When fine lines, wrinkles and crepiness appear around the eyes, there's one ingredient that is scientifically-backed to help slow down the process: retinol. Retinoids (the broader term for vitamin A derivatives, including retinol) are universally beloved by dermatologists and highly recommended in skin care to stimulate collagen and increase cell turnover—two processes that diminish lines and wrinkles. Retinol, in the right potency, can be especially useful in eye creams when formulated with additional ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, to overall reduce crow’s-feet, under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness and more.
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It sells every 30 seconds for a reason; actually several reasons. Whether you're looking to depuff the eyes, brighten dark circles, improve skin firmness or smooth out wrinkles (or all of the above), the drugstore favorite targets all of your eye area concerns with help from pure RoC retinol.
BUY ON AMAZON - $30
BUY ON ULTA - $30
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This year's NewBeauty Awards winner for Best Eye Cream With Retinol is Eve Lom's Time Retreat Smoothing Eye Cream. For such a lightweight feels, it's packed with anti-aging superstars like retinol to reduce fine lines, vitamin C to add luminosity to the under-eyes and prebiotic oat kernel to soothe. Also, hyaluronic acid counters the drying effect retinol may cause.
BUY ON EVE LOM - $85
BUY ON DERMSTORE - $85
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Wear this one overnight and wake up to smoother, lifted, firmer and brighter eyes—sans irritation—thanks to ultra-slow release of twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde, plus ceramides, chamomile extract and hyaluronic acid. Available in three strengths (0.03, 0.06, and 0.1 percent), it's a great option for retinol rookies and seasoned users alike.
BUY ON MEDIK8 - $53
BUY ON AMAZON - $53
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The French-pharmacy classic contains pure retinol paired with caffeine and the brand's signature (and antioxidant-rich) thermal spring water to reduce wrinkles, depuff and stave off under-eye inflammation. It has light, creamy-gel texture and is both fragrance- and paraben-free, as well as allergy-tested.
BUY ON ULTA - $50
BUY ON AMAZON - $50
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The most budget-friendly option on the list is a K-Beauty eye serum with a 10/10 ingredient duo: the titular ginseng and retinal. The former helps boost collagen production and brightness; the latter smooths fine line and texture. The gel-like serum is so soothing to apply and is fragrance-free.
BUY NOW - $17
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If you have sensitive eyes, try Avène's RetrinAL Eyes, a creamy, gentle and fragrance-free formula with retinaldehyde, a stabilized version of retinol, hyaluronic acid and thermal spring water.
BUY ON ULTA - $49.50
BUY ON AMAZON - $49.50
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Murad's Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum is unique in that it's safe to use on the entire eye area—under eyes andupper eyelids. It's powered by a Retinol Tri-Active Technology: a time-released retinol with a fast-acting retinoid and a booster that ups the efficacy of both.
BUY ON AMAZON - $89
BUY ON SEPHORA - $89
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Infused with moisturizing squalane and ceramides and powered by encapsulated retinol technology, this formula is another great choice for sensitive skin—and one of the rare retinol products that can be used morning and night.
BUY ON FIRST AID BEAUTY - $44
BUY ON ULTA - $44
