Key ingredients: safflower oleosomes, calcified red algae, Spanish lavender | Who it’s for: those targeting multiple concerns | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in an eye cream for wrinkles
One of the top ingredients for targeting fine lines is retinol, says Dr. Nazarian. In case you’re not familiar with this vitamin A derivative, it increases collagen production to improve the look of fine lines while evening skin tone and reducing signs of hyperpigmentation. (Bye-bye, dark circles.)
Worth noting, however: Retinol is an intensive active ingredient that might irritate sensitive skin types, so always patch-test new products before applying them to your entire face— and especially your under-eye area—and be sure to follow up with sunscreen.
Another ingredient Dr. Fahs says is a skin-brightening essential is vitamin C, an antioxidant powerhouse that fights free radical damage and helps fade pigmentation concerns; not surprisingly, it’s a regular among brightening eye creams. Really, any antioxidant is a good idea. “Antioxidants are a bonus in eye creams, since they protect against environmental damage and help preserve skin from premature aging,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Everyone benefits from that.”
Dehydration can also exacerbate the look of wrinkles, so if you notice dry skin, consider incorporating a hyaluronic acid-infused product into your skin-care regimen. “[Hyaluronic acid] is a humectant that plumps and hydrates the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines,” says Dr. Fahs.
What else? “Peptides can be a great alternative to retinol,” Dr. Liu notes. “Peptides help to signal the skin’s internal production of collagen and have hydrating benefits to improve the appearance of crow’s feet.”
When to start using an eye cream
There’s no right age, but “you can start using eye creams preventatively—and the earlier the better,” says Dr. Nazarian. While this might not be the case elsewhere on your face (after all, you might not want to sweat future jowls when you’re a teenager) the eyes are particularly vulnerable to showing wear-and-tear. “This area of the body is so thin that even a small amount of damage shows dramatically early in life,” she says, adding that she also recommends wearing sunglasses as a preemptive protective measure, too.
Meet the experts
- Fatima Fahs, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Canton, MI
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY
- Lauren Penzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY
- David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY
- Jenny Liu, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Minneapolis, MN
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best eye creams for wrinkles, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
