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.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall Eye Cream With SPF: SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50, $32
- Best Tinted Eye Cream: Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40, $40
- Best Dark Circle Coverage: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35, $79
- Two-in-One Package: Coola Day SPF 30 + Night Eye Cream Duo, $46
- Best All-Over Face SPF: EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+, $35