This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert-recommended eye creams.
When it comes to aging, the area under your eyes is notorious for being one of the most revealing spots on the face. From dark circles to fine lines and puffiness, your under eye area can expose a lot more than if you need a good night’s sleep.
Fortunately, a good skincare routine can help to fight against the signs of aging that may show up front and center on your face, as well as keep future skin woes at bay. Seeing as everyone’s skin is different and in need of specialized considerations, we investigated the best under eye creams for each skin care concern — dermatologist approved.
5 Dermatologist-Approved, Anti-Aging Under Eye Creams
1. Max Daily Hydration Crème
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.”
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Crème ($27.49)
2. Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream
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.”
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream ($80)
3. SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel
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.
SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel ($95)
4. Eye Fuel All Skin Types
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!
Eye Fuel All Skin Types, including Sensitive Skin ($24)
5. The A Method Collagen Boost Peptide Eye Cream
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.
