What are the top drugstore eye creams to consider?

Best Overall

La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R Retinol Eye Cream is a dermatologist-recommended product known for its potent anti-aging effects, featuring ingredients like retinol that boost collagen production and help minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University, explains that the caffeine in this product helps alleviate redness and puffiness around the eyes. Additionally, hyaluronic acid draws moisture back into the skin for a plumper, more hydrated appearance.

This product is free from both fragrance and parabens, making it appropriate for most skin types, according to Dr. Gmyrek. However, some users have experienced swelling and irritation under their eyes, so it is recommended to do a patch test if you have sensitive skin before making it a part of your daily routine.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.5 ounces

Aveeno’s Calm + Restore Age Renewal Eye Gel is a top recommendation by dermatologists for dry skin, thanks to its hydrating formula that’s also mild enough for sensitive skin.

Dr. Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says, 'This eye gel contains cranberry extract, a natural alternative to retinol, along with niacinamide and colloidal oatmeal to calm and nourish the delicate skin around the eyes.' This gel-based eye cream has been shown to reduce puffiness and dullness within a week.

Additionally, 89% of users report that their skin feels moisturized all day. However, as this formula is less potent than others, it may take longer to notice significant results.

Key Ingredients: Oat, cranberry fruit extract, niacinamide | Formulation: Gel cream | Size: 0.5 ounces

Best for Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream is a fragrance-free, soothing eye cream created to help restore the skin barrier around the eyes for people with highly sensitive skin, according to Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified celebrity dermatologist.

In addition to La Roche-Posay’s iconic thermal spring water from France, this eye cream contains neurosensine, a soothing dipeptide, and niacinamide, which helps replenish the skin's moisture barrier and tackle discoloration, says Shamban.

Other beneficial ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and squalene work to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration in the delicate skin around the eyes.

Key Ingredients: Neurosensine, niacinamide, thermal spring water | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.7 ounces

Best for Wrinkles

RoC’s Derm Correxion Dual Eye Cream with Advanced Retinol + Peptides offers two eye treatments in one product. The combination of two distinct textures helps address all concerns across the entire eye area, says Dr. Yadav.

Both textures are infused with retinol and peptides, but the lightweight gel absorbs quickly into the upper eyelid to lift and firm, while the richer cream targets the undereye area to hydrate and smooth, Dr. Yadav explains.

As retinol and peptides work to visibly diminish aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines, ingredients like glycerin, squalene, and shea butter ensure the skin stays soft and moisturized beneath the eyes.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, glycerin | Formulation: Gel and cream | Size: 0.68 ounces

Best for Dark Circles

The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum is a powerful serum designed to visibly reduce puffiness and brighten the undereye area. It combines 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid to help protect the skin barrier and improve moisture retention with 1% pure caffeine to target dark circles and puffiness, delivering noticeably brighter skin.

Dr. Jeanine Downie, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey, recommends this eye serum for its non-irritating and highly moisturizing properties. The serum also features a unique triple roller applicator that provides a contouring massage to the undereye area, helping to reduce inflammation and minimize the appearance of crow’s feet.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, niacinamide | Formulation: Serum | Size: 0.67 ounces

Best for Puffiness

The Ordinary has earned its reputation among dermatologists and beauty editors for offering highly effective products at affordable prices. Their Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Depuffing Eye Cream contains active ingredients like caffeine to reduce puffiness, and glycerin and hyaluronic acid to keep the delicate skin under the eyes hydrated and soft.

This formula also includes epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant found naturally in green tea that helps soothe and calm the skin, according to Dr. Gmyrek.

However, due to its high concentration, this serum might be too strong for some, especially those with sensitive skin. It is recommended to perform a patch test before adding it to your skincare routine.

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, hyaluronic acid | Formulation: Serum | Size: 1 ounce

Best with Retinol

Dr. Gmyrek states that RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is a go-to recommendation for her. The retinol in the formula aids in boosting collagen and elastic tissue production. While not as potent as prescription retinoic acid (retin A), it is a great over-the-counter option that delivers results with a lower risk of irritation.

Clinically proven to target puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles, this eye cream has helped 50% of users see a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. Dr. Gmyrek suggests giving it at least 12 weeks for noticeable improvements in deeper lines.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycerin | Formulation: Cream | Size: 0.5 ounces

Final Verdict

For its powerful anti-aging ingredients, visible results, and hydrating properties, the La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream is our top pick for the best drugstore eye cream. Featuring retinol to diminish signs of aging, caffeine to reduce puffiness and dark circles, and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture, it keeps the skin around your eyes bright and smooth.

If you're searching for an affordable alternative with clinically proven results to combat common under-eye issues—like wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles—consider the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream.

How to Shop for Eye Cream Like a Pro

Ingredients

When choosing an eye cream, focus on moisturizing ingredients that nourish and protect the delicate skin around the eyes. Look for hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate and plump the skin, ceramides and squalene to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss, and vitamin C to support collagen production and reduce hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Yadav.

Natural ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, aloe vera, and chamomile are beneficial for soothing and calming the skin, according to Dr. Shamban. Niacinamide is also praised for enhancing skin texture and tone, while offering hydration and brightness, she adds.

Caffeine is another widely used ingredient in eye creams, known for its ability to temporarily reduce puffiness, says Dr. Yadav.

However, there are certain ingredients you should avoid in eye creams, especially if you have sensitive skin. Dr. Gmyrek advises steering clear of fragrances, essential oils, and highly concentrated retinoids, as they can irritate and dry out the sensitive skin around the eyes. Dr. Shamban adds that fragrances—whether natural or synthetic—are often the primary cause of irritation in eye creams.

Formulation

Formulation refers to the product’s texture and consistency. A good eye cream should be lightweight to prevent conditions like milia (small, white bumps), while still focusing on effective active ingredients.

As you explore your options, you'll encounter creams, gels, and serums. Although all of these formulas contain beneficial, active ingredients for the delicate skin around your eyes, the primary difference lies in the formula’s weight, which influences how well it absorbs and penetrates the skin, according to Dr. Yadav.

Put simply, a richer eye cream offers more moisture, making it a great option for dry, crepey skin that needs extra hydration. However, if you're prone to milia, Dr. Yadav suggests avoiding thicker creams, as occlusive formulas can hinder your skin’s natural turnover process, which may lead to milia formation.

Gel-based eye creams provide lighter hydration and absorb more fully into the skin, Dr. Yadav points out. These water-based, lightweight formulas are particularly suited for oily skin and are effective for reducing puffiness, Dr. Gmyrek adds.

Serums, which absorb the quickest, are ideal for addressing deeper skin concerns like laxity and discoloration, says Dr. Yadav. Due to their high concentration of active ingredients, serums are best for tackling specific issues such as dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness, Dr. Gmyrek explains.

Skin Concerns

Eye creams are designed to tackle various skin issues such as dryness, dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and visible skin damage or hyperpigmentation caused by UV exposure, according to Dr. Shamban.

When choosing an eye cream, it's crucial to select one that targets your specific skin concerns. For instance, if you’re dealing with signs of aging, you might consider peptides, which boost collagen production and reduce fine lines, or retinoids, which firm and smooth sagging skin, Dr. Yadav suggests.

For dark circles, an eye cream containing vitamin C can help brighten the under-eye area while protecting it from environmental damage, while caffeine not only helps reduce dark circles but also minimizes puffiness, Dr. Shamban explains. Additionally, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, squalene, and hyaluronic acid are beneficial for dry skin, as they enhance moisture retention, Dr. Gmyrek adds.

Questions You Might Ask

What’s the difference between regular moisturizer and eye cream?

The main distinction between a regular moisturizer and an eye cream lies in the fact that eye creams are specially designed for the delicate skin around the eyes, Dr. Shamban explains.

The skin around the eyes is thinner, more sensitive, and more prone to irritation than the rest of your face and body, according to Dr. Shamban. As a result, eye creams are typically gentler than regular moisturizers and are tailored to address concerns like crow's feet, dark circles, and puffiness.

Is purchasing an expensive eye cream worth it?

Ultimately, this comes down to your budget and specific needs, says Dr. Yadav. While a higher price tag can sometimes signal better quality—often due to the use of premium, effective ingredients—this isn’t always the case.

For many over-the-counter eye creams, the hefty price doesn’t necessarily reflect the ingredients or overall quality, she notes. Because of this, affordable eye creams can offer comparable, if not superior, results.

Trust us on this one.

This article was penned by Naydeline Mejia, a writer for Mytour, who has over five years of experience crafting product reviews and lifestyle content, particularly in the beauty sector. For this piece, we assessed, tested, and researched a range of drugstore eye creams, evaluating factors like key ingredients, formulation, size, and overall value.

We also consulted Dr. Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of FACET Dermatology; Dr. Jeanine Downie, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon from New Jersey; Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons; and Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, a renowned celebrity dermatologist and founder of Ava MD, to get expert advice and recommendations on what to seek in an eye cream.