We tested and selected the best anti-aging eye creams of the year. During testing, we evaluated ease of application, texture and finish, comfort, and hydration.

Best Anti-Aging Eye Creams of 2026

• Best Overall: Musely The Eye Serum
• Best Value Anti-Aging Eye Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
• Best Luxury Anti-Aging Eye Cream: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
• Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Retinol: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
• Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Peptides: StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum
• Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Dry Skin: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream Comparison Table

Eye Cream	Key Ingredients	Best For	AM or PM Use	Size
Musely The Eye Serum	Depends on the prescription	Fine lines and dark circles	Brand doesn’t say	Not publicly available
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid	Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8	Lifting and sculpting around the eye area	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum	Trans-retinol & encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan	Eye wrinkles, sagging, dryness	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz
StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum	Triple peptide blend, caffeine and kakadu plum extract, microalgae peptides	Visibly tightens, firms, and brightens the entire eye area	AM and PM	1 fl oz
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream	Peptides, squalane, ginseng extract, vitamin E	Wrinkle-smoothing, hydration, dark circle reduction	AM and PM	0.50 fl oz

Musely The Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Depends on the prescription
Best For	Fine lines and dark circles
AM or PM Use	Brand doesn’t say
Size	Not publicly available
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Key Ingredients	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid
Best For	Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
Key Ingredients	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8
Best For	Lifting and sculpting around the eye area
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Trans-retinol & encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan
Best For	Eye wrinkles, sagging, dryness
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz
StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Triple peptide blend, caffeine and kakadu plum extract, microalgae peptides
Best For	Visibly tightens, firms, and brightens the entire eye area
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	1 fl oz
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
Key Ingredients	Peptides, squalane, ginseng extract, vitamin E
Best For	Wrinkle-smoothing, hydration, dark circle reduction
AM or PM Use	AM and PM
Size	0.50 fl oz

Best Overall: Musely The Eye Serum

Our Thoughts on Musely The Eye Serum

Musely Eye Serum is our pick for the best overall anti-aging eye cream because it has a targeted, prescription-only approach to caring for the skin around your eyes. Ingredients are selected by a clinician based on your skin concerns and may include tretinoin, caffeine, hydroquinone, and more. The tube packaging makes this eye serum easy to travel with, too, which is great for professionals who are constantly on the go. 

Paige, who has acne-prone, dry skin, tested Musely Eye Serum. Her primary skin concerns include fine lines and wrinkles, along with dryness. Paige rated the application of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. 

“The packaging is very easy to use and intuitive,” she said. “The metal tip on the package is cooling and distributes the product well. It did take a few pumps to get the product to start coming out, but each pump was more than enough to cover the surface area around each eye. The packaging tube is very thin and would be easy to store and travel with.”

Paige rated the texture and feel of this eye serum a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s a thin cream consistency that spreads well and is very breathable. It does take a bit of effort to rub in and absorb, but once it does, it’s very lightweight without being oily or sticky. This serum left my eyes feeling refreshed and moisturized.”

In terms of effectiveness, our tester was pleased. “The areas around my eyes felt way more hydrated with a few uses of this product,” she said. “I saw some improvements with fine lines and puffiness. I think this would continue to improve with more long-term use. The active ingredients are prescription-strength and helpful with these issues. I didn’t have to wash my face off in the morning to apply makeup, and it layered well with other products,” Paige said.

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $41 per month; bottle size not publicly available
• Active ingredients: Depends on the prescription
• Retinol: Depends on the prescription
• Targets: Fine lines and dark circles

Best Value Anti-Aging Eye Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is our pick for the best budget eye cream because it includes retinol and hyaluronic acid to address fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, and it costs less than $30. Our tester liked that she could apply her mineral sunscreen a few minutes after this eye cream, and it also paired well with makeup. It didn’t add much time to her routine, so we think it’s a great pick for a busy professional.

Jennifer tested RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. Her skin is dry and sensitive, and her primary skin concerns are puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. She rated the application of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “The packaging makes it easy to use,” she said. “I used a small pea-sized amount, dotted it around my under-eye area, and then gently applied it. The product went on smoothly and absorbed quickly with no residue.”

She was also pleased with the texture and feel of this eye cream, again rating it a 5 out of 5. “The product is creamy and has a silky-smooth feel,” Jennifer said. She did note that the product had a “cooling effect that stings slightly at first application, but that sensation went away after a few minutes.”

In terms of overall effectiveness, our tester rated this product a 4 out of 5. “I noticed results in just a few days,” she said. “My under-eye area looks smoother and brighter; the product hydrates the entire area quickly.”

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $43.98
• Active ingredients: Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid
• Retinol: Yes
• Targets: Fine lines, dark circles, puffiness

Best Luxury Anti-Aging Eye Cream: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt

Our Thoughts on Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt is our pick for the best luxury anti-aging eye cream because it includes both high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to “soften the look of fine lines” and also has hexapeptide-8, which the brand says is there to smooth the appearance of lines caused by facial movement.

Charlotte tested Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt. She has oily skin and took Accutane® in 2024, so while her skin has “changed for the better,” she still struggles with discoloration, scarring, and occasional breakouts. Her primary skin concerns are dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. 

Our tester rated the application of this eye cream a 4 out of 5. “The packaging is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use,” Charlotte said. “It’s a pump top with a small dispenser; one pump provides the perfect amount of product to use. It takes a bit of tapping and blending it into my under-eye area to get it to evenly soak into my skin, but it’s smooth and feels good! It spreads easily and didn’t clump or feel sticky.”

She enjoyed the texture and feel of this eye cream, rating it a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s very lightweight. You only need a rice-sized amount to get it all around your eyes. It doesn’t absorb right away. You need some extra work to tap it into your eyes, but that’s typical with eye cream. It makes my eyes feel very soft,” Charlotte noted.

When it comes to overall effectiveness, our tester rated this product a 4 out of 5. “My eyes feel very hydrated, and the puffiness is definitely reduced,” she said. “I had no issues putting makeup on over this product. I still have some slight darkness under my eyes, but this is likely due to sleeping habits.”

Charlotte added, “This is good for a busy professional; however, it does take a minute to soak into your face, so if you are in a rush, this may be best as a night product.”

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $176
• Active ingredients: 2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8
• Retinol: No
• Targets: Lifting and sculpting around the eye area

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Retinol: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum

Our Thoughts on Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum is our pick for the best anti-aging eye cream with retinol because it includes both trans-retinol and encapsulated retinol to help improve how wrinkles, dark spots, and texture appear. It also utilizes bakuchiol, ferulic acid, and rambutan, all of which help to hydrate the eye area. 

Because this product is so lightweight and absorbs quickly, we think it’s a great eye serum for professionals who rush off to the office every morning or can’t wait to quickly crash in bed at the end of the day.

Gwen tested Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum. She has normal skin with occasional dryness and experiences eczema in the winter. Gwen rated the application a 5 out of 5. “The packaging is easy to use with a standard pump that doesn’t dispense too much product. I only need about a pea-sized amount for both of my eyes,” she said. “This product has a gel consistency, which I really love because it absorbs quickly.”

She was pleased with the texture and feel of this eye serum, also rating it a 5 out of 5 in this category. “This gel is incredibly lightweight and absorbs quickly,” Gwen said. “I often have eye cream issues because they absorb slowly and make my makeup look blotchy. This one absorbs very quickly, and it doesn’t leave any residue behind.”

Gwen rated the effectiveness a 4 out of 5. “My under-eye area feels more hydrated, and this visibly reduces puffiness. I don’t think my dark circles improved too much because I have genetically very thin skin under my eyes,” she said. “However, I do notice my crow’s feet area looking smoother after using this product for about two months consistently. I notice less creasing with my concealer, too.”

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $146
• Active ingredients: Trans-retinol & encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan
• Retinol: Yes
• Targets: Eye wrinkles, sagging, and dryness

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Peptides: StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum

Our Thoughts on StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum

StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum is our pick for the best anti-aging eye cream with peptides because it includes a triple-peptide blend: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, dipeptide-2, and Nicotiana benthamiana octapeptide-30 sh-oligopeptide-2, along with caffeine and other ingredients to address fine lines, crepey skin, and puffiness.

Chloe tested StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum. She has normal skin that’s a little oily in the summer. Her primary skin concerns are dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, plus loss of firmness. She rated the application of this eye serum a 4 out of 5. “This eye cream was easy to use, and it even has an application tip, so it’s easy to spread the product under my eyes. I didn’t need much at all, just a little drop to spread across each under-eye area. It spreads smoothly, too,” she said.

She rated the texture and feel of this eye cream a 4 out of 5 as well. “The cream isn’t super heavy at all, but it’s not a gel, either,” Chloe said. “I think this is most ideal for nighttime use because it doesn’t absorb super quickly, so it’s great for deep hydration before bed. By morning, though, there’s no residue left behind at all.”

Our tester rated the effectiveness a 4 out of 5. “My under-eye area is definitely hydrated, and I’ve noticed improvement in my fine lines, too,” she said. “I do think that it’s not the best under makeup like concealer, though. It’s a little thicker than a gel and takes a bit of time to absorb.” That being said, we recommend this eye serum for professionals to use at night.

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $82
• Active ingredients: Triple peptide blend, caffeine, kakadu plum extract, and microalgae peptides
• Retinol: No
• Targets: Visibly tighten, firm, and brighten the entire eye area

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Dry Skin: Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream

Our Thoughts on Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream is our pick for the best anti-aging eye cream for dry skin because the formulation includes squalane, glycerin, and other ingredients that all draw in moisture to support a smoother-feeling (and looking) skin barrier. It’s made for nighttime use, which we think is a great solution for busy professionals. Our tester noticed looking more alert and less puffy in the mornings after using this eye cream, which gave her more confidence.

Colette tested Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream. She has combination skin that is sometimes flaky or dry in reaction to using Retin-A®. Her primary skin concerns are dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 

She rated the application of this eye cream a 5 out of 5. “The packaging and formula make for a luxury experience that’s easy to use. The jar is small but well made,” she said, “making it easy to open and close. It also comes with a small wand applicator so you don’t have to dip your fingers into the product. The cream glides on smoothly, and a little product goes a long way. It blends in nicely and doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin, which is especially important for the eye area.”

Our tester rated the texture and feel of this eye cream a 4.5 out of 5. “It has a smooth, silky feel. It applies and absorbs easily without leaving any sticky or greasy residue. The scent is also very mild, which I appreciate,” she said. 

She rated the effectiveness a 4 out of 5. After six weeks of use, she noticed that her under-eye skin felt more hydrated, less puffy, and her dark circles improved. “I personally didn’t notice a difference in skin texture or fine lines (particularly crow’s feet), but it could be from not having used the product long enough. I think the difference I’ve seen is material enough to continue using the product. It’s also a small luxury in my nightly skincare routine.”

Specs:

• Price per ounce: $136
• Active ingredients: Peptides, squalane, ginseng extract, vitamin E
• Retinol: No
• Targets: Wrinkle-smoothing, hydration, dark circle reduction

Why the Right Eye Cream Matters to Professionals 

Using anti-aging eye cream is about managing concerns that you look more tired than you actually feel. Screen time, long workweeks, and travel may make dryness and dark circles more noticeable. The right anti-aging eye cream formulation may help to enhance the hydration around your eyes and also make the skin smoother.

A good anti-aging eye cream has to fit in well with your existing skincare routine. In testing, anti-aging eye creams that felt most usable were easy to dispense and apply, used only a small amount of product, and layered well with other skincare products like sunscreen and makeup. 

How We Tested and Selected the Best Anti-Aging Eye Creams 

Here’s how we tested the best anti-aging eye creams of the year.

Application

Testers considered how easy it was to open the anti-aging eye cream packaging, dispense the right amount of product, and apply it around their eyes. Anti-aging eye creams in pump dispensers or those with metal applicators (for cooling) were favored. Testers generally liked packaging that made it easy to dispense the right amount of product, especially because the eye area generally requires less. Testers rated the ease of application on a scale of 1 to 5.

Texture and Feel

Testers noted how each anti-aging eye cream felt on their under-eye area. Before applying, some formulations felt whipped/airy, while others felt thicker or more like a gel-cream. Lightweight creams and serums tended to be more breathable and absorb faster, while richer anti-aging eye creams felt more moisturizing. Our team also looked for a finish that felt comfortable on the skin, rather than oily, sticky, or heavy. Testers rated texture and feel on a scale of 1 to 5.

Formula

We looked at the formulation of each anti-aging eye cream, paying attention to each product’s active and supportive ingredients. Ingredients like peptides, caffeine, and retinoids may target concerns such as fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. We also considered ingredients that hydrate the under-eye area to reduce dryness.

Comfort 

Since the skin around your eyes is thin, comfort was a big consideration during testing. Testers made note of any irritation, redness, or stinging during and after applying the anti-aging eye cream. Anti-aging eye creams that scored the highest felt soothing and light enough to wear throughout the day or overnight. Testers rated the comfort of the anti-aging eye cream on their skin on a scale of 1 to 5.

Value

Eye Cream	Key Ingredients	Price Per Ounce
Musely The Eye Serum	Depends on the prescription	$41 per month; size of bottle not publicly available
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid	$43.98
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8	$176
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum	Trans-retinol & encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan	$146
StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum	Triple peptide blend, caffeine and kakadu plum extract, microalgae peptides	$82
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream	Peptides, squalane, ginseng extract, vitamin E	$136

Musely The Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Depends on the prescription
Price Per Ounce	$41 per month; size of bottle not publicly available
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Key Ingredients	Patented clinical retinol, hyaluronic acid
Price Per Ounce	$43.98
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt
Key Ingredients	2HA volume filler, sculpting hexapeptide-8
Price Per Ounce	$176
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Trans-retinol & encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan
Price Per Ounce	$146
StriVectin Peptight 360 Tightening Eye Serum
Key Ingredients	Triple peptide blend, caffeine and kakadu plum extract, microalgae peptides
Price Per Ounce	$82
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
Key Ingredients	Peptides, squalane, ginseng extract, vitamin E
Price Per Ounce	$136

How to Find the Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream for You

Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best eye cream for you.

Your Skin Type

If you have dry or dehydrated skin, you may prefer a thicker, richer anti-aging eye cream. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may prefer a lightweight gel anti-aging eye cream instead.

Primary Skin Concerns

If your under-eye area is dry, we recommend choosing a formulation that will help your skin feel hydrated and smooth, without pilling. If your under-eye area is puffy, we recommend a lighter formula with a cooling metal applicator. If you have dark circles, you may want to look for hydrating and brightening ingredients. Keep in mind that dark circles may be influenced by genetics, sleep, or other factors that topical skincare products can’t fully change.

Fragrance 

Choose a fragrance-free anti-aging eye cream, especially if you have acne, eczema, or sensitive skin. When trying a new anti-aging eye cream, introduce it gradually and do a patch test to ensure it won’t cause irritation.

Right Consistency 

Finding the anti-aging eye cream with the right consistency for you can be tricky. If you’d like to use one at night only, you won’t need to worry about layering it with makeup or how quickly it absorbs. If you’d like to use your eye cream in the morning, it’s best to select a consistency that’s not too heavy, so it doesn’t crease under your makeup or pill under other skincare products.

What to Avoid in Anti-Aging Eye Creams

• Fragrance, if you have sensitive skin
• Retinol and retinoids, use in low concentrations that are formulated for your eye area
• Glycolic acid, BHAs, AHAs, use with caution
• Essential oils, if you have sensitive skin

Fortune’s Final Thoughts

The best anti-aging eye cream for you is one you’ll use consistently, and that fits your skin concerns and routine. Musely The Eye Serum is our top overall pick since it’s guided by a prescription. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is great for shoppers looking for a lower-cost retinol formulation, while Dr. Dennis Gross is likely better for advanced retinol users who want a serum that absorbs fast. 

If you want to improve dryness, Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream is a nourishing nighttime option. If you’re focused on maintaining firmness and improving fine lines but want to skip retinol, StriVectin Peptight 360 includes peptides. Finally, if you’re looking for a premium, lightweight cream that works well under makeup, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift + Sculpt is our luxury pick.

Frequently asked questions

How can eye cream help with early signs of aging?

“The eyes are one of the first indicators of aging,” says Dr. Robert Schwarcz, MD, FACS. “The delicate skin in this area is thinner and more prone to changes over time due to a combination of collagen loss, reduced elasticity, and repeated muscle movements from blinking and facial expressions. Common effects are fine lines and wrinkles, sagging or crepey skin, puffiness, hollow under eyes, and dark circles. The right eye cream to help with early signs of aging should have the right combination of active ingredients that can help with hydration, fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles,” he said.

What skincare ingredients help prevent signs of aging?

Per Dr. Schwarcz, key ingredients to look for in an effective eye cream to help combat signs of aging include:

• Peptides: A great addition for an eye cream to help firm and reduce fine lines.  
• Humectants: Attract and retain moisture from the environment or deeper layers of the skin. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most effective and widely used humectants in skincare because it can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping to keep the skin hydrated, plump, and smooth.
• Caffeine: This is very important in an eye cream. It’s often sourced from coffee extract or green tea extract, and it helps reduce puffiness and improve circulation.
• Retinol: This is an incredible ingredient for an eye cream as it helps increase cellular turnover to stimulate collagen, and it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, this water-soluble vitamin offers a wide range of proven skin benefits. It is commonly used in eye cream for its anti-inflammatory and brightening benefits.
• Antioxidants: This includes Vitamins C and E, which are very useful for protecting against environmental damage by neutralizing free radicals and brightening skin tone. They also help protect and repair the delicate skin around the eyes from environmental and oxidative damage.

Should you apply anti-aging eye creams at night or in the morning?

“Eye cream is generally applied after cleansing, toning, and serums but before moisturizer,” says Dr. Schwarcz. “You can apply it in the morning and at night, or just at night depending on your skincare goals and preferences.”