The Best Eye Creams of 2023, According to Dermatologists

Why Are Eye Creams Really Necessary?

Many people feel that purchasing a special cream solely for the eyes is a waste of money, and unnecessary. Instead, many opt for a regular facial moisturizer.

However, the skin around the eyes is different from the rest of the face and has unique needs. Therefore a separate cream to deal with specific issues around the eyes is often required.

“Along with sleeping more, eating better, and maybe having a yoga session, try using an eye cream filled with vitamin C to brighten, green tea and aloe to soothe, and caffeine to constrict and tighten your skin temporarily,” says Dr. Shereene Idriss, Board Certified Dermatologist, based in NYC.

Importance of Under Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more fragile than the skin on the rest of your face. There are also problems specific to this area that arise, like dark circles and puffiness.

As such, the eyelids have separate requirements when it comes to treatment. The skin around your eyes actually requires less moisture and less powerful anti-aging ingredients, because the thin skin absorbs them much more easily and quickly than the skin on the rest of your face.

If you use something too strong, it can actually harm or irritate the skin.

“The skin around the eyes is thinner and shows signs of aging more quickly than other areas of the face do. This thinness makes it more delicate, vulnerable and prone to allergic reactions than other facial skin,” says Dr. Craig Kraffert, board-certified dermatologist and president of Amarte Skin Care.

Benefits of Under Eye Cream

There are several benefits to using a separate cream for your eyes, including:

• It can have anti-aging benefits.
• Eye creams can make the skin around your eyes appear brighter.
• It may reduce the appearance of dark lines and puffiness under your eyes
• Cream can hydrate and thereby plump sagging skin under the eyes.
• It may reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

How We Chose the Best Eye Creams

When choosing the best products from the market, you always look for validations, proof, customer reviews, or opinions of skincare specialists and dermatologists and what they have to say about the products. Keeping all these things in mind, we figured out, that good eye cream is essential and there is a wide range of products and brands to choose from.

To help you narrow down your search, we made a list of the best eye creams and handed these top-rated products to our testing team. Our product testing team majorly includes women of all age groups. So each eye cream was tested for a few weeks, examining its texture and feel, ingredient list, and how well it performed. Our team noted every specific detail of all the eye creams and gave us the performance feedback of each product.

For maintaining accuracy and authenticity, we also performed our own research and complied with all the data and results. Just to keep all the best things in hand, we sought out expert recommendations from top dermatologists to find out the definitive best eye creams on the market. As claimed by the experts, here are top-rated eye cream picks that cater to different skin types, concerns, and budgets.

Our Top Eye Cream Picks

• Best Under Eye Cream For All Skin types: XYZ Smart Collagen
• Best With Collagen: Beverly Hills MD Dermal Repair Complex
• Best Advanced Cream: Drmtlgy Advanced Eye Cream
• Best Wrinkle Filler: Beverly Hills MD Deep Wrinkle Filler
• Best Anti Aging Eye Cream For 50s: Tru Alchemy Quench Crème
• Best Under Eye Wrinkle Treatment: Tru Alchemy Eye Elixir
• Best Priced Anti Aging Cream: Skinception Eyelasticity
• Best Eye Cream For Wrinkles: No7 Eye Cream
• Best Under-eye Cream: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
• Best Eye Cream For Bags Under Eyes: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
• Best Under Eye Cream For Dark Circles: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
• Best Anti Aging Eye Cream With SPF: SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50
• Best Eye Cream For Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lift Crème Yeux Firming Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
• Best Eye Firming Cream : La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream
• Best Hydrating Eye Cream: Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream
• Best Anti Aging Eye Cream Overall: Revision Skincare D.E.J. Eye Cream
• Best Caffiene Eye Cream: Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
• Best Revitalizing Eye Treatment: Dior Capture Youth
• Best Eye Cream For Puffiness: Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex
• Best Luxurious Under Eye Cream: Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream
• Best Eye Cream For Sensitive Skin: LA Mer The Eye Concentrate Cream

The Best Eye Creams of 2023

Here are our top selections for the best eye creams of 2023.

We’ve chosen them due both to their popularity and their success on the market. Without further ado…

XYZ Smart Collagen

Results: XYZ Smart Collagen Cream is an anti-aging cream that boosts your skin’s natural collagen synthesis, lifting, firming, and smoothing it.

What our testers say: They say that XYZ Smart Collagen works and makes the skin firmer, more elastic, and smooths out wrinkles.

Beverly Hills MD Dermal Repair Complex

 

Results: Dermal Repair Complex is a dietary supplement which can increase the amount of collagen in your skin, making it tighter and smoothing wrinkles and lines. It also provides hydration, moisturizing and eliminating dry skin.

What our testers say: They liked that it contains ‘B vitamins’ which promote cell turnover, and ‘antioxidants’ like Vitamin A which kill damaging free radicals and repair and protect the dermis.

Drmtlgy Advanced Eye Cream

Results: This enriching cream contains a potent collection of medical-grade organic ingredients which tighten the skin around the eyes and remove lines and wrinkles.

What our testers say: This formula can get rid of bags, puffiness, and dark circles under the eyes and leave you with a radiant, glowing, youthful appearance.

Beverly Hills MD Deep Wrinkle Filler

Results: This product also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, which can reduce redness and swelling and may aid in the treatment of some skin problems. It can also moisturize the skin and eliminate dryness.

What our testers say: The formula contains polymers, which work to fill in the lines and wrinkles in the skin for the short term.

Tru Alchemy Quench Crème

Results: The users appreciated the moisturising effect, lightweight nature, and beautiful scent of the prouduct.

What our testers say: The formula features amazing ingredients that hydrate the skin and boost collagen production to alleviate skin dryness, sagging, roughness, and dryness.

Tru Alchemy Eye Elixir

Results: Eye Elixir is a very efficient eye serum that treats under-eye concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles. It contains high-quality ingredients that help to enhance the look of the under-eye area.

What our testers say: The ingredients in the product are easily absorbed by the skin. These nutrients are given to the target areas and begin the restoration process once they enter the skin layers.

Skinception Eyelasticity

 

Eyelasticity Product Prices:

• 1 month – $59.95
• 2 months – $54.98/each
• 3 months – $51.65/each

Results: Skinception Eyelasticity is an enriching eye cream which increases collagen, tightening the skin and improving elasticity. It smooths the skin around your eyes and eliminates wrinkles, lines, and crow’s feet.

What our testers say: It increases blood flow, diminishes the appearance of dark circles, and it can reduces the inflammation that can go along with puffiness. Antioxidants help to repair damage to the skin and protect it from UV rays and pollution.

No7 Eye Cream

Results: Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Eye Cream visibly improve deep lines and wrinkles and improves radiance of the eye area.

What our testers say: It is designed for the delicate eye area and specifically reduces annoying lines and visibly improves dark circles and puffiness.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream

Results: The results of this eye cream suggested that it worked immediately to soothe and moisturize the eye area and really gave good skin appearance but there were complaints with cream’s texture as well.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

 

Results: It improved lines and wrinkles as well as bags under the eyes, but some users didnot consider it worth the price.

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

Results: Most of the users raved about Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream but others thought that it absorbed quickly and easily into the skin and it worked well on puffiness and dark circles as promised.

SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50

Results: For this product, 35% of the reviews were positive. Customers did find that it absorbed quickly and smoothed out their wrinkles. The main complaints were that there was a small amount of product and the fact that it didn’t match their skin tone.

Chanel Le Lift Crème Yeux Firming Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream

 

Results: Results are noticeably fine all around according to some reviews. Some complained about it that it made their under eye area look more puffy.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream

Results: Although it is a good quality eye cream, but there is no expiration date on the box, so customers do not feel at ease to use.

Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream

Results: Tatcha ingredients list looked good and moisturizes well but nothing is special about it, said the users.

Revision Skincare D.E.J. Eye Cream

Results: The users were satisfied as it reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles but many were not happy with the price of the product, as it is expensive.

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream

Results: Customers said that caffeine and brazilian ginseng root extract rapidly reduced the appearance of puffiness and dark circles and the positive results were instant but some raved about the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Cream that it is not as effective as advertised.

Dior Capture Youth

Results: Dior reviews and results were mixed. Some customers were happy with its moisturizing and contonuring effect but some had skin issues.

Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex

Results: Maximum results were in the favor of the Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex but some complained that product did not work for them at all.

Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream

Results: Augustinus Bader Eye Cream has given the expected results but it may not be affordable for everyone. The cream falls under luxurious products.

LA Mer The Eye Concentrate Cream

Results: La Mer The Eye Concentrate Cream reviews were in seem to be average. For others, it might not be the best eye cream for the price.

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How Do You Choose The Best Eye Creams For Dark Circles, Fine Lines, Puffiness, And More?

It’s true that the world of eye creams is incredibly varied, Mary L. Stevenson, M.D., assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. Some are brightening eye creams that use vitamin C to lighten the appearance of dark circles, she says, while others contain retinoids or forms of vitamin A, that “prevent fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles, and also reduce the occurrence of milia (small white bumps), which are common on the lower eyelids.”

There are specific ingredients often included in eye creams that deal with skin issues like dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Check the ingredient label carefully, and choose your eye cream based on whether the ingredients match your skin type.

Some of the most commonly used ingredients include in Eye Creams:

• Hyaluronic Acid: it draws a huge amount of moisture, hydrating the skin and making it plumper. This helps smooth out wrinkles and lines^[1].
• Palmitoyl Oligopeptide: Leads to the production of additional collagen and elastin, which restores the skin and prevents wrinkles^[2] from developing.
• Squalene: Has the ability to fade age spots on the skin^[3], and to prevent photodamage. This substance is absorbed easily and quickly by the skin.
• Arnica: It soothes and relaxes the muscles and reduces swelling. For this reason, arnica is used quite effectively to reduce puffy eyes^[5].
• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: This is one of the best and most popular eyes cream ingredients. It very effectively smooths out wrinkles and fine lines^[6].

Types of Eye Cream

For anti-aging benefits, “choose an eye cream contains retinol or a retinol derivative in a moisturizing base — look for ceramides, dimethicone, glycerin and oils in the ingredient list,” says Dr. Estee Williams, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Retinol is a hero ingredient because it builds collagen, evens out skin tone, and decreases pigmentation—but it can be irritating,” says Papri Sarkar, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston.

When you pick out under eye creams, you should base your choice on the particular skin issues and skin type that you have.

• Dry Skin: This requires extra hydration to keep the skin moisturized, so look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
• Dark Circles/Puffy Eyes: Ingredients that reduce puffiness include retinol, mint, and Vitamin C.
• Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Ingredients that provide moisture can smooth out the wrinkles and lines around your eyes. In addition, look for ingredients that provide antioxidants like Vitamin C and peptides. Caffeine eye creams also seem to work as they give the skin a younger appearance and smooth out wrinkles (source)^[7].
• Thin Skin: If the skin around your eyes is thin, it’s particularly important to use sunscreen on this area to protect it from UV rays.

Comparison of the Best Eye Creams

Eye Creams – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is eye cream so popular?
A: Nowadays, our eyes are the only things people see because of masking, that’s why eye creams have become popular in the past two years. Best eye cream textures provide proper hydration to the under-eye skin which will ultimately give the eyes more refreshing and healthy look. That is the only reason why customers prefer the best eye creams.

Q: Do eye creams for dark circles really work?

“Dark circles under the eyes appear for a variety of reasons whether it is genetics, stress or exhaustion,” explains dermatologist and skin expert Dr. Howard Murad. “Lack of adequate sleep can also contribute to the appearance of dark circles because of dilated blood vessels that create a dark tint under the eyes. Studies have shown that the hormone cortisol increases when we are stressed which can lead to lacklustre skin and dark circles, and lastly, allergies are a leading cause of dark circles because of fluid retention around the eyes, causing puffiness.”

A: The answer can be both; yes and no. Vitamin C and Caffeine eye cream can help with puffiness under eyes and also brighten the skin. But when it comes to under-eye bags, no such under-eye cream can help. There are a lot of creams that come under the best under eye cream for dark circles list but there aren’t any miracles that will happen. You must try making small lifestyle changes, like reducing the intake salt, getting proper sleep and so on.

“Topically, applying caffeine and peptide-infused products to your skin can help decrease your under-eye bags and rejuvenate the skin around the under-eye area,” says Dr. Murad.

Q: What time of day should I use the under-eye cream?
A: Each eye cream has its own directions, but almost all of these creams are suitable to be used in the morning and in the evening. The recommendation tends to be twice a day in this manner.

Q: How do you apply eye cream?
A: Dermatologists recommend putting a little eye cream onto your ring finger and gently tapping up and down along the sides of your eye. You should avoid rubbing it or squeezing it on your eyelid, dermatologist cautions.

Q: How soon will the eye cream start to work?
A: It really is quite individual, based on both the user and the eye cream. For some customers, the effects may appear within a couple of weeks, and for others, it may take longer. Be patient and keep using your eye cream, and you may see results sooner than you think.

Q: Is eye cream safe for my eyes?
A: These under-eye creams are generally safe and contain ingredients that are gentle enough to use on the skin around the eyes. If you’re concerned, research the ingredients in the product you want to buy.

Q: Do eye creams contain SPF?
A: Some of the best eye creams do contain while some eye creams do not. As the skin of the ye area is vulnerable and thin, the majority of eye creams include some level of sun protection. If the cream you use doesn’t have any, you should apply some in addition to the cream.

Q: Do eye creams really work?
A: Dermatologists say that it is a good way to hydrate your skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes if you have specific skin issues under your eyes. However, there is no magic extract that can stop the aging process entirely. It isn’t just enough to use the good or the best eye cream they have in the market, you have to put some effort into your side for the results you need.

Q: Do you really need eye cream?
A: Not necessarily, says dermatologist Patricia Farris, MD, a clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine. “Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, so they tend to be thicker. They contain more oil than a regular facial lotion, and they have a lot of active ingredients aimed at the problems we see around the eyes,” Farris explains (WebMD Archives).

Q: What ingredients should you avoid in under eye creams for wrinkles?
A: Considering the fact that the skin around our eyes is so delicate and sensitive, it’s important to take care when applying products and eye creams to that area. Harsh products can irritate the eye area and even result in terrible infections.

“I avoid eye creams that have a lot of fragrance because eyelid skin is very thin—one of the thinnest parts of our body—and this can lead to irritation, which can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Lal.

A Word from the Expert

Now that you have the breakdown of the best eye creams of 2023, you should be well-equipped to choose the best one for you.

Consider your particular skin type and the issues you want to treat. Examine the ingredients in the creams you’re considering and check that they match your needs.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology your skin repairs itself why you sleep—so if you only apply eye cream in the morning, you could be doing so much more to improve the look of your eye area. Make sure to use your eye cream of choice as part of your nighttime skin care routine. Most can be used twice a day—morning and night—so be diligent!

You may need to try more than one cream to find the best one for your skin.

When you do find the right eye cream for you, there’s a good chance it will reduce the wrinkles, dryness, and dark puffiness around your eyes.

A high-quality anti-aging cream can take years off your face and give your eyes a youthful radiance.

READ NEXT – The Best Anti-Aging Wrinkle Creams of 2023, According to Dermatologists