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IDK about you, but my eye area was the first place on my face that I started to notice fine lines and wrinkles in my late 20s. Ever since, I've been a dedicated user of anti-wrinkle eye creams—and have noticed a steady improvement in the texture and of the skin around my eyes as a result. The catch? Not all eye creams will work on wrinkles, so if your goal is smoother, tighter skin, you’re gonna need to add a targeted eye cream or eye serum that contains tried-and-true anti-aging ingredients (like retinol, peptides, and growth factors) to your daily skincare routine.
To help you narrow down the options, I tested and reviewed tons of different formulas and reached out to five skincare experts (shoutout to licensed aesthetician Edyta Jarosz and board-certified dermatologists Marisa Garshick, Joshua Zeichner, Corey L. Hartman, and Shari Marchbein) for their favorite anti-wrinkle eye cream picks. I even consulted a few of my fellow Cosmo beauty editors for their recs as well.
Our top picks for best eye cream for wrinkles of 2024:
Keep reading for the full list of the 18 best eye creams for wrinkles—plus the most important things to keep in mind before purchasing a new eye cream.
Pros
- Contains mineral-based SPF 30 to protect skin from UV damage
- Has a sheer, universal tint that neutralizes dark circles
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Only comes in one shade
This do-it-all eye cream is quickly becoming one of my new favorites thanks to its ability to brighten, hydrate, and smooth with antioxidants and peptides while also protecting skin from UV damage thanks to SPF 30 made from zinc oxide. UV damage is one of the primary reasons wrinkles develop around the eyes in the first place, so by shielding your skin from UV exposure you're preventing new wrinkles from forming. Also great? The formula has a sheer, universal tint that helps camouflage my dark circles too.
- Size: 0.4 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, vitamin E, peptides, shea butter
- Usage: Morning
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "Good stuff! I like this sunscreen for my eyes a lot! It’s a good texture and smooths into the skin nicely. It seems to firm up the skin around my eyes a bit which is a nice bonus."
2
Best Eye Cream Stick for Wrinkles
Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick
Pros
- Stick format is convenient, easy-to-use, and mess-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some testers with sensitive skin said it made their under eyes dry and itchy
The most convenient option on our list, this eye cream comes in a handy stick format that's easy to quickly swipe on before bed. The hero ingredient for fighting wrinkles is retinol, which is proven to stimulate collagen and elastin production to soften lines and firm skin. Also in the formula? Bakuchiol (a plant-based ingredient that functions similarly to retinol) and firming peptides for extra wrinkle-fighting benefits.
- Size: 0.4 oz
- Formula: Solid
- Key ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, peptides
- Usage: Evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This retinol eye stick is so convenient and effective. It has a lightweight formula that feels so good on my skin while absorbing quickly without leaving a residue or tackiness behind. It helps reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines while also brightening my eye area beyond just a few hours and preventing future fine lines."
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3
Best Lightweight Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Clinique Moisture Surge Eye 96-Hour Hydro Filler Concentrate
Pros
- Water gel formula is fast-absorbing and non-tacky
- Plumps and hydrates the eye area for up to 96 (!) hours
Cons
- Testers say you need to wait a few minutes for the formula to set before applying makeup on top
Most eye creams designed to smooth lines and wrinkles tend to feel thick and heavy, which is less than ideal if you have oily skin or like to layer your skincare products and makeup. Enter this fast-absorbing water gel from Clinique, which is loaded with hyaluronic acid and other humectants to draw moisture to your skin and plump the look of fine lines and fill in creases—all without feeling heavy or greasy.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Gel
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "Every time I use this eye gel it is an instant...Ah-h-h!!! The description of this product as "refreshing" is an understatement. Also, I find that this gel is fantastic used under concealer…Especially if you have oily eyelids, have ever used an oilier-type eye cream and experienced "melted" eye makeup. However, since Moisture Surge Eye is a gel, you do have to allow the product to soak into the skin before applying a concealer."
Pros
- Treats a multitude of eye area concerns, including wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness
- Rich, buttery texture is great for drier skin types
Cons
- Some reviewers say they don't love the jar packaging since it can be unsanitary
This eye cream contains *all* the skin smoothing and plumping heavy hitters, including a blend of firming peptides, caffeine, antioxidants, and optical light diffusers. Together, these ingredients help soften the look of lines and crepey texture, brighten up dark circles, and make your eye area look more wide-awake and refreshed. Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette (she's been testing this eye cream for months, FYI) says that she "loves the rich, emollient texture and how it makes my normally dry eye area look so smooth and plump."
- Size: 15 ml
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Proxylane (a plant-derived plumper), peptides, antioxidants, caffeine
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This stuff is so good. The skin around my eyes is SO smooth after I use it and it really makes my dark circles look less noticeable too."
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Pros
- Free-from irritating ingredients, like synthetic fragrances and dyes
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for super dry skin types
- Testers say it can takes months of consistent use to see a visible result
This gentle drugstore eye cream from CeraVe uses hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help hydrate your eye area while also strengthening your skin's barrier to create a plumping and smoothing effect, says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. "It also contains niacinamide which is soothing on the skin and a marine and botanical complex which helps to brighten the area."
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This works nicely and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. There are no added perfumes, so it doesn't smell great, but again, sensitive skin, so I don't want any in a product anyway."
Pros
- Multitasking formula reduces the look of lines and wrinkles as well as dark circles and puffiness
- Formula has a fast-absorbing serum texture
Cons
- Very expensive as far as eye products go
- Many reviewers say they wish you got more product for the price
So this eye serum is definitely on the pricey side, but Cosmo editors—including myself and Daisy Maldonado—are obsessed. “Of the many eye serums and creams I’ve tried, this one from Ourself is by far one of my favorites," says Maldonado. "The combo of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and flower extracts are amazing at smoothing out my eye area and getting rid of puffiness. Since I've been testing, I've been noticed that the dark circles under my eyes are less noticeable too," she adds.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Serum
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, vitamin C, Jasmine and Hawthorn flower extracts
- Usage: Morning and evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "I love the luxurious look and feel of the HA+ Replenishing Eye Serum. It has visibly reduced my dark circles and appearance of fine lines—plus the formula is lightweight and absorbs beautifully."
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Pros
- Comes in three different strengths (0.03, 0.06, and 0.1 percent)
- Many testers say they love the packaging
Cons
- Needs to be used sparingly at first to ensure minimal irritation
- Like many retinol products, this needs to be used for weeks (even months) before seeing a visible improvement in skin
Medik8's Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye Serum is one of the few retinol products that's gentle enough to use around my eye area, but still potent enough to actually put a dent in fine lines and crow's feet. Licensed aesthetician Edyta Jarosz, who is also a fan and recommends this to clients with sensitive skin, says "this eye cream uses a unique ceramide encapsulation technology to effectively deliver retinol to the skin while minimizing irritation."
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Serum
- Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, chamomile extract
- Usage: Evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "I have been using this for about a month and have been pleasantly surprised with the results. Fine lines are diminished to the point that I really can’t see them and others are definitely improved. I had no issues applying as directed or discoloration."
Pros
- Affordable option that's widely available at drugstore and beauty retailers
- Can be used morning and night unlike many retinol eye creams
Cons
- Some testers say it can leave a film on skin
- Contains parabens
This eye cream contains a stabilized form of retinol that can be used daily, either in the morning and/or at night, says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, who adds that because the retinol is stabilized, it's less likely to cause skin irritation. "Besides improving the appearance of fine lines, this eye cream has been shown to lighten dark circles and firm the skin around the eyes too," says Dr. Zeichner. "And thanks to glycerin and vitamin E, this eye cream delivers an immediate plumping boost to the skin by flooding it with moisture," says Dr. Hartman.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredient: Retinol
- Usage: Evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "After 15 days of using this around my eyes both morning and night my skin is visibly more smooth and is nice and hydrated...the formula is simply perfect for me!"
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Pros
- Lightweight gel texture soaks into skin sans greasy residue
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for certain skin types
Dr. Loretta's Tightening Eye Gel is like shrink wrap for my under eyes, says Gillette. "I just press it under my eyes in the morning, and immediately, I notice my lines look smoother and my bags less pronounced." Testers agree that the gel formula provides an instant tightening and firming effect, and with continued use, can help soften fine lines around the eyes.
- Size: 20 ml
- Formula: Gel
- Key ingredients: Marine algae peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and I'm impressed with the results. The product goes on great and it definitely feel like my under eyes are a bit brighter, tighter and more alert!"
10
Best Peptide Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C & Tri-Peptide Collagen-Protecting Eye Cream
Pros
- Great alternative for those who can't tolerate eye creams with retinol
- Contains brightening ingredients to help minimize dark circles
- Reviewers say you get a good amount of product for the price
Cons
- Some testers said the formula pilled under their concealer
- Often sold-out or out-of-stock
Bliss's eye cream contains a blend of vitamin C and peptides to strengthen, firm, and brighten the skin around the eyes, says Dr. Zeichner. "It's an especially good option if you cannot tolerate retinol, since the peptides help address lines and wrinkles without causing flaking or irritation."
- Size: 1 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, licorice root extract
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
THE REVIEW: "I’m so happy to say I finally found an eye cream that I love! It’s deeply moisturizing without being heavy, and actually does firm the crepe-y skin around my eyes," says one reviewer.
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Pros
- Non-greasy, velvet-like texture layers nicely with makeup and SPF
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
- Safe choice for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some testers found the packaging to be tempramental
"My patients love this eye cream," says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman. "They often tell me that it works well under makeup and with other skincare products, which is especially important around the eye area where the skin is thinner and more prone to looking cakey with multiple layers of products." As for the formula, it's packed with vitamin C to firm and brighten skin and a dose of hyaluronic acid to plump wrinkles on contact.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, shea butter
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "I love this eye cream and have used it for years—it blends in quickly, isn't greasy at all, and keeps my eye area moisturized all day long."
Pros
- Refillable packaging helps to eliminate waste
- Reviewers love the chic packaging design
Cons
- Buttery, balm-like texture feels luxe but can feel a bit tacky
- Not the best option for sensitive skin
This bedtime eye cream "incorporates a time-released form of retinol, plant stem cells, and a peptide complex that work together help to improve the appearance of wrinkles while brightening and de-puffing your under-eye bags," says Dr. Garshick. Also cool: the luxe packaging is refillable, so once you've used it all up just pop a new pod into the glass jar and you're good to go.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Retinol, squalane, plant stem cells
- Usage: Evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This eye cream provides instant results. It’s like abracadabra and no more tired-looking eyes! It feels amazing and it plumps and smooths out my under-eye skin, leaving it feeling soft and silky."
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13
Best Celeb-Favorite Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream
Pros
- Reviewers (myself included) love the silky smooth texture
- Generally well tolerated by all skin types
Cons
- Some testers say the pump dispenser is prone to clogging
This eye cream is the beauty brainchild of celebrity esthetician Shani Darden. Her A-list clients (who include Jessica Alba, Shay Mitchell, and Kelly Rowland) love this squalane-and-peptide-infused eye cream for its ability to plump and smooth the skin around the eyes *and* reduce dark circles without causing irritation. "After using this for a few months, I swear that the fine lines around my eyes started to disappear—it's like magic," adds Gillette.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Peptides, silk tree extract, squalane, ceramides, niacinamide
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This was my first Shani Darden purchase, but definitely not my last. This eye cream is truly amazing...I can really see a difference in my skin's smoothness and texture."
Pros
- Clinically proven to soften lines around the eyes
- Helps minimize dark circles as well
Cons
- Some testers say the formula has a weird odor
- Growth factors are derived from human cells which may be problematic for some
You've prob seen or heard of Skinmedica's cult-favorite TNS serum, but did you know the brand makes an eye cream with similar anti-wrinkle technology? "The key ingredient in this eye cream is the TNS complex, a proprietary blend of growth factors, peptides, and antioxidants," says Jarosz."It helps rejuvenate the skin and stimulate collagen production, leading to a firmer and smoother eye area."
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Human fibroblast conditioned media, peptides, retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "I love how this cream really firms up the skin below my eyes. I’ve tried other eye creams, but this is the one I keep going back to—it actually does what it says."
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Pros
- Contains retinol and AHAs to smooth and resurface skin
- Loved by derms and beauty editors
Cons
- Not available at mass beauty retailers
- Not the best choice for sensitive skin
This is one of the hardest-working, most-effective anti-wrinkle eye creams I've tried, and Dr. Garshick agrees with me: "It helps address fine lines, wrinkles, crepiness around the eyes using a combination of retinol and lactic acid," says Dr. Garshick, adding that "results can be seen as early as four weeks with consistent use." It also has a hydrating complex to protect the skin barrier and prevent dryness too," adds Dr. Garshick.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Retinol, AHAs, niacinamide
- Usage: Evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review "I've never seen results from a product so fast. The skin around my eyes is noticeably smoother and tighter from using this—I even think my dark circles have faded a bit too."
Pros
- Contains one of the most stable and effective forms of vitamin C
- Helps fade dark circles as well as smooth fine lines
Cons
- Some reviewers say the pump is prone to clogging
- Formula is prone to pilling in my experience
There's a reason every derm loves vitamin C (the hero in this eye cream) for preventing and reversing signs of aging. The ingredient helps prevent free-radical damage from things like UV and pollution to keep your skin healthy and glowy, and it also smooths fine lines and wrinkles over time, thanks to its ability to boost collagen production too.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Ascorbic acid, hemp oil, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This product immediately feels great. I do see some improvement with lines and it’s been two weeks since I started using it, but the biggest impression is it just makes the eye area feel good."
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17
Best Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream for Dry Skin
Drunk Elephant Ceramighty AF Eye Balm
Pros
- Contains ceramides to strengthen your skin's protective barrier
- Thick, balm-like texture provides an instant softening effect
Cons
- May be too rich for oily skin types
- Some testers said it gave them milia
Ideal for dry skin types, this nourishing eye cream from Drunk Elephant contains plant oils, like avocado and evening primrose oils, and ceramides (they help keep your skin's barrier intact to prevent moisture from escaping) to restore your skin's elasticity and keep your eye area feeling soft and moisturized for hours.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, oat extract, plant lipids
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing customer review: "This eye cream is the perfect consistency," writes a tester. "It's thick, but not too thick....it's more of a whipped texture. It wears well under makeup and hydrates super well too."
18
Best All-Natural Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Tata Harper Restorative Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Pros
- Made with plant-based, certified-organic ingredients
- Comes with refillable packaging
Cons
- Contains essential oils that may be sensitizing for some skin types
This all-natural eye cream is full of organic, plant-based ingredients (including Spanish lavender, red algae, and seaweed) that help smooth and plump wrinkles and fine lines by supporting collagen and elastin production. The sustainable packaging is also refillable, so once it's empty simply unscrew the cap and pop in a fresh capsule.
- Size: 0.5 oz
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Lavender extract, red algae extract, seaweed
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing customer review: "This is one of the best eye creams I've ever used. I have tried a lot of brands and this one I really like this one—it minimized puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles under my eyes and a little goes a long ways. I will be recommending it to my friends."
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What causes wrinkles around the eyes?
The eye area is typically the first part of your face to show signs of aging—specifically fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey texture—and these signs of aging usually pop up in our late 20s or early 30s. The skin around your eyes is super thin and delicate and has fewer and less concentrated oil glands than the rest of your face to keep it plump, smooth, and bright, explains dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, which leads to the obvious dark circles, dryness, puffiness, and under-eye bags. Not only that, but your eyes are incredibly expressive, so years of constant squinting, smiling, and frowning eventually leads to "expression lines," like crow's feet and "elevens" (the horizontal lines between the eyes), adds Dr. Marchbein.
Does eye cream actually help wrinkles?
Yes! One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce mild to moderate wrinkles around the eyes is to incorporate an eye cream into your daily skincare routine, says Dr. Hartman. That said, if the lines and wrinkles around your eyes are more severe, then I would recommend an eye cream coupled with in-office treatments (like neurotoxins such as Botox or Xeomin or resurfacing lasers) to improve their appearance, says Dr. Hartman.
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.