Plumps and hydrates while smoothing fine lines, plus a cushiony finish that helps concealer stay put.
Tired eyes, stubborn dark circles, and makeup that keeps creasing around your lids can make you look more exhausted than you feel. These Ulta eye creams target the most common under eye issues without wasting your time or money.
If you have ever stood in the Ulta skincare aisle wondering which eye cream is actually worth it, you are not alone. There are dozens of tiny jars and tubes that all claim to fix dark circles, puffiness, and lines, often at wildly different price points.
This guide cuts through the noise. Below you will find the best Ulta eye creams for specific needs, with clear pros, cons, and quick comparisons so you can pick one with confidence and move on with your day.
Quick picks
- IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream – Best overall anti aging eye cream at Ulta. Rich but not greasy, this peptide and ceramide formula smooths fine lines and hydrates dry under eyes while still sitting well under concealer.
- CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – Best budget gentle eye cream. Fragrance free, lightweight, and packed with ceramides, it is ideal if your eyes are sensitive, your budget is tight, or you just want basic hydration that works.
- TULA Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm – Best for brightening tired morning eyes. This convenient stick delivers instant cooling, subtle shimmer, and a more awake look that layers easily over or under makeup.
- Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream – Best retinoid eye cream for fine lines. A gentle retinoid complex plus peptides targets crow’s feet and texture over time without the harshness of many retinol products.
- The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG – Best for puffiness and eye bags. This lightweight serum style formula focuses on de puffy, tired looking under eyes rather than heavy moisture, so it is great for oily or combination skin.
In-depth reviews
IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream review
If you want one do it all eye cream from Ulta that tackles dryness, early fine lines, and a bit of darkness, IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream is the most balanced pick. It feels like a cushiony cream that melts in quickly, leaving a soft, hydrated finish that grips concealer instead of making it slide.
The formula leans on peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth the skin barrier, with brightening ingredients that help soften the look of shadows over time. It is especially good for normal to dry skin or anyone starting to notice crepey texture under the eyes.
On the downside, it is priced in the mid to high range and comes in a jar, which some people dislike for hygiene or travel. If your main concern is sensitivity or you want something simpler, CeraVe Eye Repair Cream gives you similar barrier support in a more basic, fragrance free formula at a lower cost.
Compared with Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream, IT Cosmetics is the better choice if you want hydration and gentle anti aging without jumping straight into retinoids.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream review
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is the best Ulta eye cream if you want something uncomplicated, gentle, and affordable. It is fragrance free, ophthalmologist tested, and built around ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to strengthen and hydrate the delicate eye area.
The texture is a light cream gel that sinks in quickly without feeling heavy or sticky, which makes it a great starter eye cream if you are in your twenties or have easily irritated skin. It layers well under both sunscreen and makeup and works for morning and night.
The trade off is that it is not a dramatic results product. It does not contain retinoids or strong lightening agents, so if your main complaint is deep wrinkles or very dark circles, something more active like Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream or a brightening concealer may serve you better.
That said, compared with IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream, CeraVe is the smarter buy if you want barrier repair and basic moisture with minimal risk of irritation.
TULA Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm review
TULA Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm is essentially a wake up stick for your under eyes. It comes in a solid balm stick that glides on with an instant cooling effect and a subtle pearly sheen that makes you look more rested in seconds.
Key ingredients include caffeine for puffiness, hyaluronic acid for a hit of hydration, and probiotic extracts that support skin balance, along with light reflecting particles that brighten. It is especially handy if you want a quick touch up during the day or a minimal morning routine before work or school.
The main drawbacks are that it does contain fragrance and has visible shimmer, which can be a deal breaker if you have sensitive skin or prefer a completely natural finish. It is also not the most nourishing option for very dry under eyes at night, where something creamier like IT Cosmetics or CeraVe will feel more satisfying.
Compared with The Ordinary Caffeine Solution, TULA gives more instant cosmetic brightening and a cushier feel, while The Ordinary focuses on a treatment style, no frills approach to de puffing.
Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream review
Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream is ideal if fine lines, early crow’s feet, and texture are your top concerns and you are ready for a gentle retinoid. It uses a retinoid complex designed for the delicate eye area, paired with peptides and soothing hydrators to support collagen while minimizing the usual flaking and redness.
The texture is a silky cream that feels more substantial than a gel but not as heavy as some rich balms, so it works well at night and can still sit under makeup if you use a small amount. Over several weeks, you can expect smoother texture and softening of fine lines, as long as you are consistent.
The downside is the higher price and the fact that even gentle retinoids can cause dryness or sensitivity at first, especially if you overuse them. It is also not recommended during pregnancy or for anyone whose eye area is already extremely reactive.
Compared with IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream, Peach & Lily is the better choice for targeted anti aging results, while IT is more of a comfortable, daily workhorse. If you are nervous about retinoids in general, start with CeraVe, then consider upgrading when your skin barrier is happy.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG review
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a strong value if puffiness and under eye bags are your main complaints. This is a lightweight, water like serum that focuses on high levels of caffeine and EGCG, a green tea antioxidant, to help constrict blood vessels and reduce fluid retention under the eyes.
It absorbs very quickly and dries down almost matte, which is perfect for oily or combination skin that hates rich creams. A tiny amount goes a long way, and you can easily layer a separate moisturizer or eye cream on top if you need more hydration.
The drawback is that it can feel a bit drying or tight on its own, and it does nothing on its own for lines or texture. You may also experience pilling if you apply too much or layer it under silicone heavy products.
Compared with TULA Glow & Get It, The Ordinary is more of a treatment that quietly helps puffiness over time without any shimmer or cosmetic brightening, while TULA gives you that immediate woke up like this effect.
How to choose the right Ulta eye cream for you
The best Ulta eye cream for you depends on your top concern, your skin type, and how much effort you want to put into your routine. Use the points below to narrow your choices quickly.
If dryness and fine lines are your main issues: Look for richer textures with ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream and Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream both fit this category, with Peach & Lily offering more active anti aging power if your skin can tolerate retinoids.
If you have sensitive or reactive skin: Start with something simple and fragrance free. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is the safest bet here, and you can always layer The Ordinary Caffeine Solution underneath or on top if puffiness is still a problem.
If dark circles and looking tired are the big problem: Instant brighteners like TULA Glow & Get It give a quick visual boost, while more ingredient focused formulas like IT Cosmetics help over time by improving texture and hydration. No topical product completely erases genetic dark circles, so set realistic expectations.
If puffiness and bags bother you most: Target de puffy ingredients such as caffeine and green tea. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution is strong for this, and you can pair it with a creamier option like CeraVe if you also need moisture.
How to apply eye cream so it actually works
Even the best Ulta eye cream will disappoint if you use too much or put it in the wrong place. A pea sized amount split between both eyes is usually enough; more product just increases the chance of irritation or pilling under makeup.
Use your ring finger to tap, not rub, the cream along the orbital bone in a semi circle, starting from the outer corner and moving inward. Avoid smearing product right up against the lash line unless the directions specifically say it is safe, since that is where stinging and watering are most likely.
For daytime, let your eye cream absorb for a minute or two before applying concealer to prevent creasing. At night, especially with retinoid based products like Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream, start two to three nights a week and slowly increase as your skin adjusts.
If you notice burning, redness, or flaking that does not calm down within a few days, scale back to a gentler formula like CeraVe and focus on restoring your barrier before trying actives again.
Final thoughts
If you want a single, reliable Ulta eye cream that covers most bases, IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream is the easiest overall pick. For sensitive or budget conscious shoppers, CeraVe Eye Repair Cream delivers dependable hydration with minimal fuss, while Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream is your upgrade path when you are ready to tackle fine lines more aggressively.
TULA Glow & Get It and The Ordinary Caffeine Solution fill in the gaps for instant brightening and targeted de puffing. Choose the product that matches your biggest under eye annoyance first, use it consistently for at least 6 to 8 weeks, and then adjust based on how your skin responds.
See also
For more targeted recommendations, check out our full guide to the best eye creams for wrinkles and dark circles and how to avoid common skincare mistakes that waste money.
- Build a gentle retinol routine that does not wreck your skin barrier before you add stronger eye treatments.
- Pair your eye cream with one of the best peptide moisturizers for fine lines for a full face approach.
- Do not forget to treat below the jawline with skincare for the neck and chest you will actually use.
FAQ
What is the best Ulta eye cream for beginners?
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is the most beginner friendly choice at Ulta. It is fragrance free, affordable, and focused on barrier supporting ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, so you can see whether an eye cream fits into your routine without risking a lot of irritation or money.
At what age should I start using eye cream?
You can start with a simple, hydrating eye cream like CeraVe Eye Repair Cream or IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream in your mid twenties or whenever you notice dryness or fine lines. The goal at that stage is prevention and moisture, not aggressive treatment.
Can I use a retinol or retinoid eye cream every night?
Eventually, many people can use a retinoid eye cream such as Peach & Lily Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream nightly, but you should build up slowly. Start with two to three nights a week, watch for redness or flaking, and only increase frequency if your skin stays comfortable.
Do I really need a separate eye cream from my face moisturizer?
You do not absolutely need a separate eye cream if your regular moisturizer is gentle, fragrance free, and does not irritate your eyes. However, eye creams are formulated for the thinner, more delicate skin around the eyes and often include specific ingredients for puffiness or dark circles that general moisturizers lack.
How long does it take Ulta eye creams to show results?
Hydration and a smoother makeup application can show up within a few days of consistent use. For changes in fine lines, puffiness, or dark circles, plan on 6 to 12 weeks of daily use, especially with treatment style products like retinoid creams or caffeine serums.
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