One of the clearest indicators of aging manifests beneath the eyes, often showing up as dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness. While these issues can arise from more than just lack of sleep, a robust skincare regimen can effectively address them. To alleviate these problems and ward off future skin concerns, we checked in with dermatologists, medical professionals and beauty specialists.
We rounded up six creams that experts say are specifically formulated to tackle wrinkles, fine lines, and various other skincare issues, catering to your own unique needs. Over time, these products have garnered acclaim for their ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet.
6 Dermatologist-Approved, Anti-Aging Under-Eye Creams
1. Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream
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 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)
2. SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel
Dark circles, fine lines and pigmentation under the eyes can make someone look even more tired and aged than they might be, 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)
3. Kiehl's 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)
4. 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.
The A Method Collagen Boost Peptide Eye Cream ($78)
5. RoC 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. 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 (available via Walmart for $26.76) will be your best bet as it “contains a stabilized form of retinol in a specialized formula designed for the under eye area.”
6. Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream
This "thick, creamy moisturizer" is a "popular beauty pick" in French pharmacies, and can also be found for $40 via the brand site, Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, says.
"Its soothing properties aid in the restoration and rebalancing of dry skin, and it prevents skin water evaporation by strengthening cell cohesion," she adds.
Chacon also notes that this $40 product can effectively "remove dehydration lines" to help your skin look supple and more nourished, as its shea butter ingredient "helps to reduce signs of aging, dryness, and dehydration."
The Bottom Line
Overall, while these are six go-to and often praised eye cream ingredients, our experts suggest visiting your dermatologist for more personalized and specific recommendations.
Cusimano concludes that eye creams work best when paired with another retinol product (your dermatologist can help you find one that suits your needs).
Retinol, she says, will help "feed the collagen and encourage cell turnover, while the peptide will help support all the progress the skin is making." Both, she stresses, "work on collagen stimulation and strengthening the skin."
