They’ll smooth fine lines, deflate puffiness, and brighten dark circles.
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Developing smile lines around the eyes is a normal part of aging. The skin around the eyes is typically thin and prone to stretching and sagging over the years (again, this is perfectly normal). Genetics, sleeping habits, diet, and allergies may also contribute to puffiness and dark circles in the area—no matter your age. If you’re in the market for a beauty product to target the delicate skin near your eyes, check out the best eye creams for wrinkles (which you can use in tandem with anti-aging serums).
Applying eye cream “helps with puffiness, dryness, dark circles, fine lines, and preventing wrinkles or minimizing the appearance of them by helping repair the skin around this area,” explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist.
Meet the experts: Tara Rao, M.D., dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group; Joshua Zeichner, M.D., dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital; Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine; and Debra Jaliman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist.
When shopping for the best eye creams for wrinkles and other anti-aging concerns, there are a few key ingredients to look for on a product label. Keep an eye out for hydrating hyaluronic acid, collagen-stimulating retinol, and protective antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid. Peptides (like those found in the best peptide serums) also help diminish the look of wrinkles, and SPF is an added bonus in any skincare product (though only a few eye creams boast this ingredient).
Some of the best eye creams come in small packages, but it’s no cause for concern. Even though it might seem like you’re paying a lot for the amount of product in a tube or jar, you only need to use a small drop at a time, meaning the product should last you quite a while. Just a pea-sized amount of cream should be enough to pat into the under-eye area, eyelids, and corners of both eyes.
We chatted with board-certified dermatologists and tested dozens of products to come up with this list of the best eye creams for wrinkles. Shop our vetted picks below right now.
This serum “has retinol and Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant,” explains Dr. Jaliman. “It lightens dark circles and helps improve fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, reviewers rave that the lightweight, non-greasy formula goes on “silky smooth” and leaves skin feeling “velvety soft.”
Our digital director, Allie Early, tested it out, noting that it’s “moisturizing and affordable for the amount of benefits it offers, and you only need to use a little bit of it each time.” However, the retinol product was not ideal for her sensitive skin, she adds.
Amazon’s best-selling eye cream, this product from CeraVe offers serious results at an affordable price. It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin, niacinamide to soothe skin, and three essential ceramides to restore and maintain skin’s natural barrier. What’s more, it uses MVE delivery technology to continually release ingredients for long-lasting hydration. It’s even accepted by the National Eczema Association.
“It works, ladies! If you are on a budget, try this. Even if you are not on a budget, try this,” wrote one Amazon reviewer.
Taking the spot as the best overall eye cream, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, Lancôme’s Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream is a great option if you’re willing to splurge on a pricier product. Multiple GH Beauty Lab testers saw a noticeable difference after using the ultra-moisturizing and firming eye cream, which contains vitamins C and E, along with botanical extracts.
“The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my under-eye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use,” said a tester.
Those who have excessive wrinkling around the eyes may want to consider a retinol cream. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital recommends this moisturizing option because it minimizes dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles without being too harsh on the delicate under-eye skin.
“If you are willing to apply this daily you will see results. I have just begun noticing some actual reduction in my fine lines and wrinkles,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “I really didn’t think over-the-counter retinal creams could work, but this cream has proven me wrong.”
This hydrating eye cream is gentle enough for your under-eyes and contains hyaluronic acid to plump and moisturize the skin. “It acts like a sponge to pull in hydration from the deep skin layers and even the air,” says Dr. Zeichner. It’s also a popular customer favorite, boasting over 13,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers.
“I love that this eye cream feels so refreshing and hydrating on my skin,” says Prevention’s associate commerce editor, Hannah Jeon. “It has a really nice gel-like consistency that goes on super lightweight and soaks into my skin immediately.”
This eye cream helps reduce the look of wrinkles and puffiness with a blend of retinol and caffeine. It remains gentle on the sensitive eye area, as it contains soothing thermal spring water and is fragrance-free.
The Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab put it to the test and found it absorbs quickly into the skin. Testers also noted that it didn’t irritate their skin despite containing retinol, which sometimes causes redness and other reactions.
“The skin around my eyes looks better and feels firmer; my eyes look younger,” said one Lab tester.
The retinol, niacinamide, and peptide blend in this drugstore eye cream make it a winner for dark circles, fine lines, and dull-looking skin without irritation. Just a dot of this rich formula delivers skin-smoothing radiance for a well-rested look. It also comes with a trial size Olay Regenerist Whip moisturizer as an added bonus!
“The product has a great consistency. It absorbs quickly and provides a lot of moisture and hydration to the eye area,” wrote one reviewer. “My lines looked smoother after using it. The quality is equivalent to much pricier eye creams I have used in the past.”
This rich cream is a dream if you’re prone to dryness in your under-eye area. Your skin will drink up its antioxidants to combat fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. The heavy-duty formula feels ultra-nourishing and creamy on the skin, making this a great nighttime pick.
“This eye cream is a game changer! I’ve used some of the most expensive eye cream out there, and this blows them out of the water. You almost see a change the next day,” wrote one reviewer.
With over 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this eye gel is definitely worth adding to your skincare lineup. Designed for use morning and night, this eye gel helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. It has a lightweight texture that glides smoothly over the skin, and it includes vitamin E for moisture and elasticity. Plus jojoba oil and an amino acid blend offer smooth hydration.
“Give it time and use it religiously—this thing really works,” wrote one Amazon customer. “As a mother of four in her 30s, I’m always running on minimal to no sleep, don’t eat right, and am always on the go. This actually helped take away the dark circles I was spending so much money on expensive makeup to conceal.”
This brightening eye cream includes three forms of vitamin C, lactic acid, and tranexamic acid (a brightening agent). The pump bottle dispenses a silky formula, which is fast absorbing, so you can apply it day or night and get on with the next step in your makeup or skincare routine right away.
“I rely on this eye cream to help me look more awake first thing in the morning. It instantly helps with dark circles and puffiness, and I love that the ingredients target wrinkles over time,” says Prevention’s senior commerce editor, Christie Calucchia.
“I like multitasking products, and this is three things: It’s a concealer and a sunscreen, and it has anti-aging properties,” Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, previously told Prevention. “Eyes age quickly, so when it is used as a concealer, you’re getting ample SPF in that area.” (That’s why it earned a spot in our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards!)
“Why didn’t I know about this sooner,” wrote one customer. “Not only does it cover my dark circles, but it doesn’t crease and even minimizes the appearance of fine lines!”
Packed with retinol, Swertia flower extract, and hyaluronic acid, this is one of the best eye creams for wrinkles. It’s effective at tightening loose skin around the eyes and improving the appearance of under-eye bags, according to GH Beauty Lab testing.
“It really tightened my skin, smoothing it out,” said one tester.
Products from SkinCeuticals tend to be pricey, but they are effective, and this new release from the brand is no exception. An eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles, it delivers 24 hours of moisture while targeting elasticity, puffiness, tone, and wrinkles, according to the brand. It contains concentrated proxylane to address visible signs of aging, caffeine to reduce puffiness, and inclusive optical effects to disperse light and improve the look of dark circles.
“The crows feet at the corners of my eyes have diminished. In addition, my under eyes are less puffy, and the dark circles have lightened,” wrote a reviewer after using the cream consistently for two weeks.
With 1.5% time-released microencapsulated retinol, this eye cream works to diminish the look of wrinkles and dark circles overnight. It also includes caffeine to target puffiness and shea butter, squalane, and vitamin E to moisturize the delicate skin near the eyes.
“I recently tested out a sample of this eye cream and found it offers immediate hydration and absorbs quickly into skin,” said Calucchia. “I like knowing that it’s working overnight to target wrinkles and puffiness.”
Glow Recipe is a cult favorite beauty brand. Among the greats is its Avocado Melt Retinol eye cream, a creamy nutrient-rich eye cream made with potent ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. The formula works to reduce the appearance of dark circles while de-puffing the eye area. You’ll get brighter, smoother, more awake-looking eyes by morning.
“It’s super moisturizing but lightweight and very lightly scented. I have seen a visible improvement in my fine lines and circles in just two weeks!” wrote one reviewer.
This velvety eye cream is luxuriously hydrating. Suitable for all skin types, its main benefits are moisturizing dry skin and taming puffiness around the eyes for an overall firmer look. The formula contains peony and honeysuckle extracts to boost elasticity, Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid to moisturize, and Hadasei-3, a blend of superfoods, to give skin a radiant glow.
“I’ve tried many eye creams over the years, but this beats them all—hands down,” wrote a reviewer. “Very light and velvety but extra moisturizing at the same time, [it] soaks in nicely and feels great all day or evening.”
This brightening and tightening eye cream from Peach & Lily differentiates itself from other products with its retinoic complex containing 0.5% bakuchiol (a retinol alternative). Less likely to cause irritation than standard retinol, bakuchiol is naturally derived and plant-based, yet it still helps boost cell turnover to make room for new, healthy ones.
“Smooth, melts into my skin, and is gentle enough my eyes do not itch or get red,” wrote one shopper. “I have sensitive skin and I am always hesitant purchasing eye creams, but the Retinoic Eye Cream is magic!”
What makes an eye cream anti-aging? Tara Rao, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, and Dr. Zeichner named a few key ingredients to look for regardless of your skin type or tone.
✔️ Hyaluronic acid: Found naturally in the skin, hyaluronic acid draws in water, which helps to hydrate and plump the skin. Many times, under-eye wrinkles are a result of dryness, Dr. Rao says, and hyaluronic acid is well-studied and shown to help reduce the signs of aging. (Check out these eye creams for dry skin if hydration is your main problem.)
✔️ Peptides: Copper peptides, polypeptides, and oligopeptides are thought to penetrate the skin and help build hyaluronic acid and collagen. These structural proteins hold cells and tissues together like glue, diminishing the look of wrinkles.
✔️ Retinol: This vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production and promotes cell turnover to help reduce the signs of aging. Because the skin under the eyes is so sensitive, the dermatologists we spoke to recommended products with relatively low concentrations of retinol.
✔️ SPF: “This one’s a no-brainer,” says Dr. Rao. Without proper protection, UV rays break down collagen and age your skin. (Unfortunately, SPF can be tough to find in eye creams, so supplement with your face sunscreen if necessary!)
✔️ Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E, ferulic acid, and berry extracts help reduce oxidative stress due to UV rays or pollutants, explains Dr. Rao. Antioxidants also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that you have an effective wrinkle-fighting eye cream, you need to actually use it! Consistency is key, and the way you apply your cream can make a difference in how well it works:
✔️ Do a patch test: “You’d be surprised how often people neglect to read the ingredient list because they’re caught up in the hype of the product,” Dr. Rao says. Before using any new product, test it on a small part of your skin to ensure it doesn’t cause an adverse reaction.
✔️ A pea-sized amount of product should be enough for both of eyes.
✔️ Use your ring or pinky finger to apply your eye cream to ensure you are using a light pressure.
✔️ Do not tug or pull at the skin, which only further promote wrinkles. Use a dabbing motion instead.
✔️ Make sure to apply your eye cream to the under-eye area, eyelids, and outer-corner of your eyes, where wrinkles often begin. Avoid direct contact with your eyes.
“Using a facial moisturizer is fine, but if you really want to target the skin around the eyes and help prevent and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, a separate eye cream is recommended,” says Dr. Jaliman. There may be some overlap in ingredients found moisturizers and eye creams, but most eye creams for wrinkles contain concentrated formulas of retinol, vitamin C, caffeine, and peptides.
Christie is a writer, editor, and content strategist living in New York City. She is currently the senior commerce editor at Prevention.
Previously, she was the news editor at Shape, where she wrote and edited timely stories with a focus on celebrity, health, beauty, and wellness news. She interviewed celebrities, celebrity fitness trainers, and other experts to provide insider tips and information to readers about emerging wellness trends. Prior to that, she was a commerce editor at Meredith. She wrote and edited shopping content for Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living.
Christie has also written features for InStyle and Glamour, and more of her previous work can be found on People, Travel Leisure, and MyDomaine. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in humanities.
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention. An NYC native and beauty product lover, Shauna has written for Beauty Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and ABC News. She enjoys testing out new beauty products, watching makeup tutorials on Youtube, and binge-watching her favorite shows on Netflix. When she’s not writing, you can find her taking Zumba classes at Crunch, trying out natural curly hairstyles, and giving her friends advice on what makeup and haircare products they should buy. Follow her on Instagram @Beni127.
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