Dermatologists say these eye creams work wonders on wrinkles
Though at what age it'll happen varies from person to person, it's likely that at some point you'll develop crow's feet, dark circles, or other signs of ageing around your eyes—and that's totally fine and normal. The skin around your eyes is very thin, so it's prone to dryness, premature ageing, wrinkles, puffiness, and hyperpigmentation, says Pearl Grimes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. The changes result from a variety of reasons including sun damage, loss of collagen and elastin, and increased melanin production, among others, Grimes says. The counter? A great eye cream.
'Eye creams can be effective in both reducing and preventing wrinkles, but consistency is key,' says Joel Kopelman, MD, a facial plastic surgeon at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. 'The active ingredients, such as retinol and peptides, work over time to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines.' You'll typically start to see noticeable improvements in about four to six weeks with consistent use.
Read more: Best retinol eye creams
Best eye creams for wrinkles
So, if you want to tackle yours, and are ready to add a solution that works to your beauty cabinet, here's what to look for in an eye cream for wrinkles.
What to consider
Type
When looking for an eye cream that works, you need to choose something specifically formulated for the skin around the eye—so not the moisturizer you use on the rest of your face. 'Plain eye creams or moisturizers are soothing to the skin but won't make any difference in the wrinkles around the eye,' says Richard Bottiglione, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermatologist’s Choice Skincare. 'For this, you need to have an active acid ingredient in the eye cream.'
It's also good to note that lotions, creams, and serums are not one in the same. In general, lotions are not as hydrating as creams because lotions have higher water content. Creams, on the other hand, have more oil content, so they are thicker and more moisturizing. Serums are lighter products, but they usually contain active ingredients meant to deeply penetrate the skin.
Key ingredients
When shopping for an eye cream to target wrinkles, look for key active ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, Dr. Kopelman says. 'Retinol is known for its collagen-boosting properties, peptides help with skin repair and regeneration, and hyaluronic acid provides intense hydration to plump up the skin and smooth out fine lines.' You can also shop for eye creams formulated with antioxidants like vitamin C, which help protect against free radical damage. Additionally, to help strengthen the skin barrier, seek eye creams with ceramides in them.
How we chose
To find the best eye creams for wrinkles, the WH team consulted four dermatologists to find out what they recommend to their own patients, plus asked our in-house experts what they use and love. We then evaluated the top picks, considering the type of product and its active ingredients, and asked our editorial team and a group of anonymous testers to put each one to the test, gathering information about important attributes including consistency, scent, and efficacy. These top-performing skincare products include options from trusted brands, including our top pick, Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology.
Below, see the eight best eye creams for wrinkles, tested by beauty experts.
ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment
After looking at countless eye creams, we gave this Alastin eye cream our best overall spot for its variety of active ingredients, efficacy, and ease of use.
Derms agree that with consistent use it works. 'The combo of green tea and oak leaf extracts help decrease the appearance of dark circles,' Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York tells us. 'Plus, Alastin's patented TriHex Technology helps promote the production of new collagen and elastin and reduces hyperpigmentation.
'Our testers particularly like the consistency of the product, calling it a sort of Goldilocks—'not too thick, not too thin.' It pumps out easily and readily absorbs when you pat it in. There's no scent at all, but don't be fooled.
'This is a powerful product,' says WH US beauty director Brian Underwood. After just using it for three weeks, he's already starting to notice some improvement in his fine lines and darkness under the eyes. Just go slow—especially if you have sensitive skin. It could cause irritation if used too aggressively, Underwood says.
Banana Bright Eye Crème
Our editorial team is high on Ole henriksen products—we love everything from their retinol serum to their under-eye corrector and, yes, this eye cream, too. Suitable for all skin types, this product contains a triple vitamin C complex for targeted brightening effects, as well as plant-based antioxidants to help neutralize environmental aggressors that can lead to premature ageing.
We like that this eye cream isn't white like many others. Instead, it has a subtle warm tone that our tester says paired well with her skin tone and was perfect for no makeup days. 'It is super hydrating without being greasy or heavy on my eye area,' she tells WH. 'I saw an instant brightening of my skin, and my fine lines were visibly less.'
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream
Lancome's eye cream stands out because it not only targets fine lines and wrinkles, but also puffiness and dark circles. The ingredient list boasts bifidus (a prebiotic) to deliver all of the moisture that delicate, dry area needs, plus hyaluronic acid for even more hydration, and vitamin C for brightening and smoothing properties. You'll end up with a subtle glow that shines even when topped with makeup.
Testers like how thick the fragrance-free formula is, noting that despite its weight, it absorbs readily. 'You can feel an instant lift right after application,' one tester says. 'My eyes are visibly brighter and my dark circles seemed to begin to fade.'
Clarins Double Serum Eye, 20ml
What's unique about this product is the dual-chamber system that delivers two serums in one bottle. One side dispenses golden hydric gel that offers a tightening effect; the other dispenses a hydrolipidic emulsion that works to hydrate the skin the way a thick cream would. Our tester tells WH that the product is slicker than other eye creams she's tried, but also notes that if you have the time to wait and let it absorb, it's a nice experience.
'It feels luxurious and left my skin soft and resilient,' she says. 'My under-eye doesn’t feel like its usually paper-y self.' Standout ingredients include turmeric and wild chervil, oat sugars, and leaf of life—all of which boost hydration and target signs of ageing.
O2 Caffeine Eight Active Eye Cream
If you have sensitive eyes, it can be difficult to narrow in on an eye cream that doesn't sting. But Underwood says this one fits the bill. 'This is a thicker, completely fragrance-free cream, which is nice because it doesn’t migrate into the eyes when you apply,' he says. 'My eye area is very sensitive, and I’ve never had an issue with this cream, unlike others I’ve tried in the past.'
'Despite its gentle nature, we found that the cream provides measurable results. 'I’ve been using this cream consistently for about a month, and I’ve definitely noticed a reduction in the appearance of my crow’s feet and just an all-over hydrating effect,' Underwood says. 'I’m a big fan and will continue to use it.'
belif Moisturising Eye Bomb
For those who don't like the heavy feeling of more traditional eye creams, Belif makes a lightweight, cooling option that still promises up to 48 hours of hydration, according to the brand and several people on our team who like it. It's all thanks to peptide that improves elasticity, and ceramides and squalane that deliver moisture.
Our tester found that the cream was lightweight, almost "gel-like." "It has a cooling effect and refreshing, spa-like scent." Our team particularly likes how quick it absorbs, delivering "an all-over hydrating glow," as one tester puts it. That glow helps to perk up eye bags and eyelids and smooth crow’s feet.
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F Triple Serum
This hardworking serum may be lightweight, but it contains a triple threat for the eye area: hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump, a blend of vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten and smooth, and ferulic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect skin from the environmental aggressors that can speed up the ageing process.
We found that once it's applied you can almost feel it working, which is perfect for mornings when you wake up with puffy eyes. 'You can actually feel it tightening the eye area upon use. It revitalizes tired-looking eyes and gave me a noticeable lift with long-lasting hydration,' our tester says.
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream
Clinique's for-everyone eye cream targets fine lines and wrinkles, as well as puffiness and dark circles for the full package. It's powered by a proprietary CL1870 Peptide Complex, which the brand says improves the appearance of wrinkles by boosting collagen. It also contains sigesbeckia orientalis extract to help keep skin looking firmer and plumper and hyaluronic acid for an intense dose of moisture.
Several people who tried it say they love its smooth, silky texture. 'I applied this in the morning/during the day,' one tester says. 'After using it, my eye area looked more hydrated and glowy—almost like I’d applied a highlighter or some such to that area.'
Meet the experts
Joel Kopelman, MD, is a facial plastic surgeon at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery.
Pearl Grimes, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Grimes Center for Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology in Los Angeles.
Richard Bottiglione, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermatologist’s Choice Skincare.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York .
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