – Sirtuin EX –1 Technology, Tri-Hyaluronic Complex and Biomimetic Barrier Complex. Sirtuin Ex-1 Technology is exclusive to Estee Lauder and helps skin resist daily stress. Tri-Hyaluronic Complex hydrates and smoothes the skin around the eye. Biomimetic Barrier Complex contains many essential fatty acids, triglycerides sterols and ceramides which help to rebuild skin’s natural barrier. Together these three technologies reverse the appearance of aging. $43.50 at esteelauder.com counters.

All Around – target puffiness, dark circles and the effects of aging

Garnier Skin Renew Daily Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream uses Garnier Nutrioniste’s Dermatological nutrients – a proprietary formula of skin-essential ingredients formulated to give you radiant, even toned skin. Vitamin C, Caffeine and Lycopene target cell regeneration, skin hydration and free radical protection for vibrant skin. It instantly illuminates the eyes with natural micro-pearls. Over time fine lines and dark circles are diminished. $12.99 at drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide.

Olay Definity Eye Illuminator is an antiaging eye cream that also reduces dark circles. It penetrates deep layers of the skin around the eye with its blend of concentrated serum and hydrating gel. Multi-colored mica particles are used to instantly diminish the look of skin discoloration and brighten the eye area. Olay Definity Eye Illuminator uses Avon’s exclusive proprietary blend of glucosamine and niacinamide. Glucosamine helps to improve skin’s moisture barrier while niacinamide is an ingredient that improves the elasticity of skin and aids with tone and texture. Together they work to improve moisture and hydrate the eye area. $25.99 at Drugstores and mass merchants

If there is an eye cream more luxurious than La Mer The Eye Concentrate we did not come across it in the dozens of eye treatments that were tested. Using marine and plant ingredients along with the magnetic energies of minerals, La Mer targets dark circles, puffiness, lines and wrinkles. It conditions and hydrates the eye area improving clarity and tone. Sea Kelp is combined with calcium, magnesium, citrus oil, eucalyptus, alfalfa and sunflower and undergoes a 3 month bio-fermentation process that makes the healing Miracle Broth that La Mer is known for. Magnetized hematite, a dense mineral uses magnetic energies to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. La Mer The Eye Concentrate comes with a specially designed applicator to pick up the exact amount of product for each application. $165 at lamer.com

Kinerase Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Under Eye Treatment is a new dermatologist-exclusive eye treatment from Kinerase. It uses a combination of 10 potent ingredients that work together to minimize dark circles, reduce puffiness and strengthen the delicate skin around the eye. This physician strength formula utilizes higher concentrations of Kinetin – Kinerase’s signature ingredient. Kinetin is a natural substance that helps with moisture retention and reduces the appearance of aging skin as well as aiding with cell turnover. Kinetin works along with Zeatin (Pro+Therapy”s physician exclusive plant growth factor) to slow the natural aging process. Kinerase Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Under Eye Treatment will be available through physicians December 2009 – $85.

Roc Multi Correction uses a unique formula of Pure RoCâ Retinol, antioxidants and Vitamin C to reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants fight free radicals while Vitamin C helps rejuvenate skin tone. RoCâ Retinol works to stimulate skin and smooth wrinkles. Roc Multi Correction has been clinically proven to diminish wrinkles and dark circles while giving skin more vibrancy. At drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide $24.99

Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate is an antiaging eye cream that targets the entire eye zone from temple to temple. Clarins uses an innovative complex to support skin’s natural renewal process. Selenium fights off free radicals while Vitamin C helps to even skin tone. Caffeine and Parsley diminish the looks of dark circles and puffiness. Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate was formulated with mature women in mind – particularly those concerned with aging related hormonal changes. $74 at Clarins counters

Clinique All About Eyes has both the texture of an eye gel and cream in one. It is loaded with ingredients formulated to combat the every day assaults that cause fine lines, dryness, shadows and uneven skin tone. A trio of lipids, which mimic those found in skin, along with Vitamin E and Antioxidants work to support the skin’s moisture barrier and make skin firmer. Eyes become brighter instantly with the help of optical diffusers – microscopic particles that illuminate the area. All About Eyes $28.50 Clinique.com

– Reporting by Catia Carvalho Trooskin