Shield the thin and sensitivity-prone skin against UV rays with these dermatologist-recommended, SPF-laced creams, moisturizers, and skin tints.
Eye care is essential year-round, as “the skin around the eyes is among the most sensitive on the body,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research department of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. However, sun protection is not often the top priority, so that’s where the best eye creams with SPF come into play. This delicate area of skin “often goes unprotected from the sun because people are not applying sunscreen as close to the eyes as they should,” Dr. Zeichner notes.
Delicate undereye skin is more prone to signs of aging such as sun damage, burning, fine lines, and wrinkles than other parts of the skin, which is why this area of the face requires special care. Similar to the way we swap out a daytime moisturizer with SPF for a richer night cream before bed, it’s beneficial to do the same with two different eye creams. Look for one to protect skin during the day and another to soothe and replenish at night.
Choosing the right eye cream with SPF can be tricky, particularly if you have sensitive skin. “Eyelid skin is thinner than the surrounding facial skin, so it can be more prone to sensitivity and irritation than the skin on the rest of the body,” says Rhode Island-based board-certified dermatologist, Tiffany Jow Libby, MD. “As a Mohs surgeon, I see many patients come in with skin cancer on the eyelids and around the eyes, so if you have sensitive skin, stick with mineral SPFs in this area.” Dr. Libby says that sunglasses and hats are also great options for UV protection around the eyes.
If you’re wondering whether or not you need a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen for your eye area, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, says that most sunscreens are made for the entire face, including around the eye. She notes that if you have especially sensitive skin and have experienced any bit of a burning sensation around the eye when using a traditional face SPF, it’s best to stick with a formula made especially for the eye area — as those tend to have gentler ingredients.
Even with this intel, picking a safe and effective eye cream with SPF requires a bit more attention to detail. If you’re unsure, or if you have really sensitive skin, check in with your board-certified dermatologist before experimenting.
Used in tandem with your daily sunscreen, these eye creams with SPF help protect the delicate skin around your eyes from sun damage, as well as the crow’s feet and dark spots it can cause. We sought out recommendations from several board-certified dermatologists to help you decipher the best eye cream for your skin type and needs, so happy shopping.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50
SkinCeuticals’s Physical Eye UV Defense is a resounding favorite among Dr. Rabach, Dr. Zeichner, and Dr. Libby. This airy, mineral-based sunscreen has “physical blockers titanium and zinc, as well as ceramides, which help seal and moisturize the delicate skin under the eye,” says Dr. Rachach. This tinted formula consists of translucent color spheres to help brighten the appearance of dark circles and discoloration around the eyes, as well as ceramides to strengthen your barrier.
Best Tinted Eye Cream: Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40
Dr. Rabach incorporates Supergoop’s Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 into her daily routine. “It contains only mineral sunscreen, which is much gentler and less irritating on thin eye skin, and it also contains caffeine, so it helps reduce dark undereye circles,” she notes. While a full face of some mineral sunscreens tends to leave a white cast on darker skin tones, it can create a brightening effect when used on the eye area. Caffeine and pomegranate reduce the appearance of dark circles while green tea and South African resurrection plant provide long-term moisturization.
Best Dark Circle Coverage: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
“The eyelid skin is amongst the thinnest on the body, and it is important to protect it as it may be more susceptible to earlier signs of photodamage and premature aging,” Dr. Libby explains. Another one of her picks is the Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35, which is formulated specifically for delicate eye skin. The treatment protects the undereye area from both UVA/and UVB damage as well as environmental stressors with mineral blockers like zinc oxide. Plus, the cream comes in four different peachy shades, offering color-correcting coverage for dark circles.
Allure Best of Beauty Winner: EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
EltaMD’s UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ picked up a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award for its easy, on-the-go application (and reapplication). This zinc-oxide, fragrance-free formula works well with all skin types and all ages and is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes — making it a perfect choice for active lifestyles and/or beach days. Plus, cocoa butter, shea butter, bisabolol, and vitamin E do wonders soothing the delicate skin.
Two-in-One Package: Coola Day SPF 30 + Night Eye Cream Duo
Coola eliminates the guesswork and need for an extra skin-care step with its Day SPF + Night Eye Cream Duo. “I like the concept of having two different eye creams packaged together that meet specific needs for AM versus PM,” says Dr. Libby. “The vitamin C and SPF in the AM help protect against free radicals and UV, while the night cream has resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that also helps reduce inflammation.”
Prebiotic-Filled Formula: RéVive Sensitif Eye Cream SPF 30 PA +++
RéVive Sensitif Eye Cream SPF 30 PA +++ sets you up for success in terms of shielding your skin from UVA and UVB rays. This luxurious cream, which is dispensed via a cooling metal applicator, only includes the good stuff. Shea butter and avocado intensely moisturize the eye area; vitamin E and ginger root protect against free radicals and blue light damage; caffeine and prebiotics brighten and reduce sensitivity; and niacinamide helps soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Best for No-Makeup Makeup Days: PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Dr. Zeichner previously recommended PCA Skin’s Sheer Tint Eye SPF 30, which has since been reformulated to the Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45. This lightweight, mineral-based cream is water-resistant, slightly tinted for sheer coverage (so it can be worn alone or underneath makeup), and features a powerful antioxidant by the name of coenzyme Q10 to fend off free-radical damage. Don’t just take it from us: Sheer Tint even has the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.
Best Brightening Eye Cream: Dermadoctor DD Eye Dermatologically Defining Eye Radiance Cream SPF 30
A combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in the Dermadoctor DD Eye Dermatologically Defining Eye Radiance Cream SPF 30 protects your skin against sun damage. Coconut oil and glycerin moisturize the delicate skin, while caffeine, light-infused pigments, and mica minimize and brighten the look of dark circles.
Best for All Skin Types & Ages: CeraVe Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
CeraVe’s Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 is an all-over face sunscreen but the inexpensive stick format makes for convenient application and re-touching on the eye area throughout the day. “Most sunscreens are made for the entire face, including around the eye, so you can definitely use them there,” says Dr. Rabach. Like all CeraVe products, this sensitive-skin-friendly formula is fragrance-free and contains three ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II) to strengthen your moisture barrier.
