I swear by this $10 eye cream for making me look less tired when I’m actually exhausted

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I’ve never been what people call a “good sleeper.” I’m a total night owl, but when it comes to getting up in the morning, suddenly I love to sleep. This often leads me to drink copious amounts of coffee. But lately, I’ve started putting caffeine under my eyes, too. The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream seriously makes my eyes look less tired, brighter and hydrated — and it’s only $10.

The cream goes on more like a serum, in my opinion. Dab a little on your fingers and pat it around your eyes. On the back of the container, it suggests keeping the Caffeine Eye Cream in the refrigerator for even better results, but it’s not necessary.

Credit: Ellie Conley for In The Know

According to the product description, it’s a “hydrating and lightweight under-eye cream that helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, under-eye bags and fine lines.” I can attest to all of that. I also like that it doesn’t irritate my eyes at all.

However, if you’re looking for something to specifically target dark circles, I don’t think it really helps with that. Instead, on days when my eyes are extra dark, I love the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream.

The main ingredients of the INKEY eye cream include caffeine and Matrixyl 3000. Caffeine can reduce the look of puffiness, and it’s actually added to a lot of serums and creams in the skin care realm. The latter ingredient is a peptide that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The product is also cruelty-free and has earned itself Sephora’s clean badge — there are no sulfates, parabens, phthalates or any other potentially harmful ingredients.

The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream, $9.99

Credit: Sephora

80% of Sephora reviewers recommend the product as well.

“I really like this eye cream,” wrote one reviewer. “It takes the puffiness down quickly and keeps it down all day. I’ve tried other high-priced brands, but this works better than the others.”

“I combine this with the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream in the mornings, and the results are incredible!” wrote another reviewer. “I’ve had dark circles for as long as I can remember due to shadowing and vasculature, and this combo is giving me the best results I’ve seen in a long time.”

For only $9.99, it’s much less expensive than, say, Peter Thomas Roth’s viral eye cream, which runs up to $98. For the price alone, it’s worth a shot! Give it a try if you want to look like you got a great night’s sleep, even if you didn’t.

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