The Best Eye Creams for Combating Wrinkles, Dark Circles, and Fine Lines
The best eye creams are gentle enough to be used every day but powerful enough to target dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Even though eye creams are a staple in many people’s daily skincare routine, it’s important to find the right formula to target your specific concerns.
To curate a guide to the best eye creams, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. While narrowing down the list, we considered factors like ingredients, benefits, and price. We also spoke with Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, and Dr. Margarita Lolis, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, for expert advice on choosing the best formula for you.
“While an eye cream is not necessary, it can be a helpful tool for someone with concerns about their eyelid skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “The benefits may vary based on the ingredients, as those containing retinol can help with fine lines and wrinkles, while those containing hyaluronic acid may help to plump the skin and boost hydration.” A gentle dab of eye cream is a good way to finish a DIY at-home facial.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 Smooth and Lift Cream at Amazon
$53
Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream at Sephora
$69
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Bright-Eye Gel Cream at Amazon
$38
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The eye cream brightens skin and targets visible signs of aging.
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It's not the most affordable option.
The Beautystat Universal C Eye Perfector tops our list because of its impressive formula. As its name implies, the star ingredient is vitamin C, specifically 5% L-ascorbic acid—the most potent form of the antioxidant. It brightens skin, softens lines, fades dark circles, and diminishes puffiness—and that's just one ingredient. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, and hemp oil to hydrate, defend the eye area from free radical pollution, and calm irritation.
The eye cream boasts a smooth, velvety texture, and upon application, it blurs imperfections thanks to optical diffusers that provide a lightweight camouflage against under-eye circles or blemishes. It also works well under makeup because it smooths the skin so that your cosmetics apply flawlessly.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, hemp oil, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract | Formulation: Gel-cream | Size: 0.5 ounces
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The lightweight, fragrance-free cream is non-greasy and absorbs quickly to minimize dark circles and puffiness.
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It doesn't really target fine lines and wrinkles.
Every product in CeraVe’s dermatologist-developed brand portfolio contains three essential ceramides that help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, and the brand’s Eye Repair Cream is no exception. (FYI: This barrier is essentially the foundation of healthy skin.) This drugstore eye cream also contains hyaluronic acid to help retain your skin’s natural moisture, niacinamide to calm the skin, and a marine and botanical complex to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
All you need to do is apply a pea-sized amount by gently tapping in small dots around the eye area in the morning after your moisturizer and evening after your night cream. The formula is fragrance-free and boasts a lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly and shouldn’t interfere with your makeup routine. It’s certified by the National Eczema Association, which means it’s safe for those with eczema or sensitive skin conditions—a testament to