Discover the best eye cream for wrinkles that actually work

As you age, it’s common to begin noticing more fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Couple this with dark circles, puffiness and undereye bags — and the desperation to find a solution becomes all too real. (We know. We’ve been there.)

The good news? A good eye cream can not only reduce wrinkles, but it can improve the appearance of puffy skin and minimize dark circles.

To help you find your perfect match, our beauty-obsessed editors put together a list of some of the best eye creams for wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, dark circles and more to help you find one that works best for your skin type and needs.

Read more: Check out our editor's picks of the best vitamin C serums

Our top picks for anti-aging eye cream

Best for undereye bags

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Retinol Eye cream

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$49.99 at Ulta Beauty

Best for blue light damage

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-cream Synchronized Multi-Recovery Eye cream

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$72 at Estee Lauder

Best for hydration

No7 Pure Retinol Eye cream

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$29.99 at Ulta Beauty

Best for tightening

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye cream

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$57 at Ulta Beauty

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Best for undereye bags

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Retinol Eye cream

$49.99

$49.99 at Ulta Beauty

Pros & Cons

• Good for sensitive skin

• Reduces dark circles

• Instant lifting

• Needs additional SPF

• A little pricey

Key ingredients: caffeine antioxidant, pure retinol, thermal spring water

Kick those dark circles and undereye bags to the curb with this eye cream by La Roche-Posay. It includes caffeine, which can help reduce the look of bags and dark circles, giving you a brighter and more rested look. Other ingredients include pure retinol, which reduces the look of wrinkles and crow’s feet, and thermal spring water which helps to soothe the sensitive eye area.

This is a gel and offers instant visible lifting. Plus it’s gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, sensitive eyes, or who wear contact lenses. It’s also fragrance and paraben-free. It’s recommended to use this cream at night, though you can use it both morning and night for even better results. Be sure to also use an SPF to help better protect your skin.

Best for blue light damage

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-cream Synchronized Multi-Recovery Eye cream

$72

$72 at Estee Lauder

Pros & Cons

• Fights against blue light damage

• Fast absorbing

• Targets dark circles

• High price

• Can cause irritation in sensitive skin

Key ingredients: tripeptide-32, hyaluronic acid, tocopheryl acetate

If you spend most of your day staring at computer screens or devices, which can make your eyes look saggy and tired, consider this eye cream by Estee Lauder.

The exclusive FR-Defense technology fights against dark circles and undereye bags caused by blue light from screens. It also neutralizes skin-damaging free radicals with an eight-hour antioxidant power, including vitamin E. The cream treats the entire eye area including undereye, eyelids — and inner and outer corners. 

It’s a lightweight and fast-absorbing gel-cream that you can use day and night. Plus, it won’t clog your pores. However, some reviewers have noted that it can cause slight irritation for those with sensitive skin. In just two weeks, your eyes will look brighter and fine lines will reduce in appearance.

Though it is pricier than other products on our list, the benefits outweigh the cost.

Best for hydration

No7 Pure Retinol Eye cream

$29.99

$29.99 at Ulta Beauty

Pros & Cons

• Reduces deep wrinkles

• Hydrates

• Lower price point

• Works best as part of a regimen

• May take longer to see results

Key ingredients: pure retinol

This pure retinol eye cream by No7 works to visibly reduce deep wrinkles around the eyes and puffiness, giving you overall younger looking skin. It also provides much-needed moisture, which is important in this sensitive area. It’s recommended to use the cream at night and as part of their larger retinol treatment range for better results.

According to a consumer study in the UK, most could see results within two weeks, though some reviewers have recommended longer use before seeing full results. However, the price point certainly won’t break the bank. If you want to get serious with your skincare routine, consider purchasing the entire No7 skincare regimen.

Best for tightening

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye cream

$57

$57 at Ulta Beauty

Pros & Cons

• Hydrates

• Fortifies under eye area

• Boosts natural collagen

• Wears off faster

• Higher price

Key ingredients: CL1870 peptide complex, Sigesbeckia orientalis extract, hyaluronic acid

While this Clinique eye cream costs a bit more, the ingredients pack a punch to help not only repair skin, but to keep it strong.

The peptide blend has anti-age qualities by boosting your natural collagen, while the Sigesbeckia extract helps skin keep its natural density. Hyaluronic acid works to keep your skin hydrated as well as smooth out lines and repair suppleness.

The formula builds up your skin’s strength, making it more resilient. The cream visibly calms and soothes skin, as well as depuff the eye area. It’s 100% fragrance-free and been allergy and ophthalmologist tested for those with more sensitive skin or who wear contacts. However, some reviewers have said that it may wear off after a few hours or remove waterproof mascara.

Best budget eye cream

Olay Eye Lifting Serum for Firming Skin, Fragrance-Free

$26.99

$26.99 at Walmart

Pros & Cons

• Non-greasy

• Lower price

• Instantly plumps skin

• Can take longer to see results

• May not affect those with hooded eyes

Key ingredients: advanced amino-peptide complex

If you are looking to give your eyes a bit of a lift without spending an arm and a leg, then this eye cream by Olay may be what you’re looking for. It’s the lowest price on our list but promises to visibly lift and firm up the eye area, reducing the look of undereye bags and saggy skin. The amino-peptide and vitamin complex work to smooth out lines and hydrate.

It is fragrance-free and non-greasy, which means it will quickly absorb into your skin. While the formula instantly plumps skin for most, reviewers with hooded eyes or more chronic issues with sagging skin reported that it took longer to see results. However, again, most consumers have reported seeing some results within a few weeks and more as they continued using the cream.

Best for puffy eyes

Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Line Erasing Eye cream

$69

$69 at Elizabeth Arden

Pros & Cons

• Depuffs eyes

• Long-lasting

• Firms skin

• Can cause some irritation in sensitive skin

• Bit higher price

Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, peptide blend, niacinamide blend

This cream by Elizabeth Arden has a unique retinol delivery system, which helps the skin to absorb the retinol five times deeper and has an eight-hour continuous release. This blend of retinol, peptides and niacinamide work together to depuff, smooth, brighten and hydrate the eye area.

The retinol smooths out wrinkles while the peptides boost the collagen and elastin in your skin to firm it up. Lastly, niacinamide works wonders at brightening the skin and reducing the look of dark circles. In a consumer survey, when using this product, 98% saw an overall improvement in the eye area, while 91% saw reduced puffiness and 93% saw brighter skin. 

However, it is important to note that too much retinol can cause irritation in more sensitive skin types. Some reviewers have reported discomfort at first, though it disappeared when they used a bit less of the product.

Things to consider while shopping for eye creams

Not all eye creams are created equal. Depending on your age, skin type and level of sun exposure, you may need a different formula than the next person to see results. That said, there are a few factors to consider when shopping for an eye cream to get the best results and keep your expectations at bay.

• Time. While many creams do have some instant results, it’s good to remember that it will typically take a few weeks of use to really see if the cream works. Possibly longer if you have puffy eyes or dark circles due more to genetics rather than environmental reasons.

• Ingredients. Study the ingredients list to make sure that there’s nothing included that will irritate your skin. For example, while retinol is a staple ingredient, too much can cause irritation or redness. Additionally, peptides are an important ingredient to look for, especially since they increase collagen and elastin to firm up sagging skin.

• Skin maturity. While eye cream is recommended for adults of all ages to help prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it’s important to remember that younger skin and mature skin need different things. Those with more mature skin need more hydration. Plus you’ll want more peptides to help strengthen skin and improve elasticity.

Our verdict

This list includes some of the best eye creams for wrinkles to give you a fresher, more youthful look. However, if we had to pick, these would be our top two:

• La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti-Aging Retinol Eye cream: This cream hits about the middle in terms of price, but comes with everything you need to firm up your under eye area as well as reduce the look of dark circles. It’s also great for those with sensitive skin.

• Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye cream: While it does have a higher price point, Clinque is known for quality skincare that you can trust. This cream also focuses on strengthening skin as well as repairing it. The optimal hydration makes it a great pick for more mature skin as well.

Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.