Ask the Expert: What Are the Top Ingredients to Look for in an Eye Cream?

It's been said that eyes are the window to the soul. If that's the case, then you can think of the skin around your eyes as the trimmings. In order to make sure those soulful eyes are well-protected and looking good, you should make sure you're following the right eye care advice. This not only means creating a proper routine, but also investing in eye creams with the right ingredients.

To discover the best eye cream ingredients you should be keeping your eyes peeled for (wink), we reached out to board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Julia Tzu. Read on to find out what kind of skin concerns surround your eyes, which ingredients can help, and a few of our favorite eye creams that fit the bill. 

HOW CAN THE SKIN AROUND THE EYES CHANGE OVER TIME?

The skin around the eyes is super thin and therefore extremely vulnerable to anything it contacts in the environment that can potentially cause irritation or an allergic reaction."The skin around the eyes is super thin and therefore extremely vulnerable to anything it contacts in the environment that can potentially cause irritation or an allergic reaction," explains Dr. Tzu. Because of this, there are quite a number of skin concerns that can appear in this region. A few that Dr. Tzu lists include eczema, wrinkles (crow’s feet included), dark circles, and milia, those tiny white bumps often mistaken for whiteheads. And while an eye cream is only part of the solution to common eye area concerns, it’s important to find the best one suited to your skin type.

WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN EYE CREAM?

We’re breaking down common eye concerns, below—plus, the eye creams and ingredients you should keep on your radar. 

For Fine Lines & Wrinkles

For fine lines and wrinkles, Dr. Tzu recommends products with hyaluronic acid to ease signs of aging via optimal moisturization. “It is extremely important to moisturize,” she says, “and therefore protect the skin in that area on a routine basis.” She adds that retinol could also be used in this regard as well, since it has the ability to strengthen the skin and retain collagen. These moisturizers should feel creamy and thick. Bonus points if they’re non-comedogenic as well.

Dark Circles & Discoloration

Caffeine and green tea aren’t only found in the breakfast drinks that wake you up. They are also found in products formulated for the eyes to help reduce the look of the dark circles and fatigue that take up residency under your eyes. Vitamin C, too, can help if the discoloration is pigment-based.

4 OF OUR FAVORITE EYE CREAMS TO TRY  

L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT ANTI-WRINKLE + FIRMING EYE CREAM 

L’Oréal Paris’s RevitaLift product line works wonders when it comes to anti-aging initiatives. It’s Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream is no exception. The treatment, formulated with Pro-Retinol,

fight wrinkles and firms the skin around the eye area, all the while reducing the appearance of dark circles and providing skin with extra hydration. Be sure to use both in the morning and at night for the best results.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream, $17.99 MSRP 

GARNIER SKINACTIVE MIRACLE ANTI-AGING EYE GEL-CREAM  

The Garnier SkinActive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream—formulated with hyaluronic acid—helps reduce eye puffiness while minimizing the appearance of dark circles. Use the cream nightly by gently massaging the product starting from the inner corner of your eye area and branching outward until it’s fully absorbed.  

Garnier SkinActive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream, $16.99 MSRP 

KIEHL’S POWER WRINKLE REDUCING EYE CREAM 

Formulated with ingredients like copper, calcium, and caffeine, the Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream can visibly repair wrinkles around the eyes and helps to refine skin’s texture.

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream, $43 MSRP

LA ROCHE-POSAY ACTIVE C10 WRINKLE CREAM WITH VITAMIN C  

The La Roche-Posay Active C10 Wrinkle Cream with Vitamin C can target a multitude of skin concerns pertaining to the eye area. These include reducing the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and dullness that keeps your eyes looking tired and gray.

La Roche-Posay Active C10 Wrinkle Cream with Vitamin C, $52.99 MSRP