Frequently asked questions
Diane Madfes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai, tells Glamour that when formulated with the right ingredients, eye creams enhance your entire skin care routine by targeting specific fine lines. Peptides and retinol help support collagen production, as well as smooth crow’s-feet and firm sagging skin. If you have dryness or more mature skin, look for an emollient formula (made with shea butter and squalane) to boost hydration. If you deal with puffiness, opt for formulas with caffeine. As for brightening, seek out antioxidants like vitamin C.
How often should you apply eye cream?
According to Dr. Yadav, you should use a hydrating eye cream twice a day, both morning and night. “If yours contains retinol, keep it to nighttime and start with two or three nights a week, as the skin around the eyes is thin and quick to irritate,” she says. “Results show up after months of consistent use, so pick something you’ll actually stick with.”
“The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, and signs of aging often first become apparent in this delicate tissue,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. That’s why it’s key to pat—not rub—eye cream gently onto the undereye area. You can apply a pea-size amount of the eye serum with your ring finger. Allow the product to completely absorb before applying other skin care products, like face moisturizer and SPF.
Do eye creams really help with wrinkles?
According to Dr. Johnson, they can, but many only provide a temporary plumping fix, rather than significant results. Diminishing eye wrinkles takes consistent application, as well as a discussion with your dermatologist to develop a wrinkle-minimization plan unique to your skin and needs.
Can you put retinol under your eyes?
Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says retinol is safe to use under your eyes and can improve collagen production and boost elasticity, which helps tighten and firm wrinkled skin around the eye area. As with any retinol product, you’ll want to slowly introduce a retinol eye cream into your routine, especially since the ingredient is known to cause sensitivity and the eye skin is thinner than other parts of your face. Start by applying a retinol eye cream once a week and work your way up to two or three times a week.
How can you get rid of wrinkles under your eyes naturally?
According to Dr. Ziechner, wrinkles can develop around your eyes because the skin folds from facial expressions, such as smiling or squinting. To help prevent wrinkles from forming around your eyes naturally, Zeichner recommends wearing sunglasses in the sun, as well as regular glasses to prevent squinting. “You can try to naturally prevent wrinkles by not smiling, but I don’t recommend that because it’s not an enjoyable way to go through life,” he says.
To find the best eye creams for wrinkles, we tested more than two dozen formulas across a range of budgets, consulting with board-certified dermatologists along the way to understand which ingredients actually make a difference. We evaluated each cream based on three factors: ingredients (prioritizing proven actives like retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and ceramides), texture (only keeping formulas gentle enough for the delicate orbital area), and real-world efficacy. Meaning, the creams on this list had to visibly soften crow’s-feet, reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles, and leave the undereye area looking firmer over time.
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
- Brendan Camp, MD, board-certified dermatologist
- Diane Madfes, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai
- Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
