It goes without saying that dermatologists adore retinol. The vitamin A derivative has been shown to increase collagen production, eradicating fine lines and wrinkles. When it comes to your eyes, however, a product created particularly for the delicate skin around the eyes is preferable to your normal retinol cream. So we’ve compiled a list of the top retinol eye creams you should be using right now.
Best retinol eye creams to include in your beauty regimen
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Because it has the thinnest skin on the body, the under-eye region is extremely sensitive. According to experts, retinol in this region may be overly irritating and, if not used correctly, might potentially induce inflammation. If you’re concerned about irritation, only apply the product in the evening. Retinols have traditionally been used at night because UV exposure can inactivate vitamin A derivatives, and retinols can make the skin more UV sensitive, according to dermatologists.
When used on a daily basis, retinol will tighten and smooth the skin beneath and around your eyes. The best part is that there are so many eye cream compositions available that there is no need to use a one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, we discovered 8 retinol eye products, each of which addresses a distinct issue while leaving all skin types smooth, moisturised, and irritation-free.
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- Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Eye Rescue
- Glow Recipe's Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
- The INKEY List's Retinol Eye Cream
- Kiehl's Youth Dose Eye Treatment
- RoC's Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Eye Cream Treatment
- Murad's Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
- Olay's Regenerist Retinol24 Night Eye Cream
- bareMinerals' Ageless Phyto-Retinol Eye Cream
- Peace Out's Retinol Eye Stick
- Kate Somerville's +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
- Pilgrim Under Eye Serum Roll-On Retinol & Caffeine for Dark Circles, Wrinkle & Puffiness
Charlotte’s Magic Eye Rescue dramatically enhances elasticity and firmness with a cocktail of cell-energising winter daphne stem cell extract, rice and soy peptides, saccharide isomerate and free radical-fighting vitamins A, C and E – all alongside a proprietary ‘botanical eye contour complex’ that works to increase ‘stretch’, resilience and density for younger-looking eyes. Reparative and protective, this replenishing cream has an instant skin-smoothing and ‘lifting’ effect – ideal for disguising signs of a too-late night – while the inclusion of moisturising coconut oil and shea butter helps to lock in precious moisture to restore skin’s ‘bounce’ and softness.
Intensely nourishing, this luxurious Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask is crammed with moisturising, age-defying and brightening ingredients to leave you looking bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning. Rich in antioxidants including conditioning vitamins E and C, avocado oil and extract soothe and nourishe the delicate under-eye area while protecting it against harmful environmental aggressors like free radicals.
Other hard-working ingredients include niacinamide, which helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier while visibly improving the appearance of dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, along with caffeine-laced coffeeberry to reduce puffiness and dark circles. The star of the show? Encapsulated retinol, which helps to firm, smooth and plump fine lines and wrinkles without the harsher side effects often associated with retinol.
Vitamin A derivatives have been proven to work at the cellular level to brighten skin and stimulate collagen production. The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream offers an alternative to traditionally irritating retinoids: a ground-breaking slow-release formula plus rich but lightweight oils so it’s gentle enough to use around the eyes. This night-time eye cream is formulated with Shea Butter to moisturise and soothe while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s an eye cream that actually works.
This hydrating formula instantly smoothes and brightens the appearance of the undereye area while reducing the look of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles in as little as two weeks. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and smoothly and feels lightweight on the skin. It’s formulated with pro-retinol, red grapeseed extract and vitamin C. The concentrated grape seed extract provides a natural-looking peachy color to the formula.
RoC is likely the drugstore’s name for retinol, so it’s difficult to go wrong with the brand’s line-smoothing eye cream. The hypoallergenic solution produces significant effects in as little as four weeks.
A supercharged treatment for skin that shows signs of a cellular slow-down, this revitalising serum is jam-packed with instant and time-released retinol to rev your cells’ engines and rapidly minimise lines while recovering radiance. From firmness to furrows and texture to tone – this breakthrough formula has a rapid impact; smoothing and softening wrinkles and boosting resilience, leaving your face looking less lined and youthfully dewy. Created to deliver results without retinol’s side-effects, this non-irritating elixir is great for all skin types
The Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Eye Cream penetrates deep into the delicate skin surface around your eyes. It has a light, silky feel and absorbs quickly, going deep into your skin’s surface so you wake up every morning to younger-looking, radiant eyes. The proprietary blend combines Vitamin B3 + Retinoid complex.
For those with extremely sensitive skin who desire the benefits of retinol but without the aggravation, bareMinerals uses phyto-retinol, a faux retinol, to get the same results without the drawbacks. It will still attack fine wrinkles, but those who are sensitive to retinol can use it without fear of an allergic reaction.
This eye stick is both fun and relaxing to use. While it provides firming retinol to your under-eyes, squalane and peptides help plump the skin for youthful results. Furthermore, the texture of this balm feels like a primer, which quickly improves the feel of your skin.
This silky, weightless eye cream improves the appearance of skin firmness, texture and elasticity and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the eye area. It firms with retinol and bioretinols, natural ingredients that mimic the effort of retinol but with less sensitivity. Hyaluronic acid increases hydration and helps smooth the appearance of skin.
Pilgrim Squalane Roll-on Under Eye Cream Serum is a luxurious under-eye spa designed to refresh and rejuvenate. A gentle glide of the roll-on serum applicator deeply hydrates.
It features an easy-to-use roll on serum applicator that improves blood circulation to visibly reduce dark circles. The plant-derived retinol alternative and caffeine help minimise the appearance of your under-eye bags. The moisture magnet squalane hydrates and plumps the look of fine lines and wrinkles under and around the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Retinol is the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients, and there's plenty of it in this silky serum. The vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production under the eyes, reducing the visibility of dark circles.
Answer: Consuming vitamin K on a daily basis will help in the disappearance of your dark circles. Vitamin K-rich foods include turnip greens, cauliflower, pomegranate, and tomatoes.
Answer: Retinol is a popular ingredient among skincare experts and dermatologists for combating signs of ageing, dark circles, and under-eye bags. Retinol can work in the lower layers of the skin, past the epidermis, to increase collagen production.
Answer: Use a retinol product at night. Retinol stimulates the turnover of skin cells. This starts the process of removing the pigmented cells that are already present. As you peel the dark spots away, your skin replaces them with pigmented cells.
Anushka likes to write about fashion, beauty, and other nice things. When not bound to her keyboard, she likes to make her Pinterest boards come to life.
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