The Best Anti-Aging Eye Creams in 2023 

When it comes to aging, it can be overwhelming sifting through thousands of different products that claim to deliver miracle results and maintain your eternal youth. 

Instead, we suggest thinking about the aging process a little differently – it’s not something you’re fighting, instead, you’re looking to keep your body as healthy as possible to live life to the fullest and maintain your confidence. This means that you can incorporate products such as the ones on this list to help you along your way, empowering you to be the best version of yourself and embrace the aging process. 

We have formulated the list of the best anti-aging eye creams in 2023 to save you the trouble of searching what’s right for you. While we can’t guarantee any miracles, you can be assured that these are the best products available and are great for your overall skin health. 

What ingredients should I be looking out for?

Eye creams that have a hypoallergenic label are generally the best option as this means they are likely safe to apply to your skin and are not going to cause irritation. Other key ingredients include: 

• Caffeine: Caffeine can work wonders quite quickly on the eyes, tightening up the skin to give it a youthful appearance. 
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants fight against cellular damage, helping your skin to regain its natural glow
• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the fluids of your eyes and joints. It is commonly added to skin care products as it’s great at binding to water and retaining moisture. It also helps to increase the overall flexibility of your skin.
• Peptides: Peptides are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins found in the skin include collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping the skin tight. Products containing peptides can result in firmer, younger looking skin. 
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a great addition to eye creams as it brightens the skin, helping to reduce dark circles around the eyes.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps to soothe the delicate skin around the eye and protects from further damage. Like vitamin C, it’s also great at helping to reduce dark circles. 
• SPF: The skin around your eyes is thin, making it highly sensitive to damage from the sun. This means that SPF is a must have ingredient to protect your eyes from harsh UV rays. 

What ingredients should I avoid? 

Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid any anti-aging eye creams that contain fragrances, as these can cause irritation, particularly if you have more sensitive skin. 

• Retinol: When it comes to retinol, there’s a bit of controversy about its safety. What is known is that it increases the sensitivity of the skin to the UV rays of the sun. Some users of retinol report redness or burning sensations. While this doesn’t happen to everyone, we recommend erring on the side of caution and sticking with retinol free products. 
• Parabens: Parabens are ingredients commonly used in cosmetic products as a preservative. However, they are best avoided as they can cause irritation and allergic reactions in the skin. They are easily absorbed and remain in body tissue and fluids. There is a link between parabens affecting hormone production, however, further research is required to confirm if parabens are at fault. In the meantime, we suggest opting for paraben free! 
• Phenoxyethanol: Another culprit preservative in the cosmetics world is phenoxyethanol. It has been associated with allergic reactions varying in severity, particularly when coming into contact with eyes. While it’s used in very low concentrations in skin care products, there are cleaner and safer options when it comes to making long lasting cosmetics. 

How else can I protect my skin from aging? 

The great news is that there are many options when it comes to preserving your youthful looks that go beyond purchasing additional creams. 

Protecting yourself from sunlight

Ultraviolet rays from the sun penetrate the skin. This means they damage the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm, resulting in wrinkles. So, sun exposure is actually responsible for most of the visible aging of your skin! Our best advice is to wear sunscreen, regardless of the weather. Even when it’s cloudy or rainy, the sun’s harmful rays can still penetrate your skin and cause damage. 

Shorter showers

While this may not be the news you want to hear, unfortunately your long, hot showers may be doing damage to your skin. Hot water washes out your skin’s natural oils, which are present to maintain a layer of moisture on the skin. While this doesn’t mean you need to jump in the deep end and just have cold showers, it makes a difference if you opt for warm showers instead and shower for a few minutes less! 

Gentle cleansers

Some cleansers are packed with strong fragrances, alcohol, and harsh chemicals that are great at delivering short-term results but can result in excessive drying of the skin and other harm in the long run. Because of this, we recommend looking for natural products that use gentle ingredients that are kind to your skin. Exfoliating is great for your skin, but shouldn’t be done aggressively! 

Eat the right foods

Your diet plays a huge role in how your body functions and appears. You want to go for foods that nourish your body to give you that natural glow, boosting your moisture and preserving your skin’s natural beauty. 

We recommend eating lots of avocados, berries, nuts, broccoli and blueberries – all part of a normal healthy diet. These help to boost fat content of the skin helping to retain moisture, and are packed with antioxidants to fight cell damage. 

There are many more foods we could add to this list, but a general rule to apply is looking for natural, unprocessed foods to maximize the nourishment and health benefits you can get from every meal. 

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

This is something we can’t overstate the benefits of. It’s especially important to also not wait until your skin is already dry and then start moisturizing. Be proactive about your moisturizing to maximize the benefits. 

It’s generally accepted that the best option is to moisturize in the morning and evening, to maintain a healthy balance throughout the day. Having said that, it is possible to use too much moisturizer, so it can be a case of trial and error to see how your skin is responding and find that sweet spot. 

1. Blu Atlas Eye Stick 

Blu Atlas stepped into the beauty scene just last year and since then, everyone’s been talking about them. With a clear approach to simplifying beauty – moving away from long lists of confusing ingredients to an all-natural ethos that addresses all the needs of your skin. 

Algae is a powerhouse when it comes to hydrating and toning the skin, working wonders on wrinkles. If you’re worried about the darkness under your eyes, the vitamin C in this eye cream is great at brightening the skin and bringing back your natural glow. 

Another favorite ingredient is rosewater – not only does it smell great, it also reduces puffiness and can boost the skin in its healing process. With no artificial fragrances, their formula is free of any potential irritants making it suitable for all skin types. 

Blu Atlas have full confidence in their products, offering a money back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the results. 

To top it all off, their restorative eye stick is packaged perfectly for you to roll on with ease, and easily fits into your bag if you’re a busy traveler. 

2. Willowberry Nutrient Boost Day Cream

Rather than emphasizing reversing aging, Willowberry have emphasized that their cream is building up the skin’s natural barrier and providing long lasting protection. Packed with vitamins, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, this enlightening blend is the answer. 

This cream is light and easy to apply and you get a long lasting glow all day long. It can also be used as a night cream, and Willowberry offers an additional face oil for extra nourishment. Coriander seed and geranium provide a delicious natural scent to this cream. 

Willowberry products are 100% cruelty-free, and use glass packaging to opt for a more sustainable approach. They are founded on aging without apology, providing an empowering message to revive your ‘grown up’ skin, without forcing you to be anti-aging! 

Users say that this cream is great for all skin types as it is neither heavy nor oily.

3. Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream

Persian silk tree extract and bakuchiol provide an exotic but highly effective alternative to harsh chemical ingredients in Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream.

Bakuchiol in particular is a great natural replacement for retinol, offering all the benefits but without the harmful side effects like sun sensitivity and skin irritation. Silk tree extract has been clinically proven to reduce crow’s feet, diminish puffiness, and fade dark circles. 

So, what do users have to say? Beautycounter decided to test the product for four weeks on their customers and record the results. Over 90% said they experienced a brighter eye area, their eye area felt deeply hydrated, had decreased under eye shadows, and decreased crow’s feet.  

Beautycounter is all about pioneering the cleanest standards in beauty. They source ingredients responsibly and are committed to sustainability. They’ve also clearly defined their never list – a set of ingredients (1800 to be precise) that are questionable or harmful – giving you a safe and highly effective range of products. 

4. Ark Skincare Age Defy Nourishing Moisturizer

Recommended for use in your 50s and onwards – this peptide-based formula is designed for older skin. This moisturizer is all about brightening the complexion, rehydrating and giving back the skin’s elasticity which is often lost as we age. Ark Skincare products are dermatologically tested and recommended for sensitive skin. 

Red clover helps to increase moisture retention and boost skin tone, while goji berry packs a punch when it comes to antioxidant protection. Hyaluronic acid and peptides help to plump the skin and retain moisture. 

Ark skincare is an award winning brand that you don’t want to miss. They are finding the best bioactive natural ingredients, free of anything that could potentially irritate the skin and creating highly specific products that are tailored to your skin’s every need. 

5. OSEA Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Serum 

If you’re an ocean lover, then this powerful eye serum is one for you. 

Its secret ingredient is seaweed – packed with vitamin K, B, A and E which all help to improve skin elasticity, tone and texture. Seaweed also helps to regulate oil production, and is great for calming more sensitive skin. Osea uses seaweed sourced from around the globe, scientifically backed to give you the best results. A family borne business, they are firm believers in the healing powers of the ocean 

Ocean Eyes is suitable for all skin types. It even comes in a handy roll-on package, making it easy to apply both morning and night. Consumer tested, buyers of this brand report seeing immediate results.

For those interested in Osea, the brand offers a subscription package with savings and early access to new products. 

5. 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream

Rich in green tea and caffeine, this cream is great for reducing the dark circles from under your eyes by promoting blood flow to the skin. Start your day feeling energized with this innovative cream, suitable for all skin types.

Rosewood oil and vanilla provide the delicate scent to this eye cream and contribute to its powerful nourishing effects. Consumers love it for its heavenly scent and lightweight formula. 

100% Pure recommend applying their formula to the skin in the morning and in the evening, after cleansing the skin. Leave on for a few minutes before removing excess with a cosmetic tissue. 

100% Pure is proud to be an all vegan, all natural brand that is showing what it means to be pure – not just in their ingredients, but also in their overall commitment to sustainability, and giving back to the global community. 

6. Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

The next choice in our list of the best anti-aging eye creams in 2023 is Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. It’s packed with antioxidants to fight skin cell damage, resulting in firmer, younger looking skin. With 5 star reviews all round, this product is almost guaranteed to get results. 

If you’re wanting a refreshing cooling effect, then this perfect combination of cucumber, aloe vera and chamomile is ideal. In addition, witch hazel works wonders on tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. 

This brand offers a great philosophy that you can apply within skincare and in other domains of your life – approach things with balance. Balance in your skin, balance in your life, it all starts with adding a few minutes of self-care to your daily routine. Balance Me is also committed to being 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and using all natural ingredients. 

Designed for all skin types, we can see why it’s quickly become their best seller! People love it for its lightweight feel that still achieves deep moisturizing effects and is great on sensitive skin. 

7. Susanne Kaufmann Rejuvenating Eye Cream 

While this choice from Susanne Kaufmann might be harder on your wallet, its highly concentrated ingredients go a long way and its research backed formula provides results that are totally worth spending the extra money! 

From just a 28 day clinical study, the brand found that 100% of volunteers experienced a decrease in wrinkles, with around a 15% decrease in wrinkle depth. Think of what kind of results you could get from using this for a few months! Broccoli seed extract, moth bean extract, and silk protein are some of their ingredients that really make it stand out from the crowd. 

Susanne Kaufmann even offers their own ‘glow box’ which contains their moisturizer, rose mist, and glow mask, to provide the ultimate treatment package. They recommend applying their eye cream in the morning and  evening, starting with the inner corner of the eye and moving outwards, and also suggest pairing the rejuvenating eye cream with their eye rescue serum for even better results. 

8. African Botanics Eye Contour Gel – Serum

This compact and highly concentrated formula, coming in a vibrant green package, is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something simple and unscented. Yeast beta – glucan, vitamin B3, vitamin C, and rich seaweed extract combine to achieve powerful cooling, soothing, tightening and strengthening of the delicate skin around the eyes. 

While you might be raising your eyebrows at some of their ingredients – such as dragon’s blood (don’t worry, it’s plant resin), wait until you see the difference it makes on your circulation and undereye puffiness. 

African Botanicals push boundaries when it comes to ingredients, opting for ethical sourcing and sustainable packaging. Made in the heart of South Africa, the brand was inspired by beautiful culture and scenery, and wanted to celebrate this in their own formulas. They have collaborated with local partners to eliminate middle men and support individuals directly. 

Users love it, saying it makes them feel ‘bright eyed and bushy tailed’, and its hugely concentrated formula delivers results, fast. 

9. Kaelen Harwell Dark Circle Reducing Cocoa Espresso Eye Cream

Cocoa works wonders for the skin as it is packed full of antioxidants (yes, eating chocolate can be good for you!). Cocoa also has anti-inflammatory actions, helping with redness and improving the overall complexion of your skin, and increases blood flow, enhancing overall nourishment.

Rooibos – another ingredient that is great for consuming and applying to your skin, is another strong antioxidant. Lavender, algae, and pomegranate create a memorable scent and create strong hydration. 

Kaelen Harwell spent many years working in the spa industry before realizing that many products claiming to be all natural were in fact full of potentially harmful chemicals. Because of this, she was inspired to create more powerful, research backed products that only do good for skin health.

The brand offers trial sets of their different products if you’re feeling a little uncertain, so you can test which of their products your skin responds the best to. 

10. Whamisa Eye Essence Eye Cream

This Korean based brand has made a name for themselves through their unique approach to skincare. By fermenting their ingredients, they have strengthened the effects of the raw materials in their formula, contributing to longer lasting results. 

Some of their favorite ingredients include licorice root, which boosts antioxidant production and brightens the skin. Murumuru butter is rich in fatty acids, helping to deeply penetrate the skin for long lasting hydration. Bisabolo soothes inflammation and promotes healing. 

Whamisa are committed to giving you the best results by carrying out ongoing research – pioneering the field of clean beauty in Korea and determining the finest natural ingredients. They’re all about sustainability, with full transparency on all of their packaging materials, opting for recyclable options wherever possible. 

11. True Botanicals Natural Resurrection Eye Cream

With True Botanicals, you can feel like you’re taking a breath of fresh air, a walk through a beautiful forest – reconnecting with nature, and with yourself. 

Turmeric, caffeine, and licorice extract create potent antioxidant effects in True Botanicals Natural Resurrection Cream to reduce puffiness around the eyes and brighten your complexion. Tree bark extract has been clinically proven to target the root cause of dark circles and increase the overall elasticity of the skin. 

This cream is named after the resurrection plant, one of nature’s most resilient and able to survive almost complete drought before bringing itself back to life with just a drop of moisture. As one of the key ingredients in this eye cream, the plant is working hard to harvest as much moisture around your eyes to plump and hydrate the skin. 

Don’t just trust the ingredients – trust the results. A clinical trial following users for 6 weeks achieved pretty impressive outcomes. 100% of the women involved found a significant increase in hydration just 24 hours after application. After 6 weeks of use, all trialists found a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and had an increase of over 100% in hydration around the eye area. 

12. La Mer The Eye Concentrate

Giant sea kelp is the secret to success for The Eye Concentrate from luxury cosmetics brand La Mer. It’s packed full of antioxidants, protecting your skin from environmental stressors, UV rays, and free radicals. Take a dive into the ocean with this expertly crafted cream to get long lasting results that give you the confidence you deserve.  

La Mer recommends refrigerating their eye cream for three to five minutes before applying to enhance its effects. If you’re wanting to learn more, they offer experts you can speak to via their website if you have any burning questions and know that you’re getting the evidence backed answers!

Creme de la mer has an interesting creation story – founder, Dr Max Huber, suffered burns in a lab experiment and was inspired to create an unparalleled brand after struggling to find the right products to heal his skin. As a physicist living on the coast of San Diego, he found himself compelled by the ocean and following this unconventional path, went through extensive trial and error (allegedly carrying out 6,000 experiments) to earn his product’s place on our best anti-aging eye creams in 2023. 

Frequently asked questions 

What causes dark patches under the eyes?

Dark patches under the eyes are relatively common and nothing to be worried about. Too little sleep tends to be the biggest culprit. When you don’t get enough sleep, your blood vessels dilate. This means that there’s more blood flow under the eyes, and since the skin here is much thinner, over time the dark tint becomes quite clear. 

Aging tends to also contribute to dark circles under your eyes, as the skin beneath your eyes thins and loosens making the blood vessels more obvious. 

What’s the difference between eye cream and face cream? 

Eye creams are made for the delicate skin around the eye and are full of ingredients designed to specifically target complications in that particular area such as wrinkles, a darkening of the skin, and eye bags. The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate so can show signs of aging sooner than the rest of the face. 

Face creams can be used around the eyes, so long as they don’t irritate the skin and provide sufficient moisture. However, your best bet is to go for a specific eye cream to get all their specific benefits.

When should I start using anti-aging eye creams?

The good news is that it’s almost never too early to start using anti-aging creams. Some dermatologists say that anti-aging starts at birth! People in their 20s can start to add creams to their daily routine and see the benefits over the long run. It’s also fine of course to start using one in your 40s, 50s, 60s – you name it. 

When it comes to what time of day is best for applying your favorite anti-aging cream, we recommend applying once a day at night time. This is because the skin goes into repair and regenerative mode overnight, so adding your anti-aging cream will help your skin in its daily routine.