Do You Really Need An Eye Cream? As A Dermatologist, I’ve Tested Dozens of Anti-Aging Eye Creams - Here Are My Favorite 5 That Can Actually Deliver Visible Results
If you’re reading this, I can bet that you’re probably looking for the secret to visibly bright and youthful-looking eyes!
I understand — I’ve been in your shoes! I’ve struggled with tired-looking eyes from as early as my mid-twenties, when I was staying up late studying for my med school exams.
And after having two children, those visible signs of aging only got worse! Not to mention dealing with the pressures of a demanding job with long hours.
It was all starting to take a dramatic toll on the look and feel of my skin. I couldn’t believe I had another thing on my plate to worry about...
This may not come as a surprise to you, but the skin around the eyes is known to be one of the first places to show visible signs of aging.1 There’s research out there that confirms this too - studies show that the skin around the eyes tends to wrinkle more and deeper than other areas.2
But all hope is not lost! There’s also evidence out there that shows that visible signs of aging around the eyes can be effectively combatted using certain skincare products.3
That’s why a few months ago I made it my #1 mission to find an eye cream that delivered visible results!! And ladies… my research did not come up short!
So if right now, you’re looking in the mirror and thinking…
“How will I ever get rid of the look of those pesky wrinkles around my eyes?”
“How can I reduce the appearance of those dark circles?”
“How can I make my eyes look brighter and more radiant?”
You’re officially in the right place!
What to Focus on When Choosing an Eye Cream
When it comes to finding an effective eye cream, I almost always prefer ones that are formulated with naturally-derived ingredients. There are so many products out there that are filled with harsh ingredients and fillers, and I caution you to avoid those products as much as you can!
I only ever look for products that offer long-lasting benefits, and can fit seamlessly into my busy day! Consistency is key when it comes to skincare, and on those days where I only have a couple minutes in the mornings and nights - I need something quick and easy to use!
“But Dr. Dana… I’ve tried several eye creams before, and they didn’t help!”
First off, I’m so sorry if you’ve invested your time, money and efforts looking for an eye cream that delivers visible results, only to end up disappointed. I understand how frustrating this can be, and I’ve experienced it myself many times — even as a skincare professional.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 5 top eye creams that I’ve found can actually help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting a more youthful complexion. Without further ado, let’s get “bright” into it!
1. Revive Firming Eye Cream by Naked & Thriving
I knew I was going to love Revive from the second I read its ingredient list — and let me tell you, it exceeded all my expectations!!
Revive’s formulation is, in my opinion, nothing short of perfect ! I’m a massive fan of the combination of Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Bakuchiol here.
No surprise then that Revive gave me results I’d never experienced before with an eye cream! After just one week of applying Revive every night around my eyes, I noticed an improvement in the texture of the skin— fewer visible wrinkles and a visible "firmness" that hadn't been there in a long time.
Let’s talk about the miracle anti-aging ingredient - Bakuchiol! Studies show this retinol-alternative ingredient is a gentler but just as effective alternative to Retinol in helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.4 Bakuchiol is also praised for its ability to help the skin look visibly smooth and radiant!5 I don’t usually see this ingredient in other eye creams so it’s a total win-win ingredient here!
This miracle cream is also formulated with Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid. Both of these ingredients are both known to help promote firmer-looking skin.6 7 And lastly, Squalane is known to have powerful moisturizing properties to help target any visible dryness.8
The first thing I noticed about the cream was its lightweight consistency, which made it easy to apply to my skin. I was impressed by how quickly Revive was absorbed — this is important, because I hate when products leave stains on my pillowcase.
After 3 months of using Revive consistently, I’ve noticed further visible improvements in the look and feel of my under-eye skin.
Even my husband said my eyes were looking a lot fresher… and yet the only change I made in my skincare routine was adding Revive into the mix. I’ve recommended it to a number of patients, and the feedback I got was how impressed they were at its effectiveness, given how gentle it feels on the skin.
Revive is marketed as being suitable for almost most skin types, including sensitive skin like mine, and is being offered at an affordable mid-tier price for what I would consider to be a high-end product.
Plus, with a generous 30-day guarantee, you really can’t go wrong. Try it yourself and let me know how you like it!
2. Restorative Eye Crème by Tata Harper
The Restorative Eye Crème from Tata Harper isn’t easy to miss! — the beautiful bright green bottle with regal gold details will make you stop and stare. But is it worth the expensive price tag?
If you’re willing to seriously “splurge” on this pricey eye cream, this could be a solid option. I find it to be cosmetically elegant & I felt like it spreads onto the skin smoothly and absorbs quickly, all without leaving your skin with that dreaded greasy feeling.
The Restorative Eye Crème is formulated with plenty of Peptides. Studies show Peptides can help visibly combat wrinkles and fine lines.9 The brand boasts about its long list of 32 ingredients in this cream — however, if you have more sensitive skin like myself, just be aware that with a longer list of ingredients, there is a serious higher risk for your skin to react negatively to at least one of the ingredients in the formulation.
Having said that, don’t let that scare you off — this is a wonderful cream that can deliver age-defying results.
.avif)
3. A.G.E. Eye Complex by Skinceuticals
The A.G.E. Eye Complex by Skinceuticals is another really good eye cream that I would recommend, particularly if you struggle with visible puffiness around the eye area.
Skinceuticals products are popular, and it’s with good reason. They feature clinical studies on their product page, which as a dermatologist, I consider to be a plus. And after trying the A.G.E. Eye Complex myself, I felt that it helped reduce the visibly puffy skin around my eyes, and did well to tackle the appearance of crow's feet & look of my dark circles too! This cream also felt very hydrating.
What’s the catch with this one?
I did find that it was quite a bit thicker than the first two creams I recommended, and it took far longer to absorb. If you’re a busy woman and don’t have a lot of time at night or in the mornings to wait for your cream to dry before going on with your routine, I would seriously consider choosing a different option from this list.
.avif)
4. Advanced Génifique Eye Cream by Lancôme
Now let’s talk about the Advanced Génifique Eye Cream.
The first thing I noticed about this one was that it felt far more like a gel than a traditional cream. I felt like it glided easily onto my skin, and think it did well to combat the visible fine lines and wrinkles as well as visible dark circles around the eyes.
That being said, this cream does contain a noticeably pungent fragrance! This could be a serious deterrent for those with sensitive skin - fragrance is an recognised irritant by the EWG (the Environmental Working Group - a not-for-profit skincare organistiaon).10
So if you do have sensitive skin, I would recommend going with an eye cream that is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients, such as Revive Firming Eye Cream - this way you’ll potentially minimise your chance of encountering skin irritation!
.avif)
5. C-Tango Vitamin C Eye Cream by Drunk Elephant
The C-Tango Vitamin C Eye Cream is another accessible option if you’re struggling more with visible dark circles and skin that feels dry.
This cream is formulated to promote hydration and brighter-looking skin. Although it has a nice consistency and absorbs well into the skin.
The down side?
I do find that the amount of product you get for the price is super minimal.
So if you’re looking for more bang for your buck, I’d opt for one of the other options on this list.
#6 Bonus: Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme by Estée Lauder
I was going to leave it at 5… but I couldn’t leave out Estée Lauder’s infamous Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme!
This cream has a very lightweight and silky feeling texture, and it feels very moisturizing when applied to my eye area.
Here’s why it’s further down on this list…
The results felt temporary. As soon as I stopped using this cream, it was almost like the moisture content in my skin decreased back to normal, and the visible fine lines and wrinkles came right back.
For a product with such a hefty price tag, it’s just not financially sustainable for most people, including myself. So while I enjoyed the visible results I got with the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme, I do think there are more affordable options out there that can work just as well — if not better.
My Top Anti-Aging Eye Cream For Visible Results!
Formulated with naturally-derived ingredients
Enriched with Peptides, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid & Bakuchiol for visible hydration and firmer-feeling skin
Suitable for almost all skin types
Vegan and certified cruelty-free
Clinically tested results*
