10 Best Eye Creams for Mature Skin, Dermatologist Recommended

These formulas are the perfect addition to any anti-aging skincare routine.

Caring for the eye area can feel like a daunting task. The skin around our eyes is prone to fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, loss of elasticity, and more. Plus, “As we age, the skin around our eyes sags, causing the eyelids to droop and blood flow to decrease.

As the skin thins and becomes more translucent, many people are prone to developing dark circles under their eyes,” explains Dara Spearman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Radiant Dermatology in Indiana.

In short, the eye area is often one of the first places to show signs of aging, but adding one of the best eye creams for mature skin to your skincare routine can help.

“Medicated eye creams can boost collagen production, improve elasticity, and smooth fine lines,” says Kristin Gunn, B.S., C.L.T., L.M.A., celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa in Austin.

However, different skin types and concerns have different needs — so which cream is right for you?

Kristina Collins, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Austin Skin, helps us break this cream down ingredient by ingredient: “Retinol stimulates collagen production and smooths fine lines,” she says for those who want to focus primarily on anti-aging benefits.

However, if you want to strengthen the skin barrier, peptides and ceramides can help. Hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration. “Caffeine reduces puffiness by constricting blood vessels, and vitamin C fades dark circles and boosts collagen production,” she adds.

Still not sure where to start? We asked leading dermatologists which eye creams they think are best for mature skin and compiled their top recommendations for a smooth, even, and radiant complexion.

Corrective Skincare D.E.J. Eye Cream

Each of our experts recommended this eye cream as one of the best choices for mature skin, thanks to its skin barrier-supporting formula. “This cream has powerful healing properties with peptides, antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients to support the skin barrier,”

Gunn says of the cream. “It’s lightweight, suitable for all skin types, and can be used morning and night,” she adds. Dr. Collins confirms that it strengthens the skin barrier, makes skin firmer, increases elasticity, and reduces sagging and fine lines.

CeraVe Eye Corrective Cream

No money for your eyes? No problem. Dr. Spearman loves this “affordable option” because of its key ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide — and so do more than 66,000 reviewers on Amazon.

The formula “helps replenish and brighten the skin. This product is great for hydrating and helping to eliminate dark circles,” she says.

One reviewer says: “This eye cream feels so light, smooth and not greasy at all. It absorbs quickly so I don’t have to wait long before putting makeup on or going to bed. It really helps with puffiness and dark circles.

My eye area looks clearer and my eye bags are noticeably reduced. And it feels so hydrating which is a bonus. I love this eye cream! It works great on my puffiness and eye bags and leaves my eyes moisturized. The eye area looks brighter and smoother.”

SkinBetter Science Eyemax Alpharet Night Cream

Gunn calls this night cream “perfect for all skin types” because its gentle yet highly effective formula is packed with ingredients that target nearly every under-eye concern. “It combines gentle retinoids and lactic acid to improve fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture,” she says.

“Not only does EyeMax contain hydrating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides, it also fights puffiness, dark circles, dryness and wrinkles. This cream has it all.”

One reviewer’s opinion: “I’ve been using this eye cream for three years now. I’m 55 and I keep getting comments about how I don’t have crow’s feet around my eyes. I’ve never used Botox. It works just as it says on the tin.”

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream

Not all of the best eye creams for mature skin are expensive, explains Gunn. “Mario Badescu offers quality, affordable eye creams with ingredients tailored to your skin’s needs,” she says, and her favorite is this one, which is especially hydrating.

“It’s lightweight and packed with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin around the eyes soft, supple, and nourished with moisture. It’s ideal for anyone looking to combat dryness and fine lines caused by lack of moisture.”

One reviewer said, “I’ve been using this eye cream for…too long. 15 years? It’s simple, but very hydrating, and I don’t get the same all-day/night hydration every time I try something different. It also goes well under makeup.

I guess I need to stop looking because I’m 52 and I have no wrinkles under or around my eyes. None. No crow’s feet. Nothing. This is the only product I use on my eyes – morning and night. ”

One reviewer wrote: “I was skeptical because it’s so expensive, but I’ve noticed a huge difference. My sagging lids, tired eye puffiness, and lots of dark circles look droopier and wrinklier.

So far, I haven’t noticed a huge change in color, and I’m hoping that after a few uses the dark circles will lighten up a bit. I feel like this has improved the wrinkles around my eyes for at least 10 years, maybe even more.”

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Anti-Dark Circle Brightening Treatment

This eye cream from LaRoche-Posay is a crowd favorite for its ability to combat dark circles. “I love this product because it contains caffeine and niacinamide, which is great for soothing the eye area,” Dr. Spielman commented.

Testers were also fascinated by the applicator, which is not only easy to use but also has a cooling effect for an additional decongestant effect. But be careful: It may not be suitable for sensitive skin because it contains retinol, which can cause drying.

One tester wrote, “I am a hospice nurse and work 12-hour night shifts. This product makes me look like I slept for 12 hours instead of just getting home from get off work! It’s worth the money and I subscribe so it never runs out!”

Olay Retinol 24-Hour Night Eye Cream

Dr. Spielman called this retinol cream “a great product for mature skin” because it contains retinol and works to smooth skin overnight. Not only is it “great for wrinkles and anti-aging,” but it’s also very affordable.

Many retinol creams can irritate sensitive eye skin, but testers agreed that the hydration provided by niacinamide and vitamin E soothed skin immediately — and lasted up to 24 hours.

One tester wrote, “I’m in my 60s and felt old because of the wrinkles on my eyelids. After using this eye cream, I saw tighter skin in a few days! After a few weeks, my wrinkles were gone and my eye puffiness and wrinkles were reduced!

I ran out of my eye cream and decided to use another product…and the wrinkles came back.” This eye cream is so good, goes on smoothly, is non-greasy, and is economical! I just pat it on with my fingers.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream

Both Dr. Collins and Dr. Spearman recommend this advanced eye cream from SkinCeuticals for its effectiveness in fighting fine lines. According to Collins, the magic is in the propylene glycol in the formula, which fights glycation (the main cause of skin aging) and restores elasticity.

Dr. Spearman adds that this cream also contains “peptides that are great for tightening the skin.” One reviewer says, “I’ve used the A.G.E. Eye Complex and it’s the best. It hides fine lines and wrinkles and gives the eye area a radiant, youthful look.

Looks pearly and is very hydrating. Lasts all day and looks and feels great.” Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. If brightening dark circles is most important to you, this cream from Drunk Elephant is the best choice, and according to Dr. Spearman, it’s “a great product for brightening and firming skin.”

That’s largely thanks to the vitamin C-rich formula. Along with peptides and ceramides, it can “fight discoloration and improve the overall appearance of the skin,” she explains.

As someone who suffers from dark circles and dull skin under the eyes due to lack of sleep, I can attest to the brightening effects of this cream. I especially love using it under my makeup, and I actually need less concealer when I use it as a base.

One reviewer says, “I have very sensitive skin and love this stuff. I’ve probably bought it six times. It just takes away the tired, dull look my skin gets as I age. Pricey, but highly recommended.”

NeoCutis Lumière Firming & Brightening Eye Cream

“Dermatologists love this eye cream for mature skin because it uses growth factors and caffeine to deeply repair the skin,” Dr. Collins says of Neocutis’ innovative, science-based skin care.

Not only does it repair the skin, it also contains a powerful combination of patented peptides to hydrate the skin and make it appear firmer almost instantly.

One reviewer says, “I’m very self-conscious about my under-eye area. I have crow’s feet and some bags/wrinkles under my eyes. This eye cream is the most effective I’ve found so far.

It’s not cheap, but you only need a little and one bottle works really well. One bottle lasts me nearly six months of morning and night use.”

Shiseido Benefiance Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream

As we age, our skin often becomes drier and more sensitive. That’s why our experts recommend hydrating formulas, like this ultra-hydrating eye cream from Shiseido.

Thanks to a potent combination of barrier-strengthening peptides and soothing ginseng root, this cream is gentle enough for daily use, but effective enough to keep skin hydrated all day.

Review: “I’ve been using this eye cream for years! It’s so rich and hydrating, and most importantly for me, gentle and soothing! I never run out of this product! !”

How to Choose and Use the Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin

Hydration should be a priority. Different ingredients have different benefits when choosing a formula, but all of our experts agree that hydration is key.

“Most of us need moisture to smooth fine lines, so ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin help draw moisture into the delicate skin around the eyes. ”

Watch out for certain ingredients. Depending on your primary concern, you’ll want different ingredients. If you’re looking for whitening products, “choose vitamin C, niacinamide, or licorice extract, which can even out skin tone and reduce discoloration,” Gunn advises.

Those who want to reduce swelling can use caffeine to reduce swelling. Peptides and ceramides can repair the skin barrier. However, for the best anti-aging benefits, Gunn recommends retinol, which is specially formulated for the eye area to reduce fine lines and improve skin texture by promoting cell turnover.

Apply carefully. “Be careful when using skincare or makeup in this sensitive area. Never pull on the skin, as this increases the risk of skin damage,” advises Dr. Spielman. “Use your ring finger to apply as little pressure as possible. Apply a pea-sized amount of product and gently pat it around the eye area.”

Prevent further damage under the eyes with protective measures like SPF. “I recommend using a daily moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin around the eyes,” explains Dr. Spielman. “I also recommend wearing sunglasses, especially if you’re going to be in the sun for a long time,” she adds. Getting enough sleep and drinking enough fluids can also prevent puffiness and dark circles.