What cream can I use for dry skin around my eyes?

Dry skin can be a struggle year-round, but fall and winter can be especially brutal. As soon as the temperature drops, the lack of humidity can lead to redness, itching, and flaky patches on your face—yes, under-eyes included. That’s not exactly something you want to deal with if you’re already battling dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines or wrinkles.

It’s totally normal, though. A sudden change in seasons is one of the most common causes of dry under-eyes, explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules. But, there are so many other factors that contribute to under-eye dryness, adds Tara Rao, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. That’s why finding the best hydrating eye creams for dry skin is so key. Simply getting older means your skin gets thinner, so it has a harder time holding onto moisture. What’s more, colder weather is a common trigger for eczema flare-ups, a condition that can make the skin rough, dry, itchy, and cracked.

Your day-to-day struggles may play a role, too. “When we are sick, under a lot of stress, or not getting enough sleep, we can also become very dehydrated, and the skin around the eye is one of the first places for that to show up,” says Dr. Rao.

But you don’t have to battle dry, flaky skin forever. In addition to staying hydrated and getting enough rest, a moisturizing eye cream can make all the difference when your under-eyes are in desperate need of some TLC.

How to choose the best hydrating eye cream for dry skin

• Know the difference between an eye cream and a moisturizer. For starters, eye creams should be tested by both dermatologists and ophthalmologists to ensure they are safe to apply near the eyes. The skin underneath your eyes is thinner and more delicate, making it prone to irritation, says Dr. Jaliman. “Using a moisturizer or cream not targeted for the eyes can make your eyes puffier or even irritate them,” she says.
• Look for moisturizing ingredients. Some standout ingredients to look for in a moisturizing eye cream include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, antioxidants (often found in botanical oils or certain vitamins), and aloe vera.
• Keep it simple. While retinol products can certainly help fight the signs of aging, they can also dry out the skin and cause peeling, so skip this ingredient if you have dry under-eyes, says Dr. Rao. Simple formulas are your best bet here, so avoid eye creams that are heavy in chemicals, fragrances, dyes, or preservatives.

To make the search even easier, we rounded up several hydrating eye creams—from drugstore to high-end—that fit the bill. Pick your favorite and lightly dab it on during the morning and night with your ring finger to ensure you’re not pulling or tugging at the skin. We promise your skin will look brighter, moisturized, and so refreshed.

1

BEST OVERALL

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream

2

BEST VALUE

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

3

Best Gel

Baebody Eye Gel

4

Best for Sensitive Skin

Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream

5

Best De-Puffing

Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Gel

6

Best Scented

Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream

7

Most Nourishing

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

8

Best for Dark Circles

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Cream

9

Best for Under Makeup

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream

10

Best for Fine Lines

Neocutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream

11

Best Fragrance-Free

Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream

12

Most Lightweight

Boscia Indigo Eye Cream

13

Best Luxe Eye Cream

LA MER

The Eye Concentrate

Alisa Hrustic Deputy Editor, Prevention Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy.

Step-by-step guide on treating and relieving dryness around the eyes.

Dry skin around the eyelids can be common during the winter months. The cold air dries the skin out, but it doesn’t have to be cold outside for flakiness to appear around the eyes. Dry skin under the eyes can affect anyone, at any time – although those with skin conditions like eczema, are more likely to suffer. As the skin under the eyes and on the eyelids is thinner than on some parts of the body, such as on the soles of the feet, it is less able to retain moisture, leaving it vulnerable to drying out.

The symptoms of dry, flaky skin around the eyes aren’t pretty, and definitely aren’t comfortable. Dryness, itchiness, flakiness, soreness, irritation, and even swelling can be common side effects. Pinpointing the exact cause of dry skin on eyelids isn’t always simple, as many things can cause the symptoms to appear. Harsh shampoos that run down your face during a shower, irritants in cosmetics, harsh facial cleansers, soaps, and sunburn are some of the usual suspects.

Whatever the cause may be, you need to take action! Being proactive and caring for the delicate skin around your eyes with the right techniques will help you restore and maintain a soft, healthy looking complexion.

Expert Advice
The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes.

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