11 Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin and Eyes, Approved by Dermatologists

According to Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified NYC dermatologist and co-founder of TRNR Skin, Isdin’s dark circle minimizer is an all-in-one treatment to help with hydration, puffy eyes and dark circles.  “It contains hyaluronic acid, a true favorite for any formulation used under the eyes, and has vitamin K oxide to help with dark circles and a proprietary peptide blend that can help with firming and puffiness under eye skin,” says Dr. Turner.

It may be a splurge, but customers say it’s worth the price due to its sensitive skin-friendliness. “The eye cream feels lovely and hydrating and doesn't cause any irritation,” wrote one reviewer. “I’ve tried many eye creams as I'm hyper sensitive to milia, and this has not caused any.”

Others were influenced by friends. “I started out using it because a friend told me I had to try it so I borrowed hers. She knows my puffy eyes and dark circles are my biggest insecurities. I have to say after years of trying products that didn’t work, I was the happiest I’ve ever been using this one,” one reviewer wrote. “Just to prove it, here I am again buying more.”

According to Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s MDCS Dermatology, Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Eye Cream is one of the best eye cream options for sensitive eyes and skin. “Omega fatty acids and ceramides fortify the skin barrier, while niacinamide and botanicals nourish and brighten the delicate skin around the eyes in this lightweight eye cream,” he says.

Amazon shoppers say the same. “[It’s] easy to apply, absorbs quickly and does not not have an offensive odor,” says one who reviewer. “So far have had no adverse reaction. I like it.” Another is such a fan they say it’s “one of the very best” options in terms of value and product quality. “I use a tiny tiny dot for both eyes. Product is sheer and light. It disappears into skin pretty quickly,” they wrote.

Skinceuticals’ cult-favorite A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles is one of Dr. Turner’s top picks for sensitive skin and eyes. “This product contains hydrating ingredients making it a great choice for dry eyes and it is also free of alcohols or dyes which can be irritating to delicate eyelid skin,” he says. “It’s packed with antioxidants for skin brightening and also contains caffeine, a favorite active for under eye use.

As a bonus, it also contains optical diffusers that help brighten the under eye for daytime use while the active ingredients get to work on the skin below, adds Dr. Turner. At another steep price point, actual customers insist that it’s worth the investment. “I am in my forties and starting to see fine lines which I hate. Using this eye product helps minimize the appearance of the fine lines and helps my makeup look better,” one wrote.

“I love this for fine lines and texture,” wrote another. “It melts into my skin and doesn't feel greasy. I also use it under makeup and at night and I love it for both! Fantastic eye cream.

If you prefer your eye creams on the heavier side, consider SkinCeuticals Eye Balm Hydrating Cream. “For those who appreciate a richer texture, I like the formula, which is quite nourishing but not very heavy on the skin,” says Dr. Turner. “The anti-aging benefits in this formula are provided by plant-derived ingredients like soy isoflavones and silymarin rather than ones that could irritate the eyes, like retinol or glycolic acid. A balm texture is also more likely to stay put where it’s applied than thinner formulas, which tend to migrate.”

My injector, Sachin M. Shridharani, MD, FACS, who’s a board-certified plastic surgeon at New York City’s Luxurgery, suggested I try this medical-grade under-eye treatment when I started complaining about puffiness and crow's feet around my eyes. I figured it was pointless; eye gel like this never works for me, anyway. Still, I gave it a go, and I am so glad I did.

After just a few days of incorporating it into my skin care routine, I started to see a major improvement:  I looked more awake, alert, and rejuvenated, and didn’t experience any irritation. My eyes didn’t look swollen or puffy and the appearance of wrinkles had greatly diminished. I’m already onto my second bottle and have even recommended it to my mom; I’m a convert.

So are Amazon shoppers. “This product was recommended to me by my dermatologist,” wrote one reviewer. “I’ve been using it twice a day for over a year and I really like it. One of the best creams I’ve used, It’s worth the money.”

“This weightless eye cream contains squalane to improve hydration, marine algae to supply nutrients and minerals, and paracress extract to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Camp.

And that it really does. “This has restored my faith in eye creams. It actually works,” one reviewer says of Biossance’s eye cream. “Whenever I look sad and tired this cheers my entire face up by lifting the light in my eyes.” Others echo the sentiment: “I was looking for an eye cream that would help with swollen eyes and I found the product. It keeps my eyes looking bright and youthful and it feels fabulous.”

Another echoes the sentiment. “LOVE this! I just finished a $330 eye cream (it was gifted, I don’t have that kind of money) and this Biossance is better than that,” wrote another reviewer. “Instant firming, brightening and moisture.”

Have you ever loved a product so much you’ve bought not one, not two, but three? That’s how deeply in love Glamour beauty contributor Sarah Y. Wu has fallen in love with K- beauty skin care brand Superegg’s Phyto Bounce Eye Contour Solution.

“This is my third tube of Superegg's plumping eye cream, so you know I'm obsessed,” she reiterates. “This has to be my favorite formula to layer under makeup because of how smoothly it goes on. It's also got great hydrating, firming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, tremella mushroom, and peptides. It dispenses as a clear gel and then just melts right into my skin—it feels beautifully soothing, too. I love how this instantly makes my under eyes look more hydrated and just awake, even before I apply concealer.”

Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology, points to Avene’s Soothing Eye Cream as a more affordable—yet effective—eye cream option for sensitive skin and eyes. “This lightweight yet hydrating formula designed for sensitive skin and approved by the National Eczema Association for its tolerance in soothing dry sensitive skin,” she says.

Shoppers with sensitive skin concur. “I have very sensitive skin especially with my under eyes and I've tried everything, but this is by far the best eye cream for me,” one wrote in their review. “It's very hydrating, it's super smooth and really easy to get on and a little goes a long way so it's worth the price.”

One even said it started working after seven days: “After a week's use on both eyelids and under-eye area, I can confirm my under eye area is looking a lot fresher and brighter. I look like I have slept way longer which is certainly a bonus.”

If your under-eye area is prone to dryness or dehydration, look no further than Lineage’s Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream that's packed with vitamin E. “Micro-sized hyaluronic acid is included in this eye cream to improve absorption and improve hydration,” says Dr. Camp. “It also contains niacinamide and caffeine to brighten the skin around the eyes.” Win/win!

Reviewers are fans, too, so much so it has a whopping 4.7 average rating on Amazon. “This is my favorite eye cream. It's so hydrating. A little goes a long way. Well worth the price,” wrote one reviewer. “I have super dry skin and this is a really heavy, white cream with a lot of hydrating properties. It is really rich and contains coconut oil which is wonderful for dry skin. You need the smallest amount possible to get wonderful results,” wrote another.

Retinols and sensitive skin tend to not get along. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives like bakuchiol that are more suitable for the delicate skin type—as well as incredible eye creams that are formulated with it. “I love bakuchiol in my skin care because it's a natural retinol alternative that's proven to be less likely to cause irritation and can be worn both day and night (still wear your sunscreen, though). This eye cream combines bakuchiol with black rice, another gentle ingredient I love,” Glamour’s Wu says of Haruharu cruelty-free cream.

“The texture is super lightweight and fast-absorbing and layers beautifully under concealer,” Wu continues. “It’s also intensely hydrating but never causes milia under my eyes. As you can see, I've made a giant dent in this in just a few months."