If your under-eye area could use a little TLC—maybe you’ve noticed some fine lines, dullness, or uneven skin texture—a retinol eye cream could be a great addition to your skin care routine. The delicate skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, so it’s important to find a product that’s specifically formulated for it. And there are lots of excellent over-the-counter options, including dermatologist-recommended picks and SELF Healthy Beauty Award winners. Here’s what you should know before you shop around.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
- Best Budget: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream
- Best for Dry Skin: No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Avene Eau Thermale Retrinal Eyes
- Best for Oily Skin: M-61 ProSmooth Retinol Eye Serum
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
Jump to:
- What are the benefits of retinol eye creams?
- How to use retinol eye cream
- The best retinol eye creams
What are the benefits of retinol eye creams?
If you’re new to this kind of product, here’s a quick rundown: Retinol is a type of retinoid, or vitamin A derivative, that’s available over the counter. It speeds up skin cell turnover and proliferation, helps to unclog pores, reduces the appearance of fine lines, increases collagen production (which keeps your skin barrier firm and strong), evens out hyperpigmentation or scarring, and generally brightens your complexion. As SELF has previously reported, over-the-counter retinol products are less potent than prescription retinoids like tretinoin, but that doesn’t mean they’re inherently less effective—it may just take a bit longer to see the results you’d like.
The potential benefits of retinol make it especially useful in eye creams, Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY, tells SELF. Because the undereye area is so delicate, it can show signs of aging earlier than other parts of the face, she explains. Plus, if you’re prone to developing milia (small cysts that look like white, yellow, or flesh-toned bumps) around your eyes, retinol can help clear them up by exfoliating the skin and preventing more from forming, she adds.
Most people can use retinol eye treatments, even those with sensitive skin; start with products that have a lower concentration, between 0.1 to 0.5%, or ones made with encapsulated retinol, which is generally less irritating.
How to use retinol eye cream
There are a few tips to keep in mind when you start using retinol. First, it’s important to patch test any new product to ensure it won’t irritate your skin, Shari Sperling, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sperling Dermatology in Florham Park, New Jersey, tells SELF. Apply a thin, nickel-sized layer of the eye cream on the inside of your forearm, then reapply it as the product’s label recommends; watch for reactions like redness, dryness, itchiness, peeling, or flaking in the next couple days.
Initially, it’s pretty normal to see some minor symptoms, like mild dryness or peeling, but your skin should stop reacting over time as it gets used to the treatment. That’s why it’s essential to ease retinol into your routine: to help your skin build up a tolerance and mitigate potential irritation. If you haven’t had any major reactions to the patch test on your arm, you can start applying a retinol cream to your under eyes every other day—or every second day if you want to be extra cautious—and then work up to daily use. Finally, since using retinol skin care products can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s harsh UV rays, it’s a good idea to put it on at night before bed and wear sunscreen daily.
The best retinol eye creams
Below, we’ve highlighted the best retinol eye creams, from top-rated, derm-approved brands like RoC, First Aid Beauty, Neutrogena, and more.