Dermatologists Say These Eye Creams are Best for Reducing Wrinkles and Bags (2024)

The area around your eyes is so thin, it’s one of the first places to show signs of aging. That's why it's so important to start (or continue) using an eye cream daily. Now, we know what you're thinking: Won't my anti-aging moisturizer work? "Using a moisturizer for an eye cream is like using dish soap to wash your hands," says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "It may get the job done, but it isn’t optimal. The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate, so many eye creams contain unique ingredients—or ingredients at lower concentrations—to effectively treat the area without causing irritation."

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So, what ingredients should you look for? If your main concerns are dark circles or puffiness, pick a product packed with caffeine and antioxidants like vitamins C or E, says Gohara. To diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, a retinoid or the OTC version, retinol, is key. And regardless of your unique needs, everyone benefits from SPF and hyaluronic acid, says Gohara. "We're born with hyaluronic acid, but it declines as we reach our 30s, causing dryness and wrinkles." Here are the best anti-aging eye creams out there, according to dermatologists.

If you have sensitive skin, try this restorative eye cream, says Sonia Batra, MD, a dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. It works to reduce the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also has a slight tint that helps brighten dark circles.

If dark circles have become a concern as you age, opt for this brightening eye cream that contains arnica to boost radiance, soy peptides to help firm skin, and rice bran extract to depuff.

"This serum is great for all skin types and has many ingredients that target the major signs of aging under and around the eyes," says Deborah Longwill, MD, a dermatologist in Miami. It's also a solid pick for anyone who prefers clean beauty products—it's free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrance.

“As the name suggests, this anti-aging eye cream contains a high-performance retinoid that increases the natural surface cell turnover process and collagen levels,” says Howard Sobel, MD, a New York–based dermatologist. “Since retinol leaves the skin more vulnerable to sun damage, you should always be sure to protect with SPF on top during the day."

"Doterra Anti-Aging Eye Cream is a favorite of patients because of its unique applicator roller tip,” says Hal Weitzbuch, MD, a California-based dermatologist. But there’s more to it than the utilitarian design, says Sobel. “It contains several natural ingredients with anti-aging benefits, including meadowfoam seed oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids, and vitamins E and C to nourish and hydrate the eye area.”

"This eye treatment has a unique oily consistency," says Batra. "The oil is applied using a roller ball, which makes for a smooth application that supports circulation without pulling at the sensitive skin under the eyes." It contains noni, tomato fruit, marine bamboo extracts, and coffee oils to brighten and depuff. Plus, it's also formulated without any synthetic fragrance, sulfates. or parabens.

This gentle eye cream has a number of ingredients with calming properties—cucumber, rosemary, and ginseng—to reduce puffiness, says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. It also has green tea extracts that have antioxidant effects to fight the signs of aging around the eyes.

When you want to get the most bang for your buck, this is the eye cream you choose. It's formulated with a gentle proprietary retinol and centella asiatica (an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine) to minimize fine lines, says Gohara.

Ideal for sensitive skin, this particular eye cream delivers intense moisture and reduces puffiness, while being fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic, says Shereene Idriss, MD, a New York–based cosmetic dermatologist.

It’s rare to find an anti-aging eye cream that contains sunscreen and sits well on this delicate area of the face, let alone a mineral sunscreen free of any chemicals, says Jennifer Ahdout, MD, a Beverly Hills–based dermatologist. “This restorative tinted formula is both hydrating and brightening. It utilizes several plant and marine extracts, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”

This eye cream is highly moisturizing, making it a particularly good choice for anyone with dry skin. It contains wild yam extract, which is a great emollient, says Ahdout. Plus, it has caffeine, which helps visibly reduce the appearance of undereye puffiness, and PSP, a proprietary growth factor product that helps build collagen to minimize fine lines in this area, she says.

If you have sensitive skin, this nourishing option is your best bet, says Sobel. “Since avocado oil is moisturizing and soothing, this anti-aging eye cream is a great pick." In addition to being highly moisturizing, the eye cream also contains beta-carotene, which is rich in antioxidants that protect the skin around the eyes.

"This is one of the few eye creams that concentrates on the production of collagen and elastin around the eyes," says Gohara. "Not to mention that the formula is super easy to layer and contains an antioxidant, as well as titanium dioxide for extra protection against UV light and pollutants."

While it's a splurge, it's worth every penny because it's chock-full of antioxidants to protect the skin, has a luxuriously hydrating texture, and diminishes the look of darkness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

As the name suggests, this formula restores the look of tired, puffy eyes. It smooths the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and darkness under eyes thanks to innovative TriHex technology that supports collagen and elastin production, and brightening niacinamide.