These Retinol Eye Creams Are Better Than Botox
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When it comes to anti-aging, there’s no ingredient quite like retinol. While it can take some time for your skin to tolerate it, the ingredient is a collagen-stimulating, hyperpigmentation-reducing machine. As a result, we love it for combatting signs of aging like dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Thankfully, there are a lot of vehicles for it that’ll help you get it onto your skin, including retinol oils, retinol body lotion, and even retinols for sensitive skin. Your eyes deserve some special treatment, too, which is why the best retinol eye creams exist.
“The periorbital skin is the thinnest skin on the face. Because of this, fine lines and wrinkles can become more apparent at an earlier age. Additionally, this is a dynamic area where the muscles around the eye are constantly contracting, which can deepen the fine lines and wrinkles over time. Incorporating retinol into the eye area will help to diminish the signs of aging due to the factors that are described above,” explains Dr. Michael Somenek, an NYC- and Washington D.C.-based double board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Somenek and Pittman MD.
While retinol can be irritating when you first begin using it, eye creams with the ingredient are generally quite gentle since they’re formulated for the eye area. Prepared for smoother, firmer under eyes? Scroll on to shop the 13 best retinol eye creams to fight back against fine lines and wrinkles.
Refillable Magic Eye Rescue Cream with Retinol
Think of this eye cream as the energy drink of your skincare routine. Your eyes are energized and plumped with the help of time-released retinol, which adds a surge of radiance, smooths fine lines, and depuffs any swelling.
Key ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, botanical stem cell extract
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Nordstrom star rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Nothing ruins my day more than realizing my under-eye makeup is creasing and extremely dry. As a former eye cream hater, I didn’t believe that proper eye prep could extend the longevity of my makeup—and Charlotte Tilbury’s eye cream is one that made me a believer. It’s super moisturizing and lightweight, which helps my concealer ( Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, of course!) melt into my skin better.” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor
Refillable Magic Eye Rescue Cream with Retinol
nordstrom.com
$65.00
Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Ilia’s motto has always been skin-first, so it comes as no surprise that its foray into skincare would arrive as an eye cream. What’s different about this one is that it’s formulated with sea fennel extract, a plant-based retinol that brightens and firms the skin. “If you have a darker skin tone, don’t let the pinkish tan color worry you; it absorbs into your skin without leaving any cast," shares Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director, ELLE.com.
Key ingredients: Sea fennel extract, avocado oil
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Credo Beauty star rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Not sure how long you should be massaging the cream under your eye, but the ceramic applicator feels too good under my eye to use for only a few seconds. On one side of the applicator, there’s a tiny hole dispensing the product so that you can flip the tube over and use the massager tool to really work the product in. I love how airy the cream feels under my eye and how rejuvenated I look when I wake up.” - NP
Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
credobeauty.com
$46.00
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
This product has two of the hottest skincare ingredients on the market: retinol to reduce fine lines and refine texture, and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. It’s also fragrance-free, making it that much safer for sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “My goal was to reduce the puffiness beneath my eyes and soften the bags that were beginning to form. Been using it for approximately two weeks now, and I feel like it has worked well and smoothed my skin.”
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
amazon.com
$18.11
Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
There’s a reason why Sarah Jessica Parker is a big fan of RoC—the brand boasts products that simply work. Whether you’re concerned about wrinkles or dark circles, this formula harnesses retinol and glycerin to address all sort of problems that crop up in the eye area.
Key ingredients: Retinol
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’ve been using this product for years and love it. It gives me the moisture I need under my eyes without causing my makeup to not stay on. It definitely helps with dark circles, but nothing will get rid of them completely, I’m convinced. It’s gentle enough to use every day while still being strong enough to do the job.”
Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
amazon.com
$20.84
Pro-Retinol Eye Treatment
Olay has been around for decades as an anti-aging favorite. An infusion of retinol and niacinamide help this eye cream in its efforts to erase fine lines and reduce the appearance of deeper wrinkles.
Key ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I use this every night. It only takes a drop. My crow’s feet are gone!!”
Pro-Retinol Eye Treatment
amazon.com
$19.99
Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
Caffeine isn’t just for drinking—applying it on your eye area can make you appear more well-rested too. This eye cream contains retinol and caffeine, creating a formula that’ll have co-workers commenting, “Wow, you look so awake!”
Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Got rid of the crepey skin around my eyes. This is also unscented, so it’s good for fragrance-sensitive people. This is definitely going into my list of staple skincare products!”
Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
amazon.com
$49.99
Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm
This balmy eye cream makes sure that even those with dry skin can benefit from retinol. It combats the dryness associated with the anti-aging ingredient with vitamin E and natural extracts while the retinol does its job.
Key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E
Size: 0.42 fl. oz.
Target star rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Target reviewer said: “This product is amazing. Tried it because it is affordable and a clean product. It reduces puffiness, smooths out lines, moisturizes. It does it all!! Love this line and can’t wait to try more of their products.”
Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm
target.com
$17.99
Retinol Eye Cream
For great results on a budget, this eye cream does a lot for not much cash. While retinol treats fine lines and wrinkles, this product also helps brighten the under-eyes, so you can cut back on your concealer routine.
Key ingredients: Retinol, shea butter
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 3.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “This retinol cream absorbs quickly and leaves my under eye area moisturized. After nightly use for three weeks, my crow’s feet aren’t as pronounced. I will definitely buy this product again!”
Retinol Eye Cream
sephora.com
$14.00
Pure Retinol Eye Cream
This cream really does it all: It reduces fine lines, addresses dehydration, plumps the skin, and significantly brightens the under-eyes. The best part is that you’ll see results in just a few weeks.
Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I’ve tried many products to hydrate the very dry skin on the outside section of my under eye area. Nothing worked until I tried this eye cream. It leaves the skin less wrinkly looking and feeling more hydrated!”
Pure Retinol Eye Cream
ulta.com
$29.99
Retinol Eye Stick
This eye stick is so fun and soothing to use. While it gives your under-eyes a dose of firming retinol, squalane and peptides help plump the skin for youth-boosting results. Plus, the texture of this balm feels like a primer that immediately makes your skin feel better.
Key ingredients: Retinol, peptides, squalane
Size: 0.14 oz.
Amazon star rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “After using it for a while, I can notice a dramatic difference. The lines around my eye are less visible. I think this for sure will be my new go-to!”
Retinol Eye Stick
amazon.com
$33.94
Ageless Phyto-Retinol Eye Cream
For people with incredibly sensitive skin who want the benefits of retinol without the irritation, bareMinerals uses phyto-retinol—a faux retinol—to give similar effects without the drawbacks. It will still combat fine lines, but the retinol averse can use it without risking a reaction.
Key ingredients: Phyto-retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “Very gentle for eye area. Soothing light scent. Noticed wrinkled areas decreased with morning and evening use.”
Ageless Phyto-Retinol Eye Cream
ulta.com
$46.00
Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
This eye serum isn’t playing any games. If your goal is to get smoother under-eyes without any fine lines, this product uses retinol, bakuchiol—a common retinol dupe—and anti-aging rambutan to treat all those concerns.
Key ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “There are very few products I would say I can easily see results, but this one is easily one. There is a noticeable reduction in my under-eye lines, looks way smoother. I will most definitely be restocking this!”
Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
sephora.com
$69.00
+Retinol Firming Eye Cream
For near-instant results, this eye cream is committed to the anti-aging game. Retinol reduces fine lines, while other retinol-like ingredients help increase cell turnover for brighter, younger-looking eyes.
Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “This product was amazing. I got it during one of the ulta days sales. After a week of using the product I saw that my skin hydrated and supple which is obviously necessary for wrinkle prevention. I also use it on my forehead and around my mouth.”
+Retinol Firming Eye Cream
ulta.com
$98.00
Meet the experts
Dr. Michael Somenek is an NYC- and Washington D.C.-based double board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Somenek and Pittman MD.
Dr. Omar Ibrahimi is a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer, lasers, and aesthetics
Dr. Karan Lal is an Arizona-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology
What is retinol?
A derivative of vitamin A, “Retinol is one of the most evidenced-based and tried and true anti-aging molecules we have today,” says Dr. Ibrahimi. “[Retinols] help produce collagen, thicken skin and improve its overall health. The skin around our eyes is the thinnest we have on our body, and with time, collagen loss tends to sometimes be most dramatic in this area.”
Be warned that retinol can have side effects: “The major caveat we have with retinol is that in individuals with sensitive skin or those who use too much, retinol can be too irritating or drying.” Whenever you’re using a retinol, it’s essential to pair it with a great sunscreen to avoid sun damage.
Is retinol safe to use on the under-eyes?
“It is absolutely safe to use retinol creams around your eyes,” says Dr. Lal. But that doesn’t mean that precautions shouldn’t be taken. “If you have sensitive skin or very thin skin, you may notice some redness, stinging, flaking early on with use, [which] is common. The cure-all is to use very little and moisturize on top [of the retinol eye cream].” Investing in a good moisturizer is an excellent way for anyone with sensitive skin to avoid irritation. “It’s too good a molecule to pass up on when it comes to anti-aging,” says Dr. Ibrahimi.
How should you use a retinol eye cream?
“I recommend people use 1/2 a pea-sized amount to both eyelids total and follow this with a great moisturizer to reduce the risk of irritation,” says Dr. Lal. “Don’t expect miracles—it will take months to see some improvement. This is why I recommend starting retinol creams at 25 to prevent and delay [the] development of fine lines and crepey skin.”
If you’re worried about side effects, start slow. “I would start by only applying the product every other day, or every third day, and if there are no issues, one can work towards applying it nightly,” says Dr. Ibrahimi. “At any time, if it gets too irritating, then take a few days off to allow things to calm down.”
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with skin experts about the absolute best retinol-based eye creams to delay signs of aging. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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