3 Highly-Effective Eye Creams That Work To Smooth Out Fine Lines & Crows Feet For Aging Skin: Avéne RetinAL EYES & More
The eyes are the window to the soul — so it’s fitting that nothing gets past them, including the earliest signs of aging. Whether you’re grappling with fine lines, deeper wrinkles, discoloration, sagging, under-eye bags, or all of the above, it’s ALL normal and so common The skin beneath and around the eye is thinner and more delicate than other parts of your face. As such, it is prone to showing a loss of collagen and elastin sooner than other places, like your forehead or cheeks, for example. You may already be taking care of this area of skin by cleansing it with gentle products and infusing it with hydration, thanks to a daily moisturizer. But try not to sleep on a good eye cream — it isn’t just a marketing ploy to get you to buy more skincare products; eye creams and serums are often designed with ingredients that can nourish this delicate skin and start to reverse some of the damage that might have been caused by repeated exposure to UV rays and other skin-aging elements.
Of course, there are a million eye creams on the market and shopping for one can get confusing. We chose three of our favorite eye creams — all of which contain retinol, a studied ingredient proven to help boost collagen levels and minimize the appearance of lines. Here’s what makes them stand out.
Avéne RetinAL EYES
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 a 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!”
You can buy this cream here.
Neostrata Comprehensive Retinol Eye Cream
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 makes 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.”
You can purchase this eye cream here.
Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream
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. You can shop for it here.
A quality eye cream contains ingredients that are deemed effective at boosting collagen and elastin and increasing hydration in this often dry area. These three picks are backed by amazing ingredients and strong reviews.
