Dermatologists Recommend These Retinol Eye Creams to Plump and Hydrate Delicate Skin

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When it comes to preventing and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness, having the top-notch eye creams at your disposal is a must (looking at you, eye creams for wrinkles). While some are designed to hydrate the skin surrounding your eyes, others contain more powerful anti-aging ingredients like retinol, which is what brings us here today. Yes, the best retinol eye creams not only moisturize the delicate area of skin near your eyes, but they also increase skin cell turnover, exfoliate, and boost collagen production to target fine lines, uneven skin tone, and acne!

For retinol newbies, here’s what you need to know: Retinol is a form of vitamin A. “It is a gold-standard in topical treatments for anti-aging,” according to Blair Murphy Rose, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.

Technically, it’s one of many vitamin A derivatives, all of which are known for treating and preventing fine lines and hyperpigmentation, she explains, though retinol is one of the less potent kinds. It also helps speed up cell turnover for smoother, clearer-looking skin while stimulating collagen production to give skin that plumped up appearance. Retinol can even prevent milia [a type of skin spot] from forming around the eyes.

Meet the experts: Tiffany Clay, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta, GA; Blair Murphy Rose, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York; and Regine Mathieu, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Fresno, CA.

The best retinol eye creams include retinol along with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, explains board-certified dermatologist Regine Mathieu, M.D., who’s based in Fresno, CA. That way, they can do the work of smoothing and plumping the skin around your eyes without drying or irritating the delicate area where skin is typically quite thin. You’ll also want to avoid products containing fragrances and other potential allergens, points out Tiffany Clay, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Atlanta, GA.

Our top picks:

Keep scrolling to learn more about the best retinol eye creams available to buy now. Some are splurge-worthy options while others are highly rated drugstore eye cream finds. All of them meet our experts criteria for great anti-aging eye creams to add to your medicine cabinet today, whether you’re 25 or 55. (Just be sure to apply sunscreen after use!)

Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

Dr. Mathieu appreciates that this product is specifically formulated for the under-eye area. “It contains hydrating ingredients such as glycerin that decrease irritation and maximize results,” she says. Plus, it comes at an affordable price and has thousands of five-star reviews from users, making it a great option overall.

Revitalift Eye Cream

For under $20, you can buy this L’Oréal Paris retinol eye cream to smooth and firm the skin around your eyes while brightening dark spots. The unscented cream is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, so you can rest easy if you have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses.

“I have used this product for years,” said one Amazon reviewer. It has “great moisturizing and eye-firming qualities.”

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream

Dr. Rose calls this retinol eye cream “a great drugstore pick for fine lines.” It contains both retinol and hyaluronic acid; plus, it’s paraben-free, she points out. Dr. Mathieu also suggests this product for those looking for a hydrating retinol eye cream that offers a ”plumping” effect.

Retrinal Eyes

“This company makes some of the best products for those with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Clay. She likes that this eye cream contains hyaluronic acid, which she calls “a potent hydrator.” Plus, it features retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin C that needs less conversion in the skin than retinol, Dr. Clay explains.

Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream

This eye cream is packed with retinol and triple hyaluronic acid, stimulating collagen production while hydrating and plumping skin. “The combination helps minimize lines around the eyes,” says Dr. Rose. “It also contains soothing oatmeal and aloe to reduce the risk of irritation.”

Retinol 0.3

“This product is a great lower strength retinol [0.3%] to start with in the under eye area,” says Dr. Mathieu. “It is formulated with a soothing complex containing chamomile derivatives that decreases potential irritation.”

Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream

Not only does this eye cream pack a punch with retinol, but its ingredient list also boasts glycerin and dimethicone to enhance and retain moisture. That’s why it has earned a stamp of approval from Dr. Mathieu. “Additionally, it includes caffeine, which has been proven to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and under eye bags.”

EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Both Dr. Clay and Dr. Rose recommend this overnight eye cream. “It boasts AlphaRet technology of a combined retinol and AHA in a gentler formulation for the delicate eye area,” explains Dr. Rose. “Rich moisturizers and antioxidants provide additional skin benefits to plump and protect from environmental stressors.”

Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream

This retinol eye cream from Olay is meant to be used at night. It contains a retinoid complex that smoothes the texture of skin around the eyes and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Plus, it has a light, whipped texture that’s easy to apply to the delicate area.

“I had dark circles and they’re gone,” wrote an Amazon shopper.

Retinol Ceramide Capsules

These potent capsules are packed with a perfectly portioned dose of retinol cream complete with ceramides. When used regularly, the formula diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles while also evening skin tone.

One Amazon customer called it an “amazing product,” adding, “My face never felt so smooth and soft.”

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum

To hydrate, firm, and smooth the skin around your eyes, try this serum from Dr Dennis Gross. It contains both trans-retinol and encapsulated retinol to improve the texture of skin and boost collagen production. All the while, feulic acid helps combat potential irritation from these potent ingredients.

Reviewers confirm a small amount of the serum goes a long way. “You only need one pump for both eyes,” according to a Dermstore shopper. “I definitely see a difference. My skin looks firmer and tighter. It absorbs quickly into my skin.”

How to choose the best retinol eye cream

✔️ Check the retinol concentration. Dr. Mathieu recommends using an eye cream with less than 0.5% retinol to start because the eye area is so delicate and retinol can be irritating for some. However, if this information isn’t listed on the label, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, she says. “These products typically have a low retinol concentration.”

✔️ Make sure there are hydrating ingredients. “It's very important that it contains a hydrator or moisturizer to minimize any dryness or irritation from the retinol in the eye cream,” says Dr. Clay. “Retinol use can result in increased dryness, as it increases cell turnover, so using a product that contains a moisturizing ingredient is key,” adds Dr. Mathieu. These might be hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides.

✔️ Avoid fragrances and other potential allergens. “Generally, I recommend choosing an eye cream that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free because the periocular skin [skin of the eyelid and around the eye] is thin and more delicate. It is more prone to hypersensitivity reactions,” says Dr. Clay.

Can you use retinol eye cream every day?

“As with all retinol products, it is important to slowly introduce this ingredient into your skincare routine,” says Dr. Mathieu, who also urges people to read and follow the recommended application instructions.

How often you should use a retinol eye cream depends on your unique skin. Some can tolerate nightly use (after working up to this frequency slowly over time), while others with more sensitive skin may benefit from using it every other day or three nights a week.

“Start off with one to two nights per week spaced apart and slowly increase week by week until you can tolerate it nightly,” says Dr. Clay. If you can’t increase the frequency due to sensitivity, don’t sweat it. “Your skin will improve with retinol use either way,” says Dr. Mathieu.

How should you apply retinol eye creams?

“Apply a tiny bead of eye cream to the tip of one finger and then blot or press with the same finger on the other hand,” explains Dr. Clay. “Next gently start at the lower lid near the brow bone and softly blot and continue this action around to the crows feet.” You can also apply it to the upper brow area if your cream is gentle enough for use around the eyelids. Just be sure to avoid the area near your eyelashes to avoid irritation, and apply sunscreen daily.

At what age should you use retinol eye cream?

“Studies have shown that we start to lose collagen as early as our twenties,” says Dr. Mathieu. “Prevention is always better than trying to treat concerns later on, so I recommend that anyone start incorporating retinol into their skincare routine in their twenties. However, it is never too late to start.”

Benefits of retinol eye cream

Eye creams containing retinol, a vitamin A derivative, offer heaps of benefits to the delicate eye area. For starters, retinol stimulates the production of elastin and collagen in the skin, according to Dr. Mathieu. “Its ‘plumping’ effect can reduce the appearance of under-eye dark circles,” she says, adding that it can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and dark spots. It promotes even skin texture, too.

Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, allowing skin to appear smoother and clearer, points out Dr. Rose. It can also decrease sebum and oil production, which is why it’s helpful for treating acne.

While retinol may be used on all parts of the face, it’s particularly helpful around the eyes, according to Dr. Rose. “We tend to show signs of aging early around the eyes, so this is one area that can benefit particularly well from regular use of retinol,” she says.

However, you’ll want to be careful when experimenting with new products around this delicate area. “[Retinol] can cause dryness, irritation, peeling, redness and burning of the sensitive eyelid skin,” says Dr. Clay. That’s why she recommends seeking out creams that are made for the eye area and contain safe amounts of retinol.

How we chose the best retinol eye creams

We interviewed Tiffany Clay, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta, GA, Blair Murphy Rose, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, and Regine Mathieu, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Fresno, CA. From their insights, we determined what criteria to look for in a retinol eye cream. We considered products these experts recommended and products from popular brands we know and love. We also read countless customer reviews to come up with this list of the best retinol eye creams available now.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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