The Best Eye Creams for Mature Skin, According to Dermatologists

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Active ingredients:Proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid, glycyrrhetinic acid, caffeine, matrixyl 3000 |Texture:Rich cream

When I asked dermatologists about their favorite under-eye cream, as well as the eye cream their clients liked best, three recommended SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye. While no eye cream is one-size-fits-all, this one comes pretty close, addressing everything from dark circles to wrinkles. It even brightens, thanks to inclusive optical effects, which disperse light and make dark circles seemless apparent. “Clients love that it’s both good for their skin and instantly visibly helps brighten the area,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon. Then there’s the texture. It’s deeply moisturizing without being heavy and won’t clog pores or sit uncomfortably on the skin. “It helps lock in much-needed moisture,” says Chacon. It’s a good option for most people, and if you’re looking to generally improve the area while also seeing some immediate results, this will do the trick.

Active ingredients:Peptide blend, algae extract, algae polysaccharides |Texture:Light cream

If you’re not looking to spend over $100 on eye cream, I like this one from Dieux, which is less than half that. One of the main things I like about it is that it doesn’t contain exfoliants or retinols, so it can complement an existing actives-heavy routine. But it’s not just hydrating. Similarly to our top pick, this eye cream also contains peptides, which help to address fine lines. There’s also some algae in there, which helps with dark circles and supporting the skin barrier. As for the texture, it’s a lot lighter than the Skinceuticals but still nourishing, which I owe to the inclusion of glycerin, the formula’s second ingredient, which will help to plump and nourish the surface of the skin while also moisturizing a bit deeper. I see that as a benefit, because it can be layered with regular moisturizer or used on its own without overloading the eye with a thick cream.

Active ingredients:Retinol, AHA, antioxidants |Texture:Lightweight cream

Retinol can be incredibly effective for improving the under-eye area. The vitamin-A derivative is known for smoothing and brightening by way of increasing collagen production and cell turnover, which helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a hydrated, plump look. “When I’m trying to stimulate some collagen,retinolis the gold standard,” says Michelle Henry, MD, a New York dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. The original Skin Better Science AlphaRet face cream picked up all kinds of awards for its synergistic blend of retinol plus an AHA; we have similar expectations for the eye cream. I’ve also used the retinol for a while, and despite having reactive skin, I’ve only seen benefits in the form of fewer breakouts and less dark marks. But it’s still retinol (and other actives), which is notoriously drying and sensitizing. I’d give even more consideration to sensitive, thin eye skin, and go slow in adding it into your routine. I’d skip it altogether if you’re already using another retinol in your routine. Henry also suggests the “sandwich method”: a simple, moisturizing eye cream directly on your skin, then your retinol, then a moisturizer on top.

Active ingredients:Retinol, niacinamide |Texture:Cream

“Not manyretinolcreams are well tolerated around the eye, but the Olay retinol eye cream is really nice,” says Henry. That’s because it’s packed with hydrators to counteract retinol’s drying effects. It also eliminates other irritants like fragrance and synthetic dyes. The niacinamide in the formula tag-teams with the retinol to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, while peptides help firm the skin.

Active ingredients:Bladderwhack algae, green microalgae, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, horse chestnut, squalane |Texture:Cream

While I’m healthily skeptical of any beauty product that claims to be “clean,” as there’s no good definition for this, the benefit is that these products tend to be formulated without ingredients that could inflame sensitive skin. That’s where the Advanced Repair Eye Cream from Osea comes in. It comes recommended by Chacon, who says it’s a “great eye cream that’s making waves,” noting that it’s a standout in a sea of clean beauty products. The main ingredients are seaweed and sugarcane-derived squalane. The seaweed has a brightening effect and the squalane offers deep hydration without feeling heavy — it’s one of the few oils tolerated by most because it naturally occurs in skin.

Active ingredients:Retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, and rambutan |Texture:Serum

Before you treatdark circles, it’s important to pinpoint the cause, because there’s more than one: It could be that the area under your eyes is dark because the skin is thin and you can see dark blood vessels showing through. You could have hyperpigmentation darkening the surface of your skin. Or it might be because you’ve lost volume underneath your eyes, leaving you with a hollowed-out look that createsdark shadows. Or maybe it’s all three! The first two scenarios can be improved with an eye cream; but according to all of our docs, the not-so-lovely-sounding tear-trough deformity (under-eye hollows) is beyond a cream’s capabilities. According to Dara Liotta, MD, FACS, a dual-board certified facial plastic surgeon in New York, “You need filler for that.” Board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp likes thisserumfrom Dr. Dennis Gross, which contains two types of retinol, trans-retinol and encapsulated retinol; bakuchiol, a retinol alternative; ferulic acid, a natural antioxidant; and rambutan, another antioxidant that helps with collagen production. In the case of hyperpigmentation, the combination of antioxidants and collagen-production-encouraging ingredients is particularly helpful. The retinol will address the present surface hyperpigmentation and the antioxidants will help prevent new pigment from forming. The formula is also serum-light and will sit nicely under makeup and in combination with heavier products.

Active ingredients:Plant-based EGF, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |Texture:Serum

Googling “how to get rid of puffy under eyes” will likely surface recommendations about caffeine-packed creams and cooling compresses. That’s because cooling the area and restricting blood flow is the best way to create a smoother surface. With that in mind, esthetician and founder ofStalle StudiosElizabeth Hand recommends the BioEffect EGF Eye Serum, which contains plant-basedepidermal growth factor— a polypeptide that helps to maintain cell and tissue health — and uses a metal rollerball as an applicator. “The cooling, stainless-steel rollerball applicator supports the formula in easing puffiness, while the ingredients diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Hand.

Active ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, caffeine|Texture:Serum

To address under-eye puffiness, Penzi recommends eye creams that contain caffeine. “It’s a vasoconstrictor that helps to cut down on underlying vessel dilation and puffiness,” she says. “This leads to a smoother, tighter look to the under eye.” Her favorite eye cream for this is the L’Oréal Revitalift Serum. The main ingredients are hyaluronic acid and caffeine, which, in addition to depuffing the under-eye area, offers a dose of hydration that improves the area’s overall look.

Active ingredients:Vitamin C, peptides, caffeine |Texture:Cream

On his own eye area, board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser SurgeryDavid E. Bankuses this multitasking cream with caffeine, brightening vitamin C, collagen-boosting peptides, and the special sauce that Bank looks for: growth factors. “Growth factors are proteins that promote the growth, development, and maturation of cells, and play a role in maintaining the firmness and elasticity of skin,” he explains. “Around the eyes they help with wrinkles, laxity, and pigmentation.”

Active ingredients:Vitamin C, peptides, caffeine |Texture:Cream

Laxity, or sagging skin, can be addressed with elastin-boosting ingredients. Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, assistant clinical professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, likes the lift she sees from this cream, which boasts a 35 percent increase in elastin production within 24 hours thanks to an active form of vitamin C. The formula has the whole lineup of top eye-area ingredients, including peptides, vitamin K for dark circles, and natural retinol alternative bakuchiol, plus blue-light protection for when you’re squinting at your screen.

Active ingredients:Glycolic acid, lactic acid, allanoin, aloe vera |Texture:Serum

One of the most annoying, if not immediately apparent, eye-area issues is milia: little white dots that resemble whiteheads, but are actually keratin trapped under the skin. “Milia is common in mature skin because our cells don’t turn over as quickly and layers of dead skin cells can build up on the surface, trapping keratin underneath,” says Bank. While a doctor can remove milia, don’t go on an excavation mission at home. AHAs, like the ones found in this serum, will chemically exfoliate the surface cells so the milia can work their way out. It’s balanced with calming aloe and allantoin to minimize irritation.

Active ingredients:Glycolic acid, lactic acid, allanoin, aloe vera |Texture:Serum

This is the treatment you’ll want on those “Oof, I look tired” mornings. Topical brighteners make your eyes instantly look more awake while caffeine depuffs, hyaluronic acid plumps, and a hint of menthol gives your skin a comforting, cooling sensation. The prebiotics and probiotics in the formula help restore your skin’s barrier function to minimize irritation in case you also want to bring in some of the bigger ingredient guns.

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