Alternatives To La Prairie Eye Cream That Won't Break The Bank

What do Chrissy Teigen, Anja Rubik, and January Jones all have in common? They all use La Prairie luxury skincare, per Marie Claire. "Maleficent" star Angelina Jolie even uses the brand's Skin Caviar Luxe Cream as a moisturizer – FYI it's worth over $550. Why such a high price tag? The brand's caviar extract technology has fast-acting, visible results. "Caviar is an outstanding natural product that is able to support life, and its richness in nutrients inspired us to explore its potential as a skincare ingredient," Dr. Jacqueline Hill, director of strategic innovation and science at La Prairie, explains to Harper's Bazaar. "We discovered that it nourishes the skin and offers a range of exciting benefits. This triggered the audacious idea to include a caviar extract in a skincare treatment."

In 2007, the brand launched the exorbitantly expensive Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream (via Women's Wear Daily). In fact, the cost of one 20 ml tub (approximately the size of a tablespoon) could buy you a first-class plane ticket. Despite its proven benefits like lifting and firming the skin around your eyes, other cheaper products have risen to rival La Prairie's cream. If you want quality skincare that isn't equivalent to your monthly grocery budget, you just have to know where to look. 

In general, eye creams are thicker than moisturizers. They're specifically meant for that thin skin under your eyes, an area particularly prone to wrinkles due to frequent movement. "The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate and signs of aging often first become apparent in this delicate tissue," New York City-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD tells Insider. Though results are temporary, hydration will lead to tighter, plumper skin. Boston dermatologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, recommends looking for products that retain moisture like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

For starters, TikToker and celebrity makeup artist @jamiemakeup recommends Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Eye Cream. Not only is it under $15, but it also has nearly 12,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and contains moisture-binding hyaluronic acid. She also suggests CeraVe's eye repair cream made with hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides. This product also has a staggering number of five-star reviews, with over 30,000 Amazon customers giving it a perfect rating. It's also under $13, making it less than 4% of the price of a La Prairie cream.

Both retinol, aka vitamin A, and vitamin C are helpful components in any eye cream. "Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, informs Refinery29, adding, "The skin under the eyes is among the thinnest on the body, so it's most at risk for developing lines, wrinkles, and crepiness." Meanwhile, "Vitamin C for the eye area protects against UV damage, and it helps to strengthen blood vessels and helps with blood circulation and brightens dark circles," says celebrity facialist, Taylor Worden, in a conversation with Who What Wear.

Beauty Editor Alessandra Steinherr (@alexsteinherr) points to one of her must-haves, Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright + Vitamin C Eye Crème. Steinherr vouches for the efficacy of this Ole Henriksen cream, applauding its brightening effects. Though it's priced at $42 for just 15 milliliters, it's downright affordable compared to La Prairie. Alternatively, try out this Pixi Beauty Retinol Eye Cream for just $22. Though keep in mind – this cream should be limited to once-a-day use, ideally before bed. Retinols make skin more susceptible to sun damage, per Elle.

A cup of coffee and caffeine-based eye cream can help with a sleepy morning routine. As UK-based oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Maryam Zamani, points out to Elle,"[Caffeine cream] reduces the build-up of lipids that lead to eye bags, and firms and restructures skin proteins to smooth, firm and tone the surface." Though the effects of caffeine-based skincare are immediately noticeable, they're not permanent. "They're great when you wake up with a hangover, didn't get enough sleep, or have an allergic reaction, but [these] effects of the cream disappear when you discontinue use," award-winning master nurse injector, Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, FNP-C, tells The Healthy. "For best results, caffeinated eye creams need to be used consistently."

This Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream comes with rave reviews on TikTok -– most notably, it only costs $11. "Its formulation consists of caffeine and peptides as its main actives, so it will give you a boost when applying in the morning," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman assures Byrdie. Another slightly more expensive caffeine cream option includes this GinZing Energizing Gel. Or turn to this formula from The Ordinary for just under $9.