I’m convinced that none of us can escape dark eye circles and under-eye bags (with the help of some Plexaderm skincare products or not). If it isn’t genetics passed down from our parents and grandparents, it’s a chaotic schedule that convinces us to trade in rest for more work. Before you know it, there isn’t enough concealer in the world to hide the fact that you’re routinely getting less than eight hours of sleep every night. And even if you come to your senses and set some boundaries between the bed and your work desk, skincare products that work like Plexaderm feel like a necessity because the damage is sort of done.
For those who don’t know, Plexaderm has been around for a while but it may not be on your radar given that it’s one of a neverending list of products that promise to nix dark circles, bags and fine lines. And while plenty of them actually deliver results, what sets Plexaderm apart is its instant gratification. The product, best described as a serum, is made up of silicate minerals derived from shale clay that tighten and lift the skin surrounding the eye in as little as 10 minutes. The downside? The effects only last until you wash your face at the end of the day, but it’s still the closest you’ll get to actual Plexaderm treatment.
Fortunately, if you happen to be in the market for a similar dupe to the O.G. quick-fix product, you’re in luck, because we’ve done the research for you and outlined some of our favorite products that work almost as well as Plexaderm but offer sustained benefits rather than just instant, temporary results. We even were able to find some solid alternatives that are a little easier on the wallet as well. Of course, if you’re looking for instant gratification and prefer to stick to the real deal, you can actually find Plexaderm on Amazon. On the other hand, if you’d rather try something with longer-term effects, consider any of these products that promise Plexaderm-like results.
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Plexaderm Rapid Reduction Eye Serum
Buy: Plexaderm Rapid Reduction Eye Serum $65.95
In case you do want to try the real deal. If you’re anything like me, the quick return on investment will convince you to try at least once.
Estetist Caffeine-Infused Coffee Eye Lift Cream
The powerhouse ingredient in this anti-aging, under-eye treatment is organic coffee bean. It’s been clinically proven countless times over to not only boost collagen production, but calm puffiness and brighten skin tone, too.
Buy: Estetist Caffeine-Infused Coffee Eye Lift Cream $16.99
Kiehl’s Eye Fuel
Lightweight and suitable for all skin types, this cooling eye treatment is made with caffeine to fight puffiness and vitamin B3 to diminish dark circles.
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
There’s a reason—actually quire a few—that this antioxidant-infused eye cream has become such a beloved cult favorite. The vitamin C and peptide-charged formula fights free radical damage and also helps to correct existing signs of premature aging.
Erno Lazlo Multi-Taski Gel Eye Cream
This multifunctional eye treatment combines the puffiness-reducing properties of a cooling gel with the hydrating and line-filling benefits you get with a traditional cream formula.
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream
Formulated with brightening superhero niacinamide, this corrective eye cream helps to banish dark circles and discoloration without feeling heavy or interfering with your concealer.
Freck So Jelly Cactus Eye Jelly With Collagen
Spiked with line-reducing cactus and plumping collagen, this illuminating formula helps brighten hyperpigmentation for a youthful, bright-eyed effect instantly.
Alpyn Beauty Natural PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm
Fast-absorbing but still cushiony, this plant-based eye balm is enriched with the retinol alternative bakuchiol to diminish fine lines and boost collagen production.
Buy: Alpyn Beauty Natural PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm $62
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Eye Serum
In addition to a vitamin C complex for brightening, this lightweight eye serum is also infused with chia seed oil to depuff eye bags and tremella mushroom extract for hydration and firming.
Buy: Dermalogica Biolumin-C Eye Serum $70
Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
An ultra-rich eye mask with time-release retinol (smoothing), coffeeberry (brightening) and avocado (moisture) for the ultimate glow-up.
Buy: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask $46
Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Eye Gel
Somerville’s eye treatment is a standout thanks to a formula that includes yeast and plankton extracts for nixing dark circles and an “HA3” complex, made up of several kinds of hyaluronic acid, to plump the under-eye area.
Olay Eyes Eye Lifting Serum
This fragrance-free eye serum was formulated specifically for lifting and firming sagging, under-eye skin.
Buy: Olay Eyes Eye Lifting Serum $22.78
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye
This quick-fix eye cream tightens the look of the skin upon application and minimizes the appearance of crow’s feet and other fine lines over time.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
This cruelty-free formula uses a mix of popular and little-known ingredients to deliver everything you want for a glowy, youthful smize.
Buy: Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream $65
Murad Renewing Eye Cream
This firming and lifting eye cream delivers visible results—softening the look of fine lines and crows’ feet and brightening darkness—without leaving behind a greasy residue.
Versed The Fix Emergency Eye Mask
As the name suggests, this quick-fix eye mask instantly reduces puffiness and undereye swelling and magically lifts under-eye circles and discoloration instantly.
A version of this article was published in August 2020.