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The 10 Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists and Byrdie Editors
These gentle and effective formulas will hydrate, soothe, and reduce under-eye puffiness without irritation.
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TL;DR
The best eye cream for sensitive skin is the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream. With ingredients like caffeine and horse chestnut, this eye cream brightens and works day or night. For something a little more affordable, go with the e.l.f. Skin Holy Hydration Eye Cream, a moisturizing formula that’s easy on sensitive skin types.
Thinking about adding an eye cream to your daily skincare roster? With the right formula, folks with sensitive skin can reap all the benefits of an eye cream (brighter, firmer, and less tired-looking eyes) without irritation. There are many things to consider (formula, ingredients, finish, etc.), so navigating the sea of available products can be overwhelming.
That’s where we come in. To find the top eye creams for sensitive skin, we consulted two experts— board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss, M.D., and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Catherine Chang, M.D.,— to get their insights into what makes a great eye cream. We thoroughly researched and tested eye cream formulas on our skin, evaluating each based on its ingredients, benefits, intended use, packaging, and price. Here are our favorites for ultra-delicate under-eyes.
Top Picks
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream at Amazon$65
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RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream at Amazon$30$21
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e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Eye Cream at Amazon$11
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Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum at Amazon$17
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Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream at Amazon$99
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Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream at Amazon$69
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Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream at Amazon$69
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Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Eye Gel-Cream at Amazon$48
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Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb at Amazon
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Supergoop! Mineral Eye Cream at Amazon$80
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Best Overall
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream
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Tightens the eye area
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Minimizes dark circles with caffeine
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Airtight pump bottle
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Reflective pigments can get in eyes if too much is applied
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, watermelon extract, horse chestnut extract | Benefits: Depuffing, radiance-boosting, hydrating | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Finally—an Auto Correct that doesn’t make us crazy! Sunday Riley is known for their effective skincare products, and this eye cream is no exception. Infused with caffeine and horse chestnut, this product smooths and tightens your eye area while adding a boost of hydration thanks to the watermelon rind extract. It also contains reflective pigments that illuminate skin to reduce the appearance of dark circles as soon as you apply it. For all those reasons and more, it has earned the top spot on this list.
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Grace, tester with oily skin: “This is one of the only under-eye creams I completely swear by. It’s a staple in my daytime routine because of the immediate results. Plus, it makes for a perfect canvas for concealer and eyeshadow.”
Best Smoothing
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
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Improves elasticity and diminishes fine lines
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Widely available at drugstore
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Dermatologist-recommended
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May sting if applied too close to eyes
Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E, glycerin | Benefits: Smoothing, toning | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Powered by retinol, this RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is highly effective yet gentle on the eyes. This cream visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles while also addressing dark circles and puffiness, so your eye area looks refreshed and revitalized. We tested this product and are pleased to report that it lives up to its claims and doesn’t cause any irritation. However, some reviews mention it can cause stinging if it gets too close to your eye.
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Mary, tester with mature skin: “I could tell the puffiness under my eyes decreased after a week of using this product, and I did notice some improvements to the dark circles under my eyes after two weeks. This product also firmed and brightened the skin under my eyes.”
Best Budget
e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! Eye Cream
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Affordable and easily accessible
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Made with soothing and hydrating ingredients
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Plumps the skin with peptides
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Doesn’t do anything for dark circles
Key Ingredients: Peptides, cucumber extract, green tea, squalane | Benefits: Depuffing, soothing, radiance-boosting, hydrating | Size: 0.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you have sensitive skin, you will likely be picky when choosing a new skincare product, but that doesn’t mean you need to shell out a ton of money. We can always count on e.l.f. to deliver a wallet-friendly option for our beauty bags. This Holy Hydration cream is made with cucumber extract, plumps with peptides, and delivers a gentle dose of moisture. This cream brightens skin and also reduces signs of aging around the eyes, so you can truly be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed even on days when you wish you could have hit snooze one more time.
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Karla, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “The product’s rich, creamy texture deeply moisturized my skin without being greasy or tacky, making my eye area feel noticeably smoother than before. As I continued using the cream, my eye makeup went on much smoother, and I noticed that my under-eye area appeared slightly brighter and more plump.”
Best K-Beauty
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
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Nonsticky, nourishing texture
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Brightens under-eye area
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Suitable for all skin types
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Thin consistency not as rich as other options
Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, retinal, niacinamide | Benefits: Increases elasticity, fades dark spots, reduces fine lines and wrinkles | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Not only does the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream help combat some of the top eye concerns, but it comes in sleek packaging with a pump for easy application. This K-Beauty serum addresses the loss of protein, collagen, and hyaluronic acid around the eye area by combining ginseng extract and retinol to improve elasticity and brightness without irritation. A little goes a long way, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth. According to reviewers, this product has a thin consistency, so if you prefer a thicker cream, check out the other options.
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Caitlyn, tester with oily skin: “The lightweight texture of this eye cream is perfect for my oily, acne-prone skin. I can apply the teeniest amount, and it spreads beautifully without weighing down my skin or making it look shinier. It has a slightly yellow twinge that offsets my purple-ish dark circles. Plus, I love how hygienic the tube is.”
Best With Retinol
Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
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Minimizes fine lines and makes the skin firmer
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Instantly brightens
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Provides long-term, noticeable results
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Takes time to show initial results
Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Firming, smoothing, plumping | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Retinol is known to help reduce signs of aging, boost cell turnover, and increase elasticity in the skin. You may not think to look for an eye cream with retinol, but Kate Somerville’s incredibly silky Firming Eye Cream is one that we recommend because it instantly tightens up the eye area without causing irritation, reduces dark circles with light-diffusing particles, and calls on hyaluronic acid to keep the skin plump and hydrated. Long-term use will yield the best results.
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Best Plumping
Tatcha Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream
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Visibly smooths lines around eye area
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Products melts into skin
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Plumping and hydrating
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Some didn’t feel it corrected dark circles
Key Ingredients: Japanese white peony, silk protein, whey protein | Benefits: Visibly firms and smooths lines, retains moisture, boosts radiance | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Tatcha rarely disappoints, so it’s no surprise that the Silk Peony Eye Cream has a spot on this list. Silk is in the name, the ingredient list, and the feeling of this decadent eye cream. This cream melts into the skin and visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Use it for the day (makeup layers on top of it like a dream) or night as you wind down for the evening.
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Cher Checchio, copy editor with dry skin: “I’ve used other eye creams that are sometimes a bit tacky after application, but I don’t have that problem with this cushiony cream. Dryness is my biggest skin concern, and I’ve noticed a softer, plumper, more hydrated look and feel to my eyes after using this eye cream.”
Best Firming
Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream
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Tightens the eye area with peptides
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Sits well under makeup
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Provides noticeable results
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Results take time
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides, peptides, vitamin E | Benefits: Firming, calming, smoothing | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you notice crepey skin and loss of elasticity around your eye area, go with Shani Darden’s Eye Renewal Cream. This formula is luxurious and effective and calls on niacinamide, peptides, and silk tree extract to deliver visibly firmer skin. The consistency is lightweight, and the formula wears well under makeup, so you can use it in both your morning and evening skincare routine. Patience is key here as it can take time and consistent use to see the product pay off, but the results speak for themselves.
Best Under Makeup
Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Eye Gel-Cream
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Doesn’t crease or pill under foundation
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Smooths, depuffs, and hydrates
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Lightweight and creamy gel formula
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Cooling sensation can be a little strong
Key Ingredients: Green tea, hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut extract | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, depuffing | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Unsurprisingly, Fenty Skin created an eye cream that also wears well under makeup to play into their companion line, Fenty Beauty. Fenty Flash Nap is the perfect pre-makeup eye cream because it has a fast-absorbing, smoothing, and hydrating formula, so you don’t have to wait to apply concealer or eyeshadow. Green tea soothes the skin, and horse chestnut extract helps combat puffiness. This creamy gel formula also helps prevent under-eye concealer from creasing. If you’re not a fan of fragrance or a cooling sensation in your eye creams, this may not be the best fit.
Best Hydrating
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
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Deeply hydrating
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Smooths fine lines
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Cooling sensation upon application
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Unhygienic container
Key Ingredients: Tiger grass, comfrey leaf, squalane, peptides, ceramides | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, firming | Size: 0.84 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another K-beauty option we love is this bestselling pick from Belif. The Moisturizing Eye Bomb is aptly named since this moisturizer contains an explosion of hydrating ingredients such as tiger grass and squalane that help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and restore and stabilize the skin barrier. The brand promises deep hydration (which it fulfills), and we love that it has a cooling sensation upon application. If we could make one change: We’d ditch the screw-top container for a more hygienic option (like a pump-top tube, for example).
Best With SPF
Supergoop! Mineral Eye Cream
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Offers UV protection with mineral blockers
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Prevents photoaging
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Minimizes the look of dark circles
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Can get cakey
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Benefits: Protects from sun damage, illuminating | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We are well aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen whenever we leave the house, but let us put you onto SPF for your under-eyes. We can always count on Supergoop! to deliver innovative products that help our skin look its best while protecting it, and the Mineral Eye Cream is no exception. Supergoop’s take on eye cream boasts SPF 40 protection from the sun’s damaging rays. Applying it daily—along with your daily sunscreen—will help prevent photoaging (which can cause fine lines, crepiness, and loss of elasticity). It also features a pink tint that helps illuminate the eye area, making dark circles substantially less noticeable upon application.
What to Look for in Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin
- Soothing Ingredients: Dr Idriss says, “When it comes to eye creams, you want ingredients that do something—an eye cream with purpose. Look for a peptide or retinol eye cream to boost collagen and treat fine lines and wrinkles, arnica to depuff, and brightening ingredients (like vitamin C, alpha arbutin, or kojic acid) if you’re tackling dark circles.” Dr. Chang adds that people with ultra-sensitive skin should also look out for anti-inflammatory ingredients, like antioxidants, niacinamide, and vitamin E. “I would recommend that people with sensitive skin avoid products containing fragrance or alcohol because those will irritate the skin,” says Dr. Chang.
- Lightweight Formula: According to Dr. Idriss, find something hydrating but not too heavy that will pill. Both Dr. Idriss and Dr. Chang prefer using lightweight formulas that can be absorbed into the skin quickly.
- Airtight Container: Both doctors agree that formulas in airtight containers are the best way to go since they are less likely to oxidize and can last longer with fewer preservatives. You also don’t have to dip your fingers in the container to scoop out the product, meaning you can avoid contaminating it with bacteria and other irritants. Dr. Chang mentions that with a pump, “you can control the amount of product that you are dispensing.” In contrast, Dr. Idriss cites her preference for a precision applicator to keep the product fresh and potent.
How We Tested Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin
Below are the features our editors and contributors evaluated to determine our top picks:
- Efficacy: We evaluated how quickly and effectively each eye cream improved the appearance of our under-eye area. This included reducing puffiness, brightening dark circles, and smoothing fine lines. Products that delivered noticeable results within a reasonable timeframe scored higher.
- Ingredients: We examined the ingredient lists closely, prioritizing formulas with soothing, hydrating, and nourishing components. We preferred gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine, and we avoided products with harsh fragrances or known irritants.
- Value: To determine the value, we considered the product’s price with its performance and the amount of product included. Affordable options with noticeable results earned high marks, while pricier products had to justify their cost through exceptional effectiveness and premium ingredients.
Meet Our Experts
We tapped the following experts for more insight into what makes a good eye cream for sensitive skin.
- Dr. Shereene Idriss, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and an expert in facial rejuvenation. In 2018, she began sharing informative videos on Instagram, quickly earning the title of #PillowtalkDerm.
- Dr. Catherine Chang, M.D., is a Beverly Hills board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She is also the founder of Prive Beverly Hills and NakedBeauty MD.
Why Trust Byrdie
Austen Tosone is a Byrdie contributor and content creator based in NYC. Whether she’s testing skincare, makeup, or hair products, Austen dives deep into the details, including ingredients, packaging, and customer reviews, to ensure she’s recommending the best to Byrdie readers. As someone with dry skin, she is personally a fan of the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-eye-creams-for-sensitive-skin-4776077
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