7 Best Anti-Aging Eye Creams Worth Your Money
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023The best anti-aging eye cream does more than turn back the clock. This powerhouse also brightens eyes, reduces puffiness and repairs delicate under-eye skin.
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Your eyes are among the first things—if not the first things—people notice about you. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the first places to show signs of aging, not to mention stress and exhaustion. That’s why finding the best eye cream is so important, and why using it diligently should be part of your everyday skin care routine.
“The skin under the eyes is thin, delicate and not as resilient as the skin elsewhere on our face, and it also has fewer oil glands, so it is naturally less moisturized and supported,” explains Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital. “The fat pads that support the thin under-eye skin break down gradually as we age, leaving the skin lax and more transparent to the blood vessels beneath. Eye cream can help minimize the appearance of these wrinkles while addressing other common concerns, like dryness, puffiness, dark circles and pigmentation.”
The only problem? Like the plethora of anti-aging creams, night creams, foundations for aging skin and face serums on the market, there are simply so many products out there—and if you believe their marketing claims, they’re all amazing. Of course, they don’t all live up to their hype and, even if they did, they’re not all right for you.
To help you sort through the best eye cream options, we spoke with skin care experts to find out which ones truly deliver and address your specific concerns. If you combine these tips for surprisingly simple ways to look younger and makeup tricks that will make you look younger with the following best anti-aging eye creams, you’ll be well on your way toward tapping into a winning formula for the fountain of youth.
Best overall eye cream
DefenAge 3D Eye Radiance Cream
This award-winning eye cream for retinol-sensitive skin leaves nothing to chance. This best eye cream is loaded with anti-aging skin care technology that’s specifically formulated to soothe and rejuvenate the thin, delicate skin around the eyes. That’s why it’s a favorite of Texas-based dermatologist, Vivian Bucay, MD.
“DefenAge 3D Eye contains age-repair defensins that target a group of dormant stem cells, which go to work to replenish the upper layer of skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she explains. “Peptides, like palmitoyl tripeptide-7, increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid for more youthful-looking skin, and a blend of amino acids and lipids support a healthy skin barrier, promoting skin hydration and minimizing skin discoloration for brighter, smoother skin.”
If it sounds like there’s a lot going on there, that’s because there is. But all you have to do is apply a thin layer of it once or twice a day to get amazing results. Choosing the best eye cream, by the way, is one of the secrets of women who always look put together.
Pros
- Award-winning formula
- Suitable for all skin types and safe for contact lens wearers
- Includes a built-in applicator
Cons
- Expensive
Don’t miss out on these dermatologist-recommended skin-tightening creams to help boost collagen and restore elastin, too.
Best budget eye cream
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Not only does CeraVe Eye Repair Cream contain the effective moisturizer hyaluronic acid, but it also contains molecules called ceramides that boost the skin’s natural barrier to make eyes look bright and refreshed. “That anti-inflammatory property helps to rejuvenate skin,” says Chicago-based dermatologist, Edidiong Kaminska, MD, founder of Kaminska Dermatology. This gentle moisturizer could be the best eye cream for those with sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and won’t clog pores.
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested
- Has over 30,000 five-star ratings on Amazon
Cons
- Must apply morning and evening for best results
Best eye cream for sagging skin
Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream
“If you are struggling with skin sagging, this eye cream is suitable for you,” says Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. “Augustinus Bader’s eye cream treats and aims to prevent skin sagging. It has an impressive list of nourishing actives: Niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin B5 and vitamin C.” This moisturizing eye cream doesn’t stop there, as it also tackles puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, too.
Pros
- Proven to improve the feel of skin elasticity in 12 weeks
- Vegan and free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates and mineral oil
- Vitamin C supports collagen production for firmer skin
Cons
- Expensive
Best eye cream for dark circles
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
“SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex is a balmy formula with optical diffusers that reflect light away from the eye area, so it’s instantly illuminating,” says Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a New York City-based dermatologist. “It works below the surface to fight signs of aging, deeper causes of dark circles and advanced aging.” The formula contains blueberry extract to improve skin cell structure, preventing wrinkles and saggy skin.
Pros
- Contains optical diffusers to disperse light and disguise dark circles
- Flavonoids and peptides improve dark circles and puffiness
- Improves wrinkles and crow’s feet
Cons
- Takes four to 12 weeks of consistent use to see results
Best eye cream on Amazon
Lumière Firm
Calling this anti-aging eye cream “a powerhouse for eye rejuvenation,” Roberta Del Campo, MD, a dermatologist in North Miami, Florida, explains that Lumière Firm combines proprietary peptides to firm up and brighten skin. It also contains human-derived growth factors to build collagen and improve overall skin resilience.
“What other product can address so many under-eye skin concerns, such as darkness, puffiness, laxity, fine lines and wrinkles in one product?” Dr. Del Campo says. “And it’s safe on all skin types.” You’ll also find a hefty dose of collagen boosters in this Korean face mask that Amazon shoppers adore.
Pros
- Works wonders on total eye rejuvenation
- Noticeable difference in just 14 days
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Must apply twice a day for best results
Best eye cream for wrinkles
Verso Super Eye Serum
This best eye cream doesn’t mess around. It’s formulated with anti-wrinkle powerhouse Retinol 8, which is eight times as effective as traditional retinol, and reduces the risk of irritated skin by 50 percent. Its peptides also work to strengthen tissue and reduce puffiness, circles and lines, while the hyaluronic acid plumps up skin. For more anti-aging benefits, adds Dr. Robinson, you can look for a retinol or retinol derivative in a moisturizing base. Don’t forget to browse the best retinol serums for anti-aging results.
Pros
- Ingredients include Retinol 8, which is less irritating yet more effective
- Suitable for all skin types
- Helps increase collagen production
Cons
- If it irritates your skin, only use once every three nights for the first few weeks
Best eye cream for puffiness
Isdin Isdincuetics K-Ox Eyes Cream
Say bye-bye to your puffy eyes with ISDIN K-Ox under-eye brightening cream, which minimizes puffiness and dark circles, thanks to the vitamin K oxide and hyaluronic acid. After four weeks, 93 percent of users reported less visible puffiness and reduction in dark circles. As a bonus, the cooling ceramic applicator refreshes your skin for an added burst of rejuvenation. Use your fingertips to smooth the product around your under-eye area, and then extend it with the applicator.
Pros
- Fights puffiness with results in as little as 28 days
- Travel-friendly tube
- Minimizes, firms and brightens for an all-in-one treatment
Cons
- Pricey, but you only need to use the amount equal to a grain of rice
What to consider when buying eye cream
There are a ton of products on the market, and each promises life-changing results. So how do you know what to trust? First, don’t be shy about reading the online reviews to see what real users have to say (as is the case with this affordable Maybelline concealer that will make you look younger, according to 113,000 Amazon reviewers). Next, set a budget and stick to it—more expensive products aren’t automatically a better choice, though they can be indicative of quality of ingredients and packaging.
Speaking of ingredients, be sure you understand what the active ingredients are in the product you’re considering, which may be retinol-based or lean on other compounds to get the job done. Finally, remember that your eye cream choice is only part of the equation when it comes to your quest to look younger. Don’t forget about things like these style tips that can make you look younger, hairstyles that will subtract years, tricks to look better in photos every time and age-defying makeup tricks, too.
Types of eye cream
Dr. Geria says those looking for the best anti-aging eye creams should look for products containing retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides. “Retinols help stop the production of collagen and stimulate further production,” he says. “Evidence shows that vitamin C helps eliminate and repairs wrinkles. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that neutralizes harmful molecules that can damage the skin.”
He goes on to explain that peptides enforce collagen production, so they’re a good choice for thin skin under the eyes. Ceramides seal moisture into the skin by acting as a barrier to prevent irritation and dryness. “Finally, hyaluronic acid are naturally occurring molecules in the body that fast-track moisture and lock it in,” he says. “As we age, we lose this.”
How we found the best eye cream
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Is there an eye cream that actually works?
Yes, but as with all skin care products, the results come down to the formulation. “They can help repair and prevent wrinkles, but they must contain certain active ingredients, otherwise they are just moisturizers sans biologically active ingredients,” explains Dr. Geria. “If retinols are in an eye cream or retinoids (which are prescription strength), these can prevent collagen breakdown, increase cell turnover, make more hyaluronic acid and produce new collagen.”
Which is better: eye cream or serum?
This mostly depends on your age and skin care goals. The biggest difference between eye serums and eye creams is texture. Serums are thinner, which makes them light and able to penetrate skin quickly. They typically are void of ingredients, like butters or oils, and often have potent ingredients in higher concentrations, such as vitamin C, peptides or retinols.
On the other hand, creams are richer with more moisturizing ingredients that seal in hydration (which Dr. Geria says is something a serum can’t do). They don’t allow as much room for active ingredients.
When it comes to skin type, Dr. Geria says eye cream might better suit mature skin, due to their richness and ability to moisturize dry skin under the eyes and prevent signs of aging. Eye serums are a good option for oily and combination skin and, with their potency, they’re suitable to address issues, such as darkness and lines.
How long do eye creams take to work?
When talking about the effectiveness of the best eye creams, it all comes down to the quality of the product. “When high-caliber products are used correctly and consistently, they typically take four to six weeks for the active ingredients to make a discernible difference on your skin,” says Dr. Geria. “Be realistic—there is no eye cream that can replicate in-office procedures, such as Botox, laser or blepharoplasty.”
Sources:
- Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital
- Vivian Bucay, MD, board-certified dermatologist
- Edidiong Kaminska, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Kaminska Dermatology
- Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
- Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist
- Roberta Del Campo, MD, board-certified dermatologist
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