Photo: Vika Mau Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Maybe you’re legitimately exhausted—or perhaps you just look it. Either way, an under eye wrinkle treatment can help. These formulations go a step beyond the your standard hydrating eye creams and under-eye patches to accomplish a near-impossible task: smoothing the crinkles and laugh lines around the eyes.
These lines can be especially tough to treat, according to Carmen Castilla, MD , board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. For one, the skin in this area is “the thinnest on the face and is naturally more prone to wrinkling and accelerated aging,” she says. Years of smiling, laughing, or making any number of facial expressions can lead to deeper folds and wrinkles over time. And, because the skin here is more delicate, the eye area tends to be more prone to irritation—making it potentially harder to treat fine lines without setting skin off.
Because of that, not just any eye cream will do. Experts point to ingredients like retinoids , peptides , hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to smooth the look of wrinkles and give the area a fresher, tighter appearance. Still, keep in mind that a cream can only go so far. “While topicals can soften fine lines and improve texture, they will not tighten true laxity or deeper folds,” says Jane Yoo, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in New York. So you may want to consider it part of an overarching strategy for smoother, brighter eyes. With that in mind, here’s what to add to your top shelf.
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What eye cream actually works for wrinkles?
An eye cream with targeted ingredients to spur collagen production—such as retinoids and peptides—can make the biggest difference in wrinkles around the eyes. However, early usage can make a world of difference in results, since lines around the eyes, being caused by facial expressions, only get worse over time. To that end, eye creams “are best for prevention and for patients with very fine lines,” Dr. Castilla says. “Once those lines are deep set, creams will make minimal impact.”
What to Look for in an Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Eye creams can be tough to navigate, in part because “everyone is looking for something a little different out of their creams,” says Erum Ilyas, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in King of Prussia, PA. “Some may be seeking support for dark undereye circles, others for puffiness, and others for wrinkles or heavy eyelids.”
Eye creams for wrinkles can also target these other concerns. Dr. Castilla points to retinoids in particular as a good ingredient to look for, as well as hydrators like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. These either “focus on either hydration of the surface of the skin to make it appear more supple and make wrinkles appear less apparent, or try to make the skin les…