The Best Retinol Eye Creams to Smooth Fine Lines and Brighten Dark Circles
While retinol is known as the gold-standard ingredient for skin rejuvenation, its potential side effects—including temporary dryness and irritation—are also well-known. So when it comes to using the best retinol eye creams to protect the delicate skin around the orbital bone, it’s wise to take advice from pros like Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto.
“Retinol can be very effective around the eyes when it is properly formulated,” Dr. Yadav says. She explains that clinical studies on retinol have proven the vitamin A derivative can contribute to significant improvement in fine lines, under-eye darkness, puffiness, and dryness in eight to 12 weeks.
Vogue’s Favorite Retinol Eye Creams
What’s more, it doesn’t take a super-active formula to achieve those results. Retinol can revive the skin around the eyes “even at low concentrations like 0.1 percent, which are generally well tolerated in this delicate area,” Dr. Yadav notes.
Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York, also sees the value of retinol eye creams. “Most eye creams are glorified moisturizers, but there is some agreement that those containing retinol can help limit the appearance and formation of fine lines and crepey skin,” he says. And for those worried about irritation, Dr. Yadav says that the best retinol eye creams use stabilized retinol paired with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients such as peptides, ceramides, and humectants. “These combinations help maximize results while minimizing irritation,” she says. “For safe use, start slowly by applying a few nights per week, only to dry skin at night, and use sunscreen during the day, since retinoids can increase sun sensitivity.”
Ready to look alive? See the retinol eye creams dermatologists recommend ahead, along with tips on how to apply the product and more.
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Best Overall: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal
- Why We Love It: A more bioactive form of retinol, retinal is a faster-acting alternative. Though it has the potential to irritate more sensitive skin, the ingredient is gentler when mixed with hydrating ingredients. Luckily, “This Beauty of Joseon formulation has a great combination of active ingredients, antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients,” says Rayva Khanna, MD, a dermatology resident physician at MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Medical Center. She explains that the retinal in the formulation helps improve fine lines and wrinkles, while the glycerin provides simultaneous hydration. Niacinamide brightens the skin and improves the appearance of dark circles, while ginseng serves as an antioxidant. “This powerhouse roster of ingredients targets dark circles and fine lines simultaneously,” Dr. Khanna says.
- Retinol Concentration: 2% retinal liposome
- Size: 1 fl oz.
- Best For: Softening fine lines, improving texture, brightening, firming
