The 9 Best Eye Creams for Sensitive Skin

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Using a go-to moisturizer to hydrate your under-eyes might seem like an obvious thing to do. But because the skin around your eyes is particularly delicate, it requires a bit more attention than other parts of the face—especially if you’re prone to irritation. Thankfully, many of the best eye creams for sensitive skin are formulated with deeply moisturizing ingredients that hydrate and tackle common concerns, like puffiness or dark circles.

With so many eye cream options available, it can be tricky to figure out which is the right fit for sensitive skin types. Skin expert and double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Michael Somenek tells Bazaar that when on the hunt for a new beauty staple, a good starting point is keeping an eye out for a product that’s either hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, or both. “Avoiding eye creams with potentially irritating ingredients such as fragrances, alcohol, and harsh chemicals can help prevent adverse reactions,” he explains.

Here, we’ve sifted through popular options from professional-loved brands like SkinCeuticals and Tata Harper and asked professionals directly to help assemble this list of the best eye creams for sensitive skin. Read on for the gentle picks we’re giving gold stars.

Related: The Best Under-Eye Patches to Minimize Puffiness, Dryness, and More

Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream

With its plumping yet soothing combination of blue hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and caffeine, it’s no surprise beauty shoppers are giving this cream from Laneige top marks. Its microfiltered, deep-sea algae-fermented formula provides long-lasting hydration while brightening and revitalizing the eye area.

One satisfied customer writes: “I have sensitive skin and this cream hasn’t irritated it at all. I love the scent and don’t think it’s overpowering. It’s a nice thick cream that melts into skin quickly.” —kymk07

Eye Balm

The plant-derived soy isoflavones in this formula from SkinCeuticals help improve skin firmness around the eyes, while silymarin—which is derived from milk thistle seed—provides antioxidant benefits. The emollient balm aims to combat moisture loss, collagen breakdown, and free-radical damage all in one easy step.

One satisfied customer writes: “I have sensitivities to a lot of ingredients in many brands of skincare products. This does not cause any swelling or burning/stinging at all.” —MimiP2Four

Superkind Bio-Barrier Eye Crème

Tata Harper’s Superkind Bio-Barrier Eye Crème is specifically formulated for reactive and sensitive types. Its ingredient blend helps reinforce the skin barrier around the eyes, using hydrating shea butter and castor oil, plus, soothing cucumber seed and anti-inflammatory calendula oils.

One satisfied customer writes: “This cream feels so rich and my skin just soaks it right up. I have very sensitive and dry skin and this seems to be helping with the wrinkles.” —Sandra S.

Toleriane Dermallergo Eyes

The gel-cream texture of this eye cream feels immediately soothing and has a hydrating formula—thanks to ingredients like shea butter—that aims to help repair the skin barrier. And it’s safe not only for sensitive skin, but also for allergy-prone skin and dry skin types, too.

One satisfied customer writes: “This is the second time buying this. In my world of super sensitive eyes, that NEVER happens! It moisturizes and doesn’t make my eyes red. Doesn’t sting and stays put. I use it night and day. I think the pump is great at preventing bacteria from forming.” —Karen

Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado

If you have sensitive skin and also deal with dryness and fine lines, allow us to introduce you to this top-rated water-in-oil cream from the experts at Kiehl’s. Along with a few hours of quality beauty rest, its hydrating and brightening blend of avocado oil, beta-carotene, plus, sodium and copper PCA is a must-have for bright eyes.

One satisfied customer writes: “I tried a myriad of other products, but nothing really helped until I tried this. It’s thick and sticky at first, which prevents it from moving into your eye (no burning/stinging). It absorbs quickly and conditions the skin. My eye area is perfectly moisturized, but not greasy in the morning.” —JP25

Soothing Eye Contour Cream

This eye essential has contour in its name for a reason: It uses chamomile as a main ingredient to reduce puffiness, along with hyaluronic acid to help plump fine lines. And as a bonus, the cream’s deeply hydrating formula also happens to be approved by the National Eczema Association.

One satisfied customer writes: “I originally bought this during a bout with eyelid dermatitis but now use it all the time. It’s moisturizing and does not irritate my very sensitive eyelid skin.” —Amy

Eye Matrix

Board-certified dermatologist Serena Mraz often recommends this popular cream to her clients because it features hardworking ingredients, like troxerutin, that keep the area looking refreshed. “Troxerutin … is a powerful flavanol that helps normalize tiny blood vessels in the skin and also cleans up free radicals or reactive oxygen species that break down the delicate skin structure and exacerbate deterioration that drives sensitivity,” she says.

One satisfied customer writes: “A little goes a long way. It’s a light thin cream that goes on smoothly and feels soothing on the skin. I applied some before bed and woke up to rested-looking eyes. The fine lines had diminished with skin that’s plump and smooth—as if the lines had been filled in.”

Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream

A trifecta of niacinamide, pumpkin seed extract, and caffeine combine to reduce the appearance of brown dark circles in this beloved under-eye cream that's safe for sensitive skin. Its formula is also nicely illuminating, making it perfect to wear under face makeup.

One satisfied customer writes: “Since using this eye cream, I’ve noticed the dark circles going away and it helping with the fine lines. It doesn’t irritate my eyes like other creams have. Feels amazing and doesn't leave a greasy feeling behind. I love it.” —dcormier1003

Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

Here’s a featherweight cream that’s powered by natural ingredients to deliver its brightening, depuffing, and smoothing benefits. Along with elderberry flower to brighten, it also contains glycogen to even the skin’s tone, as well as plumping hyaluronic acid to top it all off.

One satisfied customer writes: “The cream instantly hydrates, and depuffs, while diminishing fine lines and circles. My sensitive skin has reacted well to the ingredients, so you know you are obtaining quality ingredients.” —gabyx3x3

Meet the Experts

• Serena Mraz, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology Associates in Vallejo, California.

• Michael Somenek, M.D., is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Are eye creams really safe for sensitive skin?

According to Somenek, people with sensitive skin should be on the hunt for eye creams containing gentle, soothing ingredients, like chamomile, thermal spring water, and niacinamide, which are often labeled as hypoallergenic and are fragrance-free.

How should someone with sensitive skin apply eye cream?

You don't need to use a ton of pressure when applying your eye cream of choice, especially as the area is among the most delicate on your face. “Eye cream should be gently patted on clean dry skin using the fourth finger from the outside of the eye and directed inward toward the nose,” Mraz advises. “This will minimize any pressure or trauma with the application.”

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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