Thinking of adding a retinol eye cream to your skincare regime? Here’s everything you need to know about retinol eye creams as well as the best ones currently on the market.
Is retinol good for under eyes?
According to Dr Tanya Unni – GP, skin and cosmetic care specialist – retinol is great for the delicate skin area under eyes.
“Just as retinol is a powerful ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine, it can also boast powerful benefits for your under-eye area, too,” she tells The Weekly.
“With our under-eye and orbital eye area being susceptible to fine lines, puffiness and crow’s feet as we mature, retinol will support cellular turnover and exfoliation to improve texture and overall brightness of the area.”
How effective is retinol eye cream?
Retinol eye creams can be extremely effective. But as Dr Unni suggests, you should get a retinol product that was specifically crafted for the eye area.
“A retinol eye cream should be formulated specifically for the under-eye area, not only due to the delicate skin around and under our eyes we need to protect, but to ensure the percentage of retinol in the product is gentle and safe for this sensitive area,” she says.
“I would not recommend using your facial retinol cream or serum for your under-eyes, even though this may seem convenient. As these are two different types of skin we are trying to treat, I would highly suggest including two different retinol products for the face and for the under-eyes in your skin regime.”
At what age should I start using retinol?
Retinol is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient. Therefore, anyone younger than 20-years-old should not be using products that feature retinol.
“Introducing retinol into your skin regime during your 20’s is probably the most common time to start, and I wouldn’t suggest starting earlier for the sake of preventing the signs of ageing as it just isn’t necessary,” Dr Unni says.
Which is the best retinol under eye cream?
01
Dope Skin – Retinol Eye Cream with Vitamin C
from $39.00 at Dope Skin
Deeply hydrating, Dope Skin’s Retinol Eye Cream is formulated with Retinoids, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Bioactive Soy Peptides to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark circles, but also to stimulate collagen production and boost elasticity.
02
Paula’s Choice – Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream
from $31.00 at Paula’s Choice
Made with retinol, Vitamin C and a concentrated blend of five replenishing ceramides, this Paula’s Choice eye cream will hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes as well as visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
03
The Inkey List – Retinol Eye Cream
from $24.00 at Sephora
The Inkey List’s eye cream works best when applied at night. The creamy formula has a slight plumping effect and also targets wrinkles.
04
Ella Baché – Retinol Renewal Eye Serum
from $112.00 at Ella Baché
Ella Baché’s eye serum works to reduce all key signs of ageing – dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dryness. It also features ‘Encapsulated Retinol,’ which is less harsh than regular retinol, meaning the serum is perfect for first-time retinol users or for those with sensitive skin.
05
No7 – Pure Retinol Eye Cream
from $44.99 at Priceline
Made with pure retinol, No7’s eye cream targets fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles and puffiness. It also evens pigmentation, firms, lifts and hydrates the delicate skin under the eyes.
06
Go-To – De-Crease Retinal Eye Serum
from $55.00 at Go-To
Go-To’s De-Crease Eye Serum is made with peptides, honey locust extract, niacinamide, mushroom extract and – the star ingredient – retinal. Retinal is slightly different to retinol; both are vitamin A derivatives but retinal is more potent than retinol. However, Go-To’s eye serum was still formulated to be gentle on the skin.
07
Liberty Belle Rx – Eye Dream Restorative Retinol Eye Cream
from $152.00 at David Jones
Soothing and nourishing, Liberty Belle Rx’s eye cream is made with a low irritant retinol so it reduces the appearance of fine lines around the eyes without being too rough on the skin. The ingredients list also includes Red Algae Complex, Silk Amino Acids, Sachi Inchi Oil and Muru Muru Butter.
08
Elizabeth Arden – Retinol Ceramide Line Erasing Eye Cream
from $120.00 at Myer
Ella Baché’s eye serum works to reduce all key signs of ageing – dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dryness. It also features ‘Encapsulated Retinol,’ which is less harsh than regular retinol, meaning the serum is perfect for first-time retinol users or for those with sensitive skin.
09
Dr Tanya – Eye Lift Tightening Serum
from $79.95 at Dr Tanya
The Eye Lift Tightening Serum has retinyl palmitate and peptides in it to treat deep wrinkles and the appearance of dark, tired-looking eyes. Retinyl palmitate offers the same benefits as retinol but is gentler on the skin so this product is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
10
First Aid Beauty – Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream
from $78.00 at Sephora
The ‘Microencapsulated Retinol’ used in First Aid Beauty’s eye cream works to help stimulate natural collagen production and cellular turnover to minimise the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles. The other ingredients – like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and Vitamins C and E – reduce puffiness and increase hydration.
11
Murad – Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
from $140.00 at Sephora
Murad’s eye serum can be used both under the eyes and on the lids, unlike most other retinol eye creams on the market. Plus, it dramatically improves the look of lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.
12
Olay – Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream
from $59.00 at Chemist Warehouse
Olay’s Retinol 24 blend is more concentrated but less irritating than pure retinol. Your fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles will visibly improve with this eye cream which also promises “24 hour hydration”.
13
Neutrogena – Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Eye Cream
from $59.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Neutrongena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ Eye Cream is for experienced retinol users. It features 0.05% pure retinol and micropeptide so it’s quite powerful but effective for reducing wrinkles and dark circles.
Important retinol facts to remember:
“As retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, only use retinol at night or before bed and ensure you use sunscreen during the day,” Dr Unni recommends.
“If you are trying a new retinol product – whether it’s retinol moisturisers or retinol eye creams – always follow the instructions and start off with a small amount at only once a week, or at the lowest percentage, and slowly increase usage based on how your skin reacts.”
