Crow’s-feet, fine lines, and sagging skin are all common concerns as you age, which raises the question: What are the best eye-tightening creams? There’s a lot to consider, but the first thing to note is that, according to board-certified dermatologist Nathan Newman, eye-tightening creams provide temporary firmness by reducing puffiness and smoothing wrinkles. “They work by creating a film over the skin that tightens as it dries, resulting in a firming and lifting effect that lasts for four to eight hours,” he says.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Undereye Cream for Wrinkles:
- Best Antiaging Eye Cream: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, $116
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream, $92
- Best Eye Serum for Wrinkles: Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming Eye, $135
- Best for Hydration: Retrouvé RevitaliZing Eye Concentrate, $415
- Best for Hooding and Droopiness: Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream, $118
- Best for Firming: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum, $89
- Best for Exfoliation: iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex, $120
- Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream with Squalane + Ceramides, $44
- Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, $64
- Best for Dark Circles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, $26
- Best Drugstore Pick: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream,
$20, $14
With long-term use, the best eye-tightening creams can help maintain, renew, and restore your skin’s healthy glow and firmness. For expert-backed recommendations, we turned to trusted dermatologists to share which ingredients to look for and the formulas they recommend for plumping, nourishing, and depuffing the delicate undereye area.
In This Story
- Which ingredients to look for in the best eye wrinkle cream
- What can cause wrinkles around the eye area?
- When should you start using an eye cream for wrinkles?
- Do eye-tightening creams work?
- How can you tighten the undereyes at home?
- What to look for in an eye-tightening cream
- Meet the experts
Best Anti-Aging Cream: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
- Why We Love It: If you picked up this SkinCeuticals formula to target dark circles, you’re in luck because it’s also a winning pick to target fine lines and crow’s feet. Dermatologist Corey L. Hartman told Vogue that this is a stellar choice for mature skin if lack of elasticity is of concern. The rich cream is powered by a blend of peptides, blueberry extract, caffeine, and Matrixyl 3000 that work together to firm, tone, and replenish the undereye area.
- Key Ingredients: Concentrated Proxylane, wild-fruit flavonoid blend, Matrixyl 3000, glycyrrhetinic acid, caffeine
- When to Apply: According to SkinCeuticals, apply this under the eyes and around the brow once or twice daily.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz.
- Notable Features: 24-hour hydration
Best for Hyperpigmentation: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: The SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream has all the qualities of a good eye cream: luxurious texture, powerhouse ingredients, and the ability to leave skin firm and radiant. According to Dendy Engelman, a New York City board-certified dermatologist, this product “combines key ingredients from the brand’s award-winning Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum and HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator to instantly improve the appearance of lines while working overtime to correct the appearance of darkness and shadows.” Moreover, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and botanical extracts are included to ensure the undereye receives the moisture and protection it needs.
- Key Ingredients: Phenylethyl resorcinol, hyaluronic-acid blend, marine extracts, caffeine, Vitis-flower stem-cell extract, Persian silk-tree extract, and St. Paul’s wort.
- When to Apply: SkinMedica recommends applying a thin layer twice daily along the eye area.
- Size: 0.5 oz./14.2 g
- Notable Features: Dye-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, paraben-free
Best Eye Serum for Wrinkles: Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Eye Serum
Perricone MD
High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: Expect a bouncy and supple undereye with Perricone MD’s eye serum, which comes at the recommendation of New York City board-certified dermatologist Elyse Love. “This gentle and lightweight eye serum contains growth factors to increase the hydration and firmness of the skin,” she says. “And niacinamide helps improve the appearance of dark circles.”
- Key Ingredients: Triple retinol blend, CoQ10, beta-carotene
- When to Apply: According to Perricone MD, apply this formula to the eye area morning and night.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz.
- Notable Features: Cruelty-free, paraben-free
Best for Hydration: Retrouvé RevitaliZing Eye Concentrate
- Why We Love It: Retrouvé’s eye cream aims to supply dry skin with hydration, though its silky balm texture is a bonus. The concentrate, which counts Zoë Kravitz as a fan, is infused with squalane, vitamin E, glycerin, and botanical oils to quench thirsty skin. Resveratrol and vitamin C help brighten dark circles and dullness.
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, cholesterol esters, vitamin E, vitamin C, retinyl palmitate, Morinda citrifolia extract, and Padina pavonica.
- When to Apply: Because of its thicker, balm-like texture, Retrouvé recommends applying this eye cream at night unless you are experiencing intense dryness. If you plan to use it before makeup, allow up to 15 minutes for the formula to absorb.
- Size: 30 ml/1 oz.
- Notable Features: Cruelty-free, farm-sourced ingredients, airless packaging, One Tree Planted partner, dermatologist-tested formula
Best for Hooding and Droopiness: Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Although the cooling applicator of Revision Skincare’s eye cream is certainly part of its draw, it leaves a lasting impression due to the ease with which it tackles eye sagging and drooping. This elixir is powered by a blend of antioxidants (including goji fruit extract), cucumber fruit water, prebiotic and postbiotic extracts, and a handful of other intelligent ingredients to provide visible firming and hydration while helping shield and balance skin from within.
- Key Ingredients: Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, amino-acid copper complex, goji fruit extract
- When to Apply: Revision Skincare recommends applying one pump of this formula around the eye area twice daily.
- Size: 0.5 oz. / 14 g
- Notable Features: Skin-neutral pH formula
Best for Firming: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
- Why We Love It: A Vogue-editor favorite for daily use, the formula harnesses retinol, plant extracts like Swertia flower, a marine kelp complex, and glycerin to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, Swertia flower extract, hyaluronic acid
- When to Apply: According to Murad, apply this eye cream to the undereye and lids at night.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 oz.
- Notable Features: Cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free
Best for Exfoliation: IS Clinical Youth Eye Complex
- Why We Love It: Smoothing, hydrating, and brightening are three of the targeted benefits of IS Clinical’s eye cream to reveal a youthful-looking undereye. Growth factors, peptides, extracts, Centella asiatica, and vitamin K are the stars of the Youth Eye Complex. These combine to diminish fine lines and spur collagen production, simultaneously depuffing and modifying the condition. Hyaluronic acid, white willow bark, and mixed fruit acid extracts are also included in the formula.
- Key Ingredients: Copper tripeptide growth factor, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, mixed fruit acid extracts
- When to Apply: According to IS Clinical, a small amount is best tapped along the eye area, avoiding the inner corners.
- Size: 1 oz.
- Notable Features: Cruelty-free, hypoallergenic
Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream with Squalane + Ceramides
Retinol Eye Cream With Squalane + Ceramides
- Why We Love It: One of the top picks of New York City dermatologist Michele Green, this eye cream has been found to notably replenish the undereye, even for those with sensitive skin. “This contains hyaluronic acid and caffeine to bring hydration to the skin around the eyes for a plumping effect and to diminish the appearance of crow’s-feet and fine lines,” Dr. Green explains. “Furthermore, caffeine has been shown to stimulate blood circulation, aiding in reducing undereye bags and the appearance of dark circles.” Encapsulated retinol for slow release and squalane (to counteract any potential retinol-induced dryness) are also in the formula.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, squalane
- When to Apply: According to First Aid Beauty, this cream should be applied to the orbital area morning and night. For a cooling treatment, you can store it in the fridge.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz.
- Notable Features: Clean, cruelty-free, no artificial fragrances
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: Drunk Elephant’s oft-talked-about vitamin C–infused eye cream has long been a beauty-enthusiast staple, and it comes as a recommendation of Dr. Green to combat fine lines. “[This] contains potent vitamin C along with vitamin E and peptides to brighten the eye area and help the delicate skin repair from environmental stress,” Dr. Green says. “Peptides aid in collagen synthesis for firmer, younger-looking skin.” Cucumber extract, ceramides, and plant oils also round out this complexion-boosting formula.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, cucumber
- When to Apply: According to Drunk Elephant, pat one pump of this cream to the undereye using your ring finger.
- Size: 15 ml/ 0.5 oz.
- Notable Features: Vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, clean
Best for Dark Circles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
- Why We Love It: Not only does this iconic eye gel cream brighten, hydrate, and fight the effects of free-radical damage, but it’s lightweight and fast absorbing, so it doesn’t get all over your pillow as you sleep. Hyaluronic acid plumps and locks in moisture, promoting a more radiant and refreshed appearance for your eyes. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and aids the defense against free-radical damage, especially from electronic devices and blue light.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, peptides
- When to Apply: Estée Lauder recommends applying this firming eye cream in the morning and at night, covering the entire eye area.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 oz.
- Notable Features: Free of synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sulfites, sulfate, drying alcohol, mineral oil, and paraffin
Best Drugstore Pick: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
- Why We Love It: Available at nearly every drugstore, this budget-friendly eye treatment is suitable for all skin types. It reduces dark circles and puffiness while providing moisture and plumping benefits. CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream contains three essential ceramides, aiding in restoring the skin barrier and reducing dark circles and puffy eyes. Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin are also featured in the formula.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin
- When to Apply: CeraVe suggests applying small dots around the eye area once or twice a day, in the morning and/or evening.
- Size: 0.5 oz./14.2 g
- Notable Features: Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic
Best for Exfoliating: Image Skincare Ageless Total Eye Lift Crème
Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme
- Why We Love It: A favorite of board-certified dermatologist Jeannette Graf, this eye cream is an excellent option for tightening. It combines powerful exfoliants like glycolic acid to revitalize the skin and vitamin A, an encapsulated form of retinol, to help prevent and treat signs of aging. Additionally, a peptide complex works to plump the skin and reduce puffiness.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, squalane, glycolic acid
- When to Apply: Apply nightly to the eye area.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz.
- Notable Features: Formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, artificial fragrances, or synthetic dyes.
Best for Smoothing and Contouring: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Eye Cream With Retinol
- Why We Love It: If Pillow Talk is a staple in your routine, why not try Charlotte Tilbury’s skin care too? “I like this tightening eye cream because it contains time-released retinol to visibly smooth and contour the undereye area, along with winter-daphne stem-cell extract to help tighten and firm,” says Dr. Graf. It’s also infused with vitamin C, so you'll still look bright-eyed and refreshed no matter how little sleep you got the night before. The texture is rich, so a little goes a long way; use a spatula to keep things hygienic and scoop out the necessary amount. Plus, the brand offers refills, so you can simply swap out the pot when you run out.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycerin, vitamin C
- When to Apply: Apply nightly to the eye area.
- Size: 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz.
- Notable Features: Refills available; gluten-free and cruelty-free
Which ingredients to look for in the best eye wrinkle cream
Your eye creams should helpstimulate collagen production and give the undereye a moisture boost. With this in mind, consider retinol and vitamin C as key ingredients. “Retinol is the gold-standard antiaging ingredient in skin care, and using eye creams with retinol can help soften fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes,” Dr. Green explains, emphasizing its usefulness in improving skin texture and radiance. Dr. Engelman also notes retinol’s particular efficacy in rejuvenating skin by helping increase cellular turnover and rebuilding skin’s structural support from within.
As for the derm-loved vitamin C, this powerful antioxidant can protect skin from environmental stress, encourage collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, and help improve overall brightness under the eyes. Similarly, caffeine is useful for energizing and tightening skin and softening fine lines and wrinkles. For moisture-related skin concerns, the customary hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and peptides will work wonders in the short term. (These are also common ingredients featured in the best undereye patches.) “Hyaluronic acid is great in an eye cream to lock in moisture, minimize the dehydration lines that can form, and increase the skin’s natural glow,” Dr. Engelman says.
What can cause wrinkles around the eye area?
“With age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, which are important proteins in the skin that provide structure and elasticity,” Green says. “With the loss of collagen and elastin, the skin loses the ability to bounce back and becomes dull, thin, and loose, leading to the formation of wrinkles, especially in the delicate eye area.” Aside from aging, she notes that genetics, smoking, sun damage, and even pushing your face against your pillow while sleeping can contribute to wrinkle development.
