Quick Summary
Best for instant results: LifeCell (free trial available)
Best for permanent results: LifeCell, Shiseido Benefiance and Rodan and Fields Redefine
Best organic natural/vegan/plant based anti-wrinkle eye cream: XYZ Collagen, Vichy Liftactiv Supreme and Shiseido Benefiance
Most comprehensive anti-wrinkle eye cream/best ingredients formulation: LifeCell (for under-eye bags, dark circles, crepey eyelids smoothing, face, all area around eyes)
Best value for money: LifeCell, RevitaLift and Clinique PEP START
Best collagen/peptides based anti-wrinkle eye cream: LifCell , Rodan and Fields Redefine and XYZ Collagen
Best otc Retinol(tretinoin) based eye wrinkle cream for men & women: LifeCell, Revitalift and Neutrogena Rapid wrinkle repair
Currently, overall, based on user reviews, LifeCell, Rodan and Fields Redefine & XYZ Collagen seem to be leading the race of best eye creams for dark circles and wrinkles under & around the eyes.
Top 7 anti-wrinkle/under eye creams
- LifeCell
LifeCell is both a quick fix and long term skin builder with repeated applications & age defying cream that has some unique ingredients. It uses light reflecting microcrystals (perfect for under-eye application) and it comes with powerful skin collagen building components, peptides and antioxidants.
Its ingredients have been extensively studied and proven to work for deep wrinkle repair by respected medical departments at Yale, Harvard, Cornell, and Oxford. In addition to water-binding agents, antioxidants, and anti-irritants, LifeCell contains the following active ingredients:
Dithiolane-3-Pentanoic Acid
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Deanol (DMAE): Firms sagging skin
Acetyl Hexapeptide-3/AH3 (argireline): Blocks neurotransmitters that cause facial muscles to contract, a cheap alternative to Botox!
Retinol (Topical vitamin A–based/retinoids creams are one of the most used and most studied anti-aging compounds— may reduce fine lines and wrinkles)
Fractionated Silicon Dioxide: When processed, this ingredient turns into billions of microscopic 3D nanoprisms that refract light making it the best cream for fine lines & crows’ feet
LifeCell instant wrinkle cream works on two levels.
-Level one is the LifeCell “immediate/instant botox-like effect”. Because the human eye can only just see the shadow, the ingredients in Lifecell wrinkle filler use light-reflecting micro-technology to minimize the look of wrinkles immediately. In other words – natural light bounces off the wrinkles, thereby the shadow produced by the wrinkles is not visible, thereby removing the wrinkles and eye bags instantly.
-And then comes the long-term effect. By using Lifecell consistently you will see a considerable decrease of typical age indications -lines, sagging skin, and discoloration. This happens because over time, ingredients in LifeCell generate more collagen and help rebuild the skin structure, making it one of the best eye creams to erase under-eye wrinkles and dark circles for good.
With modern chemical engineering and technology, it’s possible to get the best of both the worlds – something that provides quick results as well as a longer approach to promote collagen production. In that sense, LifeCell happens to be a far superior option than many quick fix creams.
- XYZ Smart Collagen
Review: The founders of XYZ – so-called skin designers – have developed a solution XYZ Smart Collagen to visible signs of ageing skin, using natural cosmetics without any artificial ingredients and undesirable side effects. The main ingredient that is responsible for all the magic benefits in this cream, is the leaf sap of the South African plant Bulbine Frutescens. Acetylated Polymannose and Knipholone are the ingredients in this natural leaf sap, that have been clinically shown to decrease the rate of collagen breakdown and boost collagen formation – all these deep wrinkle repair and skin plumping benefits without triggering the body’s natural immune response. Its herbal formulation makes it one of the best products to try as a night cream for women in 60s and for people with sensitive skin.
A few pros of this luxe cream are as follows:
100% Vegan Friendly
Contains no artificial ingredients
Contains no mineral oil, palm oil, or palm kernel oils.
Cold-pressed For Purity And Quality
Reduces Wrinkles: Wrinkles, forehead lines, smile lines and crow’s feet are reduced
Provides Lifting effect: Lifting effect gives cheeks and jawline a more defined, sculpted appearance
Skin Tightening: Tightening effect gives a firmer look to the entire face and neck
Skin Texture: Skin is softer, smoother, and appears more radiant
A certified dermatologist verified substantial, visible results after a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, in which 21 women in the age range between 45 and 65 participated. The women were instructed to apply the formula for 84 days, twice a day. The goal was to measure the skin conditions in the beginning of the study, in the middle of it (the 42nd day), and the last day, day 84. On both the 42nd day and the last day, significant outcomes in permanent wrinkle reduction were confirmed.
- Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Eye Contour Cream
Review: It is an ultra-rich age-defense eye cream that protects skin from dehydration and dramatically minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and lines to promote a youthfully smooth, radiant look. This anti-aging eye cream helps counteract the appearance of five types of eye-area wrinkles, crow’s feet, corner creases, under eye wrinkles, lid creases and vertical lines, by addressing environmental stressors that cause them to appear.
This sophisticated eye treatment cream acts on all signs of aging around your eyes.
- Burnet Extract helps improve the look of firmness.
- Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid N replenishes skin with rich moisture.
- WrinkleResist24 technology (formulated with Chlorella Extract, Mukurossi Extract and Gambir Extract) helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
Squalane– the more stable form of squalene derived from olive oil; like shea butter, it is known for its moisturizing properties and effectiveness in treating numerous skin conditions.
It comes packed with organic ingredients, such as burnet extracts to reinvigorate your skin cells. It also acts to reinstate your skin’s elasticity loss that may have come as a result of aging.
Super Bio Hyaluronic Acid N and hydroxyproline are popular as agents that introduce extensive moisture to your skin besides supporting the production of collagen produced by your body.
Hydroxyproline gives strength to the protein collagen in the bones, tendons, cartilage and skin.
The hygroscopic properties of Hyaluronic acid (HA) and its ability to create and fill space have been well documented. The filling spheres, which penetrate into superficial folds of the skin, take advantage of HA’s properties and swell when hydrated, exerting pressure in the direction of the skin surface resulting in a smoothing effect on the skin.
Chlorella extract is a conditioning and protecting element which is believed to have powerful anti-aging benefits, mainly due to the fact that it’s a rich source of carotenoids- a family of nutrients that, when ingested, deposit into the skin and protect it from the harmful effects of UV rays!
Thus, Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Eye Contour Cream is made up of a luxurious formula that would help you to achieve smooth and glowing appearance around your eyes.
Who is it best suited for?
It is suited for women with normal to dry or even sensitive skin. Since the product does not create redness and other side effects, While the consistency of the cream and its greasy nature may not suit people with oily skin.
Benefits that it offers:
- Nutrients of this cream function systematically to aid decrease emergence of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin surrounding your eyes.
- It is powerful, meaning that it is durable and you will need only a small amount to apply every day.
- Its absorption is quick, meaning that you will get glowing skin quickly. It will instantly smoothen your skin while the company claims that potent reduction in wrinkles can be seen at least after one week or two.
- It does not cause irritation and redness.
The flip side:
- People with oily skin may feel uncomfortable with it.
- It is expensive as compared to other similar products.
- You cannot use it an as eye base prior to makeup application.
- The worst element of this eye cream is the presence of fragrance ingredients (such as hexyl cinnamal) known to be irritating. Fragrance is not only a problem for all skin types, but it can be especially problematic in products meant for use so close to the eye.
- Its jar packaging .
- L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Cream with Pro Retinol
Review: Formulated with pro-retinol, this best-selling anti-aging eye cream is non-greasy, fragrance free, Dermatologist tested for safety and Ophthalmologist tested for gentleness and combined with any kind of skin care routine. In as little as 4 weeks, this anti-wrinkle & skin tightening eye cream can help noticeably firm and smooth the skin in and around your eyes. Engineered with Pro Retinol and Centella Asiatica (Tiger Grass), this eye cream assists in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, firms skin, and reduces dark circles. LifeCell and L’Oreal Revitalift are the best retin a cream for wrinkles.
User reviews
-I use this as a night cream with a hydrating serum as a base. I don’t use this every night because retinol can be irritating to the skin if used too often. On alternating days, I use a hydrating serum and a non-retinol Loreal cream that’s collagen based or Vichy’s Lift Activ non retinol cream.
– I absolutely love it. Goes on smooth and creamy and seems to do its job! I have always had a skin care routine. If you are older and just starting out in your cate skin care routine and think this is going to cause miracles for you, probably not gonna happen? But as a continuation through the years, this is perfect and works well. I will continue to buy!
- Rodan and Fields Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream
Review: An impressive variety in the Rodan and Fields product lineup but yet, the ingredients are nothing new or groundbreaking. There are other products in the market having same ingredients and that raises questions on the high price of Rodan and Fields products. However, R&F Redefine Multi-function eye cream is worth giving a shot.
Considering the ingredients and analyzing the reviews from across the internet forums and review websites, we think that R&F antiaging Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream is a good product that is hydrating, soothing, and most people would see a visible difference right away.
However, there are some bad reviews too. All plant extracts, almost all vitamins, antioxidants, and other state-of-the-art ingredients begin to break down in the presence of air. Therefore, once a jar is opened and lets the air in, these important ingredients begin to deteriorate, becoming less and less effective. Routine exposure to daylight can also be problematic for maintaining ingredient stability.
This eye cream is part of Rodan and Fields Redefine regimen– Redefine products are intended to address fine lines, skin firmness, and pore health. Products range in price from $5 to $472 and compose of eye cream and hand treatments that contain cosmetic ingredients and peptides for the purpose of reducing the aging signs and producing a firmer and smoother skin.
- Clinique PEP START eye cream
Review: Clinique Pep start eye cream is very unique in its approach. It claims to reduce symptoms of fatigue, which are overlooked by most creams. Hydrating, moisturizing and depuffing the eyes are its major functions. It also reduces dark circles in the long run. If you don’t have stubborn age related issues and need a maintenance product for your daily beauty regimen, it is the right choice. It has been formulated to provide instant freshness and reduce signs of sleeplessness. Being light in weight it can be worn under make up too. However, some users have reported it to be inefficient in reducing the puffiness of the under eye area. Overall, this cream is a ‘maintenance product’ rather than being a treatment for your under eye skin. It may help to refresh and hydrate your skin to a certain extent, but won’t help to potently treat any ageing symptom in the long term.
If you do not have ‘stubborn’ dark circles, under eye bags, or wrinkles and need a product to maintain your youthful glow daily, then it is a perfect solution for you!
Some main ingredients are:
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate both act as humectants: molecules that are hygroscopic, drawing it in either from deeper layers of the skin or even the air. Shea butter, phytosphingosine and squalane are also added to improve the barrier function of the skin, so that it does not let the moisture escape.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (commonly known as Argireline) is a synthetic peptide that has been dubbed ‘BOTOX in a jar’ as it is able to block the pathway that we use for repetitive muscle contraction and by doing so, minimize the formation of lines and wrinkles!
Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A and E. Apart from providing moisturizing benefits, it is also known to have anti inflammatory properties. This, may help to reduce puffiness in the under eye area.
Algae is a promising ingredient that is known for radiance-boosting properties! Some species of algae have been reported to brighten the complexion, while some are loaded with anti oxidants. Particularly, which algae has been used by Clinique, is not mentioned in the ingredient list.
Yeast extract are known to improve the overall condition of your skin. They are known to reduce oxidative stress and also have moisturizing and soothing properties.
- Vichy Liftactiv Supreme anti-wrinkle eye cream
Review: Vichy Liftactiv Supreme is an anti-aging eye cream designed for applying on the sensitive skin & fragile areas around the eye. Eye cream is produced with Rhamnose, scientifically proven to act on skin structure, Caffeine and Escine, visibly minimizes dark circles and puffiness. Eye cream reduces the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles and de-puff the look of under eye bags and is best for use on all the delicate areas around the eye, including the eyelids. Use day/night on cleansed skin. Overall, consumers seem to be happy with its soft and light texture and the softening results around eye area that it provides. Price seems to be expensive for small tube and some users complain of the itching effect. L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift and Vichy Liftactiv Supreme are among the best selling eye creams on Amazon.com, Walmart etc.
This under eye cream is formulated with:
Rhamnose: A naturally-derived plant sugar, proven to boost overall skin structure and correct the effects of skin aging.
Caffeine: Helps to decongest the eye contour. Promotes circulation.
Beeswax: Promotes product penetration and comfort.
Silica: A mineral element with blurring and tightening effect.
Vichy Mineralizing Water: rich in 15 minerals; helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier function to help protect skin against aggressors. Vichy products are infused with the Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water – a miracle of nature from the preserved region of Auvergne.
This eye cream is:
Fragrance-free
Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control for safety
Non-greasy
Non-sticky
Safe for delicate eye areas
Allergy-tested
Suitable for contact lens wearers
Eye cream demonstrated product results:
shown to reduce 17% of under eye bags
shown to 30% crow’s feet wrinkles reduction in two weeks
Honorable mentions
Other good anti-aging eye creams are Strivectin eyecream, Neutrogena rapid wrinkle repair cream, Aveeno absolutely ageless restorative night eye cream, Estee lauder anti aging eye cream, The Ordinary HA eye cream etc.
