The 11 Best Under-Eye Wrinkle Fillers That Are Actually Worth the Hype
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As we age, we tend to lose collagen, moisture, and elasticity pretty much everywhere on our bodies. Not to pile on the bad news, but the eye area, which features some of the thinnest skin we possess, often bears the brunt of it, resulting in wrinkles that you might immediately want to hide. While some of the buzziest treatments for those unwanted visitors involve an in-office procedure, we’re here to present an alternative: the best under-eye wrinkle fillers you can use at home.
Well, what causes wrinkles and fine lines in the first place? Many genetic and environmental factors play a role, and some of the most common culprits are frequent irritation from rubbing, pollution, and UV exposure, according to Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “This irritation leads to inflammation and damage to the delicate skin, breaking down collagen and elastin fibers essential for maintaining skin structure and firmness,” she explains.
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Thankfully, there are products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and peptides, as well as beauty saviors like red light therapy devices and under-eye patches that are bonafide wrinkle fighters. We spoke to experts, dipped into our own skincare drawers, and perused hundreds of customer reviewers to find 11 of the best ones. Shop them below!
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
- May not reduce puffiness as effectively as other products
Byroe’s hydrating salve is packed with skin-friendly, vegan ingredients that melt right into parched skin to deliver luxurious hydration (and by luxury, we mean truffles). The formulation does quick work to pep up the under-eye area, leaving it instantly smoother and brighter. Plus, the dropper-style packaging makes it easy to dispense just the right amount of product each time.
Key ingredients: Advanced truffle complex, triple hyaluronic plus, avocado peptides, lupine protein
Size: 1 fl oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “Byroe’s Truffle Eye Serum uses a blend of hyaluronic acids to help smoothen the under-eye area, and it also packs a punch with natural antioxidants, lipids, and peptides, such as truffles, avocado, and lupine.” — Dr. Georgina Ferzli, MD, MS, FAAD, director of cosmetic dermatology, Tribeca Dermatology and MedSpa, associate clinical professor, Weill Cornell Department of Dermatology
U Beauty The RETURN Eye Concentrate
U Beauty The RETURN Eye Concentrate
Pros
- Subtle radiant effect
Cons
- Pricey
In a 60-day clinical study for this eye cream, 100 percent of participants reported that their eye area appeared more youthful. Not only does this eye cream contain plumping peptides and hyaluronic acid, but it also boasts a sprinkle of diamond powder, which illuminates the skin and can help blur the texture in the eye area.
Key ingredients: Diamond powder, marine plankton extract, hyaluronic acid
Size: o.5 fl. oz.
U Beauty rating: 5/5 stars
A U Beauty reviewer says: “Completely changed my under eyes by eliminating fine wrinkles, decreasing puffiness and dark circles, and firming the texture. Love it!”
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
Pros
- Fights dark circles and puffiness
Cons
- Small amount of product
It’s pricey, but then again, most cult-loved products are. SkinCeuticals’ reparative cream combats the appearance of crow’s feet, crepiness, and lines using clinical-grade ingredients; it also tames dark circles and puffiness. The rich, balmy texture has a dry finish, but it may be a tad thick to use under makeup. Save this one for nighttime when you can savor each pat-pat-pat of product and let it take its sweet time drying.
Key ingredients: Proxylane TM (a concentrated flavonoid blend), glycyrrhetinic acid, Matrixyl 3000 (a biomimetic peptide)
Size: 0.5 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “For more advanced wrinkling, such as crepiness and etched-in lines, a repair cream is best. My favorite one is the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye. It contains powerful peptides to help restore elasticity and firmness to the area. It also has caffeine—a great ingredient to look for when you want to reduce puffiness!” — Dr. Ferzli
Talika Eye Therapy Patch
Talika Eye Therapy Patch
Pros
- Reusable,
- Gentle on most skin types
Cons
- 30-minute application process
If your under-eye area looks a bit sallow, here's a 30-minute remedy for you. Yes, these ceramide-packed eye patches take a bit longer than others to work their magic, but trust me, they’re worth it. Have your coffee, check your morning email, and do what you will while the moisturizing ingredients kick in. By the time these rose-scented patches come off, the skin under your eyes will be noticeably plumped—and brighter, smoother, and dewier, too.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, avocado oil, shea butter
Amazon rating: 3.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “These are easy to use and contain ceramides to help lock moisture into the under-eye for smooth, lumpy skin. They are also reusable! I love that they can be used more than once, as opposed to other eye patches that are one-time only. They are non-irritating as well, due to the natural ingredients, and therefore suited for almost all skin types.” — Dr. Ferzli
Pros
- Scientifically advanced
- Delivers medspa-like results
Cons
- Can take time for results to show
Sometimes, one needs something stronger than creams and gels. If you have the budget, investing in a medical-grade laser-like LYMA’s makes it possible to get medspa-like results at home. This heat-free, infrared laser—which won an ELLE Future of Beauty Award—has been deemed safe for use on the under-eyes. The gadget lifts and firms the skin while increasing cellular renewal. When used regularly over 12 weeks, it can dramatically smooth out under-eye wrinkles and diminish bags and under-eye circles.
Material: LED lights, 500 milliwatt laser
LYMA rating: 4.5/5 stars
A LYMA reviewer says: “Best beauty handheld device money can buy! Once you start using the LYMA laser, you will never look back; it gives you a glow, helps with redness, pigmentation, and fine lines, it’s made a huge difference to my skin.”
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Small amount of product
This budget-friendly cream punches above its weight with clinically proven ingredients that smooth out lines with algae extract as hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin. As with most CeraVe products, this one is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. Plus, it’s lightweight and fast-absorbing.
Key ingredients: Algae extract, antioxidants, ceramides, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, jojoba, vitamin E
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
Our expert says: “Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to soothe and moisturize, this is especially good for sensitive skin.” — Lindsay Holdorf, resident esthetician for Dermstore
La Roche-Posay Redermic C Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
La Roche-Posay Redermic C Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
Pros
- Brightens dark circles
Cons
- Small amount of product
Infused with La Roche-Posay’s thermal water, this peptide-packed salve firms up the under-eye skin in a flash. The French pharmacy staple has a creamy, featherweight texture that absorbs quickly, and it's almost like you can feel the hyaluronic acid working.
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter
Size: 0.5 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “With its vitamin C and hyaluronic acid formula, this targets wrinkles and loss of firmness, plumping up the skin for a smoother under-eye area.” —Lindsay Holdorf
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Eye Cream with Retinol
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Eye Cream with Retinol
Pros
- Luxurious texture
- Works for most skin types
Cons
- May irritate very sensitive skin
The luxurious texture of this silky pink cream feels soothing and it has a custom botanical complex that contours the under-eye area. Magic, indeed! But it’s not all fairy dust: The cream is packed with ingredients that experts recommend for filling under-eye wrinkles, including retinol, peptides, and vitamins A, C, and E. “Together, these ingredients target wrinkles, brighten the skin, and reduce puffiness. Plus, it comes in refillable packaging, making it both effective and environmentally friendly,” says Dr. Garshick.
Key ingredients: Time-released retinol, botanical eye-contour complex, winter daphne stem cell extract
Size: 15 ml
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “Eye creams don’t normally make a difference on my 60-year-old skin, but I can say [this cream] does make a difference in my fine lines.”
Pros
- Targets lines, wrinkles, and dark circles
Cons
- The packaging can be easy to drop
Seeking a high-tech solution to under-eye wrinkles? SkinMedica’s cream has an impressive list of science-driven ingredients, including human fibroblast conditioned media (or TNS.) The stabilized concentration of messenger proteins works with other ingredients to smooth out lines and wrinkles. Translation: you’ll get an instant boost of radiance.
Key ingredients: Human fibroblast conditioned media (TNS), Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, boron nitride
Size: 0.5 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is praised for its growth factor formula, which effectively targets fine lines and enhances the skin’s overall texture for smoother, more youthful under-eyes.” — Lindsay Holdorf
Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment
Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment
Pros
- Ultra-Lightweight
- Smoothing
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for ultra-dry skin
This light-as-air serum draws on algae and flower extracts to fill in fine lines and wrinkles while contouring the under-eye area. It also brightens and plumps, and its amino-acid complex locks moisture into the skin. You can use it twice a day—just pat it on morning and night—and it vanishes under makeup without a trace.
Key ingredients: Amino acids, padina pavonica, blue flower linseed
Size: 0.5 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is celebrated for its ability to support skin elasticity with its potent mix of amino acids, helping to smooth out fine lines for plumper under-eye skin.” — Lindsay Holdorf
Revision Skincare C+ Brightening Eye Complex
Revision Skincare C+ Brightening Eye Complex
Pros
- Cooling
- Easy-to-use applicator tip
Cons
- High price point
As the tube dispenses the treatment, the soothing metal tip works double-duty as a light facial massager. The formula is infused with a particularly potent form of vitamin C, which makes the under-eye area appear brighter and tighter. Puffiness doesn’t stand a chance.
Key ingredients: 10% THD ascorbate (a potent form of vitamin C), antioxidants, peptides, prebiotic
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is one of my all-time faves. It helps with puffiness by decreasing fluid build-up, and helps build up the skin layer, reducing pigment. A lot of times the dark circles you see are blood vessels under the skin.” — Kristin Gunn, aesthetic injector, Beaux Medspa
Meet the Experts
Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
Dr. Georgina Ferzli, MD, MS, FAAD, is the Director of Cosmetic Dermatology, Tribeca Dermatology and MedSpa and an Associate Clinical Professor at Weill Cornell Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Rachel Reyes-Bergano, D.O. is the SkinSpirit Pasadena Medical Director.
Lindsay Holdorf is the resident esthetician for Dermstore.
Kristin Gunn is an aesthetic injector at Beaux Medspa.
Which skincare ingredients are best to fill under-eye wrinkles?
According to SkinSpirit Pasadena Medical Director Dr. Rachel Reyes-Bergano, the following ingredients are uber effective in fighting under-eye wrinkles:
- Retinol: “This potent Vitamin A will help with cellular turnover to keep under eye skin looking vibrant.”
- Niacinamide: “This ingredient is a derivative of Vitamin B3. It will help reduce discoloration as it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory to even out skin tone.”
- L-ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) with Ferulic Acid: “This antioxidant combination helps protect against free radicals environmental damage while also improving the appearance of fine lines.”
- Hyaluronic Acid: “Delivers hydration to skin.”
- Caffeine: “Reduces the appearance of puffiness.”
Holdorf adds that peptides “signal your skin to plump up the collagen, helping to smooth out lines and improve skin texture.”
Which in-office treatments target under-eye wrinkles?
If you want to leave under-eye wrinkles to the pros, you’ve got options. “When choosing the right filler for the under-eye, there is a large selection of wildly different fillers,” says Ferzli. “The one thing that [many] have in common is that they are hyaluronic-based. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule that binds water and helps to build collagen fibers. In doing so, it’s responsible for keeping our skin thick and plump. The under-eye area is one of the first areas where we lose volume and hyaluronic acid. Therefore, re-volumizing that area using fillers is very popular.”
Here are a few types of HA fillers:
- Belotero: If we are dealing with purpleness or discoloration under the eyes, a thinner, runnier filler with a low G-prime is best,” Ferzli says. “My favorite here would be Belotero.”
- Juvederm, Vollure, and Restylane: “If we are dealing with more severe volume loss and deeper indentations under the eyes— deeper hollowing—a more structured filler is a better choice to replenish the area and to rebuild the structure,” Ferzli says. “Popular fillers in this area include Juvederm, Vollure, and Restylane.” In short, Ferzli says: “The differences in the fillers are mainly how thick or how runny they are. The thicker they are, the longer they last since it is more difficult for our bodies to break down something that is thicker. Each patient is different, and each doctor has different injection styles, so it’s important to discuss your goals and learn about what is best for you from a doctor that you trust. In doing so, you are much more likely to have the appropriate filler chosen for your specific concerns.”
Other types of under-eye wrinkle fillers, according to Holdorf, are as follows:
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers: “Radiesse is a popular choice,” Holodorf says. “This one’s a bit different from HA fillers because it kickstarts your body’s collagen production while providing volume at the same time. It’s a bit thicker, so it’s not for everyone’s under-eye area, but it can work wonders for those deeper wrinkles or more noticeable volume loss.”
- Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers: “Sculptra is a synthetic filler that’s all about boosting your skin’s own collagen production over time,” she adds. “It’s more of a long-game approach, improving skin texture and thickness, especially beneficial for those with thinning skin but not the immediate fix for under-eye corrections.”
What are the risks of under-eye wrinkle fillers?
Whether you opt for Belotero, Juvederm, or another type of filler, using injectables to treat under-eye wrinkles does pose risks—some quite severe. “The biggest risk with under-eye fillers is blindness,” says Ferzli. “It is a tragedy, and fortunately, it is incredibly rare when the filler is in the hands of a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If the filler is injected into a blood vessel that supplies blood to the eye and the filler blocks that vessel, it can lead to permanent blindness. I cannot stress enough how high-risk this area is for filler and how important it is to see a medical professional for this type of treatment.”
Other side effects may include bruising, swelling that can last for weeks, lumps and bumps in the under-eye area, or malar edema (an accumulation of fluid above the cheekbones. “The best way to avoid all of the above is to make sure you are in good hands,” Ferzli reiterates.
How often do people need under-eye wrinkle fillers?
In-office treatments with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers generally last about a year. “The under-eye is a ‘soft’ area, so softer and runnier fillers tend to be the treatment of choice,” says Ferzli. These fillers are more easily broken down by our bodies and, therefore, tend to be completely out of our system by the 12-month point.”
As for calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers, “since these stimulate collagen production, they can last a bit longer, potentially up to 12 to 15 months,” says Holodorf. She adds that poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers were designed for longer-lasting results and can last for up to two years in some cases.
What is the best after-care for under-eye wrinkle fillers?
“Bruising can be prevented or helped with arnica and bromelain—eat your pineapples!” says Ferzli. “Bruises can also be treated the next day with a laser to get rid of the bruising. The best way to improve swelling is good old fashioned ice packs.”
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com contributor Jenny Berg and ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer Carol Lee interviewed two dermatologists, an esthetician, and an aesthetic injector while putting several of the products listed to the test and poring over countless customer reviews.
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