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The reason it's important to use an eye cream separate from your general moisturizer is because the delicate eye area has different needs than the other parts of your face, Miami-based, board-certified dermatologist Janelle Vega, M.D., tells The Zoe Report. "There are fewer oil glands and the skin is much thinner," she explains. But choosing from one of the many eye-specific products on the market isn't easy, so TZR spoke with some of the top experts in the field to narrow down the best dermatologist-recommended eye creams, which are rounded up ahead. But first, some tips from the pros.
"Look for eye creams with active ingredients, like retinols, peptides, and antioxidants," says Dr. Claire Chang, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “Eye creams with caffeine may also help with eyelid swelling.” Sidney B. Smith, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in practice in the Pacific Northwest, advises looking for a product targeted to your specific eye concerns (be it dark circles, puffiness, dryness, you name it). You can always change your eye cream as your skin evolves, he adds.
For more advice and to discuss other options in terms of eye care, speak with your doctors, advises cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, M.D. And for recs, scroll down to shop the best eye creams on the market that are loved by derms and editors alike.
1. NEOCUTIS Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
- Also available on Dermstore, $97
For a fragrance-free eye cream you can apply twice a day, this derm-recommended Neocutis Lumière eye cream is a great choice.
“One of my favorite eye creams is Neocutis Lumière Eye Cream, which contains a gentle yet powerful combination of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, peptides to stimulate collagen, antioxidants to protect against environmental damage, and caffeine to help with swelling. This eye cream is preventative and helps plump and smooth out the eyelid area.”
—Dr. Y. Claire Chang, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology
“For people who are starting to see changes in the skin around the eyes, they should choose a cream to help revitalize the weakened collagen and protect the skin from environmental factors. Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream contains growth factors to help promote collagen, hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration, and antioxidants to protect against free radicals caused by environmental damage.”
—Janelle Vega, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of bialife.com
2. Cerave Eye Repair Cream
- Also available on Ulta Beauty, $16
Cerave is known for its ceramide-rich products that are great for repairing (and maintaining) your skin barrier, which is why it comes as no surprise that this Cerave eye cream has three ceramides on the ingredient list. The cream also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and is free of fragrance.
“Younger patients should pick an eye cream with minimal [risk of] irritation, but that will help maintain the strength of the skin barrier. Cerave Eye Repair Cream is a great option for these patients.”
—Janelle Vega, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of bialife.com
3. AMARTÉ Skin Care Eyeconic Eye Cream
- Also available on Dermstore, $80
There’s a lot to love about this AMARTÉ eye cream, including retinol, argan oil, human oligopeptide-1, and gingko biloba nut extract, which work together to soothe, hydrate, and refresh the delicate skin around your eye.
“Eyeconic Eye Cream is my favorite [eye cream] as it contains nanoencapsulated 3.8% retinol — the best retinol percentage available over the counter. It gives vitality and resiliency to the eye area, and because the retinol is nano encapsulated, it’s extremely stable, so it delivers results quickly but with zero irritation. The sophisticated yet mild Korean formula deeply hydrates and nourishes skin to promote the skin’s elasticity and deliver noticeable results.”
—Dr. Craig Kraffert, M.D., board-certified dermatologist
4. Babor Skinovage Calming Eye Cream
This soothing eye cream from Babor harnesses the power of peptides, shea butter, and macadamia seed oil (among other things) to make your skin so much happier.
“Babor Skinovage Calming Eye Cream is one of my favorites for sensitive skin. It provides intense moisture to the eye area, while soothing the skin and reducing the appearance of redness for a smooth, relaxed-looking eye area.”
—Sidney B. Smith, M.D., board certified dermatologist
5. EltaMD Renew Eye Gel
- Also available on Dermstore, $57
Dermatologists and Amazon shoppers love this oil-free formula from EltaMD, which is clinically proven to address a number of skin concerns some people have regarding their under-eye region, including dark circles and puffiness.
“I love this EltaMD product because it has peptides to build collagen, and hyaluronic acid to plump and mask dark circles. The gel makes it easy to layer and fast to absorb."
—Mona Gohara, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine
6. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Eye
- Also available on Ulta Beauty, $27 and Walmart, $14
For those who need to hydrate dry skin around the eyes, this Neutrogena Hydro Boost eye cream is an incredible option.
The star ingredient, hyaluronic acid, "moisturizes, plumps, and smooths the skin [skin], especially around the eyes. It is a natural product found throughout our skin that rapidly hydrates skin, retains moisture, and restores the skin’s natural barrier and blocks water loss.”
—Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., Medical Director, Crutchfield Dermatology
7. Olay Eyes Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Eye Cream
- Also available on Ulta Beauty, $39
Olay’s brightening eye cream is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin B3, and peptides, with a lightweight whipped texture that’s hydrating and quickly absorbed. The cream is also free from fragrance, synthetic dyes, pthalates, parabens, and mineral oil, making it non-irritating.
The quality of this product is no surprise, since “in general, eye creams should be extra moisturizing. The skin under and around the eye is very thin and very sensitive. They also should be free of allergens for this reason.” Brands like Neocutis, Neutrogena, Olay, and Cerave “make very good dermatologic products and specific eye creams.”
—Jennifer Gordon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, Westlake Dermatology
8. LilyAna Naturals Rosehip & Hibiscus Eye Cream
This rejuvenating eye cream from LilyAna Naturals packs quite a punch, since it’s full of beneficial botanical ingredients that soothe, moisturize, and protect your skin.
“LilyAna Naturals Rosehip & Hibiscus Eye Cream is packed with antioxidants A, C & E in addition to rose hip seed oil and hibiscus extract. It also contains B5 and aloe vera juice." These ingredients are all known to promote smoother, more evenly textured skin.
—Michele Green, M.D., board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, New York
9. Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C & Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting Eye Cream
- Also available on Bliss, $24
If you can get your hands on Bliss’ Bright Idea eye cream (pro tip: if it’s sold out on Amazon, you can buy it directly from Bliss), your skin will reap the benefits.
"I love Bliss Bright Idea Eye Cream. It’s vitamin C-based, which I love, but it also includes a blend of collagen and peptides. This combination is really going to tackle so many areas of focus for people [...] I also love that it’s non-toxic and cruelty-free. Most people want an eye cream to either reduce dark circles, treat fine lines, or brighten the under eye. For this reason, I recommend either a vitamin C or retinol-based eye cream to almost everyone. Both of these ingredients are incredibly active and work to boost collagen production, which will help brighten and plump the thinner skin under your eyes. The brightening effect also helps reduce discoloration that could be causing dark circles. Of the two ingredients, retinol is stronger and can be irritating for a lot of people, so vitamin C would be a great place to start."
—Mona Vand, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
10. Colorescience Total Eye Firm & Repair Cream
- Also available on Dermstore, $95
Made from a luxurious formula that features antioxidants, peptides, and a host of other ingredients designed to moisturize, smooth, and brighten, this eye cream from Colorescience is a game changer.
“As the newest eye cream from Colorescience, this hydrating cream uses humectants such as glycerin and sea buckthorn fruit oil, [and] emollients such as meadowfoam seed oil and squalane to support the skin barrier and improve the overall texture of the [under-eye] skin. It also incorporates the Total Eye Complex which works to firm the [under-eye] skin and improve discoloration, as well as caffeine which helps to reduce overall puffiness. It is safe even for those with sensitive skin as it is free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance.”
—Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist
11. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
- Also available on Ulta Beauty, $25
Another recommendation of Dr. Garshick’s, RoC’s retinol eye cream is great for reducing unwanted dark circles and puffiness, and it can also help promote smoother, firmer skin. The clinically tested formula is oil-free and fit for any skin type, and it also contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, which is a humectant.
“While it contains retinol, it is specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, making it a great option for all skin types as it is also hydrating on the skin.”
—Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist
12. Vaseline Original Healing Jelly
Though it may be surprising to some, Dr. Garshick says that Vaseline also makes a great eye cream. The fragrance-free skin protectant is hypoallergenic, gentle, and safe for sensitive skin.
“This household favorite can be a great option to help support and strengthen the eyelid skin as it provides a protective barrier and helps to lock in moisture, giving the [under-eye area] a healthier, refreshed appearance. This is especially good for those who prefer to keep their routine simple as it not only can be applied around the eyelid, but also on the lips to give the lips a boost of hydration as well. It is also a good option for someone who deals with sensitive skin or is easily irritated in the eye area, as not only will it help to protect the skin, [but] it can help the skin heal as well.”
—Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist
Experts:
Y. Claire Chang, M.D., Board-Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist, Union Square Laser Dermatology, New York
Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., Medical Director, Crutchfield Dermatology
Mona Gohara, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine
Jennifer Gordon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, Westlake Dermatology
Michele Green, M.D., board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, New York
Dr. Craig Kraffert, M.D., board-certified dermatologist
Sidney B. Smith, M.D., board certified dermatologist, DermaHealth Dermatology & Dermasurgery and DermaCare of Tri-Cities
Mona Vand, Doctor of Pharmacy, and consulting expert for Bliss
Janelle Vega, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in Miami, FL, and co-founder of bialife.com
Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, New York
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