Debating whether you need retinol in your skin-care routine? We’ll cut to the chase: If you want to diminish signs of aging and encourage new cell growth, then yes, you do. However, it’s not as simple as purchasing the first tube of retinol cream you see at the drugstore, slathering it on and calling it a day—especially when it comes to retinol eye cream.
The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate, so many eye creams contain unique ingredients—or ingredients at lower concentrations—to effectively treat the area without causing irritation. Dr. Gretchen Frieling, a board-certified dermatopathologist in Boston backs us up:
“Retinols are a great choice for the under-eye area because they boost collagen production, which makes them ideal for smoothing existing fine lines and preventing new ones from forming,” says Frieling. But she also adds, “the area underneath the eyes is thinner and therefore more sensitive than the rest of the skin on your face, [so] you want to choose a retinol product designed specifically for the eyes, otherwise it could be too potent and lead to irritation and dryness.”
Here, eight of our favorite retinol eye creams proven to fight fine lines and wrinkles, ranging from $10 to $85.