It’s fair to say that K-beauty has been on an exceptional run in recent years. Since the West caught wind of its multistep routines and novel formulas in 2016, Korean sheet masks, manicures and skincare have been everywhere you look. The latest products on the internet’s pedestal? The best Korean eye creams, which skinthusiasts are flocking to for their efficacy – and their affordable price tags. And it’s not a case of overhype. “What sets them apart from many Western products is their deep focus on ingredients,” Dr Young Seob Lee, a PHD research scientist with specialisms in regenerative medicine tells Vogue. “They often feature high concentrations of bioactives such as peptides, growth factors, and fermented extracts, combined with sophisticated delivery systems that enhance penetration and effectiveness.”
It’s no wonder, then, that they are among the most popular imports right now. Armed with firming peptides and soothing agents like green tea and centella, Korean eye creams help to minimise fine lines, brighten, hydrate and protect the fragile skin on the eye contour.
Ahead, experts on what to look for in a quality Korean eye cream, plus Vogue’s edit of the best ones money can buy.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Young Seob Lee MD, PhD is a surgeon and research scientist.
- Dr Mike Lee is the CEO of PrimaCure, a Korean cosmeceutical company that formulates treatments for aesthetic clinics.
Our top Korean eye creams at a glance:
In this story:
Best innovation: VT Reedle Shot
- Why we love it: What you’re looking at here is a fine example of why Korea remains so far ahead in the skincare category. The formula itself is a scientific marvel: it contains patented botanical spicules, which create minuscule channels in the skin in a similar way to microneedling. That advanced technology alone results in deeper absorption of the other skin saviours the serum contains, but the innovation doesn’t stop there – on contact with the skin, its applicator vibrates to maximise ingredient delivery. Superior at refining texture, pores and dullness, it’s gentle enough for the eye contour but can be used anywhere you want to improve the smoothness of the skin. Editor’s tip: limit excessive rubbing when you apply – the pulsations and spicules work hard enough to massage this one in.
- Key ingredients: Cica reedle, collagen, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
- Best for: Addressing multiple eye concerns, smoothing, lifting
- Size: 15ml
Best hydrating: Green Tea Bright Eye Serum
- Why we love it: If you’re looking for a gentle formula, consider this serum from Innisfree. We’re fans of the mess-free, massage ball applicator that makes it especially convenient for refreshing tired eyes on-the-go. Heavily hydration-focused, it’s a gentler option than most on this list, and boasts not one, but five forms of hyaluronic acid. “Various forms of hyaluronic acid will hydrate at multiple levels of the skin,” says Dr Mike, going on to explain that niacinamide, which also features in this formula, can help to calm and brighten skin.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, camellia sinensis
- Best for: Hydration, depuffing
- Size: 10ml
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Eye Cream
- Why we love it: Racking up rave reviews on TikTok for revealing brighter, tighter and shinier skin, we love the consistency of this eye cream the most. It sinks in quickly and without stickiness to deliver a blend including peptides – which Dr Lee says are “essential for firming and improving elasticity,” – and pigment-lifting tranexamic acid and glutathione. Triggering cell regeneration with a gentle 0.1 per cent of retinol, we’re fans of how this formula prioritises a healthy skin barrier overall, with soothing agents like panthenol and centella on hand to encourage skin repair.
- Key ingredients: Retinol, collagen, glutathione, panthenol, peptides, centella asiatica
- Best for: Dark circles, fine lines, firming
- Size: 30ml
Best for beginners: Beauty Of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
- Why we love it: “The smallest pump is enough to cover eyes, laugh lines, and even the neck with the plumping moisture this water-based serum provides,” says Tracy Achonwa, contributing beauty writer. “It’s gentle in that it doesn’t sensitise the skin like most retinols do – but effective enough that it’s brightened dark patches I have.” Containing retinal, adenosine, ginseng, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, it’s a recipe with all the ingredients for more youthful-looking skin. According to Dr Lee, “adenosine helps reduce the appearance of fine lines,” while studies point to ginseng as an effective prevention against deeper skin wrinkling and discolouration. An eye cream well worth all the Tiktok hype it gets.
- Key ingredients: Encapsulated retinal, ginseng extfract, niacinamide
- Best for: Dark circles, firming
- Size: 30ml
Skin&Lab Bakuchiol Eye Serum
- Why we love it: We love it when an eye cream is designed to do all the heavy lifting, as this one is with its exact-dose-dealing, stainless steel rollerball tip. Cooling on the eye contour, it knocks out puffiness as you apply the serum inside and combines both caffeine and dark circle-busting alpha arbutin to give tired eyes a boost. All without you having to lift so much as a ring finger to tap it in – what’s not to love?
- Key ingredients: Alpha arbutin, caffeine, bakuchiol
- Best for: Tightening, brightening, dark circles
- Size: 15ml
Best affordable: Seoul 1988 Retinal Liposome 4% & Fermented Bean
- Why we love it: A viral hit for brightening dark circles in just seven days, this cream deploys retinal via liposomes – which Dr Young says can make a formula “especially effective.” Fusing with your own cell membranes, they ensure the retinal is delivered where it can have the most impact. Combined with adenosine, which Dr Mike advises can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, it’s a good choice for those with ageing skin concerns. Elsewhere, soybean ferment brings balance to the formula, helping to hydrate and protect the skin.
- Key ingredients: Retinal, fermented bean, vitamins C & E, hyaluronic acid and peptides
- Best for: Mature skin care, brightening
- Size: 30ml
Best vegan: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream
- Why we love it: Hailing from South Korea, Skin1004 has fast become a cult-buy brand here in the UK. Formulas like this one exemplify what the brand does best: elegant textures, soothing formulas and smart ingredient delivery. The squeeze tip keeps applications sanitary as it introduces collagen that has been chosen for its low weight and quick absorption into skin. Also in the mix? Hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol and fermented centella asiatica to keep skin plumped, refreshed and calmed.
- Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, fermented centella asiatica
- Best for: Vegans, lax, dry and sensitive skin
- Size: 20ml
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
- Why we love it: An ideal match for those with sensitive eyes, this milky cream calls on fermented rice extracts, which pack a lot of antioxidant power. As such, it offers reliable protection against the kind of free radical damage that accelerates wrinkle formation. And thanks to bakuchiol, this one speeds up cell turnover to reveal fresh skin, too. Expect rapid rejuvenation, but without the irritation traditional retinol can cause.
- Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, black rice
- Best for: Minimising fine lines, sensitive skin
- Size: 20ml
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Eye Mask
- Why we love it: A silk-like gel with a cushiony texture that feels pampering on the eyes, there’s much to love about Laneige’s eye cream. For starters, it’s full of ingredients our experts recommend looking for in a quality eye cream, including collagen that has been hydrolysed for a more absorbable molecule size. Free from irritating actives, you can apply a generous amount at night for plump, soft skin come morning.
- Key ingredients: Peony-collagen complex, acetyl tetrapeptide, caffeine, niacinamide
- Best for: Dry eyes
- Size: 20ml
Everything you need to know
What makes Korean eye cream special?
“Korean skincare is defined by its holistic and preventative approach to skin health,” says Dr Mike Lee. “Rather than waiting for problems to arise, formulations are designed to maintain hydration, barrier strength, and overall skin equilibrium.” In other words, Korean eye creams are special because they don’t just treat concerns in isolation – their formulas address several areas of skin health to achieve uniform skin that is not compromised by extremes.
Korean eye creams also benefit from advanced skincare innovations that maximise the penetration of the ingredients inside. Liposomes, for example, are commonly used as a vehicle in formulas to deliver ingredients deep into skin, as are novel ingredients like cica reedle, often dubbed “microneedling in a bottle” for its efficacy at aiding product absorption.
What ingredients are common in Korean eye creams?
From beans to black rice, you’ll find a lot of fermented extracts in Korean eye creams, because fermenting is a popular cultural practice that enhances the nutrients available. “Fermented ingredients are often added to enhance skin vitality and resilience,” explains Dr Mike. Also frequently included are soothing agents like panthenol, centella asiatica, and green tea extract, which both doctors agree “support repair and reduce sensitivity.” Elsewhere, expect to see actives such as peptides, growth factors, niacinamide and adenosine which Dr Mike says feature in the most effective formulas. “We often recommend products that combine multiple peptides with stabilised vitamin C or epidermal growth factor. When paired with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, this combination addresses hydration, firmness, and overall skin texture around the eyes.”
What to look for in a Korean eye cream
According to Dr Mike, “A quality eye cream should include targeted actives that address concerns such as fine lines, dullness, or dehydration, along with ingredients that reinforce the skin barrier.” Of course, the Korean eye cream that’s best for you will depend on your specific concerns. Dr Mike recommends choosing peptide-rich formulas to address lines, and looking out for ingredients such as centella asiatica and panthenol to soothe skin and aid repair. Whatever eye cream you go for, “the texture should absorb easily and feel weightless, especially since heavier creams can lead to puffiness or milia in the delicate eye area,” he explains. Finally, it’s also worth looking for evidence of sophisticated ingredient delivery, according to Dr Young. “One of the most important indicators of a high-performing product is how the ingredients are delivered. Look for signs of encapsulation, nanoemulsion, or low molecular weight formulations that ensure deeper absorption and better results.”
- Dr Young Seob Lee MD, PhD is a surgeon and research scientist.
- Dr Mike Lee is the CEO of PrimaCure, a Korean cosmeceutical company that formulates treatments for aesthetic clinics.
