What are the best anti-aging ingredients to look for in an eye cream for wrinkles?

“Retinol is always going to be my go-to pick as a skincare ingredient for wrinkles. It truly has so many applications in skincare and is extremely effective in improving overall skin appearance”, explains Dr. Hartman. With an emphasis on cell turnover, retinol helps shed dead skin faster and reveal new skin underneath. “Peptides are another ingredient to look for if reducing wrinkles is the goal. Applying peptides topically helps stimulate collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of eye wrinkles as skin appears plumper and firmer with new collagen,” Dr. Hartman adds.

Do I really need a separate eye cream, or can I just use my face moisturizer?

Hydration is essential, yet not all moisturizers are made to treat the delicate eye area. “Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated will help fine lines and wrinkles be less noticeable,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi , M.D. “Adding an eye cream that is formulated to address your under-eye concerns can boost your results. No miracle cream will make wrinkles disappear entirely, but with regular use, you can see an improvement.”

What is the difference between an eye cream, a gel, and a serum, and which is best for wrinkles?

When breaking down the differences between eye formulas, taking notes on what each accomplishes can help you find the right product. “The ingredients of an eye product are more important than the texture. That said, gels may feel more cooling. Serums may penetrate more deeply. And creams may be more hydrating,” says Dr. Saedi. “In the cold months, I also recommend layering with Vaseline to lock it in overnight and keep the skin hydrated.” Dr. Hartman adds, “Eye creams tend to have more of a rich, creamy texture. Eye gels have a lightweight, cooling texture. Eye serums may be thinner or feel silky when applied. Eye creams and eye serums tend to have ingredients best suited to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, whereas eye gels may be more geared toward reducing puffiness or soothing skin.”

The 5 Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

A person holding an eye cream jar next to a serum bottle and a textured cream swatch — Byrdie

TL;DR

Best Overall: Of all the products we tested, we love the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream the most. We like how firming it feels, its smooth formula, and (most importantly) that it genuinely minimizes the look of wrinkles, with a noticeable difference from the first use.
Best Drugstore: If you’re looking for the best drugstore eye cream, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Eye Defense Eye Cream; it’s lightweight, cooling, and moisturizing.

It’s natural to adjust your skincare routine with age—you’re taking care of your changing body, and we love that you’re doing your research. Eye creams are a great place to start. Because the skin around your eyes is so sensitive, it can be more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. No cream can fully undo wrinkles (nor do we think that’s necessary—these lines are often beautiful signs you’re enjoying life!), but the right formulas and ingredients can keep them minimal and your skin healthy.

“Retinol is an ideal ingredient to tackle wrinkles around the eye, as retinol helps stimulate cellular turnover, which helps shed dead skin faster and reveal newer skin underneath,” explains Dr. Corey L. Hartman, M.D. This can help not only minimize the appearance of wrinkles and reduce wrinkle depth but also give the skin around the eyes a more even tone and texture.

And retinol is just the beginning. Ahead, we tested several of the best eye creams for wrinkles, really digging into formulas and ingredients, to uncover which live up to their promises. Plus, we found formulas that tackle wrinkles and more for those who want an eye cream that goes above and beyond.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

SALE

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream at Amazon ~~$30~~ $20

Jump to Review

Best for Dark Circles:

SALE

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème at Amazon ~~$46~~ $37

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

SALE

L'Oréal Paris Eye Defense Eye Cream at Amazon ~~$16~~ $13

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream at Amazon $69

Jump to Review

Best Retinol:

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Triple Correction Eye Serum at Amazon $73

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

Credit: Ulta

$30

$20 at Amazon $34 at Ulta $20 at Target

What We Like

Minimizes wrinkles
Dermatologist-approved formula
Firms skin

What to Consider

Can leave eyelids a little greasy

This is one of the most effective drugstore eye creams we’ve tested. It boasts tried-and-true retinol, paired with a glucose complex that speeds up retinol’s effects. The potent formula can smooth out crow’s feet, conceal dark circles, and generally even out the tone and texture of dry skin around the eyes, thanks to added hyaluronic acid. After using this cream for only a short time, our tester noticed her fine lines softened, and her skin felt tighter and firmer. It’s also a dermatologist-approved formula, which is good news for anyone worried about using retinol around the eyes.

before and after photos of a person using the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream — Byrdie

Elena, tester (not shown): “I am beyond impressed with the improvement I’ve seen in my skin texture and the overall look of my eyes. I only used the product at night as recommended, and with just that one application a day, I saw a vast improvement. The fine lines that were developing have seriously softened.”

Best for Dark Circles

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème

OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème for Dark Circles

Credit: Sephora

$46

$37 at Amazon $46 at Sephora $46 at Ulta

What We Like

Gold in the formula improves the delivery of brightening vitamin C
Moisturizing
Tackles wrinkles

What to Consider

Vitamin C may irritate sensitive skin

This eye cream’s formula is packed with vitamin C to deliver long-term illuminating benefits and collagen to improve elasticity and keep skin looking smooth. One ingredient you may be surprised by in this formula is gold—yes, real gold. This helps to improve the delivery of vitamin C to the deeper layers of the dermis. Hardy orange extract also helps illuminate dark spots and enhance the effectiveness of vitamin C. After using the Ole Henriksen eye cream consistently for two months, our tester’s under-eyes were significantly more hydrated, makeup went on smoother, and dark circles were neutralized with each application. Its featherweight, silky texture is ideal for use under makeup, and it contains color-correcting pigment to conceal dark circles and eliminate dullness.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Olehenriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème

Jennifer, tester: “It’s thick and creamy. It spreads very easily and feels luxurious. I used this before makeup, and the tint actually acted as a color corrector before I put on my concealer.”

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Paris Eye Defense Eye Cream

L'Oreal Paris Eye Defense Eye Cream with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid

Credit: Amazon

$16

$13 at Amazon

$16

$13 at Walmart $16 at CVS

What We Like

Affordable
Lightweight without being runny
Eyes look refreshed after use

What to Consider

Not as moisturizing as other creams on our list

Another great drugstore pick, this eye cream is budget-friendly yet still effective at reducing puffiness, brightening the skin, and leaving the eye area looking refreshed. It’s made with caffeine and hyaluronic acid, which help moisturize the skin and can even minimize the appearance of wrinkles. We love the lightweight formula, which our tester described as “cushiony,” and it offers a cooling sensation right after application. Also, while it’s not technically marketed for sensitive skin, our tester with sensitive skin was blown away by the cream’s gentle formula; it didn’t cause any irritation.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Eye Defense Eye Cream

Chelsea, tester: “I love that it has a perfect cushiony consistency and that it isn’t scented. Plus, it doesn’t run, grease up, or feel heavy on the skin barrier.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream

Credit: Sephora

$69 at Amazon $69 at Sephora $69 at Tatcha.com

What We Like

Visibly smooths lines around the eye area
Product melts into skin
Plumping and hydrating

What to Consider

Doesn't always help with dark circles

Tatcha rarely disappoints, so it’s no surprise that the Silk Peony Eye Cream has a spot on this list. Silk is in the name, the ingredient list, and the decadent feel of this eye cream. This cream melts into the skin and visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Use it for the day (makeup layers on top of it like a dream) or night as you wind down for the evening.

A person before and after using the Tatcha The Silk Peony Eye Cream — Byrdie

Cher Checchio, senior copy editor with dry skin: “I’ve used other eye creams that are sometimes a bit tacky after application, but I don’t have that problem with this cushiony cream. Dryness is my biggest skin concern, and I’ve noticed a softer, plumper, more hydrated look and feel to my eyes after using this eye cream.”

Best Retinol

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Triple Correction Eye Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum

Credit: Sephora

$73 at Amazon $73 at Sephora $73 at Nordstrom

What We Like

Nondrying for a retinol
Protects against pollution
Absorbs quickly

What to Consider

Doesn’t necessarily improve under-eye milia bumps

This is a favorite of both Byrdie Vice President Lindsey Metrus and Jennifer Adell, senior aesthetician at New Beauty and Wellness. Adell loves that it contains ferulic acid, a potent antioxidant known for its ability to protect against pollution. She also loves that this lightweight serum helps with pigmentation under the eyes.

As for fine lines and wrinkles, it targets them with a Phyto-Retinol Blend™ to firm the skin’s appearance while boosting hydration and improving the appearance of wrinkles on the upper and lower eyelids. We love how fast it absorbs into the skin, too. And to no surprise, this also made our list of the best retinol serums.

Person dabbing anti-wrinkle eye cream under their eye — The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare eye serum created a cooling, de-puffing effect during our tests.
Byrdie

Jessica, tester: “My under-eyes seemed smoother and softer. And my lids and the area around my eyes felt firmer.”

What to Look for in Anti-Wrinkle Eye Creams

Anti-Aging Ingredients: The first thing you’ll want to look for when shopping for an anti-wrinkle eye cream is whether the anti-aging ingredients will actually help treat and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Powerhouse ingredients like retinol, peptides, and even vitamin C are effective in treating anti-wrinkle concerns and help prevent new lines from forming. If you’re looking for an anti-wrinkle eye cream, definitely check to see if any or all of these ingredients are included.
Hydrating Ingredients: The last thing you want is dry under-eyes, so using ingredients such as niacinamide and caffeine can help address dehydration and dark circles. Since the eye area is so delicate, keeping it hydrated is an effective way to help prevent new wrinkles from forming and make eyes look less tired.
Texture: The texture of eye cream is essential, especially if you’re a daily makeup wearer. It’s good to gauge whether the cream’s texture is too heavy, will pill with makeup, or absorb into the skin easily. Look for a texture that absorbs easily into the skin and plays well with products like concealers, foundation, or other skincare you might layer it with.

How We Tested Anti-Wrinkle Eye Creams

Our beauty editors and expert product testers tested several anti-wrinkle eye creams for hours on end, both day and night, across multiple related categories to find the best formulas for wrinkles. Eye creams were tested with and without makeup while traveling and closely examined to see whether the hero ingredients, textures, and formulations delivered the results they promised.

FAQ

What are the best anti-aging ingredients to look for in an eye cream for wrinkles?

“Retinol is always going to be my go-to pick as a skincare ingredient for wrinkles. It truly has so many applications in skincare and is extremely effective in improving overall skin appearance”, explains Dr. Hartman. With an emphasis on cell turnover, retinol helps shed dead skin faster and reveal new skin underneath. “Peptides are another ingredient to look for if reducing wrinkles is the goal. Applying peptides topically helps stimulate collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of eye wrinkles as skin appears plumper and firmer with new collagen,” Dr. Hartman adds.
Do I really need a separate eye cream, or can I just use my face moisturizer?

Hydration is essential, yet not all moisturizers are made to treat the delicate eye area. “Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated will help fine lines and wrinkles be less noticeable,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D. “Adding an eye cream that is formulated to address your under-eye concerns can boost your results. No miracle cream will make wrinkles disappear entirely, but with regular use, you can see an improvement.”
What is the difference between an eye cream, a gel, and a serum, and which is best for wrinkles?

When breaking down the differences between eye formulas, taking notes on what each accomplishes can help you find the right product. “The ingredients of an eye product are more important than the texture. That said, gels may feel more cooling. Serums may penetrate more deeply. And creams may be more hydrating,” says Dr. Saedi. “In the cold months, I also recommend layering with Vaseline to lock it in overnight and keep the skin hydrated.” Dr. Hartman adds, “Eye creams tend to have more of a rich, creamy texture. Eye gels have a lightweight, cooling texture. Eye serums may be thinner or feel silky when applied. Eye creams and eye serums tend to have ingredients best suited to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, whereas eye gels may be more geared toward reducing puffiness or soothing skin.”

Meet Our Experts

For this story, we consulted two board-certified dermatologists to learn what to look for in anti-wrinkle eye creams.

Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University.
Dr. Corey L. Hartman, M.D., is the founder and medical director of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

Why Trust Byrdie

Ashley Rebecca, a longtime Byrdie contributor and makeup artist based in New York City, enjoys testing a wide range of beauty products that cover hair, skin, body, and more. She’ll never turn down the opportunity to test a new product that could benefit her and write about her findings, and considers herself to be a concealer enthusiast. Her experience in the beauty industry, spanning over two decades of testing thousands of products, has made her an expert on product feedback and recommendations.

In This Article

Best Overall

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream