5 Retinol-Powered Creams That Will Transform Your Undereyes

A good eye cream is like preparing your favorite slow-cooked meal: The results aren't immediate, but give it some time and the results will be well worth it — whether that means getting to eat short ribs or watching puffiness, fine lines, and darkness slowly fade away. Not all eye creams are equally created, though, and for results you'll notice, you may want to consider a formula with retinol.

"Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, says. "The skin under the eyes is among the thinnest on the body, so it's most at risk for developing lines, wrinkles, and crepiness. Retinol can address all these issues."

For those curious about benefitting from a retinol eye cream, you don't have to make a virtual appointment with your dermatologist to get your hands on it, but there is one caveat to note before hitting checkout on an expert-approved formula. "Be cautious when using retinol because it can cause some degree of irritation in the first four weeks of use," Dr. Zeichner advises. "You can start applying it every other night, and then increase your use as tolerated."

Ahead, we rounded up the best retinol eye creams for smoother, brighter undereyes, no matter how late you stayed up waiting for the oven timer to ding on that roast chicken.

We’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. 

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

New York dermatologist Hadley King, MD, recommends this retinol-powered cream to combat collagen loss from UV radiation, aging, or smoking. "The less resilient the skin is, the more prominent the crow's feet and fine lines will be," she explains. "Use sun protection and a cream like this nightly to increase collagen production."

RoC RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, $, available at Target

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy

In addition to retinol, Dr. King says to look for ingredients like antioxidants and anti-aging peptides to hydrate and depuff the under-eye area. “I like this First Aid Beauty formula, which has caffeine,” she says. “Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating under the eyes.” The metal-tip applicator is a bonus — it provides immediate relief for tired eyes.

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy: Brighten, Depuff and Smooth, $, available at Sephora

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

You don’t have to break the bank for an effective eye cream, according to Dr. Zeichner. He likes this Neutrogena formula from the drugstore, as it includes both hyaluronic acid and retinol. “This contains a stabilized form of retinol that enhances effectiveness but minimizes potential skin irritation,” he says.

Neutrogena Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream, $, available at Neutrogena

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum

When lack of sleep and stress start showing up in the form of dark circles, Dr. King says retinol works wonders when paired with brightening ingredients. This serum contains retinol and marine kelp complex, which hydrates and instantly fakes a full eight hours.

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum (0.5 fl. oz.), $, available at DermStore

No. 7 Early Defence Eye Cream

Consider this a holy-grail eye cream for radiant, vibrant eyes. Inside the tiny tube is a formula packed with all the ingredients pros say to look for in a good eye cream: retinol and peptides for fine lines and vitamin C, which Dr. King says is a key ingredient for dark circles. "The antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment and will therefore brighten dark circles, improve pigmentation and also prevent free-radical damage from UV light exposure," she says.

No7 No7 Early Defence Eye Cream, $, available at Target

from refinery29