The Best Eye Creams for Your Under-Eye Concerns
Whether they're revealing your deepest emotions or letting the world know you’ve been on a week-long Netflix binge, trust the eyes to say it all. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive on your body, and the first to show signs of aging and the consequences of inadequate sleep, squinting and sun damage. Needless to say, this area needs an extra dose of TLC. And that’s where eye creams come in.
“The skin under and around the eyes is thin and can dry out easily,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, Calif. “While there are oil glands on the eyelids, the skin can get dry, flaky and irritated, especially when exacerbated by cold, dry winter air or by windy, summer environments,” she says. “Eye creams can be used for various reasons, including moisturizing, reducing inflammation, anti-aging, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of dark circles.”
Best Eye Cream for Your Under-Eye Concerns
Whether it’s eye wrinkles or morning puffiness giving you grief, there’s an eye cream that’s right for you. Below, we’ve listed down our top eye cream picks for every under-eye concern.
While the gloom under your eyes can often be blamed on lack of sleep, Dr. Shainhouse says dark circles can also be caused by several factors, including genetics, swelling, engorged blood vessels and even shadows cast by raised facial features. “Look for ingredients like arnica, vitamin K and caffeine to help temporarily shrink blood vessels,” says Dr. Shainhouse. These antioxidant ingredients are known to improve circulation and calm swelling, helping to minimize puffiness and preventing blood from pooling beneath your eyes and causing it to appear darker.
1. SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
154 reviews
$92.00
2. Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Eye Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
3 reviews
$37.00
With omega fatty acids, ceramides, amino acids and niacinamide, this nourishing eye cream instantly perks up your eye area by improving hydration to prevent dryness and tired-looking eyes. It restores your skin barrier to allow for a smoother and plumper complexion and a more even skin tone.
FOR WRINKLES AND CROW'S FEET
Your under-eye skin tends to be drier and thinner, so it’s no surprise that the first signs of aging most people notice are eye wrinkles and crow’s feet. Moisture is key if you want to keep fine lines under control, so Dr. Shainhouse suggests looking for eye products with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, AHAs, ceramides, essential oils (like argan, coconut and avocado oils) and botanical extracts. “Moisturizing the skin makes the skin plumper, so lines appear less deep,” adds Dr. Shainhouse. Additionally, retinoids and peptides can help rebuild and encourage elastin and collagen production, slowing down the formation of new wrinkles and refining the appearance of existing ones.
3. Obagi Medical ELASTIderm Eye Cream (0.5 oz.)
429 reviews
$125.00
4. HydroPeptide Eye Authority (0.5 fl. oz.)
50 reviews
$83.00
FOR EYE BAGS AND PUFFINESS
Eye bags and puffiness can be particularly daunting to deal with, especially when they’re caused by factors beyond your control, like genes and the natural aging process. Much of the time, however, those puffy eyes are simply the result of poor circulation and fluid retention due to late-night junk food cravings, extended happy hours, allergies and lack of sleep. And while your body will naturally get rid of the excess water on its own, you can help the de-puffing and shrinking process along with an eye cream that contains caffeine, cucumber and antioxidants like green tea and vitamin C, which all work to reduce swelling by improving blood flow and tightening skin and blood vessels.5. Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
132 reviews
$114.00
6. Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream 0.5 fl. oz.
150 reviews
$65.00
FOR ANTI-AGING
Collagen and elastin production start to slow down in your mid-to-late 20s and can be further accelerated by sun exposure and certain lifestyle factors like smoking, unhealthy diet, alcohol and poor sleeping habits. So when it comes to keeping wrinkles and crow’s feet at bay, it’s important to stay one step ahead. “While we can’t avoid getting older, we can try to slow it down by feeding our skin with the molecules and protein precursors it needs to protect and rebuild its collagen structure,” says Dr. Shainhouse. These include peptides and growth factors that can penetrate the surface layers of the skin and provide the necessary building blocks in creating new collagen and antioxidants (like vitamin C, green tea and açai and coffee berries) that help prevent UV-induced oxidation and collagen degradation, adds Dr. Shainhouse.8. Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15 (0.5 fl. oz.)
62 reviews
$54.00
FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
When you’re already dealing with a highly reactive skin to begin with, choosing the best eye cream can be quite a challenge. Especially since the wrong formula or ingredient can quickly result in itchy, watery and puffy eyes. Your best bet? Hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formulas that are free of skin-drying substances like alcohol and known skin irritants like fragrances, sulfates and parabens. “Consider an eye cream with soothing properties that will quickly reduce inflammation and skin irritation, which can trigger collagen breakdown and early skin wrinkling,” suggests Dr. Shainhouse. “Look for ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, chamomile and licorice root that will soothe skin and quickly bring down any inflammation.”9. Eminence Organic Skin Care Wild Plum Eye Cream 1.05 fl. oz
90 reviews
$79.00
10. Epionce Renewal Eye Cream (0.53 oz.)
122 reviews
$78.00
Janeca Racho is a Journalism graduate with over 15 years of writing experience. After getting her start in public relations and advertising, she made the switch to freelance writing and began working for various lifestyle, fashion, and travel brands. Her love for all things skincare has led her to beauty reporting and research for the last ten years. Writing for several hair and beauty blogs, she reports on anti-aging staples, trending brands and products, must-have ingredients, and health and wellness.
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