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Knowledge Tech Look No Further, These Are the Best Retinol Eye Creams |
If there’s one thing I’ve known for a long time, it’s that it’s never too early to start using eye cream. After a particularly harrowing breakup at the age of 22, I noticed a whisper of crow’s feet around my eyes, after which I dashed to the nearest Sephora, and never looked back. Call it deranged vanity or profoundly intelligent foresight—who can say? The only issue is the plethora of options available these days, which can be overwhelming, to say the least. It’s difficult to know which one is best for you and what actually works! That’s why I tapped a pair of skincare experts to give us the scoop on the best retinol eye creams on the market.
Certainly, someone in their early 20s won’t need the same kind of skincare products as someone in their 40s. Nearly 15 years after my first foray into the world of skincare, I’m all about retinol—and that includes my eye cream. They’re safe to use around the eyes, though you’ll want to go slow to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation. I once made the mistake of layering too many active ingredients on my skin all at once, to my great detriment.
If you’re trying out one of these retinol eye creams for the first time, make sure your other skincare products don’t contain strong active ingredients as well—take it slow! As dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce explains, “retinols are often irritating, especially on delicate eye skin, and people want instant results. They don’t want to go through any peeling or flaking that may make the area look temporarily worse—even if the long-term benefits are worth it.”
So we asked Geddes-Bruce and aesthetician Matthew Miller for their recommendations on the best retinol eye creams. As a note, most of these eye creams also contain caffeine, peptides, and humectants to plump the area so your skin should stay hydrated and healthy.
Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
Fans of Somerville’s iconic Exfoliate are definitely going to want to give this eye cream a shot. Despite being light and silky, this cream instantly brightens, firms, and hydrates. It is made with both retinol and Biorationals, a natural ingredient that mimics the effects of retinol but with less sensitivity, which makes it perfect for the ultra-delicate eye area. Miller loves that it helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and improves elasticity.