Not all experts agree on whether eye creams are any more efficacious than, say, regular creams. But when it comes to the best retinol eye creams, the pros stand by their seemingly magical, age-defying claims. “Most eye creams are glorified moisturizers, but there is some agreement that those containing retinol can help stimulate collagen and limit the appearance and formation of fine lines and crepey skin,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York.
Vogue’s Favorite Retinol Eye Creams
Of course, the best retinol eye creams do more than just firm up the skin. Formulated with additional ingredients ranging from ceramides to caffeine, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, the creams below offer an eye-popping array of benefits for any skin type. Ahead, find dermatologist-approved eye creams to help you stand up to crow’s-feet, undereye bags, dark circles, puffiness, and more.
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Best Drugstore: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Made to depuff the eyes, brighten dark circles, and smooth out wrinkles, RoC’s drugstore gem has earned accolades from the pros. “It’s at an accessible price point with a formula of actives that are proven to work,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Alabama. “The formula comprises retinol, glycerin, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 to reduce dark circles and deliver an immediate boost to the skin by adding moisture. With continuous use, you should see improvement in fine lines and dark circles around the eye.”
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best for Fine Lines: Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: At once brightening, firming, and hydrating, Kate Somerville’s featherweight eye cream comes recommended by Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. With a mix of retinol and bio-retinol (a plant-based gentler alternative to regular retinol), the cream tames the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It’s also made with hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration. What’s more: It fits neatly into a self-care ritual. Its metal applicator bends to deliver a gentle eye massage each time the product is applied.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 oz.
Best for Any Skin Type: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye
- Why We Love It: Available in three concentrations of retinal (a fast-acting version of vitamin A), Medik8’s creamy salve caters to retinol rookies and regulars alike. Daniel Isaacs, the brand’s chief product officer and director of research, previously told Vogue that the cream was formulated with vitamin A sensitivity in mind. Promising more efficient beauty rest, the overnight cream plumps, smooths, and lifts, helping one wake up to firmer, brighter eyes. Its ultraslow retinal release helps stave off any irritation.
- Retinol Concentration: 0.03, 0.06, and 0.1%
- Size: 315 ml
Best Serum: Dr. Dennis Gross Triple Correction Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: Another of Westbay’s top picks, Dr. Dennis Gross’s clinically tested cream can be used morning and night to treat fine lines and wrinkles. The formulation has the feel of a cushiony, lightweight gel, and it instantly hydrates the skin around the eyes. Its retinol is balanced with antioxidant-rich ferulic acid, which helps counter any irritation. It also has the plant-based retinol alternatives rambutan and bakuchiol to amplify its firming properties.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 1.0 fl oz.
Best Applicator: StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: StriVectin’s peptide-powered eye creams are a Vogue editor’s secret for a tightening fix. This iteration, powered by time-released retinol, adds smoothness, luminosity, and elasticity to its list of benefits. Suitable for sensitive skin types, the formulation also contains the brand’s signature NIA-114, which strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the efficacy of other ingredients in the cream. What’s more: The contouring product moisturizes with hibiscus fruit extract, and its cooling metal applicator lends a soothing touch.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream With Squalane + Ceramides
- Why We Love It: First Aid’s Retinol Eye Cream is another pick at the top of Dr. Westbay’s list. Fragrance-free and noncomedogenic, the cream was specifically designed for sensitive skin. It’s infused with moisturizing squalane and ceramides and powered by encapsulated retinol technology, which helps the ingredient release slowly over time. A gentle, smoothing solution for fine lines around the eyes, this cream can be used morning and night.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best for Dark Circles: AziMD Skincare Eye Glow PM
- Why We Love It: Made with all-trans retinol, AziMD’s night cream is a go-to for Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. “I love that this eye cream contains retinol along with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to help brighten any discoloration,” she says. “It also has caffeine to depuff the undereyes.” The eye-awakening formulation also contains green tea polyphenols, which soothe the skin and provide antioxidant protection.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best Balm: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair
- Why We Love It: Allergy-tested and fragrance-free, Clinique’s creamy balm harnesses retinol and hyaluronic acid to target lines all over the face, including crow’s-feet. “This product contains 1% advanced retinoid and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help visibly reduce wrinkles,” Dr. Amin says. “The convenient balm makes it an easy and quick application.” The balm can be used day and night and also targets smile lines, forehead lines, and vertical lines above the lip.
- Retinol Concentration: 1%
- Size: 0.33 oz.
Best for Puffiness: Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: Suited for daytime or nighttime use, Drunk Elephant’s creamy serum targets puffiness while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Formulated with vegan retinol and firming caffeine, the cream also has copper tripeptide-1 to boost collagen production, and it’s a top pick for Dr. Amin. Pro tip: The cream can be stored in the fridge for a soothing, cooling feel when applied; it can also be mixed with another hydrating eye cream for added moisture.
- Retinol Concentration: 0.1 %
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best Stick: Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick
- Why We Love It: Made with encapsulated retinol, Peace Out’s eye stick improves skin texture while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also infused with a firming peptide complex and moisturizing squalane, the easy-to-apply formulation caught the eye of British Vogue contributor Tracy Achonwa. “It soothes and smoothes the eyes with a comfortable blend of squalane and peptides, and the stick format is one I love for targeting precise areas as someone with weepy, sensitive eyes,” she wrote. “The slow-release retinol is as potent yet gentle as it claims, slowly but steadily lightening my dark circles without any irritation.”
- Retinol Concentration: 3%
- Size: 0.14 oz.
Best Gel: La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol
- Why We Love It: The French-pharmacy classic harnesses pure retinol to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It also has caffeine to make undereye bags and dark circles less visible. What’s more: The brand’s signature ingredient—antioxidant-rich thermal spring water—adds a soothing touch to the formulation. Designed for nighttime use, the product can be swept onto the skin under the eyes; its light, creamy-gel texture makes it ideal for a soothing bedtime ritual.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best for Dryness: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Glow Recipe’s thick and creamy formulation is like an energizing smoothie for tired undereyes. Whipped up with encapsulated retinol, avocado, and coffeeberry, the hydrating cream is one of Dr. Hartman’s favorites. “I like how the Glow Recipe product feels on the skin,” he says. “It uses encapsulated retinol, which I like—it enables retinol to penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum results.”
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15 ml
Best Clean: Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Ilia’s Bright Start cream offers a plant-based alternative to a more traditional retinol eye cream. Infused with sea fennel extract, which works like retinol to brighten, firm, and smooth the skin, the cream also has avocado extract to treat dark circles and puffiness. Caffeine and peptides depuff the eyes even more, and the cream has a cooling ceramic applicator that doubles as an eye massager.
- Retinol Concentration: The cream does not contain retinol, but uses the plant-based sea fennel extract instead.
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best Brightening: Ranavat Brightening Retinol Eye Creme
- Why We Love It: Ranavat’s brightening cream melds scientific benefits with sensorial appeal. The Ayurveda-inspired salve has an irresistible jasmine scent, and its blood-orange bottle has a jewel-like glow. Designed to target dark circles and fine lines, the formulation combines microencapsulated retinol with bakuchi seed, a natural retinol alternative. It also contains saffron, which provides antioxidant protection for the delicate skin around the eyes.
- Retinol Concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Best With Niacinamide: Sunday Riley 5 Star Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: Designed for nighttime use, Sunday Riley’s vegan eye cream boosts collagen production with a 6% retinol complex fused with bioactive centella asiatica. The latter, a plant-based ingredient, can reduce inflammation and calm irritation—but it’s not the only soothing ingredient in the creamy serum. The brightening potion also contains poppy seed extract and ceramides to nourish the skin, while olive oil and shea butter provide overnight hydration.
- Retinol Concentration: 6%
- Size: 0.5 oz.
Best Exfoliating: SkinBetter EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
- Why We Love It: Designed to tackle a multitude of common concerns, ranging from dryness to puffiness and wrinkles, SkinBetter’s clinically tested night cream has a stamp of approval from Dr. Hartman. “This is one of my favorite eye creams, as it uses retinol, but it won’t cause irritation,” he says. The formulation is powered by the brand’s signature technology, which Dr. Hartman also approves of. “I’m a big fan of SkinBetter’s AlphaRet technology, which combines retinol with alpha hydroxy acids,” he says. “The combination helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and texture—and it helps even out the skin tone.”
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Do retinol eye creams really work?
According to Dr. Westbay, retinol eye creams can work effectively when formulated and used correctly. (Some of her go-to formulations, including Kate Somerville’s +Retinol Firming Eye Cream and Dr. Dennis Gross’s Triple Correction Eye Serum, are described above; for application tips, see below.) “The best retinol eye creams target common concerns around the delicate eye area, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and uneven skin texture,” she explains.
What are the benefits of retinol for the undereyes?
A derivative of vitamin A, retinol boosts collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, Westbay explains. “Retinol also encourages cell turnover, which helps fade pigmentation, including dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation, and smooths out uneven texture,” she says. Westbay adds that the ingredient also has antioxidant properties, which help combat oxidative stress that can accelerate signs of aging. Finally, using a retinol undereye cream can help strengthen the skin barrier over time. “This can make the thin, delicate skin around the eyes less prone to crepiness and visible veins,” Westbay says.
What concentration of retinol is best for undereyes?
“For retinol eye creams, the ideal concentration ranges from 0.01-0.1%,” Dr. Amin says. “The higher concentrations tend to be more effective at addressing fine lines and wrinkles.” Granted, some of the formulations listed above have significantly higher concentrations of retinol, including the Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick, which contains 3%. For those who have used retinol in the past—and seen that their skin tolerates it well—these higher concentrations are less likely to cause irritation. Sandwiching the retinol cream between layers of moisturizer may also help allay irritation.
How to apply retinol eye creams
Since retinol can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, dermatologists generally recommend using retinol eye creams as part of an evening routine. That said, some of the creams listed above—including the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum—are specifically designed for daytime and nighttime use. If you do use a retinol eye cream in the morning, be sure to follow it with SPF. At night, the cream can be applied before or after moisturizer, Hartman says.
In terms of frequency, “you can use retinol eye cream daily if you’ve used retinol in the past,” says Hartman. “If you haven’t used retinol before, start by using the product one to two times per week and build up from there.” To apply the cream, Hartman recommends tapping a small amount under the eye area, then gently rubbing it in using the ring finger. “Using the ring finger is an easy way to ensure you apply your eye cream without pulling on the skin too hard,” he says.
