A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Mar. 13, 2024
The best anti-aging eye cream does more than turn back the clock. This powerhouse also brightens eyes, reduces puffiness and repairs delicate under-eye skin.
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Your eyes are among the first things—if not the first things—people notice about you. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the first places to show signs of aging, not to mention stress and exhaustion. That’s why finding the best eye cream is so important, and why using it diligently should be part of your everyday skin care routine.
“The skin under the eyes is thin, delicate and not as resilient as the skin elsewhere on our face, and it also has fewer oil glands, so it is naturally less moisturized and supported,” explains Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital. “The fat pads that support the thin under-eye skin break down gradually as we age, leaving the skin lax and more transparent to the blood vessels beneath. Eye cream can help minimize the appearance of these wrinkles while addressing other common concerns, like dryness, puffiness, dark circles and pigmentation.”
The only problem? Like the plethora of anti-aging creams, night creams, foundations for aging skin and face serums on the market, there are simply so many products out there—and if you believe their marketing claims, they’re all amazing. Of course, they don’t all live up to their hype and, even if they did, they’re not all right for you.
To help you sort through the best eye cream options, we spoke with skin care experts to find out which ones truly deliver and address your specific concerns. If you combine these tips for surprisingly simple ways to look younger and makeup tricks that will make you look younger with the following best anti-aging eye creams, you’ll be well on your way toward tapping into a winning formula for the fountain of youth.
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This award-winning eye cream for retinol-sensitive skin leaves nothing to chance. This best eye cream is loaded with anti-aging skin care technology that’s specifically formulated to soothe and rejuvenate the thin, delicate skin around the eyes. That’s why it’s a favorite of Texas-based dermatologist, Vivian Bucay, MD.
“DefenAge 3D Eye contains age-repair defensins that target a group of dormant stem cells, which go to work to replenish the upper layer of skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she explains. “Peptides, like palmitoyl tripeptide-7, increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid for more youthful-looking skin, and a blend of amino acids and lipids support a healthy skin barrier, promoting skin hydration and minimizing skin discoloration for brighter, smoother skin.”
If it sounds like there’s a lot going on there, that’s because there is. But all you have to do is apply a thin layer of it once or twice a day to get amazing results. Choosing the best eye cream, by the way, is one of the secrets of women who always look put together.
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Not only does CeraVe Eye Repair Cream contain the effective moisturizer hyaluronic acid, but it also contains molecules called ceramides that boost the skin’s natural barrier to make eyes look bright and refreshed. “That anti-inflammatory property helps to rejuvenate skin,” says Chicago-based dermatologist, Edidiong Kaminska, MD, founder of Kaminska Dermatology. This gentle moisturizer could be the best eye cream for those with sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and won’t clog pores.
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“If you are struggling with skin sagging, this eye cream is suitable for you,” says Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. “Augustinus Bader’s eye cream treats and aims to prevent skin sagging. It has an impressive list of nourishing actives: Niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin B5 and vitamin C.” This moisturizing eye cream doesn’t stop there, as it also tackles puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, too.
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“SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex is a balmy formula with optical diffusers that reflect light away from the eye area, so it’s instantly illuminating,” says Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a New York City-based dermatologist. “It works below the surface to fight signs of aging, deeper causes of dark circles and advanced aging.” The formula contains blueberry extract to improve skin cell structure, preventing wrinkles and saggy skin.
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Calling this anti-aging eye cream “a powerhouse for eye rejuvenation,” Roberta Del Campo, MD, a dermatologist in North Miami, Florida, explains that Lumière Firm combines proprietary peptides to firm up and brighten skin. It also contains human-derived growth factors to build collagen and improve overall skin resilience.
“What other product can address so many under-eye skin concerns, such as darkness, puffiness, laxity, fine lines and wrinkles in one product?” Dr. Del Campo says. “And it’s safe on all skin types.” You’ll also find a hefty dose of collagen boosters in this Korean face mask that Amazon shoppers adore.
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This best eye cream doesn’t mess around. It’s formulated with anti-wrinkle powerhouse Retinol 8, which is eight times as effective as traditional retinol, and reduces the risk of irritated skin by 50 percent. Its peptides also work to strengthen tissue and reduce puffiness, circles and lines, while the hyaluronic acid plumps up skin. For more anti-aging benefits, adds Dr. Robinson, you can look for a retinol or retinol derivative in a moisturizing base. Don’t forget to browse the best retinol serums for anti-aging results.
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