If you’re seeking an eye cream that goes beyond basic hydration, our best retinol eye creams are worth considering. Retinol – a vitamin A derivative – is widely regarded as a powerhouse skincare ingredient due to its ability to promote skin renewal and reduce visible signs of ageing like fine lines, dullness, uneven texture and dryness. This is especially beneficial for the delicate skin around the eyes, which is the thinnest and most prone to dryness and early ageing, often revealing signs of fatigue and stress more quickly.
Vogue’s best retinol eye creams at a glance:
“Most eye creams are glorified moisturisers,” explains Dr Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York. “However, those formulated with retinol can actually help stimulate collagen production and minimise the appearance and development of fine lines and crepey skin.”
- Jump to the product reviews
- How we choose the best retinol eye creams
- Why you can trust us
- Do retinol eye creams really work?
- What are the benefits of retinol for the under-eyes?
- What concentration of retinol is best for under-eyes?
- How to apply retinol eye creams
- How often should I use a retinol eye cream?
- Can I use retinol eye cream in summer?
- Meet the experts
Vogue’s team of tester span the Atlantic Ocean. We called on our colleagues at American Vogue as well as on contributors here in the UK to road-test a huge array of retinol eye creams to determine which formulas are worth the investment. We considered texture, ingredients – especially what the retinol is paired with, concentration and efficacy in smoothing the likes of crow’s feet and fine lines.
Testing beauty products is what we do here on the Vogue editorial team, and retinol is one of the most challenging ingredients to get right. We slathered each and every formula below onto our periorbital area over the course of months to find the ones that actually work, are easily tolerated and feel sumptuous on the skin.
Vogue’s pick of the best retinol eye creams
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Available in three concentrations of retinal (a fast-acting version of vitamin A), Medik8’s creamy salve caters to retinol rookies and regulars alike. Daniel Isaacs, the brand’s chief product officer and director of research, previously told Vogue that the cream was formulated with vitamin A sensitivity in mind. Promising more efficient beauty rest, the overnight cream plumps, smooths, and lifts, helping one wake up to firmer, brighter eyes. Its ultra-slow retinal release helps stave off any irritation.
- Retinol concentration: 0.03, 0.06, and 0.1 per cent
- Size: 315 ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: “I often find when I’m trying to streamline my skincare that eye cream is the first to go. However, lightweight, layerable and silky in texture, this eye serum is one I never fail to dab on my periorbital area. It harnesses the anti-ageing powers of retinal as well as Korean favourite ginseng, both buzzy ingredients renowned for their fine line-fighting effect. A little goes a long way.” – Ellie Davis, senior beauty shopping writer
- Retinol concentration: 2 per cent
- Size: 30ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Made to depuff the eyes, brighten dark circles, and smooth out wrinkles, RoC’s drugstore gem has earned accolades from the pros. “It’s at an accessible price point with a formula of actives that are proven to work,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “The formula comprises retinol, glycerin, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 to reduce dark circles and deliver an immediate boost to the skin by adding moisture. With continuous use, you should see improvement in fine lines and dark circles around the eye.”
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: At once brightening, firming, and hydrating, Kate Somerville’s featherweight eye cream comes recommended by Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. With a mix of retinol and bio-retinol (a plant-based gentler alternative to regular retinol), the cream tames the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It’s also made with hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration. What’s more: It fits neatly into a self-care ritual. Its metal applicator bends to deliver a gentle eye massage each time the product is applied.
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Another of Westbay’s top picks, Dr Dennis Gross’s clinically tested cream can be used morning and night to treat fine lines and wrinkles. The formulation has the feel of a cushiony, lightweight gel, and it instantly hydrates the skin around the eyes. Its retinol is balanced with antioxidant-rich ferulic acid, which helps counter any irritation. It also has the plant-based retinol alternatives rambutan and bakuchiol to amplify its firming properties.
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
- Best eye cream for mature skin for under make-up
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A plant-based retinol-like active extracted from sea fennel is what powers this formula, which promises to soften the look of lines and wrinkles around the eye area. As well as caffeine that gives circulation a boost and helps reduce puffiness, it also contains softening, hydrating avocado extract, which leaves skin smooth and perfectly prepped for make-up.
- Retinol concentration: The cream does not contain retinol, but uses plant-based sea fennel extract instead.
- Ingredients: sea fennel, caffeine, avocado extract
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed for nighttime use, Sunday Riley’s vegan eye cream boosts collagen production with a 6 per cent retinol complex fused with bioactive centella asiatica. The latter, a plant-based ingredient, can reduce inflammation and calm irritation – but it’s not the only soothing ingredient in the creamy serum. The brightening potion also contains poppy seed extract and ceramides to nourish the skin, while olive oil and shea butter provide overnight hydration.
- Retinol concentration: 6 per cent
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: The French pharmacy classic harnesses pure retinol to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. It also has caffeine to make under-eye bags and dark circles less visible. What’s more, the brand’s signature ingredient – antioxidant-rich thermal spring water – adds a soothing touch to the formulation. Designed for nighttime use, the product can be swept onto the skin under the eyes; its light, creamy-gel texture makes it ideal for a soothing bedtime ritual.
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: First Aid’s Retinol Eye Cream is another pick at the top of Dr Westbay’s list. Fragrance-free and noncomedogenic, the cream was specifically designed for sensitive skin. It’s infused with moisturising squalane and ceramides and powered by encapsulated retinol technology, which helps the ingredient release slowly over time. A gentle, smoothing solution for fine lines around the eyes, this cream can be used morning and night.
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Allergy-tested and fragrance-free, Clinique’s creamy balm harnesses retinol and hyaluronic acid to target lines all over the face, including crow’s-feet. “This product contains 1 per cent advanced retinoid and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help visibly reduce wrinkles,” Dr Amin says. “The convenient balm makes it an easy and quick application.” The balm can be used day and night and also targets smile lines, forehead lines, and vertical lines above the lip.
- Retinol concentration: 1 per cent
- Size: 3g
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Suited for daytime or nighttime use, Drunk Elephant’s creamy serum targets puffiness while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Formulated with vegan retinol and firming caffeine, the cream also has copper tripeptide-1 to boost collagen production, and it’s a top pick for Dr Amin. Pro tip: the cream can be stored in the fridge for a soothing, cooling feel when applied; it can also be mixed with another hydrating eye cream for added moisture.
- Retinol concentration: 0.1 per cent
- Size: 15ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Glow Recipe’s thick and creamy formulation is like an energising smoothie for tired under-eyes. Whipped up with encapsulated retinol, avocado, and coffeeberry, the hydrating cream is one of Dr Hartman’s favourites. “I like how the Glow Recipe product feels on the skin,” he says. “It uses encapsulated retinol, which I like – it enables retinol to penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum results.”
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15 ml
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: StriVectin’s peptide-powered eye creams are a Vogue editor’s secret for a tightening fix. This iteration, powered by time-released retinol, adds smoothness, luminosity, and elasticity to its list of benefits. Suitable for sensitive skin types, the formulation also contains the brand’s signature NIA-114, which strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the efficacy of other ingredients in the cream. What’s more, the contouring product moisturises with hibiscus fruit extract, and its cooling metal applicator lends a soothing touch.
- Retinol concentration: Not disclosed
- Size: 15ml
FAQs
Do retinol eye creams really work?
According to Dr Westbay, retinol eye creams can work effectively when formulated and used correctly. (Some of her go-to formulations, including Kate Somerville’s +Retinol Firming Eye Cream and Dr Dennis Gross’s Triple Correction Eye Serum, are described above; for application tips, see below.) “The best retinol eye creams target common concerns around the delicate eye area, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and uneven skin texture,” she explains.
What are the benefits of retinol for the under eye area?
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and works by stimulating collagen production to enhance skin elasticity and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, explains Westbay. “It also promotes cell turnover, which helps diminish pigmentation — including dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation — and refines uneven texture,” she notes. Additionally, retinol offers antioxidant benefits, protecting the skin from oxidative stress that accelerates ageing. Over time, incorporating a retinol eye cream can also help fortify the skin barrier. “This can make the fragile under-eye area less susceptible to crepeiness and prominent veins,” Westbay adds.
What concentration of retinol is best for under the eyes?
“For retinol eye creams, the ideal concentration ranges from 0.01-0.1 per cent,” Dr. Amin says. “The higher concentrations tend to be more effective at addressing fine lines and wrinkles.” Granted, some of the formulations listed above have significantly higher concentrations of retinol, including the Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick, which contains 3 per cent. For those who have used retinol in the past – and seen that their skin tolerates it well – these higher concentrations are less likely to cause irritation. Sandwiching the retinol cream between layers of moisturiser may also help allay irritation.
How to apply retinol eye creams
Since retinol can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, dermatologists generally recommend using retinol eye creams as part of an evening routine. That said, some of the creams listed above – including the Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum – are specifically designed for daytime and nighttime use. If you do use a retinol eye cream in the morning, be sure to follow it with SPF. At night, the cream can be applied before or after moisturiser, Hartman says.
How often should I use a retinol eye cream?
In terms of frequency, “you can use retinol eye cream daily if you’ve used retinol in the past,” says Hartman. “If you haven’t used retinol before, start by using the product one to two times per week and build up from there.” To apply the cream, Hartman recommends tapping a small amount under the eye area, then gently rubbing it in using the ring finger. “Using the ring finger is an easy way to ensure you apply your eye cream without pulling on the skin too hard,” he says.
Can I use retinol eye cream in summer?
Yes. While it’s true that retinol can increase sun sensitivity, using it sparingly at night and pairing it with daily SPF can tackle sun damage, fine lines and fatigue, keeping skin glowing, smooth and resilient all year round.
Meet the experts
- Dr Mina Amin is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles and Glendora, California.
- Dr Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and Long Island.
- Dr Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Dr Rachel Westbay is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.