12 of The Best Certified Animal-free Eye Creams to Brighten, Firm and Protect Your Skin

The skin around your eyes is the first to show signs of fatigue and aging, and because it is more delicate and fragile, applying an eye cream on a regular basis can make a big difference. Depending on the formulation, eye creams can hydrate, brighten, firm and protect, so using one that meets your needs is key to getting top-notch results. However, using an eye cream doesn’t have to come at the expense of hurting our furry friends, and that’s where the best cruelty-free eye creams come into play.

We’ve handpicked some of the most coveted eye creams that truly address all skin concerns, from dehydration to dark circles, puffiness and crow’s feet. You can stay calm knowing that no animals were hurt in the process and that you’re supporting a good cause.

100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
Thanks to the caffeine in green tea and coffee, this eye cream will eliminate puffiness and energize your eyes. There’s also Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which, in addition to providing antioxidant protection, brighten your complexion, increase hydration and soften the delicate eye area. It’s so effective that in a 4-week clinical study, participants experienced an average 97% improvement in puffiness and an 87% reduction in dark circles under the eyes. Quite impressive.

Murad Renewing Eye Cream
If you’re looking for a non-irritating eye cream that contains retinol for transformative change, then this is the perfect choice for you. Murad Renewing Eye Cream contains retinol to promote cell renewal and reduce wrinkles, and a blend of peptides to boost collagen production to further plump skin. This rich, lightweight formula is also infused with mango butter, amino acids and jojoba esters for added elasticity.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
This eye cream contains three golden sources of stabilized vitamin C to brighten dark circles, boost collagen production and rejuvenate the eye area. With continued use, your eyes will look brighter and more radiant, plus banana powder provides an instant brightening effect – inspired pigments. The cream feels very moisturizing, is unscented and is Peta certified, so you can’t go wrong. It’s worth noting that the parent company that owns Ole Henriksen (LVMH Group) is not cruelty-free.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Eye Treatment is one of the most popular natural, non-irritating eye creams because it accelerates hydration and enhances antioxidant defense with a juicy blend of organic extracts such as apple, grape, lemon and aloe vera. Shea butter moisturizes and softens the eye contour, while fatty acid-rich evening primrose oil tones and locks in moisture. In addition, the applicator effortlessly applies the cream around the eyes and can also be used as a massage tool to stimulate blood flow to awaken sleep.

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
This eye cream from Drunk Elephant (certified by Peta and Leaping Bunny) contains five forms of vitamin C and eight peptides to de-puff and brighten skin tone. Add to that the fact that it contains ceramides and plant oils to lock in moisture, and you have one of the most incredible non-irritating eye creams for wrinkles, dryness and firmness. This one is well worth the savings.

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
With excellent benefits and without spending a lot of money, The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream is one of the best and most affordable cruelty-free eye creams on the market. As the name implies, the main ingredient is caffeine, which is known to constrict blood vessels around the eyes and help reduce puffiness. matrixyl 3000 (a peptide complex) stimulates collagen growth for firmer, more elastic skin, while squalane and jojoba esters lock in moisture to prevent dehydration. At less than $10, this is a great value.

Saint Jane Bright Repair Eye Cream
Vitamin C is the king of antioxidant protection, collagen boosting and brightening, making it an essential ingredient in eye creams. Saint Jane Bright Repair Eye Cream is enriched with 10% vitamin C to fight dark circles, moisture loss and oxidative stress. This solves many problems, and with CBD, this cream helps calm the delicate skin around the eyes and reduces puffiness.

Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
You can’t go wrong with Neocutis Lumière Brightening Eye Cream, a formula that contains a blend of epidermal growth factors and proprietary peptides to justify its price. It works hard to support collagen and elastin production, reducing the appearance of under-eye wrinkles and crow’s feet over time. What’s more, it has multiple antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, caffeine and squalene to reduce free radical damage that can weaken collagen fibers.

Burt’s Bees Sensitive Solutions Calming Eye Cream
This eye cream is Leaping Bunny certified, affordable and safe for sensitive skin, so there’s a good reason to enter our roundup. It’s a great choice if you want to replenish your eye moisture barrier with a blend of nutrient-rich botanicals like aloe vera, rice pulp and squalane. There’s also a blend of nourishing oils and shea butter to soften and moisturize the eye area, making it look plump and awake.

StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Eye Cream Concentrate
StriVectin Intense Eye Cream contains high levels of Niacinyl Myristate, an oil-soluble niacinamide that strengthens the skin and repairs photodamage. This eye cream also contains marine ferments and algae extracts to add moisture and reduce puffiness, is fragrance-free and Peta approved. Dab a pea-sized amount around the eyes morning and evening and watch the magic happen.

Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream
Centella Asiatica A great collagen-boosting compound with antioxidant, calming and moisturizing abilities, this eye cream contains up to 49% Centella Asiatica. In addition to four peptides, Purito’s eye cream firms and boosts elasticity, helping to smooth and diminish crow’s feet. In addition, the formula has a blend of moisturizers and sealants that draw moisture into and seal in the delicate under-eye skin.

Naturopathica Argan & Peptide Wrinkle Remedy Eye Cream
The first thing to notice about this cream is the butter texture, which melts immediately into the skin, coating it with a layer of moisture without feeling heavy. Naturpoathica’s eye cream may be pricey, but all reviewers rave about it, calling it a “miracle in a bottle.

 

How do you know your eye cream is truly cruelty-free?
Look for the PETA and Leaping Bunny certificates to make sure your product is zero cruelty. Both certificates show that the brand is truly committed to helping end animal testing. Leaping Bunny is more selective, however, because it requires the company to agree to an independent audit, while PETA only requires written consent. Rest assured that all of the above eye creams are legally certified and do not test their products on animals.