PSA: These Are the 4 Best Retinol Eye Creams to Try in 2026
I've been in the beauty industry for 4+ years now, although my background is originally in fine arts. In between researching and publishing our guides, I’m usually snacking and making spontaneous (and somewhat chaotic) choices about what to do with my hair.
If there’s one ingredient derms absolutely love, it’s Retinol.
You may have heard of it but didn't think Retinol could be applied under your eyes. Think again.
We’ve found a range of Retinol eye creams you’ll fall in love with fast.
One of the most recommended, highly researched skin solutions, Retinol eye creams benefits almost everyone.
A derivative of Vitamin A, Retinol could soon diminish your fine lines and wrinkles with regular use.
It’s a common misconception that the ingredient won’t work under your eyes.
We’re here to debunk the myths and find you an under-eye Retinol cream for dark circles and more.
Now, Meet 4 of the Best Retinol Eye Creams in NZ
If you’re looking for a new way to soothe your under eye area, you could check out the innovative La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eye Retinol Cream. Made with an exclusive Retinol complex, this formula has a lightening and smoothing effect on the skin. Crafted with Caffeine to help boost the skin and leave it looking more awake, this gentle formula is the best eye retinol a sensitive eye area. This anti-ageing eye cream stimulates skin cell turnover and helps minimise the appearance of fine lines. So, your under eye area will appear lifted and perfected in the long run. Plus, the fragrance-free formula overpower you.
If you’re new to the Retinol game, and are unsure about Retinol on eye area, you might want to introduce the ingredient slowly to your skin. Crafted with 0.1% Retinol, Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Eye serum absorbs quickly into the delicate eye area. This cruelty-free and vegan eye serum refines the skin’s texture, so your skin looks smoother and more youthful. Completely fragrance-free, the blend leaves your under eye area softer and more hydrated. Designed to boost the radiance of your skin, this serum can help lighten up those dark circles you struggle with. Use this serum at night to speed up the skin’s natural exfoliation process and wake up looking brighter.
Give Your Eyes the Attention They Deserve With This Hydrating Cream
The L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Eye Cream is a toning and smoothing formula that helps lift the eye area and leave it looking firmer. This cream also blurs fine lines when you include it in your regular Retinoid cycle. It's made with Pro-Retinol to help tackle wrinkles and Fibrelastyl for a firmer look and feel. This formula applies gently and easily, so you don't struggle with how to apply Retinol cream. Hydrating but not heavy on the skin, this dermatologically tested formula is a fast favourite amongst the experts.
Does Retinol work? If you want to deeply nourish and hydrate your under eye area, Ella Baché Special Eye Cream deserves a place on your shelf. A rich, softening blend that moisturises the skin to reduce dehydration and thinning, this cream smooths and refreshes the skin. A gorgeous cream to apply every day, it starts to diminish the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and frustrating shadows with consistent use. Not only does this formula help brighten the under eye area. It also offers instant relief to dry, dehydrated skin with antioxidant-rich Peanut Oil, which contains Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
You can watch our Beauty Editor, Jo share some tips on using Vitamin A for the skin in the YouTube video below...
So, Can I Put Retinol Under My Eyes?
Yes, you can absolutely put Retinol under eyes. This ingredient helps stimulate skin-cell turnover and plump up the collagen in the skin.
Not just useful on ageing skin, a Retinol anti ageing eye cream tackles those dark circles that never brighten up by exfoliating away dulling, dead skin cells.
The skin underneath your eyes is extremely thin. Unfortunately, it only gets thinner as you get older. The eyes are one of our most expressive areas.
As we smile, rub our eyes during allergy season, and squint at the sun, the areas around your eyes start to crease permanently.
A Retinol anti ageing eye cream effectively targets the area and helps plump up thin skin by boosting the tender elastin fibres.
Though a good sunscreen routine and the best under eye masks can help keep your under eye area nourished, Retinol for under eye wrinkles is a bit of a game changer.
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
