13 Top-Rated Retinol Eye Creams Tested and Reviewed for 2023

Think of this eye cream as the energy drink of your skincare routine. Your eyes are energized and plumped with the help of time-released retinol, which adds a surge of radiance, smooths fine lines, and depuffs any swelling.

Nordstrom star rating: 4.2/5 stars

Our expert says: “Nothing ruins my day more than realizing my under-eye makeup is creasing and extremely dry. As a former eye cream hater, I didn’t believe that proper eye prep could extend the longevity of my makeup—and Charlotte Tilbury’s eye cream is one that made me a believer. It’s super moisturizing and lightweight, which helps my concealer ( Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, of course!) melt into my skin better.” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor

Key ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, botanical stem cell extract

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

Ilia’s motto has always been skin-first, so it comes as no surprise that its foray into skincare would arrive as an eye cream. What’s different about this one is that it’s formulated with sea fennel extract, a plant-based retinol that brightens and firms the skin. “If you have a darker skin tone, don’t let the pinkish tan color worry you; it absorbs into your skin without leaving any cast,” shares Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director, ELLE.com.

Our expert says: “Not sure how long you should be massaging the cream under your eye, but the ceramic applicator feels too good under my eye to use for only a few seconds. On one side of the applicator, there’s a tiny hole dispensing the product so that you can flip the tube over and use the massager tool to really work the product in. I love how airy the cream feels under my eye and how rejuvenated I look when I wake up.” – NP

Key ingredients: Sea fennel extract, avocado oil

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

For newbies to the retinol eye cream game, this product has all the basics covered. Retinol reduces crow’s feet and uneven skin texture, while hyaluronic acid plumps and reduces the chances of excessive dryness in the under-eye area.

Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Noticed a slight difference in the brightening of my dark circles within a few days. I can’t wait to see months from now. I’ve tried every cream under the sun and used them consistently for months and months, and this did more in a few days than those in 6 plus months.”

Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

The most common complaints about the under-eyes are fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles–and this cream addresses all those woes. Using retinol and glycerin, you can count on noticeable results without any irritation. If you still need more convincing, Sarah Jessica Parker is a big fan of RoC.

Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “It immediately helped with puffiness and tightening around the eye.”

Key ingredients: Retinol

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

Having a cup of coffee to treat your drowsiness is commonplace, but adding caffeine to this eye cream is a genius move. Combating fine-line reducing retinol and awakening caffeine means you no longer need to worry about puffy eyes in the morning.

Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Got rid of the crepey skin around my eyes. This is also unscented, so it’s good for fragrance-sensitive people. This is definitely going into my list of staple skincare products!”

Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

So many products promise to improve fine lines, but this product actually helps combat those deeper crevices where your concealer keeps settling in. With the help of retinol and niacinamide, you might be able to cancel your Botox appointment now.

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I use this every night. It only takes a drop. My crow’s feet are gone!!”

Key ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

Retinol can be very drying, so, understandably, people with dry skin might be wary of using this powerhouse ingredient. But the solution is in this balm-textured eye cream. While retinol reduces fine lines, vitamin E and natural extracts expertly hydrate the area.

Target star rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Target reviewer said: “This product is amazing. Tried it because it is affordable and a clean product. It reduces puffiness, smooths out lines, moisturizes. It does it all!! Love this line and can’t wait to try more of their products.”

Key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E

Size: 0.42 fl. oz.

For people with incredibly sensitive skin who want the benefits of retinol without the irritation, bareMinerals uses phyto-retinol—a faux retinol—to give similar effects without the drawbacks. It will still combat fine lines, but the retinol averse can use it without risking a reaction.

Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “Very gentle for eye area. Soothing light scent. Noticed wrinkled areas decreased with morning and evening use.”

Key ingredients: Phyto-retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

For great results on a budget, this eye cream does a lot for not much cash. While retinol treats fine lines and wrinkles, this product also helps brighten the under-eyes, so you can cut back on your concealer routine.

Sephora star rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “This retinol cream absorbs quickly and leaves my under eye area moisturized. After nightly use for three weeks, my crow’s feet aren’t as pronounced. I will definitely buy this product again!”

Key ingredients: Retinol, shea butter

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

This cream really does it all: It reduces fine lines, addresses dehydration, plumps the skin, and significantly brightens the under-eyes. The best part is that you’ll see results in just a few weeks.

Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I’ve tried many products to hydrate the very dry skin on the outside section of my under eye area. Nothing worked until I tried this eye cream. It leaves the skin less wrinkly looking and feeling more hydrated!”

Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

This eye cream uses time-release technology to give the benefits of retinol over a longer time period, so no irritation occurs. It also uses hydrating hyaluronic acid and shimmering pearls for brighter, more hydrated under-eyes.

Sephora star rating: 3.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I’ve been using this for about a week, and I can notice a difference by the time I get ready to leave the house for work. I’ve started applying [it] earlier than mattress for higher outcomes. It does certainly fade the darkish underneath eyes.”

Key components: Retinol, hyaluronic acid

Dimension: 0.5 fl. oz.

This eye serum isn’t enjoying any video games. In case your aim is to get smoother under-eyes with none positive traces, this product makes use of retinol, bakuchiol—a standard retinol dupe—and anti-aging rambutan to deal with all these issues.

Sephora star ranking: 4.5/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer mentioned: “There are only a few merchandise I’d say I can simply see outcomes, however this one is well one. There’s a noticeable discount in my under-eye traces, seems to be method smoother. I’ll most undoubtedly be restocking this!”

Key components: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan

Dimension: 0.5 fl. oz.

For near-instant outcomes, this eye cream is dedicated to the anti-aging recreation. Retinol reduces positive traces, whereas different retinol-like components assist improve cell turnover for brighter, younger-looking eyes.

Ulta star ranking: 3.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer mentioned: “This product was superb. I acquired it throughout one of many ulta days gross sales. After every week of utilizing the product I noticed that my pores and skin hydrated and supple which is clearly mandatory for wrinkle prevention. I additionally apply it to my brow and round my mouth.”

Key components: Retinol, hyaluronic acid

Dimension: 0.5 fl. oz.