Fact Checked
Overview
With modern research and innovations, eye creams have advanced by leaps and bounds. Today, the best eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles can really make a positive difference in your appearance.
We consider it our duty to help you find the best eye cream for wrinkles and dark circles. So in this article, we will share with you what we think to be the very best under eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles. Our decision was based on the formula, customer response and effectiveness of the product.
Whether you want to improve the overall health of your skin or just want your eyes to look better, you will find out everything you need to know in the following eye cream article.
What Do Eye Creams Do?
The best eye cream for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles will be made from high quality ingredients that have been tested for both safety and efficacy. It will not irritate your eyes but rather, soothe and nourish the skin around them.
Keeping the skin under your eyes hydrated is crucial because there are fewer oil glands in that area, making it prone to drying out quickly states Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai.
The best eye cream for wrinkles and dark circles will also make your skin look younger and more radiant. It can reverse some of the damage done to your skin by free radicals, exposure to the sun and aging.
Quality eye creams will also use natural ingredients that can make your skin more resilient. According to Gretchen Frieling, MD, a Boston-based dermatopathologist, Applying a hydrating eye cream every day can help prevent and alleviate dryness.
What Are Eye Creams?
In order to get the best eye cream for wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, you have to look for a product that does more than one thing. That’s because there are multiple factors that affect the skin’s condition.
The skin around the eyes is slightly thinner compared to the rest of the face. This makes it prone to drying out faster and more susceptible to things like UV rays from the sun. The continuous movement from blinking and facial expressions can lead to the development of crow’s feet, lines, and wrinkles.
Additionally, the eye area produces less sebum, which usually helps keep the skin moisturized. That’s why under-eye creams are specially made for this sensitive skin – they are thicker and have more moisturizing and conditioning ingredients than regular face lotions.
There are good eye creams that attack the root cause of wrinkles, fine lines and other imperfections: free radical damage.
According to dermatologist Patricia Farris, MD, who is a clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, eye creams are designed for the sensitive skin around the eyes. They are thicker, have more oil than regular face lotions, and include various active ingredients to address specific issues around the eyes.
Our Top Picks of 2025
Overall Best: Dermelect
Read The ReviewsBest Under Eye Cream for Dark Circles and Wrinkles: Drmtlgy Advanced Eye Cream
Best Hydrating Eye Cream: Beverly Hills MD Radiate + Revive Hydrating Eye Cream
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Best for Instant Results: Beverly Hills MD Emergency Under Eye Fix
Best Age Defying Eye Product: Skinception Eyelasticity Age-Defying Therapy
Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin: Skinceuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
Best Vitamin C Eye Cream: Ole-Henriksen-Banana-Bright-Eye-Crème
Best Retinol Eye Cream for Wrinkles: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
Best Drugstore Eye Cream: Cerave Eye Repair Cream
Best Eye Treatment for Dark Circles: Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment
How Did We Choose the Best Eye Cream?
We based our decision on the most important factors that play into what makes the best drugstore eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles. Such factors include:
Ingredients: You always want to choose a product that has natural ingredients. That’s because it’s these kinds of products that are least likely to cause adverse side effects and irritation.
Manufacturer Reputation: How the company treats its customers, where they make their products and how they make their products are all very important when choosing the best under eye cream for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles.
Safety: Of course, we looked for products that have good safety reputations. This includes being produced in FDA-certified facilities and omitting harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Customer Reviews: It’s always a good idea to look at how a product has worked for other people. This will give you a good idea of what kind of results you can expect from a particular eye cream.
Value for Price: Value is always a consideration because there are a lot of products out there with inferior formulas that simply aren’t worth your money.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Return Policy: A solid return policy is a must because what might work very well for one person may not work at all for someone else.
The Best Eye Cream of 2025
Our professional team searched through dozens of new eye creams to identify the absolute best product for 2025. Check out which product made the cut and all the details you need to know about it.
Dermelect – Overall Best Eye Cream
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Dermelect improves the appearance of your skin in five ways. Firstly, it reduces puffiness under the eyes. Secondly, it lightens dark circles under the eyes. Thirdly, it improves the elasticity in your skin that may be causing droopy-looking eyes.
Then it uses universal light diffusing pigments in order to improve the appearance of discolored or blotchy skin tones around the eye. Lastly, Dermelect comes with a cool-tip metal applicator which helps reduce skin puffiness.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Type: Skincare
- Brand: Dermelect
- Benefit: Reduced eye puffiness, reduces the appearance of dark circles, corrects skin pigmentation
- Active Ingredients: Haloxyl, Sesaflash, Glycerin
- Application: Apply twice daily
- Price: $59
Pros & Cons of Dermelect
Pros
- Increases skin resilience
- Reduces skin puffiness
- Corrects errant skin pigmentation
- Reduces the appearance of dark spots
- Helps with crow’s feet
- Lightens the skin under the eyes
- Soothes the skin around the eyes
Cons
- It’s results may vary from user to user
- Shipping may take a while
Drmtlgy Advanced Eye Cream – Best Under Eye Cream for Dark Circles and Wrinkles
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Our Rating
Advanced Eye Cream is a specialized formulation that combines essential vitamins (E & K), antioxidants, peptides, and ceramides to restore the look of youthfulness to the eyes. In addition, this potent and clinically proven ingredients helps visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: For all skin type
- Brand: Drmtlgy
- Benefit: Reducing the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles and restore the look of youthfulness to your eyes
- Active Ingredients: Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Chrysin, Allantoin
- Usage: Small amount to eye area in the morning and at night
- Price: $55.00*
- Size: 15g
Drmtlgy Advanced Eye Cream Pros & Cons
Pros
- Formula specifically designed for the area around the eyes
- Lightweight Non-greasy
- Dermatologist Reccomended
- sulphate, paraben and cruelty free
Cons
- High demand may sometimes lead to low stock.
- You can only buy this product online
Beverly Hills MD Radiate + Revive Hydrating Eye Cream – Best Hydrating Eye Cream
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Radiate + Revive Hydrating Eye Cream is a specialized skincare product that uses an advanced triple-algae blend and moisture-locking compounds to help visibly lift under-eye bags, iron out the look of crow’s feet, and brighten the look of stubborn dark circles.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: For all skin type
- Brand: Beverly Hills MD
- Benefit: Provides hydration, Reduced Puffiness & Minimized Dark Circles
- Active Ingredients: Shadowny, Aldavine™ 5x, Pentavitin and Polyfructol Plus
- Usage: Use your ring finger to gently pat small amounts of cream around your entire eye area.
- Price: $72.00*
- Size: 30g
Beverly Hills MD Radiate + Revive Hydrating Eye Cream Pros & Cons
Pros
- Providing 72-hour hydration
- Helping defend against visible sagging, hollowing, and wrinkles
- Rejuvenating the look of tired eyes
- 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- Limited Availability
- Cost is high for some users
Beverly Hills MD Emergency Under Eye Fix – Best for Instant Results
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Beverly Hills, MD Emergency Under Eye Fix is a soothing formula that quickly helps reduce the appearance of tired, puffy eyes. It contains six powerful ingredients that work together to make your under-eye area look smoother and more youthful.
It’s designed to give you a fresher, more awake look, even for the deepest under-eye bags.
Key Specs
- Form: Liquid
- Skin Type: For all skin type, including sensitive
- Brand: Beverly Hills MD
- Benefit: Minimizes the appearance of under-eye bags, lines, and discoloration
- Active Ingredients: Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Silica, BioDyne™ TRF Improved 25, NET-DG, Avena Sativa Oat Kernel Extract, Caffeine, Diamond Powder, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Theobromine, Tocopherol
- Usage: Roll directly onto the under-eye area
- Price: $65.00*
- Size: 10ml
Beverly Hills MD Emergency Under Eye Fix Pros & Cons
Pros
- Instantly reduces under-eye puffiness
- Protects skin’s natural moisture and elasticity
- Helps tighten drooping skin
- 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- You’ll need to use it regularly because the benefits are only temporary
Skinception Eyelasticity Age-Defying Therapy – Best Age Defying Eye Product
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Skinception Eyelasticity is an organic anti-aging eye cream that claims to eliminate some of the signs of age on the skin. It is claimed to be formulated scientifically and utilizes active ingredients proven and tested scientifically to be effective.
It claims to get rid of dark circles and bags under the eyes, smooth out wrinkles, and fine lines, and eliminate puffiness.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: For all skin type, including sensitive
- Brand: Skinception
- Benefit: Eliminate under-eye dark circles and bags, smooth away wrinkles and fine lines, and reduce puffiness
- Active Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Green Tea, Caprylic Capric Triglycerides, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate
- Usage: Take some of the creams into your fingers and dab it around your eyes, until it’s absorbed
- Price: $69.95*
- Size: 15ml
Skinception Eyelasticity Age-Defying Therapy Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reduces Crow’s Feet & Laugh Lines
- Less Under-Eye Puffiness
- Results beginning in 4 Weeks
- 67 Days Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- This product contains rice bran and soy, which are common allergens.
- The cream is fairly expensive for some users
Skinceuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye – Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Skinceuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye is a next-generation eye cream for wrinkles that fights the appearance of crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark circles associated with glycation and collagen decline, a major factor of the natural aging process.
It also contains caffeine and light diffusers to brighten and revitalize tired-looking eyes.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Combination
- Brand: Skinceuticals
- Benefit: Improves the appearance of visible signs of aging in the delicate eye area
- Active Ingredients: Concentrated Proxylane, Wild Fruit Flavonoids, Matrixyl 3000, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Inclusive Optical Effects, Caffeine
- Usage: Apply Twice daily
- Price: $116.00*
- Size: 15ml
Skinceuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Pros & Cons
Pros
- Delivers 24-hour moisture to comfort dry, aging skin
- Alcohol, and dye-free formula
- Enhances radiance around the eyes
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to other eye creams
- Some customers felt that the results they got were too mild
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème – Best Vitamin C Eye Cream
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright+ Eye Crème is a clinically formulated vitamin C eye cream designed to instantly brighten, smooth, and hydrate undereyes. This vegan, fragrance-free formula features light-reflecting mineral pigments to color-correct and revive tired undereyes, while also reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
However, it may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: Not for those with sensitive skin
- Brand: Ole Henriksen
- Benefit: Brighter undereyes, Reduction in crows feet and Provide instant hydration
- Active Ingredients: Triple Vitamin C Complex, Bioflavonoids, Hardy Orange Extract, Banana Powder-Inspired Pigments
- Usage: Gently apply to undereye area, use your ring finger
- Price: $44.00*
- Size: 15ml
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème Pros & Cons
Pros
- Clean, Vegan, fragrance-free formula
- It improves skin quality & creates healthier-looking skin
- It blurs the look of dark circles, lines & wrinkles
Cons
- Not suitable for those with sensitive skin
- Some users may find the product to be relatively expensive
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream –
Best Retinol Eye Cream for Wrinkles
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream is a skincare product designed to target the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet around the delicate eye area. It typically contains ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and other moisturizing agents to help reduce the signs of aging and improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin around the eyes.
It’s important to note that individual results may vary, and it’s always a good idea to patch-test new skincare products to ensure they are suitable for your skin.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: For all skin types
- Brand: Neutrogena
- Benefit: Helps fade the look of crow’s feet, smooths fine lines, brightens and evens skin tone, and targets the look of dark circles
- Active Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Bht, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Edta, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid, Ptfe, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Sodium Hydroxide
- Usage: Gently dab a small amount around the entire eye area
- Price: $21.99*
- Size: 15ml
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dermatologists reccomended brand
- Formulated without parabens, mineral oil and dyes
- Improve the signs of skin aging around the eyes
Cons
- The presence of retinol in this product may result in discomfort for some users
Cerave Eye Repair Cream – Best Drugstore Eye Cream
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*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is a dermatologist-recommended solution for tired-looking eyes. Its ophthalmologist-tested, non-greasy, fragrance-free formula contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to hydrate and brighten the delicate under-eye area.
With MVE technology for all-day hydration and a Marine & Botanical Complex, it’s designed to minimize dark circles and puffiness, leaving your eyes looking refreshed and revitalized.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: All skin types
- Brand: Cerave
- Benefit: Helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, moisturizes and helps to restore the skin barrier
- Active Ingredients: Ceramides, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
- Usage: Apply CeraVe Eye Repair Cream in small dots around your eye area
- Price: $14.44*
- Size: 15ml
Cerave Eye Repair Cream Pros & Cons
Pros
- Its a non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free formula
- Ophthalmologist Tested
- It does not clog pores
Cons
- Some individuals with sensitive skin may still experience irritation
- The texture of the cream is too thick or heavy for their liking
Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment – Best Eye Treatment for Dark Circles
*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Our Rating
The Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment is a specialized cream designed to rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, giving a more youthful and refreshed look. With its gentle formula, it’s perfect for anyone looking to brighten and revitalize their eye area.
Key Specs
- Form: Cream
- Skin Type: All skin types
- Brand: Alastin Skincare
- Benefit: Reduces the appearance of dark circles, Diminishes the appearance of puffiness and Promotes a more even skin tone
- Active Ingredients: TriHex Technology, Mimosa Tree Extract & Darutoside, Green Tea & Oak Leaf Tea Extracts, Niacinamide, Tetrapeptide-30 and Cross-polymer
- Usage: Apply 1 pump to the area around the eye, morning and evening
- Price: $99.00*
- Size: 15ml
Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment Pros & Cons
Pros
- Award-winning anti-aging eye cream
- Gentle formula suitable for sensitive skin
- Contains TriHex Technology, known for its skin rejuvenating properties
Cons
- May be relatively expensive compared to some other eye treatments.
- Results may vary for different individuals.
Factors to Consider When Choosing An Eye Cream
Your Skin Type: To start, think about what kind of skin you have when choosing an under-eye cream or serum. If your skin gets dry, find a product with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or shea butter.
What’s Inside: Look for creams with ingredients that work for your specific skin concerns.
Sun Protection: The skin around your eyes is really sensitive to sunlight, and that can cause wrinkles and dark circles. Choose a cream or serum with SPF to protect this sensitive area from the sun.
Feel of the Product: The texture of the cream or serum is important too. If you like something light that soaks in quickly, go for a serum. If you want more hydration and a thicker feel, go for a cream.
Brand Trust: Lastly, consider the brand when picking out an under-eye cream or serum. Pick a brand that is known for making great skincare products and using top-notch ingredients.
What Causes Dark Circles and Under-Eye Puffiness?
Unfortunately, there are many things that can cause dark circles and eye puffiness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dark circles around the eyes can be caused by a lack of sleep, dehydration, aging or simply rubbing your eyes too much.
There are lifestyle factors at play as well. The Mayo Clinic expounds on the causes of dark circles and puffiness:
“Other lifestyle factors that may contribute to dark circles under the eyes are smoking, drinking too much alcohol and stress.”
So in order to lessen or prevent dark circles and eye puffiness, try getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and reducing your stress levels.
What Eye Creams Cannot Do?
Remove Skin Growth: If you have skin tags around the eyes or abnormal skin growths, you should not expect an eye cream to handle them. Instead, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible.
Remove Scars: While many skin eye creams have ingredients that can heal skin in various ways, you shouuldn’t expect any eye cream to completely remove old scars. Even the best creams can’t diminish long-standing scar tissue.
Best Ways to Apply Eye Creams
Typically, you don’t want to rub the cream into the skin around your eyes. Remember that the skin around your eyes is the gentlest and most sensitive part of your face. Instead, lightly tap it into your skin with your ring finger.
What to Look for in An Eye Cream for Dark Circles
Since dark circles are sometimes caused by excessive pigmentation, you will want to look for eye creams with either vitamin C or Kojic acid as the main ingredients. These ingredients tend to be successful in evening out uneven pigmentation in the skin.
You may also want to opt for an eye cream that contains retinol or some other form of vitamin A. Studies have shown that extended retinol use can also help with unwanted skin pigmentation.
How Good Are Eye Creams for Skin?
The best under eye cream for dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles is important because it will not only make the skin look better; but improve skin health as well. Eye creams like Dermelect help keep the skin moisturized.
And there have been multiple studies that prove that as long as you can keep the skin moisturized, it will be healthier. Moisture is the key to fewer wrinkles, better skin protection and kin resilience and Dermelect is an effective moisturizer.
Final Verdict
The best eye creams for dark circles and wrinkles will include no harsh steroids or skin irritants in the formula. A solid eye cream wwill moisturize your skin, diminish dark circles, reduce puffiness and soothe your skin.
And while good eye creams will not cause side effects, you should always keep an eye on how any cosmetics product is affecting your skin. If you see any irritation, stop usage and contact a specialist immediately.
But if you are looking for healthier, more radiant and firmer skin around the eyes, be sure to check out one of the products on our list!
Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles and Wrinkles – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Eye creams really work?
A: Yes. The best eye creams have worked for many men and women, giving them a more youthful look.
Q: Is it OK to Use eye cream every night?
A: Yes, in fact most products instruct that you use the cream at least once a day.
Q: Which eye cream is best?
A: That will depend on your skin type and your particular needs but the products on our list are a great start.
Q: What do dermatologists recommend for dark circles under eyes?
A: “Dermatologists often recommend creams that contain retinol, a form of vitamin A that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production. Another ingredient recommended by dermatologists is vitamin K, which can help to strengthen blood vessels and reduce the appearance of dark circles,” says Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist.
Q: What is the purpose of eye cream?
A: To reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and to prevent the sagging that occurs around the eyes. Also, to lessenthe appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Q: When should I start using eye cream?
A: You can use eye cream as long as you’re an adult as soon as you start to notice puffiness, drooping or dark circles around the eyes.
Sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Free Radicals and Extrinsic Skin Aging: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299230/
[2] Dark Circles Under Eyes: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23128-dark-circles-under-eyes
[3] Dark circles under eyes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/dark-circles-under-eyes/basics/causes/sym-20050624?p=1
[4] Infraorbital Dark Circles: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Evaluation and Treatment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924417/
[5] Effects of Topical Retinoids on Acne and Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Patients with Skin of Color: A Clinical Review and Implications for Practice: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8776661/
[6] The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
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The Health Insiders Team takes pride in bringing you the latest in nutritional research, skincare, healthy living, and wellness hacks. [Read Full Bio]
Brittany Ferri, MS, OTRL, CLT
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