Puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin. The delicate under-eye area is often grouped together with the rest of facial skincare—and unfairly so. This fragile skin differs from the rest of the face: it’s thinner, easily affected by disrupted sleep cycles and especially vulnerable to the signs of ageing.
The good news? You don’t have to resign yourself to tired-looking eyes. K-beauty, renowned for its thoughtful, layered routines and gentle yet effective formulations, places special emphasis on caring for this overlooked area. With its philosophy of prevention, hydration and skin barrier support, Korean skincare offers some of the most innovative solutions for restoring vitality to under-eyes.
From nourishing creams to targeted serums, refreshing gels and restorative masks, there’s a whole arsenal ready to bring brightness back. If you don’t already have one, consider this your reminder to build a dedicated eye-care routine—your under-eyes will thank you.
The first step in caring for your under-eye area is making sure the canvas is clean and free from leftover traces of makeup. Mascara clinging to your lashes or eyeliner that just won’t budge? This gentle remover from ETUDE HOUSE is designed to sweep it all away without tugging at delicate skin. Its lightweight formula dissolves stubborn pigments easily, leaving your eyes refreshed and ready for the rest of your routine. One swipe, a rinse, and you’re good to glow.
For days when your eyes are giving away just how much scrolling, rubbing and late-night screen time you’ve had, these hydrogel patches from Mixsoon are an instant pick-me-up. Once applied, the cooling crescent-shaped patches hug the under-eye area while fermented bean extract gets to work hydrating and soothing. Think of them as a quick reset button for tired, puffy eyes.
If you’ve ever woken up with softer, plumper lips after using Laneige’s famous lip mask, you’ll know this brand means business when it comes to overnight care. Now, they’ve extended the same love to your eyes. This caffeine-charged eye sleeping mask works while you rest, helping to reduce dark circles and improve elasticity. Swap out your usual patches once or twice a week for this richer treatment and let it work its magic overnight—so you wake up to firmer, more hydrated under-eyes.
On nights when your regular eye cream feels inadequate, a richer overnight treatment can make all the difference. This eye mask from Laneige is designed exactly for those evenings. You don’t need it every night—it’s more of a weekly or mid-week reset for days when your under-eyes look a little more deflated, puffy or tired than usual. The texture is richer than your everyday cream, designed to sit comfortably overnight so the ingredients can actually get to work. Caffeine helps with puffiness, niacinamide smoothes uneven texture and the collagen complex works on restoring a firm, cushiony feel to the skin around your eyes. By morning, the area feels softer, more nourished and visibly more put-together.
What is the beauty of Joseon? Why, that would be you. While eye masks provide intensive care, you’ll need to keep up a consistent routine of an everyday eye serum to treat persistent concerns over time. This ginseng-and retinal-enhanced eye serum is clearly up to the task. The creamy serum-like texture sits comfortably on the under-eye area. It is infused with ginseng root extract that works on hydrating the skin while retinal targets fine lines and visible signs of ageing.
When it comes to locking in all that good hydration, an eye cream is the final, unskippable step. COSRX’s Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream delivers exactly that — a silky, fast-absorbing finish that brightens dullness while giving lasting moisture. With the under-eye skin being naturally thinner and prone to dryness, this lightweight cream helps reinforce the barrier and smooth the look of tired eyes. It’s the everyday comfort blanket your under-eyes didn’t know they needed.
Snail mucin may sound like an unusual ingredient, but its ability to plump, smooth and hydrate has made it a K-beauty essential, especially for under-eye creams. This eye cream from COSRX features a high concentration of snail secretion filtrate, giving your under-eye area a soft, plump feel without any heaviness. The filtrate is gathered from the trails the snails leave behind, with no harm caused to them. The formula also contains 2% niacinamide to brighten dark circles and a five-peptide complex that supports firmness and smoothes the look of fine lines. The texture is light, silky and fast-absorbing, which makes it easy to slot into both your AM and PM routines. It also makes for a great under-eye base before applying makeup.
Ginseng is one of those everyday pantry ingredients that Korean superstars swear by. And if you are looking to invite its benefits to your skincare routine, tap into its power for the sensitive under-eye area.
Ginseng is a staple of the Korean diet and its benefits in Korean skincare products is just as widely documented. Say hello to reduced puffiness and inflammation along with boosted collagen production and reduced wrinkles.
Ready to add a touch of luxury to your routine? Sulwhasoo’s ginseng-rich eye cream brings a little decadence to your skincare shelf. The metal-tip applicator glides the formula on effortlessly, cooling and smoothing puffiness as you go. Infused with ginseng flower extract and retinol, it works on softening fine lines and firming the delicate under-eye area. A blend of heritage Korean ingredients and modern science, this cream feels as indulgent as it is effective.
Not a fan of heavy creams? Belif’s Aqua Bomb Eye Gel is your answer. This featherlight gel formula glides on with a cooling ceramic tip that instantly refreshes tired eyes. Inside, a blend of caffeine and hyaluronic acid gets to work on puffiness and dehydration, while niacinamide helps brighten. It’s refreshing, soothing and non-greasy — perfect for mornings when you want your eyes to feel awake before your first coffee.
Just like your first sip of coffee can kickstart a tired brain, a dose of caffeine can do the same for your under-eyes. This eye gel by Belif uses the same energising ingredient to take down puffiness, while its cooling ceramic applicator gives the area an instant, refreshing jolt. The gel itself feels almost like cold water on the skin. It’s a lightweight, smooth and easily absorbed formula that leaves no residue. It features a mix of niacinamide and vitamin C that work on brightening under-eye bags, while hyaluronic acid loads the delicate skin with long-lasting hydration. Collagen and adenosine add a soft, firming touch, making the whole area look fresher. It’s an everyday boost for tired eyes—and is frankly just as addictive as a good cappuccino.
For eyes that need a little lift, this collagen-boosted cream from The Face Shop has you covered. Enriched with pomegranate extract, it nourishes dry skin and helps restore suppleness. Collagen works alongside to plump and smooth sagging areas, softening the look of fine lines and dullness. The result? A firmer, fresher appearance that makes you look as well-rested as you feel.
If your under-eyes have been looking a little flat or lacking their usual bounce, you can trust this collagen-rich formula to bring back the volume and elasticity. The formula blends two K-beauty favourites: marine collagen to support firmness and pomegranate extract to give the delicate under-eye area a hit of soothing hydration. The texture melts in softly, making it ideal for anyone dealing with early fine lines, dryness or stubborn dark circles. Over time, it helps the skin look smoother, more supple and brighter. You can use it daily as part of your morning and evening skincare routines.

