Best Retinol Eye Cream: The 2024 Glam Beauty Awards
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The power of a good eye cream can't be overstated — after all, the delicate under-eye area is home to some of the thinnest skin on our bodies. Signs of aging around the eyes should be celebrated, but dryness, irritation, and uneven texture are a different story. Luckily, there's one popular ingredient that's clinically proven to enhance your skin's health and appearance by promoting cell turnover: retinol. Retinol eye creams are specially formulated to deliver safe and effective doses of this vitamin A-derived active to the sensitive skin surrounding the eyes. Whether you're a veteran retinol user or just want to dip your toes into this skincare category, there are more retinol eye creams than ever to choose from nowadays, both online and in stores.
Yet, with so many retinol eye creams vying for your attention, it can be stressful to pick the right one based on your skin type. Worse, buying skincare online can lead to seriously disappointing results, and many of us don't have the time to peruse store shelves for hours on end. But if you're on the lookout for a new retinol eye cream, there's no need to worry about doing your research. I tested several of the leading retinol eye creams available today, with five products winning the 2024 Glam Beauty Awards. Getting enough beauty rest isn't always easy, but these retinol eye creams can help you achieve the skin of your dreams.
Best Overall Retinol Eye Cream: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream
Just looking at the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream gives you the impression that there's going to be something special inside its green glass jar. After appearing on "Shark Tank," this blossoming K-beauty brand became well-known for its viral skincare products. You might already be familiar with the TikTok-famous Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, but its retinol-based eye cream is another must-try Glow Recipe release. Retailing for $42 per half-ounce, the pastel-colored pot may not be the thriftiest retinol eye cream that you'll find in your search, but if you're looking for the best eye cream at this price point, I can attest that it's a fantastic value.
I experimented with dozens of eye creams in my quest to find the best, and I knew I had a winner as soon as I dipped into Glow Recipe's Avocado Melt. Just like a perfectly ripe avocado, this eye cream's texture is ultra-rich and buttery. If you've sampled luxury eye creams like Shiseido Benefiance or Lancôme Absolue, then you probably have an idea of how deeply moisturizing Avocado Melt is. It's common knowledge that retinol-based creams can sometimes leave your delicate under-eye area feeling parched due to rapid cell turnover, but this was never an issue for me while using Glow Recipe's formula. It's gentle, even on sensitive skin, and you can easily observe its hydrating and skin-smoothing effects the very next morning.
Purchase the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Eye Cream from Sephora for $42.
Best K-Beauty Retinol Eye Cream: Cosrx The Retinol 0.1 Cream
If you're already big on K-Beauty, Cosrx needs no introduction. But if you've never heard of this Korean beauty line prior to now, you're in for a treat. Similar to Western companies like The Ordinary, Cosrx creates powerful skincare products without steep price tags. Crowdpleasers like the AHA/BHA Clarifying Toner and Low pH Good Morning Cleanser are just two examples of its bestsellers, while The Retinol 0.1 Cream with Super Vitamin E + Panthenol is another celebrated fan favorite. This multipurpose retinol cream is gentle enough for the skin around the eyes, though it's also suitable for treating one's face and neck. With over a thousand rave reviews from Cosrx customers, I couldn't wait to test it out.
I've used countless types of retinoids and retinols over the years, so I was immediately impressed by Cosrx's packaging and formulation. Just like prescription products such as Retin-A, The Retinol 0.1 Cream is packaged in a weighty metal tube. Cosrx goes one step further and suggests refrigerating its eye cream as soon as you break its seal, which will help to preserve its potency. The retinol cream itself even looks and feels a lot like Retin-A, with its yellowy hue and velvety consistency. It's easy to apply, absorbs quickly, and doesn't irritate the skin, making this Cosrx product another keeper in my beauty arsenal.
Purchase Cosrx The Retinol 0.1 Cream with Super Vitamin E + Panthenol from Amazon for $18.79.
Best Natural Retinol Eye Cream: Josie Maran Argan Pro-Retinol Eye Cream
Superstar Josie Maran has been making waves in the beauty industry since the 1990s when she got her start modeling as the face of Maybelline Cosmetics. In 2007, she took a leap into the other side of the industry, unveiling her self-titled cosmetics and skincare line to great acclaim. Famed for their natural ingredients and restorative effects, Josie Maran products are cult favorites amongst beauty and skincare fans. Chances are you've heard of the brand's 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil, a 5-star miracle elixir that nourishes hair, skin, and nails in a snap. The sustainably sourced wonder oil also makes an appearance in Maran's Argan Pro-Retinol Eye Cream, which fuses its moisturizing properties with the power of pro-retinol derived from pink algae. I purchased the product for $36, and I'm pleased to report that it's one of the best natural eye creams I've ever used.
Similar to Glow Recipe's Avocado Melt, Maran's formula has a very rich, emollient texture that feels heavenly on dry skin. In addition to argan oil, it also contains green coffee extract, which can help de-puff and firm up tired complexions. The only caveat is that it may actually be too thick for some skin types, especially if you plan on wearing it with makeup. If you have oily skin like me, you'll probably find that Josie Maran's Pro-Retinol Eye Cream is best suited to nighttime use. Lastly, I strongly recommend warming it between (clean!) fingertips before you apply it — otherwise, you might irritate the delicate tissue around the eyes by rubbing it in directly.
Purchase Josie Maran Argan Pro-Retinol Eye Cream from Amazon for $36.97.
Best Luxury Retinol Eye Cream: La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Eye Cream
La Roche-Posay has a solid reputation amongst skincare fans, and for good reason. The French brand is an innovator in the sunscreen sphere, both in the United States and Europe — and its spring water-infused cleansers, moisturizers, and serums are holy grails for many. Though I've used several La Roche-Posay products over the years, I'd never experienced its Redermic Retinol Eye Cream. At nearly $50, it was the most expensive eye cream that I tried, but it's an easily justifiable purchase. Since it's so concentrated and easy to dispense, you only need a small amount to treat the skin beneath your eyes, making it a skincare product that's well worth the splurge.
It's no secret that La Roche-Posay is synonymous with quality skincare formulations, and the Redermic Retinol Eye Cream is no exception. Beyond its elegant packaging and design, the brand's retinol eye cream has the same luxurious feel and skin-quenching properties as other moisturizing products in its line. It contains a retinol booster complex, consisting of retinyl linoleate and adenosine, a multifaceted duo that helps increase the retinol's absorption rate and decrease skin sensitivity. The Redermic Retinol Eye Cream is even weightless enough to be worn beneath makeup, though you should always use generous amounts of sunscreen or other SPF products over retinol during daylight hours.
Purchase the La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Eye Cream from Amazon for $49.99.
Best Budget Retinol Eye Cream: The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream
It's easy to assume that high-priced skincare is also the highest quality stuff on the shelf, but I can assure you that this isn't always the case. Take The Inkey List, for example. The young brand's Retinol Eye Cream costs a mere $14 — yes, you read that right — yet it outperforms many creams twice its price. In fact, I greatly preferred The Inkey List's clean eye cream to several of the spendier products I tried, finding myself reaching for its little black-and-white tube again and again. Not only is it super gentle and soothing, but it's also very thoughtfully formulated. This cruelty-free eye cream has all you need to give your under-eyes a boost, from slow-release retinol to supportive ingredients like shea butter.
You might notice the Retinol Eye Cream's pared-down packaging isn't quite as flashy as its luxury line brethren. Nevertheless, The Inkey List's silky retinol formula quickly sinks into the skin, leaving the under-eye area smooth, hydrated, and bouncy. Its consistency is somewhat closer to a serum or primer than some of the other eye creams I tried, but I appreciated how weightless it felt on my face. Overall, this budget buy is one of the best retinol eye creams for oily skin, especially as we approach the humid summer months. Plus, it's great if you like slugging your face at night, as it never causes pilling or stickiness — even when used alongside other moisturizers.
Purchase The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream from Sephora for $14.