When it comes to anti-ageing eye creams, some devotees swear by their smoothing, brightening and firming capabilities. Others see eye care as a task that their day and night moisturisers should already be equipped to cover.
Regardless of which camp you fall into, the fragile skin that forms the eyelids is uniquely challenged and therefore needs its own specialist treatment to help fend off the sagging and crepiness that naturally occur with ageing.
“The eyelid skin is the thinnest on the body,” explains Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon. “It’s often only 0.3mm thick, making the area more delicate and vulnerable than the undereye or orbital bone area. It also has far fewer sebaceous glands, so it dries out much more easily due to the reduced oily secretions, then add that we blink up to 15,000 times a day so eyelids are also under constant mechanical stress. This combination means that eyelid skin loses elasticity faster and shows crepiness and sagging far earlier than surrounding areas.”
Best eye treatments for saggy eyelids at a glance
Why do eyelids need specialist anti-ageing care?
“Formulating for the eyelid is uniquely challenging,” says Dr Hawkes. “The skin is highly sensitive, close to the eye itself and prone to irritation, so formulas need to be lightweight, ophthalmologist-tested and non-migrating to avoid seeping into the eye. Unlike a general eye cream, a true eyelid-targeted product has to balance potency with safety and needs to deliver actives that improve elasticity while being gentle enough for such a delicate area.”
Which ingredients should you look for and which should be avoided?
Given the potential for irritation, ingredients that can be used on the eyelid are limited, which is why you won’t find as many options compared to products for under and around eyes. “Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides are excellent for maintaining moisture in an area with limited natural oils,” advises Dr Hawkes.
“Peptides can help improve skin firmness, while antioxidants like vitamin C protect against free radical damage. Retinoids, used in well-formulated, low-irritation derivatives such as retinyl palmitate or retinaldehyde, can be transformative for crepiness by boosting cell turnover and collagen. On the flipside, avoid heavy occlusives, fragranced formulas, or high concentrations of actives that could migrate into the eye. They can cause irritation, milia or worsen sensitivity.”
When can you expect to see benefits?
“You may notice an improvement in hydration and smoothness within a few weeks, but collagen stimulation from ingredients such as peptides or retinoids takes time,” says Dr Hawkes. “Realistically, you're looking at 8–12 weeks of consistent use before seeing firmer, less crepey skin. And remember that while topical products can strengthen and refresh the eyelids, they won't give the same lifting effect as in-clinic treatments or surgery.”
How to best apply to eyelids without causing friction
“Use a very light touch and your ring finger as this applies the least pressure,” recommends Dr Hawkes. “Apply a small amount to the fingertip and gently tap it in following the natural contour of the eyelid, rather than rubbing or dragging. Also remember that less is more - applying too much increases the chance of the product migrating into the eye.”
How I Tested
I’m a beauty journalist and author who has been covering all things beauty, from cosmetics to spas via skincare, for over 25 years. This makes me best-placed to discuss products for specific uses, like eye creams.
Crucially, I only tested products that state in their instructions that they can be used on eyelids. As it takes at least four weeks (the period it takes skin cells on the surface to refresh) to see benefits, I looked back at treatments I’ve used and been impressed with previously.
For new-to-me offerings, I tried two at a time - one on each eye – morning and evening (unless advised against), using Dr Hawkes’ application advice. Then I selected the ten standouts on the strength of how easily they absorbed, how comfortable they felt on skin and the firming results.
Shiseido Vital Perfection Lifting And Firming Advanced Eye Cream
Best: overall
If the advanced science that Shiseido is renowned for isn’t enough to wow you, then the smart inclusion of a massage roller-meets-spatula applicator makes this eye treatment even more impressive. The formula uses their exclusive Japanese SafflowerRED compound, which is said to not only boost the skin’s own ability to improve firmness, but also supercharges the added retinol to tackle sagging and deep wrinkles around the eyes and on the eyelids.
For such a rich cream, it feels extraordinarily light when tapped in. I found it worked quickly to make eyelids look smoother and more open. Test results show that using the massager tool makes the skin look over 110 per cent brighter than using the cream alone, but I loved it for A.M. depuffing and P.M. soothing.
Buy now £75.00, Shiseido
Biossance Squalane and Marine Algae Eye Cream
Best for: sensitive skin
I’ve long been a fan of the softening benefits of Biossance, a range based around nourishing squalane, an oil that closely resembles squalene - our skin’s own naturally-occurring moisturiser. This bio-engineered replica comes from sugarcane, flooding skin with hydration and locking it there.
As well as plumping and smoothing wrinkles with squalane, hyaluronic acid and marine algae, the light and cool-feeling cream includes a medicinal floral extract called paracress, proven to give a gentle lift to the eyelids immediately and long-term over time. It’s a subtle difference, but one that makes eyes look fresher and brighter.
The satin finish means any make-up you apply afterwards glides on without creasing, plus the formula works so well on sensitive complexions that it’s approved by the US National Eczema Association.
Buy now £46.00, Lookfantastic
Trinny London Take Back Time Eye Treatment
Best for: hooded lids
For those whose eyelids are being haunted by hooded folds rather than crinkled texture, this formula is a gamechanger.
Founder Trinny herself admitted to being sceptical about the benefits of a separate eye care, which is why this one only launched last year. But after product formulators introduced her to a combination of unique microproteins that use growth factors to kickstart skin’s natural repair process and slow down the formation of wrinkles, she was convinced, and I’m with her. This has the texture of a rich cream but the feel of a comforting balm as it glides on.
It may take a minute to absorb, but the results are worth the wait, with upper lids lifting over a month to reveal a wider, more contoured eye shape and better-toned skin on the lids.
Buy now £65.00, Trinny London
INNbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye
Best for: super-hydration
A reduction in eyelid sagging, wrinkles and puffiness is the aim of this luxurious lotion, so a ‘360’ application over the complete eye area is not just recommended but rewarded.
The rich texture, which comes from its ‘reverse emulsion’ technique of using water droplets encased in oil droplets instead of the usual other way around, means you’ll only need a small amount to feel and see benefits. It absorbs quickly: first to a slightly clear, glossy sheen (but free from stickiness), then within a minute or so, deeper lines are rehydrated away and eyelids look perfectly smooth.
After 10 days, I could see less dropping in the skin up to the brow and a better contoured eye crease, making me look forward to applying a sumptuous, comforting layer overnight in particular.
Buy now £49.00, Sephora
Skin Rocks The Eye Cream
Best for: refilling:
As you’d expect from an eye cream created by skincare guru Caroline Hirons, this is packed with all you need to effectively tackle every bugbear for the entire area: lines, wrinkles, puffiness and darkness. Beneficial to the eyelids in particular are collagen-boosting hyaluronic acid and silk tree bark extract that aim to lift sagging skin, plus diamond powder which creates a blurred, soft focus finish and illuminates right away. It pumps out as a light cream, but the more you tap into skin, the more it melts to give a gorgeous slip that disappears fast for maximum comfort. It’s refillable too to reduce packaging waste and be better on your purse. Also try Hirons’ tip: she uses any excess over her lips for a smoothing, soothing fix.
Buy now £65.00, Space NK
Prai Ageless Eye UpTight Uplift Serum
Best for: instant lift
If you’re looking for a fast fix, make this your go-to. Because it gently contracts the skin as it dries, creating that immediate lift, this serum is only formulated for eyelids and up to the brow bone. The texture has the feel of a rich lotion, so one pump is plenty for both eyes.
Dot along the lash line, then with your finger placed horizontally, move lightly upwards five or six times, and you’ll start to see your brows and the droopy skin beneath elevate. I recommend one eye at a time so you can see what you’re doing!
The area feels firmer, but without any tightness, while the effect lasts for several hours initially and improves long-term over time too. It’s also a brilliantly smooth matte base for eyeshadow.
Buy now £35.00, Marks & Spencer
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Re-Hydrating Eye Cream
Best for: results on a budget
A thick cream that skin will drink up, flooding it with hydration and nourishment, helping to plump out lines and wrinkles on the eyelids instantly, and all without leaving a greasy or sticky residue. Rather, the finish is velvety when it’s absorbed, so ideal for applying eyeshadow or concealer straight afterwards, plus it feels wonderfully refreshing.
Over a couple of weeks, the hero ingredient of soy bean peptides - carefully selected to not irritate the delicate lid area whilst still being effective - begin to strengthen the skin there, lifting and firming droopiness as well as creating a smoother surface.
I noticed the whole eye area looked fresher and less shadowy, too.
Buy now £15.99, Lookfantastic
Murad Retinal Resculpt
Best for: overnight intensity
With retinal – the gold standard vitamin A derivative used for effective anti-ageing - as the key ingredient, this eye cream packs a serious punch. But this means it can only be used at night and teamed with a protective, high-factor sunscreen the next morning as retinal speeds up cell renewal, making fresh skin more susceptible to sun damage.
It also includes an oat-based firming film, which Murad cleverly coins as ‘shapewear for the eyes,’ thanks to its lifting and recontouring capabilities. On fingertips, the cream has a bouncy texture, which stays as you tap it over the eyelids and beyond, giving a lovely springy feel to the skin while definition is restored.
Buy now £92.00, Murad
Clarins Double Serum Eye
Best for: extra pollution protection
Packaged in two chambers to keep ingredients as fresh and effective as possible, they mix together in the pump, so start by mixing them between fingertips or back of your hand. The resulting consistency is very fluid, spreads easily and feels revitalising (I even kept mine in the fridge during the heatwave).
Another thing I noted was more luminosity, followed by the skin on the eyelids showing signs of better firmness, tone and texture from ingredients like turmeric, avocado and oat sugars.
My tip? On Clarins.co.uk you’ll find a fantastic video showing how to depuff, lift and de-furrow in seconds as you apply. Finally, as a city dweller subject to skin-ageing pollution on a daily basis, I’m also grateful for the triple whammy of protective plant extracts.
Buy now £50.95, Sephora
RoC Derm Correxion Dual Eye Cream
Best for: dermatologist-approved
With one compartment holding gel and the other cream, this duo offers solutions for the most common issues around the eye area, but with textures and formulas specifically tailored to the upper and lower lids.
Both absorb impressively quickly, without leaving behind any residue. And while the light cream helps to minimise dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, it’s the surprisingly intensive, lighter gel that works hard on the eyelids to give a noticeable lifting effect, using a daytime-friendly version of retinol to tighten the skin from lashes to brow bone and “freeze” the area to look fresher and smoother.
Created in consultation with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, as well as being ophthalmologist-tested, this impressive power duo is suitable for even sensitive skin.
Buy now £39.99, Lookfantastic
Verdict
Shiseido’s heritage of fusing the sharpest of Japanese science with the best ingredients has long made it one of the world’s most pioneering skincare companies. So when they create an eye cream that helps do the difficult job of ironing out crinkles and wrinkles on the eyelids, take note.
I love Vital Perfection Lifting And Firming Advanced Eye Cream for delivering ‘exactly what it says on the tin’ in a delicious, lightweight yet rich texture, as well as for its clever applicator. This little rollerball/measuring spatula supercharges results and transforms an everyday part of your skincare regime into a momentary, soothing ritual, so you can pause for a breath before the day ahead or for the one that’s almost over.
