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Your skincare routine isn't complete without perhaps the biggest staple of them all: a good eye cream. Not only do they have tons of hydration benefits, as any cream should, but they can accomplish so much more than that. Eye creams can treat dark circles, crow's feet, and other (totally normal and natural) signs of aging. If fine lines are a concern of yours right now, you'll definitely want a good wrinkle-smoothing eye cream in your routine.
Peep a few of the best dermatologist-recommended eye creams for wrinkles, below:
Most Brightening Eye Cream For Wrinkles
Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye CreamRead more
Most Moisturizing Eye Cream For Wrinkles
True Botanicals Natural Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream
Read more
"Most people forget to moisturize around the eyes,” says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD. “This can lead to sensitive skin, and the eyelids will look even more wrinkled due to the irritation." But, eye creams aren't just good for the treatment of wrinkles. They're also a good preventative measure. "Starting the use of an eye cream early is beneficial if you want to prevent signs of aging, and your eyelids will be more comfortable,” Dr. Marmur explains.
See below for 15 of the best eye creams for wrinkles, according to dermatologists. There's an option for every skin type and budget.
1
Best Retinol-Infused Eye Cream For Wrinkles
RoC Retinol Correxion Under-Eye Cream
Pros
- Contains retinol
- Excellent value
Cons
- Some may not like the scent
Dermatologist Hadley King, MD, MD, suggests this retinol-based eye cream for treating crow's feet. The retinol increases collagen production and makes skin look smoother.
Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, vitamin C, and retinol |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning and night |
Benefits | Firming, brightening, depuffing |
2
Most Brightening Eye Cream For Wrinkles
Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream
Pros
- Brightens skin with vitamin C
- Smooth, velvety texture
Cons
- Some may not like the scent
Peptides are key if you’re looking to treat under-eye wrinkles because they create more collagen, helping your skin look and feel firmer, smoother, and more elastic. The creamy texture absorbs into the skin instantly. Vitamin E delivers a dose of moisture to the skin while the vitamin C brightens the area.
Key Ingredients | Vitamin C, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, niacinamide, and caffeine |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Firming, brightening, and depuffing |
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3
Most Moisturizing Eye Cream For Wrinkles
True Botanicals Natural Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Clean formula
- Fights dark circles
Cons
- Might feel too thick for some
- Pricey
This eye cream fights dark circles while treating fine lines and wrinkles. It's crafted with turmeric, coffee, and licorice extracts to help brighten and depuff the area around your eyes.
Key Ingredients | Resurrection plant, tree bark extract, and turmeric, coffee, and licorice extract |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning and night |
Benefits | Hydrating, brightening, and depuffing |
4
Best Wrinkle-Fighting Eye Cream For Sensitive Skin
Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Power Eye Cream
Pros
- Contains skin-calming ingredients
- Good value
Cons
This is a great option for those with sensitive skin. Not only is it designed to smooth out wrinkles, it also contains chamomile and algae to hydrate and reduce crow's feet without causing irritation.
Key Ingredients | Acetyl hexapeptide-8, anogeissus, and squalane |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Hydrating |
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5
Best Cruelty-Free Eye Cream For Wrinkles
Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream
Pros
- Contains plant-based ingredients
- Tackles crow's feet
Cons
- Not ideal for puffiness or dark circles
Cocokind's velvety soft eye cream is made with super hydrating plant-based extracts and other ingredients that work to help fine lines and dark circles fade, while reducing puffiness. Nice!
Key Ingredients | Marula oil, Persian silk tree extract, hibiscus flower acids, and oat extract |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Brightening, hydrating, smoothening, depuffing, firming |
6
Best Eye Serum For Wrinkles
Clarins Eye Firming & Hydrating Anti-Aging Concentrate
Pros
- Has an instant tightening effect
- Plant-based formula
Cons
- May feel too greasy for some
If you’re looking for a product that works quickly, reviewers say you need to make this serum a part of your skincare routine ASAP. (One reviewer said that "Within a week my skin has felt firmer, smoother and hydrated.")
Clarins' serum tightens skin with 13 plant extracts designed to penetrate the skin more deeply than a cream formula.
Key Ingredients | Turmeric, wild chervil, oat sugars, and leaf of life |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning and night |
Benefits | Hydrating, smoothening, and firming |
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7
Best Hyaluronic Acid-Infused Eye Cream For Wrinkles
Clinique Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream
Pros
- Boosts collagen production to smooth lines
- Contains hydrating hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Small tub
The brand's top-secret peptide complex keeps wrinkles at bay by boosting your skin's natural collagen. Hyaluronic acid adds a supple, dewy look to skin, too.
Key Ingredients | Peptide complex, hyaluronic acid, and sigesbeckia orientalis extract |
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Best Time To Apply | Twice a day, unspecified time |
Benefits | Hydrating, depuffing, and smoothening |
8
Best Eye Gel For Wrinkles
Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
Pros
- Good value
- Precision tip for easy application
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for some
Depuff your eyes and minimize fine lines with this multi-tasking gel, which is helped by hero ingredients, Tetrapeptides and rosemary leaf extract, to do just that. It's a great do-it-all product, and the lightweight gel formula is ideal for oilier skin types.
Key Ingredients | Peptide blend, diosmin, rosemary leaf extract, and voandzeia subterranea seed extract |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning |
Benefits | Energizing, depuffing, and hydrating |
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9
Most Firming Eye Cream For Wrinkles
Ghost Democracy Boomerang Firming Eye Concentrate
Now 47% Off
Pros
- Smooths skin's texture
- Soothing formula with bakuchiol
Cons
- On the pricier side
Dr. King recommends this eye cream because of its antioxdant, bakuchiol, and niacinamide-infused formula. She says that all three ingredients help firm the skin and give it a smoother texture.
Key Ingredients | Squalane, niacinamide, bakuchiol, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning and night |
Benefits | Firming, smoothening, depuffing, and brightening |
10
Best Do-It-All Eye Cream
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Eye Cream With Hyaluronic Acid
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Helps treat dark circles
Cons
- Doesn't smell great
Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, recommends this cream because it adds hydration around the eyes. "It's filled with hyaluronic acid, which adds volume, colloidal oatmeal to minimize irritation, squalane to help with skin barrier function, and caffeine to lighten discoloration," she adds.
Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and cucumber extract |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Hydrating, depuffing, and smoothening |
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Pros
- Doesn't cause irritation
- Retinol isn't too harsh
Cons
- Thick formula isn't ideal for oily skin
This retinol, peptide, and shea butter-packed cream does a fantastic job of hydrating the area around your eyes to reduce signs of aging, according to dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. Reviewers with with dry skin and eczema are huge fans of the formula, too.
Key Ingredients | Vitamin C and licorice root extract, peptides, and resveratrol |
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Best Time To Apply | Night |
Benefits | Hydrating, brightening, and firming |
12
Best Antioxidant-Packed Eye Cream
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Pros
- Plumps the under-eye area
- Isn't greasy
Cons
- Some don't like the thick texture
Made with avocado oil, shea butter, and beta-carotene, this fan favorite eye cream softens and moisturizes the skin, but also provides antioxidants, says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. She adds that it doesn't cause irritation, and can help fine lines and wrinkles fade with consistent use over time.
Key Ingredients | Vitamin A, avocado oil, fatty acids, and shea butter |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning and night |
Benefits | Hydrating, brightening, depuffing, and smoothening |
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Pros
- A little bit of cream goes a long way
- Lightens dark circles
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Better for prevention than treatment
"This vitamin B3 eye cream evens out skin tone and reduces hyperpigmentation to improve the look of dark circles," Dr. Garshick explains. Because vitamin B3 also helps to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, she says it won’t leave dry skin feeling irritated.
Key Ingredients | Vitamin B3 and retinol complex |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Lifting, brightening, firming, smoothening, and hydrating |
14
Most Non-Irritating Eye Cream For Wrinkles
ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Pros
- Good for sensitive skin
- Lightweight consistency
Cons
- Not best for treating dark circles
So, this eye cream is a little different because it uses sea fennel, which dermatologist Rachel Westbay, MD, says has a lot of retinol-esque benefits.
"Sea fennel helps firm the skin and reduce the look of fine lines without the potential irritation of retinol, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin or those who are pregnant," she says.
Key Ingredients | Sea fennel extract, upcycled avocado extract, caffeine, and peptides |
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Best Time To Apply | Morning |
Benefits | Hydrating, brightening, firming, smoothening, and depuffing |
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15
Most Fast-Absorbing Eye Cream
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Pros
- Isn't too greasy
- Absorbs well
Cons
- Not the most hydrating formula
Reviewers love how well this little cream absorbs, making it a great option to wear during the day time or under makeup—but, that doesn't make it any less hydrating. "Containing hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, this eye cream hydrates, plumps, and soothes the skin," Dr. Garshick explains.
Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid |
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Best Time To Apply | Unspecified |
Benefits | Hydrating and plumping |
How do I use an eye cream?
"Eye creams can treat different issues like wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, under-eye bags, and dryness,” says Dr. Marmur. And, they're also really simple to use. Dr. King says to simply tap a small amount into the skin around the eyes once or twice daily.
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What's the difference between eye cream and regular moisturizer?
Even though your face cream is hydrating, it can't achieve the same benefits as a specialized eye cream. "Eye creams are often less irritating because the skin around the eyes is particularly thin and delicate," says Dr. King. "And they have other ingredients to target the eye area and its specific concerns."
What are the best wrinkle-fighting ingredients to look for?
If you are beginning to notice wrinkles or crow's feet appearing around your eyes, here are the ingredients Dr. King recommends to look for in an eye cream:
- Retinol will stimulate collagen growth and increases cell turnover.
- Antioxidants improve pigmentation and prevent free-radical damage from UV light exposure that causes signs of aging.
- Hyaluronic acid helps to plump the eye area and lock in moisture.
Taylor Lane
Taylor Lane is a former New Yorker, now based out of Baltimore, where she writes about beauty and wellness. When she’s not writing about the newest product launches and time-saving tips, Taylor teaches barre at her local studio. Follow her on Instagram
Addison Aloian
Assistant Love & Life Editor
Addison Aloian is the assistant love & life editor at Women’s Health and a NASM-certified personal trainer (CPT). She covers all things lifestyle, astrology, relationships, and fitness. In her free time, you can find her lifting weights at the gym, running on the West Side Highway in New York City, and watching (and critiquing!) the latest movies that have garnered Oscars buzz. In addition to Women's Health, her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L'Officiel USA, V Magazine, VMAN, and more.