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Fine lines and crow’s feet can unfortunately start to appear as early as our 20s, gradually becoming more pronounced as the years go on. However, an effective skincare routine – one which includes a dedicated product that’s specifically designed for the delicate eye area – can really help with those first signs of aging; and we’re going to talk you through some of our current favorites!
With some input from dermatologists, skincare experts, and online reviews from happy customers, we’ve put together a list of some of the best eye creams that we believe will help with everything from fine lines, crow’s feet, dark circles, and puffiness. We know that everyone has different skin and budget requirements, which is why there is a wide range of products (and prices!) that will hopefully cater to everyone. Take a look at 15 of our current favorite anti-aging eye creams that can help with fine lines and crow’s feet below.
1. Avéne RetinAL EYES, $49.50
This 3-in-1 eye cream contains four key ingredients: retinaldehyde, which is shown to be more effective than retinol, according to the manufacturer, hydrating hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, and Avene thermal spring water to help smoothen and calm the skin. The texture is described as a yellow-tinted balm that softens your skin without making it greasy, and helps leave your under-eye area softer and brighter.
The best part? It's a great choice for sensitive skin – because, remember, the skin around your eyes can be more sensitive than most. According to one reviewer: "I have fair skin that's sensitive and in my 40s. My dermatologist specifically recommended this eye cream. I do one pump for both eyes at night. Half a pump each. I enjoy the consistency. Not too thick and not too thin. I can tell a difference immediately with the hydration and brightening around my eyes. I highly recommend giving it a try!"
2. Neostrata Comprehensive Retinol Eye Cream, $62
With retinol as one of its top key ingredients, this eye cream is described as "potent" and ideal for addressing both dark circles and wrinkles. The amount of retinol in this cream is on the lighter side–just 0.05%—but it's important not to overdo it with retinol in this sensitive area because it can make your eyes irritated. The cream also contains NeoGlucosamine, a non-acid amino sugar that helps diminish fine lines, and a dual peptide blend to target dark circles.
Neostrata has a reputable name in skincare and its reviewers vouch for this pick. One writes, "Eye cream does just what they say it will do. Keeps crow's feet at bay. Fine lines no longer visible."
3. Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream, $98
This luxury eye cream contains retinol, hyaluronic acid, a blend of "Bidens Pilosa Extract," all of which help boost collagen, tighten the skin around your eyes, and impart major hydration.
According to one reviewer: "The BEST eye cream out there!!! Gently exfoliates tender sensitive skin around the eyes (upper and lower lids) while smoothing and eventually eliminating fine lines making a VERY NOTICEABLE difference resulting in a MUCH YOUNGER appearance! 100 STARS!!!"
This cream is a bit more expensive than the others on the list, but reviewers say it's well worth it.
4. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Crème, $34.99
Fine lines and sagging skin under the eyes calls for a cream that will provide elasticity and firmness to the area. Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explains, "If you have crepey skin under the eyes, look for an eye cream that contains retinol. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that stimulates collagen and elastin to firm and strengthen the skin."
According to Zeichner, the Roc Retinol Max Correxion Eye Cream will be your best bet as it "contains a stabilized form of retinol in a specialized formula designed for the under eye area."
5. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream, $82
If you struggle with sensitive skin, Zeichner suggests a peptide cream to gently treat the under eye area. "Peptides are signals that tell your skin to do a specific job. It's like dangling a carrot in front of their nose," he explains.
For this skin type, Zeichner recommends the Alpha H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream because it, "contains 2 specific peptides that help strengthen the skin and stimulate collagen production to improve the appearance of fine lines and crepey skin."
6. SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel, $104
Dark circles and pigmentation under the eyes can make you look tired and aged, so a Vitamin C serum will brighten the area and lighten harsh shadows.
Zeichner explains, "Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage, brightens dark spots to even skin tone, and supports production of healthy collagen. "For this, he recommends the Skinceuticals AOX Eye Gel to battle bags and brighten the face.
7. Kiehl's Eye Fuel All Skin Types, $24
Puffiness under the eyes can be due to a lack of sleep, so a caffeine infused cream is the way to go. "Caffeine both has a constricting effect to eliminate excess fluid and also encourages your body to break down fat," Zeichner says.
If this sounds familiar to you, try the Kiehl's Eye Fuel to depuff under the eyes and enhance your overall appearance!
8. The A Method Collagen Boost Peptide Eye Cream, $78
We also checked in with skincare expert Madelyn Cusimano, esthetician for The A Method, who explained how this eye cream is from celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Tina Alster, and a product that features peptides.
This aforementioned, powerful skincare ingredient can moisturize, hydrate and soothe the skin around your eyes. It's dubbed an "all-in-one" cream, meaning that it targets anti-aging goals like drawing attention away from wrinkles and fine lines while also preventing dreaded puffiness.
In addition, it can brighten dark eye circles and aims to "tighten and tone the appearance of skin around the orbital rim," as noted on the brand's website, where you can purchase the highly raved $78 cream.
9. Benton Fermentation Eye Cream, $27
Beauty and skincare expert MrsMelissaM calls the three main ingredients in this eye cream — Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, and niacinamide — a "triple threat" because they're super powerful when it comes to helping wrinkles and fine lines.
10. Elizabeth Mott Sure Thing! Vitamin C Hydrating Eye Cream, $13.19
This eye cream targets dark circles and puffiness while also brightening the under-eye area.
Unlike a traditional Vitamin C serum, this product specifically targets the under-eye area and is not meant to be used on your entire face. This eye cream helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and targets puffiness and skin creases. Its lightweight formula is blended with four types of peptides and Vitamins B, C and E that will give your eyes a quick refresh. It offers a melt-in consistency that can be worn under makeup.
One customer said, "This ice cream is packed with vitamin C to nourish and get rid of dark circles on your eyes. You use it in the morning and the evening by patting gently around your eyes. I can notice a difference with my eyes being brighter and more moisturized."
11. Sukoyaka Suhada Urea Eye Cream, $16.99
Deemed the "best moisturizer" she has "ever used" in her "entire life," MrsMelissaM shares that, yes, this cream has properties of urine (called "urea") but it has the power to lightly exfoliate the skin and nourish it with enough moisture to keep her skin smooth all day long.
In addition to using this around the eyes, she also uses it on her lips to keep them plump.
12. Kleem Organics Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $18.97
The Kleem Organics Anti-Aging Eye Cream uses natural ingredients to help moisturize and hydrate the under-eye area. It was created to decrease puffiness, reduce dark circles and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This anti-aging eye cream uses Matrixyl 3000 technology that helps to strengthen the delicate skin around your eyes. It also uses a 2x concentrated infusion of hyaluronic acid that will aid in nourishing the under-eye area for 24 hours, as well as ingredients such as caffeine, peptides collagen niacinamide and plant stem cells.
It is meant to target the five major signs of aging: crow's feet, dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles and sagging skin. One shopper said, "This is a very good product and really seems to be working well to keep my under-eye skin in good shape and hydrated. My morning puffiness goes away after application. Would buy again."
13. Ronkie Retinol Eye Cream, $14.98
In case you haven't heard, retinol is an ingredient that you should definitely be adding to your skincare routine. This super ingredient helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines while boosting collagen production.
The Ronkie Retinol Eye Cream uses active ingredients such as collagen, rosemary leaf extract, Vitamin E and peony root bark extract to visibly densify and smooth the delicate skin around the eyes. It helps to target puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles and users will notice brighter dark circles in just two weeks.
This product also offers intense hydration using hyaluronic acid for anti-aging by pulling in moisture to rehydrate the skin which helps to further reduce the appearance of fine lines.
14. Youth To The People Peptides + C Eye Serum, $48
The peptides in this eye serum help boost collagen, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that can brighten dark circles under the eyes.
At $48 per bottle at Sephora, it costs a bit more than some of the others on this list, but reviewers note that its caffeine content has the added effect of helping to de-puff tired eyes.
15. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum, $16.29
This eye serum is newer on the market and features hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. MrsMelissaM says this one is an "all-around" pick for numerous benefits that include tighter skin, reduced skin damage, and under-eye brightness.
There's no need to purchase all of these eye serums and moisturizers, of course. MrsMelissaM stresses the importance of doing your own research and settling on one or two that contain ingredients that can address your specific skincare issues.
