15 Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles, Tested & Reviewed for 2023

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In college, I somehow managed to get away with sleeping two hours a night and still being on time to class after a night of too much fun, all without looking exhausted at all. But judging by the wrinkles appearing around my eyes now, it seems like I have to work a little harder in the morning to hide fatigue by applying some cooling under-eye masks or by, you know, skipping that third glass of wine.

Wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes are very common, and if they don't bother you, continue on! But if you’re like me, and would like the area to look just a little smoother, eye creams for wrinkles are a great, non-invasive place to start. "Wrinkles form from loss of collagen and elastin around the thin eyelid skin. Squinting and smiling also contribute to crows feet around the eyes," says dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. While there are eye creams for dark circles and serums that are better than Botox, finding the right anti-aging eye creams can be tricky. Here, we’ve searched through hundreds of customer reviews to find the 15 best eye creams for wrinkles and fine lines that actually work.

Skincare and instant results shouldn't go together, but this eye gel changes all that. Immediately, you’ll feel your under eyes tightening while the product dries. With time and consistency, fine lines fade thanks to a trio of peptides.

Amazon rating: 3.8/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: "The instant results are truly remarkable. Upon application, the Eye Tightener works its magic, visibly tightening and lifting the delicate skin around my eyes. Fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness seem to vanish, leaving a smooth and revitalized appearance. It's like having an instant facelift specifically tailored for the eyes."

A favorite amongst dermatologists, the RoC Retinol Eye Cream is packed with age-defying ingredients. "This has retinol, which helps fight wrinkling over time," says Dr. Karan Lal. Not only does retinol help combat signs of aging, but it also improves discoloration and dark circles when used consistently.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

Oftentimes, using multiple active ingredients help combat fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by various factors. This eye cream covers the bases by utilizing the powers of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to plump, brighten, and reduce fine lines.

Dermstore rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer says: "I’ve been using it for years and haven't found anything that works better to keep the lines and crow's feet at bay around my eyes."

Retinol is an incredibly effective anti-aging ingredient, but its potency can also cause dryness in some forms. This eye cream makes that a thing of the past, by combining retinol with hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: "I’ve been using this daily for years now. It works great on wrinkles!"

When it comes to anti-aging skincare, expensive is not always better. "This is an affordable product with peptides that help hydrate the skin," says Dr. Lal. Investing in hydrating eye creams can help plump and smooth the under-eyes, and reduce fine lines.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

"The AluminEye Brightening Eye Cream reduces all signs of aging and dark under eyes. It is fortified with potent peptides and vitamins that work synergistically to combat the signs of aging and to revitalize the skin, as well as tremella mushroom extract, niacinamide, and murumuru butter," says Dr. Chilukuri.

If you have sensitive skin, using retinol–particularly around the delicate eye area–can be terrifying. However, this gentle eye cream uses ingredients that mimic the anti-aging and brightening effects of retinol, without the side effects.

Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: "Best eye cream ever! Cooling, tightening and hydrating! Plus a slight cosmetic brightener. You can feel it working!"

If you want to use an eye cream that's universally adored, this one from Dermalogica is it. It is packed with active ingredients like retinol and niacinamide to help fade fine lines and wrinkles while also evening skin tone.

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: "I have used this product for years now as part of my nightly routine. Before going to bed, I use this under my eyes after cleansing and tap gently around the orbital bone. Creamy serum that goes on so smoothly, softens fine lines and helps decrease those under-eye bags while you're getting your beauty sleep!"

Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair system is a staple in skincare, and this eye cream should be just as revered. It's incredibly hydrating and plumping.

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: "I absolutely love this eye cream. I really see a difference in puffiness and fine lines around the eyes."

This eye cream is lightweight yet packed with effective, botanical ingredients. It helps contour around the eyes, tightening loose areas so the skin is plumped and fine lines are reduced.

Dermstore rating: 4/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer says: "As soon as I apply it any puffiness disappears, overtime my under eyes don't look as dark. It has some amazing ingredients to not only help with puffiness but dark circles and fine lines as well. Lots of antioxidants to protect skin from free radical damage as well. Great product and worth the price."

Charlotte Tilbury's Rescue Cream line is beloved by celebrities and makeup artists alike for its ability to prime the skin before makeup. The eye cream is ultra-hydrating and refillable, so you can replace the product without needing to re-buy the container.

Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: "Amazing! Very moisturizing! Hides all lines and wrinkles. I use it twice a day and have great results. I have used all high end eye creams, none have worked so well!"

SkinCeuticals is the gold standard when it comes to anti-aging skincare. "This product has unique technology that fights glycation end products that occur with aging. It also helps reduce the appearance of dark circles," says Dr. Lal.

Dermstore rating: 4.6/5 stars

This eye cream was designed to work quickly, and it absolutely does the job. In just a minute, you’ll notice tightening and reduction in fines lines. With consistent use, the benefits only get better.

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: "This is a winner! My eyelids have started the dreaded droop, and after using this product for one week, they already are tightening up. I’m looking forward to even more improvement."

Unlike eye creams, eye serums are more lightweight and can feel nearly invisible once they've sunk into the skin. But that doesn't mean they’re not working hard for you. Packed with peptides, this eye serum plumps and hydrates the under-eyes at a very reasonable price.

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: "I was a bit skeptical to try this but I’ve been using this serum day and night for almost two weeks now and I genuinely love it. It helps to smooth out my under-eyes where I’m starting to develop crows feet and it pairs well with my eye cream before I apply makeup."

Move along, Botox. "This is the OG. This product has peptides, which help improve wrinkles around the eyes," says Dr. Lal. While this is certainly an investment product, the results speak for themselves.

Dermstore rating: 4/5 stars

Dr. Karan Lal is a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. Suneel Chilukuri is a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston, Texas.

As we age, wrinkles and lines will inevitably appear. "Wrinkles form from loss of collagen and elastin around the thin eyelid skin. Squinting, smiling, also contribute to crows feet," says Dr. Lal.

If you notice signs of aging around your eyes before anywhere else, there is a reason for that. "The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, making it particularly susceptible to loss of collagen and elasticity, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. Unprotected sun exposure, habitual squinting, and tobacco use can all exacerbate the formation of wrinkles around the eyes. Consistently rubbing the eyes too harshly can also stretch the skin and disrupt elastin production, causing the appearance of lines. Even the position in which one sleeps, particularly on the side or stomach, can prematurely create wrinkles. Additionally, dehydration can lead to temporarily more noticeable lines, particularly around the eye area. While genetics play a role in aging, external environmental factors also have an impact on the overall condition and appearance of the skin," adds Dr. Chilukuri.

While we now know that no cream can magically erase the past twenty years, that doesn't mean eye creams can't be effective. The trick is to know which results to expect, and how long they take. "While there is no miraculous cream or ingredient that can completely halt the natural aging process, a well-formulated eye cream can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce puffiness and dark circles, and brighten the under-eye area. It is crucial to look for key active ingredients when looking for an effective eye cream," says Dr. Chilukuri.

Hydration is key. "Eye creams can improve the hydration of the skin around the eyes, which can lead to temporary plumping. Certain eye creams with peptides and retinol help thicken the skin around the eyes. You want to look for [eye creams that contain] peptides, hyaluronic acid, and retinol," says Dr. Lal.

Dr. Chilukuri also recommends eye creams that contain caffeine and niacinamide.

If you want to see dramatic improvements, don't expect them overnight. "You will start to see important results at around eight to 12 weeks. You have to continue to use the products to have long-lasting results," says Dr. Lal.

If an eye cream promises too much, it may be a sign that the ingredients are highly concentrated. "Some products may claim unrealistic outcomes, such as complete wrinkle removal or dark circle elimination, which may not be feasible with over-the-counter solutions. Given the delicate nature of the skin under the eyes, it's important to choose safe and effective products that can provide hydration and firmness," adds Dr. Chilukuri.

Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.

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