We all know the feeling: We haven't had enough R&R, and we don't want our faces to betray how tired we are. Sure, a vacation sounds nice, but it won't solve all our eye care woes. In addition to tired eyes, most of us reach for eye creams due to a combination of afflictions, such as allergies, sun damage, volume loss and dry skin.
"Luckily, many eye creams include a combination of ingredients to address more than one concern," says Merry Thornton, a board-certified physician assistant and founder of Element Medical Aesthetics. You just have to know which key ingredients to look for.
To keep our eyes looking photo-ready, we asked Thornton and other estheticians, oculoplastic surgeons and plastic surgeons about the best eye creams for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles. The best part? You won't have to travel too far to find them because they're available at your local drugstore (and Amazon!).
Features to look for | Eye creams for wrinkles | Hydrating eye creams | Eye creams for sensitive skin | Other bestsellers | What can't eye creams do? | FAQs | Meet the experts
What to look for in an eye cream
If you feel that the area around your eyes is the most susceptible to skin care concerns, you're not alone. Thornton explains that the delicate skin around our eyes is thinner, has fewer oil glands and is more prone to damage than other areas on our face. That’s why it's important to use an eye cream specifically designed for this area.
But eye creams aren't all made the same. Here are four factors to consider.
Key ingredients
Our experts say reading the ingredient list is the most important factor when considering an eye cream.
Hyaluronic acid attracts water and helps to plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol speeds up cell turnover. In other words, it helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. While a popular and effective ingredient, it can be irritating for sensitive or dry skin. Because it can make skin more sun-sensitive, formulas with retinol should only be used at night.
Antioxidants such as vitamin C brighten the skin, boost collagen production and help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells and lead to premature aging and unsightly dark spots).
Niacinamide helps to brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of pores and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Caffeine reduces puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
Peptides and growth factors stimulate collagen production, plumping the under eye for a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Ceramides are an emollient that helps to lock in moisture and protect the skin from damage.
Aloe vera and chamomile soothe and calm the delicate skin around the eyes.
Glycerin attracts and retains moisture, improving hydration.
Ingredients to avoid
Rachel Lee Lozina, esthetician and owner of Blue Water Spa, recommends that those with sensitive skin avoid eye creams containing alcohol, retinoids, sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrances, dyes and exfoliants.
Skin concerns
Lozina said to take your specific skin concerns into consideration when choosing an eye cream. If you have oily skin, avoid eye creams that are oil-based or petroleum-based. Wax-based eye creams, like those with carnauba wax, can cause breakouts. “If you have dry skin, look for eye creams that have some oil, hyaluronic acid and peptides. These ingredients will help to hydrate your skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production,” she says.
Formula
Eye creams come in a few formulas, including cream, gel and serum. The formulation you choose will depend on your preferences and your skin type, according to Lozina. For example, some people avoid heavy eye creams because they may interfere with makeup. However, no matter the formula you choose, it will deliver targeted results when made with the right ingredients for your concerns.
The best drugstore eye creams for wrinkles, according to experts
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Cream
Active ingredients: Retinol and niacinamide | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Night
Recommended by Dr. Kami Parsa, a Beverly Hills-based oculoplastic surgeon, and Dr. John Paul Tutela, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and New Jersey, this is a must-try. Retinol helps organize the collagen in your skin to reduce fine lines and uneven texture while other ingredients help fade dark spots. “It overall targets everything," says Parsa. “Just give it about four weeks to start seeing results,” adds Tutela.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl
Active ingredients: Caffeine and glycol | Formulation: Liquid | Size: 0.51 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
"This gel-and-cream combination includes skin-firming peptides and regenerating niacinamide and mica to deflect light and smooth the appearance of fine lines," says esthetician Lora Condon. "The eye area will be hydrated but not greasy, so you can still use your favorite moisturizer and makeup for flawless skin."
Vichy LiftActiv Supreme Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
Active ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, peptides and vitamin E | Formulation: Liquid | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
Say au revoir to dark circles and good riddance to puffy, dry skin — this under-eye cream does it all. "I love this thick cream for hydrating and revitalizing the skin around the eyes," says esthetician Cinthia Lomeli. "This cream will help lift droopy eyelids, smooth under-eye wrinkles and brighten the skin. Plus, the caffeine in the eye cream will help increase circulation, which helps reduce dark circles and puffiness."
The best drugstore hydrating eye creams, according to experts
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Gel | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
“This has hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin cells better than regular moisturizing cream," says Tutela about Neutrogena's popular water gel. "It allows the skin to absorb water from the air. It doesn’t work as well in drier months, so a more humidified room helps it take action."
No7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Eye Cream
Active ingredients: Retinyl and hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.7 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
Dry, flaky under eyes? Not anymore. "When I need extra love around the eyes, this shea butter-based eye cream gives long-lasting hydration," says Condon. "The added peptides give extra firmness and if you keep this in the refrigerator, you’ll also diminish under-eye puffiness."
The best drugstore eye creams for sensitive skin, according to experts
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
It comes as no surprise that Parsa recommends this top-rated fragrance-free formula from CeraVe. Shop Today has been raving about it for years and I'm (Janelle) a firm believer too. I always keep it stocked in my medicine cabinet; it’s my go-to for banishing dry winter skin. With active ingredients that hydrate and brighten the skin, it’s a cost-effective product that's great for those with sensitivities.
Baebody Eye Gel
Active ingredients: Peptides and hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Gel | Size: 1.7 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and night
Lozina says she’s currently loving the effects of Baebody's eye gel. Its ingredients are all great for tightening the skin, rebuilding collagen and elastin and helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. “I love that it’s a non-irritating formula, dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic,” she adds.
Other bestselling drugstore day and night eye creams to shop
Olay Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream
Active ingredients: Ceramide, retinol and peptides | Formulation: Gel-cream | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Night
This nighttime option from Olay contains ingredients that make miracles happen almost overnight, namely retinol to stimulate cell turnover and peptides to promote collagen production. Thornton says that while retinol is a powerful tool for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, you should save it for your PM skin care routine. “Retinol can make you more sensitive to the sun,” she explains. “And eye creams with reparative ingredients such as peptides work better when we are sleeping.”
Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes Serum
Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and caffeine | Formulation: Serum | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and/or night
Made with ingredients like caffeine and hyaluronic acid, this highly-rated serum boasts benefits like 24-hour hydration and smoothing fine lines. According to the brand, it's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Several reviewers claim that it worked well to brighten dark under eye areas.
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C
Active ingredients: Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.5 oz. | Usage: 1x Day and/or night
For daytime use, I’m (Janelle) setting my sights on this vitamin C eye cream. The ingredient doesn’t just brighten your skin, says Dr. Vivian Chin, a cosmetic physician. It helps prevent damage from free radicals, sun damage and pollution.
Reviews love that it is fragrance-free and non-irritating. "I've used eye moisturizer for over 10 years, all high-end products," raved one reviewer. "This is by far the best I've ever used, and the cost is a third of what I paid for the last product I used. After less than a week of use, I can see a difference in the skin around my eyes."
What eye creams can’t do
Many eye creams promise to do everything from reduce wrinkles to brighten the eye area. But don’t take their claims at face value, mentions Chin.
It's important to look for ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective for the specific concerns you're trying to address. “Eye creams are the most purchased but also the most returned skin care item across the skincare industry,” she notes.
Thornton adds that eye creams don’t replace proper sun protection, a healthy diet and plenty of hydration. For a dewy, healthy look, she recommends consuming at least 64 ounces of water a day.
Questions about eye creams, answered
Do eye creams actually work?
It’s a resounding "Yes!" from our experts. Eye creams are specifically designed for the thinnest, most delicate skin on our bodies. They have a smaller molecular weight, which means they can penetrate the skin more easily, explains Lozina. Eye creams are also typically more hydrating than other types of creams since the skin around our eyes is prone to drying out.
Can I put my eye cream on my eyelids?
You can, but you might not want to. Applying eye cream directly to the eyelids could cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Instead, apply eye cream to the orbital bone around your eye. “It will naturally migrate to your lids,” explains Lozina.
Can I just use face cream under my eyes? What about vice versa?
If you’re on a budget, our experts say you can use a gentle face cream under your eyes. But Chin cautions against using a regular-strength retinol face cream anywhere near your eyes. “It would likely be too strong and face creams with a lot of fragrance may also irritate the eye area,” she says.
Using eye cream on the face is less of a concern, but it’s still not ideal. Eye creams are often more expensive than face creams. “They also have a lower concentration of active ingredients,” adds Chin.
What’s the best way to apply eye cream?
Apply eye cream to the orbital bone around your eye rather than your eyelids or the skin directly next to your eyes. When Thornton applies her eye cream, she starts by placing small dots of the cream under her eyes, down to the cheekbone, to the sides of the eyes, and then just below the brow bone. Gently using the ring finger, use light pressure to gently spread the product, avoiding the eyes and any tugging of the skin.
Do I put eye cream before or after my moisturizer?
Our experts recommend applying the thinnest consistency products first and layer the thicker ones on top. Depending on your skin care routine, this might look like: Toner, eye cream or serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen.
Meet our experts
Dr. Kami Parsa, MD, is a Beverly Hills-based oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon. He specializes exclusively in surgical and non-surgical procedures for the eyelids and the area around the eyes.
Dr. Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, is a cosmetic physician and founder of Koru Wellness & Aesthetics NYC. She is a member of the American Medical Association, American Society of Cosmetic Physicians, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and American Medical Spa Association.
Dr. John Paul Tutela, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in New York City and Livingston, New Jersey.
Rachel Lee Lozin is an esthetician and owner of Blue Water Spa in Oyster Bay, New York.
Merry Thornton, PA-C, is a New York, New Jersey and Connecticut board-certified physician assistant and founder of Element Medical Aesthetics in New Canaan, CT.
Cinthia Lomeli is a celebrity esthetician based in Santa Monica, California.