Every 30-Something Should Start Using This to Prevent Under-Eye Fine Lines and Wrinkles (2024)

Crow’s feet, fine lines, and sagging skin are all concerns that may arise as you age, which raises the question: What is the best eye cream for wrinkles? For answers, we turned to three trusted dermatologists to weigh in on what ingredients to look for and which formulas they actually recommend.

Vogue’s Guide to the Best Under-Eye Cream for Wrinkles:

• Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, $105
• Best for Hyperpigmentation: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream, $92, $74
• Best Eye Serum for Wrinkles: Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Eye Serum, $75
• Best for Hydration: Retrouvé RevitaliZing Eye Concentrate, $215
• Best for Hooding and Droopiness: Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream, $118
• Best for Firming: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum, $89
• Best for Exfoliation: iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex, $155
• Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream with Squalene + Ceramides, $44
• Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, $64
• Best for Dark Circles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, $26
• Best Drugstore Pick: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $20, $14

Which ingredients to look for in the best eye wrinkle cream

Your eye creams should both help stimulate the production of collagen and give the under-eye a moisture boost. With this in mind, consider retinol and vitamin C as key ingredients. “Retinol is the gold-standard anti-aging ingredient in skin care, and using eye creams with retinol can help soften fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes,” Dr. Michele Green, a New York City–based and board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic treatments explains, emphasizing its usefulness in improving skin texture and radiance. Dr. Dendy Engelman, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist also notes retinol’s particular efficacy to rejuvenate skin by helping increase cellular turnover and rebuild skin’s structural support from within.

As for vitamin C, the powerful antioxidant can protect skin from environmental stress, encourage collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, and help improve overall brightness under the eyes. Similarly, caffeine is useful for its ability to energize and tighten skin and soften fine lines and wrinkles. For moisture, the customary hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and peptides will work wonders in the short term. (These are also common ingredients featured in the best under-eye patches.) “Hyaluronic acid is great in an eye cream to lock in moisture, minimize the dehydration lines that can form, and increase the skin’s natural glow,” Dr. Engelman says.

Below, the best eye creams for any concern, from early signs of crow’s feet to deeper wrinkles, tested and approved by Vogue editors and our experts.

• Why We Love It: If you picked up this SkinCeuticals formulas to target dark circles, you’re in luck because it’s also a winning pick to target fine lines and crow’s feet. Botox
• Key Ingredients: Dr. Corey L. Hartman previously told Vogue that this is a stellar choice for mature skin if lack of elasticity is of concern. The rich cream is powered by a blend of peptides, blueberry extract, caffeine, and matrixyl 3000 that work together to firm, tone, and replenish the under-eye area.
• When to Apply: According to SkinCeuticals, apply this under the eyes and around the brow once or twice daily.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 fl oz.
• Notable Features: 24-hour hydration

• Why We Love It: The SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream offers basically all the qualities of a good eye cream: luxurious texture, powerhouse ingredients, and the ability to leave skin firm and radiant.
• Key Ingredients: According to Engelman, this product “combines key ingredients from the brand’s award-winning Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum and HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator to instantly improve the appearance of lines while working overtime to correct the appearance of darkness and shadows.” What’s more, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and botanical extracts are included to ensure the under-eye receives the moisture and protection it needs.
• When to Apply: SkinMedica recommends applying a thin layer twice daily along the eye area.
• Size: 0.5 Oz / 14.2 g
• Notable Features: Dye-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, paraben-free

• Why We Love It: Expect a bouncy and supple under-eye with Perricone MD’s eye serum that comes at Love’s recommendation.
• Key Ingredients: “This gentle and lightweight eye serum contains growth factors to increase hydration and firmnessof the skin,” she says. “[Additionally], niacinamide helpsto improve the appearanceof dark circles.”
• When to Apply: According to Perricone MD, apply this formula to the eye area morning and night.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 fl oz.
• Notable Features: Cruelty-free, paraben-free

• Why We Love It: Retrouvé’s eye cream’s main goal to supply skin with adequate hydration, though its silky balm texture is an added bonus.
• Key Ingredients: The concentrate, which counts Zoë Kravitz as a fan, is infused with a blend of squalene, vitamin E, glycerin, and botanical oils to quench thirsty skin. Resveratrol and vitamin C help brighten dark- and dullness as well.
• When to Apply: Because of its thicker balm-like texture, Retrouvé recommends applying this eye cream at night, unless experiencing intense dryness. If you’re planning to use before makeup, allow up to 15 minutes for the formula to absorb first.
• Size: 1 oz / 30 mL
• Notable Features: Cruelty-free, farm-sourced ingredients, airless packaging, One Tree Planted artners, dermatologist- tested formula

• Why We Love It: Although the cooling applicator of Revision Skincare’s eye cream is certainly part of its draw, it leaves a lasting impression due to the ease with which it tackles eye sagging and drooping.
• Key Ingredients: This elixir is powered by a blend of antioxidants (including goji fruit extract), cucumber fruit water, prebiotic and postbiotic extracts, and a handful of other intelligent ingredients to provide visible firming and hydration while helping shield and balance skin from within.
• When to Apply: Revision Skincare recommends applying one pump of this formula around the eye area twice daily.
• Size: 0.5 oz / 14 g
• Notable Features: Skin-neutral pH Formula

Best for Firming: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: Murad’s eye cream is a Vogue-editor favorite to wave goodbye to crow’s feet and dullness over time without irritation.
• Key Ingredients: Through retinol, plant extracts like swertia flower, a marine kelp complex, and glycerin, the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum is formulated to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
• When to Apply: According to Murad, apply this eye cream at night to the under-eye and lids.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 oz
• Notable Features: Cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free

• Why We Love It: Smoothing, hydrating, and brightening are three of the targeted benefits of iS Clinical’s eye cream to reveal a youthful-looking under-eye.
• Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides, extracts, centella asiatica, and vitamin K are the stars of the Youth Eye Complex. All of which come together to not only diminish fine lines and spur collagen production, but simultaneously de-puff and condition. Hyaluronic acid, white willow bark and mixed fruit acid extracts are also in the formula.
• When to Apply: According to iS Clinical, a small amount of this is best tapped along the eye area, avoiding the inner corners.
• Size: 1 oz
• Notable Features: Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic

• Why We Love It: One of Green’s top picks, this eye cream has been found to notably replenish the under-eye, even for those with sensitive skin.
• Key Ingredients: “This contains hyaluronic acid and caffeine to bring hydration to the skin around the eyes for a plumping effect and to diminish the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines,” Green explains. “[Furthermore], caffeine has been shown to stimulate blood circulation, aiding in reducing puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.” Encapsulated retinol for slow release and squalene (to counteract any potential retinol-induced dryness) are also in the formula.
• When to Apply: According to First Aid Beauty, this cream is best applied to the orbital area morning and night. For a cooling treatment, feel free to store this in the fridge.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 fl oz.
• Notable Features: Clean, Cruelty-free, No artificial fragrances

• Why We Love It: Drunk Elephant’s oft-talked-about vitamin C–infused eye cream has long been a beauty-enthusiast favorite, and it comes as a recommendation of Green to combat fine lines.
• Key Ingredients: “[This] contains potent vitamin C along with vitamin E and peptides to brighten the eye area and help the delicate skin repair from environmental stress,” Green says. “Peptides aid in collagen synthesis for firmer, younger-looking skin.” There’s also cucumber extract, ceramides, and plant oils to round out this complexion-boosting formula.
• When to Apply: According to Drunk Elephant, pat one pump of this cream to the under-eye using your ring finger.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 oz
• Notable Features: Vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, clean

• Why We Love It: Not only does this iconic eye cream brighten, hydrate, and fight the effects of free radical damage, but it’s lightweight and fast-absorbing, so it doesn't get all over your pillow as you sleep.
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid works to plump and lock in moisture, promoting a more radiant and refreshed appearance for your eyes. Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant, aiding in the defense against free-radical damage, especially from electronic devices and blue light.
• When to Apply: As per Estée Lauder’s recommendation, apply this eye cream both in the morning and at night, covering the entire eye area.
• Size: 15 mL / 0.5 oz
• Notable Features: Free of synthetic fragrance, free of parabens, phthalates, sulfites, sulfate, drying alcohol, mineral oil, and paraffin

• Why We Love It: Available at nearly every drugstore, this budget-friendly eye cream is suitable for all skin types. It works to reduce dark circles and puffiness while providing moisture and plumping benefits.
• Key Ingredients: CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream contains three essential ceramides, aiding in the restoration of the skin barrier and resulting in improved reduction of dark circles and puffiness. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin are featured in the formula as well.
• When to Apply: CeraVe suggests applying small dots around the eye area once or twice a day, in the morning and/or evening.
• Size: 0.5 oz / 14.2 g
• Notable Features: Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic

What can cause wrinkles around the eye area?

“Our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin with age, which are important proteins in the skin that provide structure and elasticity,” Green, says. “With the loss of collagen and elastin, the skin loses the ability to bounce back and becomes dull, thin, and loose, leading to the formation of wrinkles, especially in the delicate eye area.” Aside from aging, she notes that genetics, smoking, sun damage, and even pushing your face against your pillow while sleeping can contribute to wrinkle development.