The skin around your eyes is particularly thin and delicate and highly prone to irritation and aging signs. And for those with already sensitive skin, the delicate skin surrounding your eyes is even more vulnerable to irritants and allergens. Using an eye cream formulated specifically for sensitive skin can help! They're usually free of potentially irritating ingredients and less likely to cause redness, inflammation, or other skin irritants to sensitive skin.
If you don't know which eye cream is suitable for sensitive skin, take a look at our list of favorites! Derma-E's Hydrating Eye Cream is one of our picks as it's packed with antioxidants and moisturizers to keep your skin smooth, vibrant, and healthy. If this isn't quite for you, you can check out the other nine products on our list. If you need some tips in choosing an eye cream, we've also prepared a buying guide at the end for you.
Quick List - Top Eye Creams For Sensitive Skin
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
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The skin surrounding your eye area is particularly thin and sensitive. Therefore, it's crucial to find a formula that's soothing and free from potential irritants. To know more about what to look for in an eye cream, read on!
Sensitive skin is often said to have a weak skin barrier, which reduces its ability to protect you from irritation and moisture, resulting in redness and irritation. That's why it's important to look for ingredients specific to sensitive skin in your eye cream. Niacinamide, for example, can reduce redness and inflammation around your eyes. Aloe is another ingredient known to soothe redness and irritation.
Ceramides can also restore the skin's weakened barrier function. Fatty acids from oils and plant-based butter like shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil work well in supporting the functions of your skin's barrier, too!
People with rosacea often get inflammation and redness around the eye, and niacinamide is a great topical to use to help calm irritated skin around the eye.
The eye skin area experiences a lot of stress and is highly prone to blemishes such as wrinkles, fine lines, and puffiness. But there are many ingredients that can help you combat those blemishes!
If you're struggling with wrinkles and fine lines, retinol is an ingredient you should look for. It's well-known for its anti-aging properties and can help accelerate the skin cell turnover rate to improve the skin's elasticity and smooth wrinkles and lines.
Retinol is quite strong as a skincare ingredient, though, so you should consult with your dermatologist to see whether you can tolerate an eye cream with retinol, especially if you have very sensitive skin.
Similar to retinol, peptides can help reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen production to plump the skin. You can also rely on hyaluronic acid. It keeps the skin hydrated, increases skin firmness and elasticity, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Retinols are the gold standard for any anti-aging skin routine since they are so effective at improving skin texture, tone, and fine lines. However, they can be irritating when used improperly around the eye. Look for a low-strength retinol and start using it a few times a week initially. You can work up to nightly as your skin gets used to it.
Also, make sure you're using a creamy moisturizer after the retinol. Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or glycerin to provide hydration to the skin. You can try using the moisturizer first, then the retinol on top to help prevent irritation and dryness.
Environmental stressors or "free radicals" like harsh weather, strong UV rays, and pollution can damage healthy skin cells and cause premature aging of the skin. Sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to those damages.
To protect your skin from those free radical damages, make sure your eye cream contains antioxidants. Some ingredients with strong antioxidant properties include jojoba seed oil, green tea, aloe vera, and vitamin E. Alpha-lipoic acid is another potent antioxidant that can fight harmful radicals to prevent aging signs.
Puffiness and dark circles can be caused by many factors, including sleep deprivation, natural aging, and stress. Although eye creams won't completely remove dark circles or puffiness, they can help brighten and make them less visible.
Some of the ingredients commonly found in eye creams that can help you do so include vitamins C and E, niacinamide, and caffeine. Vitamins C and E and niacinamide can brighten your under-eye skin area and reduce discoloration to combat dark circles. They help revive puffy, tired-looking eyes and shield your skin from free radicals.
Meanwhile, caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor to tighten tired skin and temporarily reduce under-eye bags. It also enhances circulation around the eyes to minimize the appearance of dark circles. Green tea is a good choice for puffiness, too. It's packed with catechins, strong antioxidants that can alleviate swelling and soothe irritation.
Use antioxidants around the eyes to help with puffiness and dark discoloration. They have a brightening effect and also help protect your skin from the sun. Creams with caffeine can make the skin look brighter and less wrinkled in a very short period of time, giving results almost instantly.
Using your eye cream in the morning? You'll need SPF. It's common knowledge by now that UV rays can cause damage and accelerate signs of aging, but this is especially true for the thin skin around your eyes.
If you're going to use an eye cream in the morning, find one with SPF, though they may be rare. It's also fine to use a separate SPF! Just make sure it's safe to use around the delicate area of your eyes. And if you're only planning on using your eye cream at night, you can skip the SPF.
The best way to prevent free radical damage around the eyes and prevent premature aging is to use daily SPF on the skin around the eyes. Sunscreen can help prevent damage from UV rays including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. Using sunscreen in combination with other antioxidants like vitamin C gives even more photoprotection.
When choosing an eye cream for sensitive skin, try to avoid potential irritants such as fragrances and alcohols, which can be very drying. Although they are non-irritating for most people, they might trigger allergic reactions in those with sensitive skin.
Fragrances are identified as one of the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis. If you have fragrance sensitivity, it's better to pick a fragrance-free cream. Since sensitive skin is highly fickle, even all-natural ingredients like rosemary leaf extract and lavender oil can cause skin irritation.
Packaging labels can be a helpful place to look as well. Keep an eye out for products labeled specifically "for sensitive skin", "hypoallergenic", "dermatologist-approved", and so on. While they won't guarantee a reaction-free experience, they're much more likely to irritate your sensitive skin than products without a specific label.
The skin around the eye is very thin, making it prone to the development of both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Even a product that you use on the rest of your face without any issues can cause rashes and irritation when used around the eye. Using products that are hypoallergenic and devoid of fragrances can help prevent these reactions and allow you to get the benefits of eye cream.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CeraVe Eye Repair Cream | ![]() | Best for Enhancing the Skin's Protective Barrier | |
2 | Kiehl's Since 1851 Eyes Eyes Baby Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Preventing Dryness and Softening the Skin | |
3 | Derma-E Hydrating Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Protecting the Skin Against Environmental Stressors | |
4 | Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream | ![]() | Best Fragrance-Free Eye Cream | |
5 | Perricone MD Confidence in an Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Reducing Skin Inflammation | |
6 | Vichy Laboratoires LiftActiv Supreme Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Diminishing Eye Bags | |
7 | La Roche-Posay Snail Repair Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Improving the Skin's Elasticity | |
8 | Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream | ![]() | Best for Combating Fine Lines and Wrinkles | |
9 | First Aid Beauty Retinol Correxion | ![]() | Best for Promoting Collagen Production in the Skin | |
10 | Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream | ![]() | Best for Soothing Sensitive Skin |
Pros:
Cons:
CeraVe's Eye Repair Cream combines hyaluronic acid and three types of ceramides to restore the function of your skin's barrier and prevent moisture loss. There's also niacinamide, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties to soothe irritated skin and enhance the delicate skin surrounding your eyes.
One caveat of this eye cream to some buyers is the greasy consistency. But most compliment the gentle, ultra-hydrating formula that doesn't burn their eyes or cause redness. After applying the eye cream, they notice a major improvement in their puffiness around the eyes, dark circles, and wrinkles.
Pros:
Cons:
This eye cream comes with the goodness of avocado oil and shea butter to soften the skin and soothe irritation. The addition of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant, helps prevent premature aging of the skin. This formula is also free from fragrance ingredients.
Some buyers mention that this eye cream is too thick and takes a while to completely absorb into the skin. On another note, it's mentioned that this cream works well in de-puffing eyes. Many also agree that it visibly makes the skin more supple. It effectively gets rid of wrinkles and fine lines, too.
Pros:
Cons:
Featuring antioxidant-rich green tea and vitamins A, C, and E, this anti-aging eye cream can lighten dark circles, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and fight free radicals for a youthful look. It's also enriched with hyaluronic acid to plump up your skin. Moreover, this vegan formula is free from potential irritants like parabens and mineral oil.
For a few reviewers, this eye cream doesn't provide enough moisture. But the majority share that it's effective in reducing the look of blemishes. They are also happy with the non-greasy consistency that goes on nicely. It's said that the formula doesn't cause allergic reactions and works great for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema.
Pros:
Cons:
In this eye cream, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) has been paired with vitamin A and pro-vitamin B5 to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. The infusion of melibiose amps up the moisture level in your skin to leave it feeling soft and silky. Since the formula is fragrance-free, it's suitable for those with fragrance sensitivity.
AHA might make skin more prone to sun sensitivity, so wear sunscreen or other protection to avoid sun damage. Nonetheless, the majority are happy with the results, saying their wrinkles, fine lines, and puffiness look much less visible after applying it. Many buyers with sensitive skin or bad allergies agree that the formula is non-irritating.
Pros:
This gentle eye cream from Perricone MD is formulated with cannabidiol (CBD) and bisabolol, all of which can reduce inflammation and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also uses marigold extract to give the skin hydration.
The thick and sticky consistency is one major complaint about this eye cream. However, most are happy that the formula is moisturizing and doesn't aggravate their skin condition. They also mention that it helps with their lines and puffiness and made the skin around their eyes smoother and softer.
Pros:
Cons:
Vichy's LiftActiv Supreme Eye Cream features a blend of caffeine and escin, a derivative of horse chestnut, to effectively diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. It also contains rhamnose, a potent anti-ager, to provide a lifting effect whilst improving the elasticity of your skin. The formula is lightweight, too, and is quickly absorbed into the skin.
Although a few buyers complain about the thick consistency of this eye cream, many agree that it absorbs quickly into the skin. The majority further say that the cream truly helps reduce their dark circles, wrinkles, and fine lines. What's more, the gentle, fragrance-free formula doesn't sting their eyes.
Pros:
Cons:
One key ingredient in this eye cream is vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that can boost collagen production, repair sun damage, and brighten your overall complexion. It's also infused with soothing ingredients like neurosensine and thermal spring water to relieve skin sensitivity.
Although some reviewers find the texture a bit greasy, this eye cream is still loved for its moisturizing and fragrance-free formula. Many also say their wrinkles, lines, and crow's feet become much less visible after using this cream. The skin of the under-eye area turns smooth and soft as well.
Pros:
Cons:
Infused with niacinamide and five different peptides, this eye cream targets everything from puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. It also contains 72 percent snail mucin to leave your skin looking smooth and hydrated. This formula helps enhance the skin's elasticity, too!
Some reviewers dislike the thin consistency of the eye cream. On another note, many happy buyers share that this formula gives their skin a hefty dose of moisture and makes it look soft and silky. They are also happy with the fragrance-free, lightweight formula that doesn't cause any skin irritation.
Pros:
First Aid Beauty's eye cream features peptides, which can encourage collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains alpha arbutin to fade hyperpigmentation and improve your complexion. What's more, the formula has bisabolol, an antioxidant that can calm irritated skin.
A few reviewers mention that this eye cream doesn't add a lot of moisture to their skin. Still, the majority praise that it effectively improves their skin texture and diminishes aging signs. Many reviewers with sensitive skin also say that the cream doesn't cause any burning sensation to their skin.
Pros:
This lightweight eye cream has thermal spring water and hyaluronic acid to deliver soothing moisture to the skin and plump it up. The combination of dextran sulfate and chamomile further helps de-puff the skin around the eyes, while pre-tocopheryl, a form of vitamin E, shields your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals.
Some buyers wish the eye cream was more moisturizing. Nonetheless, many say it makes their skin feel hydrating, refreshing, and smooth without causing any irritation. Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis also report that this eye cream calms their redness and rashes.
Sensitive skin is picky and hard to take care of, but there are many skincare products that can strengthen it and leave it soft and silky-smooth. Check out our articles to see some skincare must-haves that can do wonders for your sensitive skin!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: CeraVe|Eye Repair Cream
No. 2: Kiehl's Since 1851|Eyes Eyes Baby Eye Cream
No. 3: Derma-E|Hydrating Eye Cream
No. 4: Neutrogena |Healthy Skin Eye Cream
No. 5: Perricone MD|Confidence in an Eye Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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