We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-v2-13-best-anti-aging-eye-creams-4588198-primary-e914cc4be0224b63bc102c1b8ef3b197.jpg)
Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
In case you haven’t yet heard the news, the eyes are where signs of aging first start to appear. Blame the fact that the skin in this area is the thinnest on the face and is more susceptible to sun damage, dryness, wrinkles, and more. That's why using a dedicated eye cream is so important: “They tend to contain active ingredients in concentrations specifically formulated for thin skin," explains New York-based dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD. "In addition, they're usually more concentrated than regular face creams." Eye creams are also formulated to minimize irritation to the skin around the eyes, which is more prone to sensitivity.
In short, yes, you need a dedicated eye cream in your routine, both to help address existing signs of aging and as a preventative method, too. It's never too late to start.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Kavita Mariwalla is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mariwalla Dermatology in West Islip, NY. As the former Director of Cutaneous Oncology at the Beth Israel Cancer Center in Manhattan, Dr. Mariwalla specializes in skin cancer detection and treatment. She’s an expert in facial reconstruction, as well as a skilled surgeon and an aesthetic clinician.
Read on for the best anti-aging eye creams.
Best Overall: Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KateSomerville-5c76bdffc9e77c00011c82ca.jpg)
Sephora
Feels cool upon application
Helpful metal applicator
Won't cause irritation
Can sting a bit when first applied
This all-star formula relies on retinol, the undisputed anti-aging champion, well-known for its proven wrinkle-fighting and skin-firming effects. Upping the ante even further, it pairs retinol with bakuchiol. The plant-based ingredient is similar to retinol, but it won’t irritate. Rounding out the mix is hyaluronic acid and a combination of natural oils for hydration. Bonus points for the metal applicator tip that helps you massage in the formula and offers additional de-puffing benefits.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, bidens pilosa extract, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Firms, smooths, hydrates | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget: Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2096510-f4bbb65c9fc741119b5601de873af0ce.jpeg)
Courtesy of Ulta
Addresses multiple eye concerns
Budget-friendly
Not greasy
Contains petrolatum
True to its name, this drugstore standout delivers seven different benefits, addressing eye problems ranging from dryness and discoloration to fine lines and wrinkles—it gives you some serious bang for your buck. Oil-free, it has a lightweight and fast-absorbing feel and is packed with niacinamide (known for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and radiance-boosting effects) along with soothing and antioxidant-rich vitamin E.
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin E, allantoin | Benefits: Hydrates, reduces puffiness, fades discoloration | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore: No7 Youthful Eye Serum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/No7YouthfulEyeSerum-f75481b7582f432d8c3c6c9c47fb80a4.jpeg)
Budget-friendly
Delivers noticeable results
Contains parabens
Mariwalla lauds this affordable option for containing both vitamin C and vitamin A (two well-proven anti-aging ingredients), plus hyaluronic acid and soft focus spheres, all of which work together to help make the skin under and around your eyes look better after about a month of use, she says. She adds that it’s an especially good choice for women in their 30s who might be starting to see some noticeable issues around the eyes.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Benefits: Smooths, hydrates, reduces puffiness | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore, Runner-Up: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2225741-206c012c37c348208e23a15b53c373ae.jpg)
Courtesy of Ulta
Budget-friendly
Ligthweight
Absorbs fast
Doesn't work as fast as promised
Dr. Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, lauds this formula—another affordable find you can nab at the drugstore—for combining retinol and hyaluronic acid. “The former speeds cell turnover and helps with fine lines while the latter plumps the skin,” she says. There’s also a special glucose complex in the mix that’s meant to boost the effects of retinol so that you see results even faster.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths, boosts radiance | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Puffiness: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ColorescienceTotalEye3-in-1RenewalTherapy-b33314a091e44f56a2385894073bf953.jpg)
Feels cool upon application
Contains sun protection
Helpful metal applicator
Some may not want a tint
Bags, be gone. Mariwalla says the metal rollerball applicator on this cream helps massage in the formula and simultaneously promotes lymphatic drainage to quickly de-puff. It’s ideal to reach for on bleary-eyed mornings, particularly given that it also contains a subtle tint to further conceal dark circles and your daily dose of oh-so-important SPF.
Active Ingredients: 7.9% titanium dioxide, 6.7% zinc oxide | Benefits: Reduces puffiness, conceals | Size: 0.2 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Under Makeup: Olay Eye Lifting Serum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/OLAY-cef0049b7c8c4bcf9e1ad15d1cb0f16e.jpg)
Won't smear or crease
Wears well under makeup
Absorbs fast
Not a visible lift
Another great serum, this is so non-greasy and fast-absorbing that you could even apply it immediately before you put on makeup and won't have to worry about smearing or creasing. Instead, it delivers just the right amount of hydration, along with youth-boosting peptides and protective antioxidants to shield skin from damaging free radicals caused by exposure to things like the sun and pollution.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 | Benefits: Firms, smooths, hydrates | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Wrinkles: Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/51zpYaB2UUL._SL1200_-61635850c2fc4943b961df9dd524bdf3.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Can be used on upper eyelids
Soothing formula
Expensive
Thanks to a unique combination of carefully-chosen peptides, this formula yields what Mariwalla calls, “pretty impressive clinical results” when it comes to smoothing and firming skin after just 12 weeks of use. It’s also deeply hydrating and full of antioxidants and can even be used on upper eyelids.
Active Ingredients: Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, palmitoyl tripeptide-38 | Benefits: Firms, smooths, hydrates | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Firming: Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/s2433662-main-zoom-7db83b8f9b834589b38330d927d0e1d9.jpg)
Courtesy of Sephora
Packed with potent actives
Very nourishing and hydrating
Works well under makeup
Expensive
Powered by nine potent actives, this intensive cream helps to visibly lift and firm the eye area. Collagen- and elastin-boosting peptides and silk tree extract are the stars of the show here, targeting sagging skin while smoothing out the appearance of lines and wrinkles. What’s more, it’s been clinically shown to help reduce the appearance of pesky dark circles—all while delivering a serious dose of hydration, leaving the delicate skin surrounding the eyes supremely nourished.
Active Ingredients: Peptides, silk tree extract, squalane, niacinamide, ceramides | Benefits: Firms and lifts, reduces wrinkles, fades dark circles | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-free: Yes
Best for Dark Circles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/11289599-2474675822855380-db01911ef1384137ae1608cc04fd73ac.jpg)
Courtesy of Skinstore
Non-comedogenic
Lightweight
Contains parabens
The hard truth of the matter is that there’s no magical eye cream that will completely erase the look of dark circles. The causes of this type of bluish-purple discoloration are multiple and tough to target with any kind of topical product. That being said, certain eye creams can help, this one included. Mariwalla notes that it contains pharmaceutical-grade caffeine, one of the best ingredients for constricting blood vessels under the skin and making dark circles less noticeable. It also effectively targets puffiness and wrinkles.
Active Ingredients: Blueberry extract, proxylane, peptides | Benefits: Firms, smooths, reduces puffiness | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best With Vitamin C: BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BeautyStat-52d42c592acc4b19a5967c8707414a04.jpg)
Feels refreshing
Lightweight
Absorbs fast
Contains silicones
Vitamin C is a great ingredient to seek out in all of your skincare products—credit its ability to boost radiance, stimulate collagen production to minimize wrinkles, and offer plenty of antioxidant protection—but is especially great to use around the eyes. And given that this brand is the brainchild of a cosmetic chemist, the vitamin C in this product is no ordinary extract. Instead, it’s a 5% concentration of an extra-pure, extra-stable, extra-potent version to ensure maximum efficacy, paired with anti-inflammatory CBD.
Active Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, cannabis sativa seed oil, shea butter | Benefits: Firms, smooths, hydrates | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Morning: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/OleHenriksenBananaBrightEyeCreme-ac692a210efc4b52a56dbaa4f32dee08.jpg)
Wears well under makeup
Jar lasts a long time
May be a little strong for some
This is a perennial favorite of Byrdie editors, and Mariwalla is also a fan. The subtle yellowish-orange tint and built-in light-reflecting particles instantly add radiance to the undereye area while vitamin C works overtime to help further even out skin tone and smooth wrinkles. It’s also a great pick for morning use because it actually improves the application and wear-time of concealer. And as Mariwalla points out, a little bit goes a long way—one jar will last for quite a while.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, collagen, jojoba seed oil | Benefits: Boosts radiance, smooths, hydrates | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Night: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RoCRetinolCorrexionLineSmoothingAnti-AgingRetinolEyeCream-41855470627549daa469a71ef464e62c.jpg)
Budget-friendly
Won't cause irritation
Results aren't drastic
“Despite the affordable price, this cream delivers,” says Mariwalla, who attributes the effects to the retinol in the formula. (Given the likelihood of irritation that comes along with any retinol, it’s even more imperative to use a formula specially made for use around the eyes, she adds.) Chimento is also a fan, saying it’s a good choice for those who have excessive wrinkling around the eyes. FYI, since retinol can be inactivated by the sun, reserving it for bedtime use is a must.
Active Ingredients: Retinol | Benefits: Firms, smooths, reduces puffiness | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
What Our Testers Say
"Overall, I was very happy with RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. I didn’t experience any irritation with it and saw some pretty immediate results as far as reduced dark circles and puffiness." — Leigh Weingus, Product Tester
Best for Dryness: SkinCeuticals Eye Balm
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SkinCeuticalsEyeBalm-be19644e6f1d42c787cf505805ab8c39.jpeg)
Derstore
Rich, thick texture
Non-comedogenic
Expensive
The fact that the skin around your eyes is so thin makes it more susceptible not only to signs of aging but also to dryness. Enter this ultra-thick, ultra-nourishing balm. It restores essential lipids in the skin and helps increase firmness, too, says Chimento. Plus, it’s loaded with plenty of protective antioxidants, including vitamin E, silymarin (from the milk thistle plant), and soy isoflavones.
Active Ingredients: Antioxidants, aloe, glycerin | Benefits: Hydrates, firms, protects | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Serum: Epara Skincare Eye Serum
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/epara-eye-serum_1024x10242x1-4815370d4b5247abb3fef82894731b95.jpg)
Lifts and firms
Reduces dark circles and brightens hyperpigmentation
Great for oily skin types
Expensive
Lightweight and potent, serums help deliver higher concentrations of active ingredients deep into the skin than their creamier counterparts. This luxurious option is brimming with natural oils and botanicals that target eye bags, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation and absorb excess sebum, all while lifting and increasing firmness to create youthful-looking eyes.
Active Ingredients: Plankton extract, bamboo silk, ash tree bark extract | Benefits: Firms, lifts, de-puffs, brightens | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-free: Yes
Best Natural: Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2020-08-04at10.30.49AM-06f18332673044499f8633e0ab6077ae.png)
Courtesy of Alpyn Beauty
Pillowy, bouncy texture
Won't cause irritation
Expensive
This is a good pick if you're looking to keep your skincare routine clean. The ingredient list touts a litany of plant-based actives, think things such as licorice root and bearberry extract for radiance-boosting benefits, plus bakuchiol to help smooth lines and wrinkles. There’s also caffeine to tamp down puffiness, always a plus in our book. The result is a cushiony cream that leaves skin looking firmer, smoother, and radiant.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, bakuchiol | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths, boosts radiance | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CERAVE-07b77dff907f4e43aab3ab9ee0068a78.jpg)
Won't cause irritation
Affordable
Tube packaging
Results aren't drastic
Given that the skin around your eyes is already innately more prone to irritation, finding a non-irritating eye cream can be even more of a daunting task for those who have sensitive skin in general. Enter this staple, a top choice for Chimento. Niacinamide in the formula helps calm the skin while ceramides help stabilize the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid adds moisture, she says. And it’s so gentle, that it even has the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Active Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Hydrates, de-puffs | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-free: No
Final Verdict
Because the skin around your eyes is different than on the rest of your face, it’s necessary to use a dedicated eye cream that's concentrated with active ingredients and specially formulated to minimize the likelihood of irritation. The Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream is a great all-around anti-aging option; the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream also uses retinol (a great p.m. option) and rings in at a slightly more affordable price. For the ultimate bang for your buck, try the Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Eye Transforming Cream, while the Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm also offers plenty of anti-aging benefits in a clean and natural formula.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Stacy Chimento is a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
She specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology with an interest and expertise in acne, rosacea, body contouring, laser rejuvenation, and injectable aesthetic treatments.
What to Look For in an Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Ceramides
Ceramides help both strengthen the skin and by doing so, lock in more natural moisture, says Chimento.
Hyaluronic Acid
“This is a naturally-occurring substance in the body that has incredible moisture-retaining abilities,” explains Chimento. When hyaluronic acid is present in an eye cream, it not only has the benefit of hydrating but also helps to temporarily plump skin and fill in the look of fine lines.
Caffeine
Chimento says this is a good ingredient to look for because it can help tamp down bags and puffiness, albeit temporarily.
Retinol
The gold-standard anti-aging ingredient, look for this vitamin A derivative if wrinkles are your main concern. It helps to restore collagen to rebuild elasticity in the skin, says Chimento.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She uses an eye cream every night, and many of the products on this list currently are or have been part of her rotation.