Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editors Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story The best drugstore eye creams treat dark circles, puffiness, dryness, or fine lines (or all of the above) the same way luxe creams do it: with dermatologist-approved formulas that feature well-studied actives, such as retinols , peptides , hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
While you can use a standard facial moisturizer around your eyes, creams formulated for the undereye area are generally lighter in texture, contain actives that target area-specific skin concerns, and are often ophthalmologist-tested to minimize the risk of irritation and stinging. And that’s a big deal, seeing as “the skin around the eyes is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and tends to be more sensitive,” Aegean H. Chan , MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Barbara, California, previously explained . (As with all skin care, patch-test new eye creams if you have particularly sensitive skin.)
Do drugstore eye creams work? Are eye creams necessary for undereye wrinkles? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers From caffeine-powered eye serums that minimize puffiness and help fake the appearance of a full night’s sleep to rich eye creams packed with firming peptides and brightening niacinamide, derms agree that it really comes down to the ingredients, not the price tag—as Dendy Engelman , MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, puts it. Show your undereyes some extra love with these expert-recommended picks.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Why we love it: An eight-time (!) Best of Beauty Award winner , RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is loved for its time-tested, workhorse formula. Glycerin, vitamin E, vitamin B5, and pure retinol—released over a period of 12 hours to minimize irritation—hydrate, smooth fine lines, and reduce the look of undereye circles. “The lines around my 48-year-old eyes are markedly smoother and my dark circles less pronounced,” Allure executive beauty editor Jenny Bailly says.
“Retinol is my most recommended ingredient for skin care, and this is a drugstore option I suggest often,” says Corey L. Hartman , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. “It delivers an immediate boost of moisture, and with continuous use, you should see improvement in fine lines and dark circles around the eye,” he says. Speaking of “continuous use,” have patience when you’re starting out with this (or any) retinol product. You may see results as soon as three weeks after adding it to your routine, but it could take up to three months to notice improvements. And always remember to wear sunscreen to counteract the sun-sensitive side effects of retinol.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“RoC's retinol eye cream has been a tried-and-true formula for many years now. I'm probably aging myself by linking to this review I wrote in 2021, but with the added years (I'm 33 now), my concerns about volume loss and creasing around the eyes are even more prevalent, so RoC's Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream has made its way back into my nighttime rotation. After all, not much can beat retinol in terms of wrinkle-reducing efficacy. I've never had any sensitivity using it either, perhaps due to the fact that soothing glycerin is one of the top ingr…