Puffy eyes? Crow’s Feet? Make Sure Your Eye Cream Contains Retinol
According to Google, searches for ‘eye cream for fine lines’ has increased by 60% since March this year. So, it’s no surprise there’s been an influx of eye products containing retinol.
Retinol? We hear you scream! We’ve also had to get our head around the idea of putting an active ingredient around our eyes, but according to Skin Doctor (skndoctor), Ewoma Ukeleghe, it’s a common misconception that retinol is not meant to be used around the eye area, in fact it can be one of the best things you can do for your skin as you age. “It’s a great alternative to Botox,” says Ukeleghe. “And a great starting point to begin your retinol journey because eye products contain a low percentage and they’re packed with co-ingredients that alleviate the side effects you would normally get from retinol.” And let’s not forget, the eye area is often the first sign of aging, so it makes perfect sense to start slathering it on. Here are the retinol eye creams and products we rate for a skincare kick around the eyes…
The Best Retinol Eye Creams Worth Trying
Best For: Budget Buy
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream, £12.99
Why we love it: Proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get results. This purse-friendly favourite will work hard to fill in fine lines while Shea Butter will keep the area well moisturised.
Best For: Puffiness
La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Eye Cream, £24
Why we love it: Puffy eyes rejoice! This formula is packed with caffeine to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation which leads to a tightening wide-eyed look with no swelling whatsoever.
Best For: Lightweight Formula
Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinol Eye Balm, £16.50
Why we love it: If you’re a sucker for a nice texture, try this luxe eye-nourisher that glides across and under eyes with ease feeding your skin with a cocktail of moisturising ingredients in its path.
Best For: Brightening
GLOW RECIPE Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask, £41
Why we love it: This best-seller works hard while you sleep. With encapsulated retinol, avocado, and coffeeberry that slowly releases on to the skin while you catch some shut eye. Hello wide-awake eyes, come morning!
Best For: Mature Skin
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide (3, 6, 10) from £42
Why we love it: Raising the bar is this fast-absorbing retinol eye cream that contains not just one, but two forms of encapsulated retinol to ensure the ultra-slow release of the ingredient, so you can be 100% certain this won’t irritate even the most sensitive of eyes. Not even the teeniest tingle sensation can be felt.
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream, £24.99
Why we love it: As you know, we’re big fans of French skincare and this eye cream is the latest must-have to join the list. Featherweight, ultra-absorbing with impressively noticeable results.
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, £13 member price
Why we love it: An absolute bargain of an eye cream that gives serious glow while visibly plumping out wrinkles. A no-frills formula that punches well above its weight.
Best For: Retinol Newbies
No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream, £24.95
Why we love it: A mild creamy texture formulated with 0.5% pure retinol and No7’s famous MATRIXYL 3000+ collagen peptide technology aka a skincare powerhouse. This will ward off any fine lines from appearing.
Best For: Hydration
First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream, £38
Why we love it: For a hefty hit of hydration, this is your best friend. One application and your eye area feels refreshed and looks brighter too thanks to the light-reflecting particles.
Best For: Retinol Enthusiasts
Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum, £60
Why we love it: So lightweight, you can’t believe this will actually work – but it does! A 6% retinoid complex mixed with niacinamide to support natural collagen production which is slowly released over time to avoid irritation.
Best For: Eyes, Lashes & Brows
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum, £52
Why we love it: Containing potent doses of black tea ferment and copper peptides yet gentle enough to use across the orbital bone, eyelid and as a lash and brow serum too! A fabulous all-rounder.
Best For: Tired Eyes
ILIA Bright Start Retinol Alternative Eye Cream, £52
Why we love it: A celebrity skincare staple (Niall Horan, Riley Keough and Pamela Anderson to name a few). Boasting light-reflecting pearls that instantly illuminate and blur the skin around the eyes helping to fake a wide-away look! But it’s the cooling ceramic tip applicator had us at hello!
Best For: Sensitive Eyes
StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream, £62
Why we love it: The newest member of the advanced retinol family. Ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free and plant-based it ticks all the right boxes. Studies have shown that after just 8 weeks wrinkles and puffiness improves and skin becomes tighter around the eye area.
Best For: Dark Circles
Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Eye Cream, £24.99
Why we love it: If dark circles are your bugbear, this is a great choice. A gentle yet hardworking formula that brightens, lightens and smoothes out fine lines around the eyes.
Unsure how to use retinol and why it’s beneficial, these are the 6 retinol rules you need to know
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
