Sachs also said that retinol "biochemically" produces the same results as retinoic acid [which are found in prescription formulas], but the changes are likely more gradual. The retinol is accompanied by an antioxidant-rich mineral complex of zinc, copper, and magnesium. Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, MD, tells Allure the minerals, like retinol, aid in the formation of collagen.
Even though, again, fine lines aren't my main focus right now, I suspect the RoC cream has been smoothing out the appearance of my milia, which is concentrated underneath the inner corners of my eyes. Dr. Gohara says that retinols and professional extractions are the best ways to treat these tiny, little cysts made up of keratin. Since my milia is only visible up close, I'll happily treat it at home.
No base makeup on, just surprisingly awake-looking eyes.
Sarah Han/Allure
I also experience a lot of undereye puffiness, thanks to insomnia and an inconsistent sleep schedule, but I've seen an overall reduction in puffiness since I started using this cream. Since they boost collagen, retinols "thereby contribute to vascular support in the area and the recovery of skin volume and firmness," Patricia Ceballos, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New Rochelle, New York, previously told Allure. Despite how little sleep I might've gotten the night before, I wake up with refreshed-looking eyes.
We put RoC's Retinol Correxion Eye Cream to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.
Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 19, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.
While I try to embrace aging as much as I can [it’s a privilege to get older!], I’ve had some annoying-to-me issues pop up in my eye area now that I’m in my 30s. These include fine lines [also known as crow’s feet] and increased puffiness under my eyes.
And then there’s something that I’ve had my whole life: dark circles. As a wellness enthusiast who knows all the facts about just how important sleep is, I do my best to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night. But I'd be lying if I said I succeeded all the time. To prove it, the first place that tiredness shows up is under my eyes in the form of dark, purple-ish circles. In other words, if I’m well-rested, my under-eye area is in great shape. If I’m not, I’m slathering on concealer.
These are all the reasons why I was so excited to try RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. I’ve had a good experience with retinol in general, so I was excited to see what kind of magic it could work on my eyes.
Keep on scrolling to read how it worked out for me.
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Best for: All skin types
Uses: Reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness
Potential allergens: Retinol, isopropyl myristate
Cruelty-free?: No
Price: $25
About the brand: RoC is a brand that makes retinol-based products and has their scientists investigate up to 1,000 ingredients before arriving at the formula that actually ends up in their products. Each product is rigorously tested to determine safety and effectiveness.
About My Skin: Fair and freckly
While my skin doesn’t tend to be that sensitive, it's very fair and freckly. As a result, any eye concerns are more pronounced on me—darker circles, more puffiness, more pronounced wrinkles, the list goes on.
But like I said, my skin actually isn’t that sensitive, which is why I enjoy retinol products so much. I had never actually tried a retinol-based eye cream, which is why RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream was so appealing.
The Feel: Light
I’ve used eye creams in the past—particularly Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream. While I liked how smooth it made my under eye area, it's incredibly heavy and thick. However, RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is the complete opposite. It had a very light feel, and the bottle made it easy to only dispense the tiny amount needed.
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
Irritation: None for me
When it comes to skincare products, especially the ones I use on my face, I do my very best to follow directions as closely as I can. So when the instructions on the label informed me that I needed to use sunscreen with this product, I did. I don’t usually wear sunscreen around my eye area for fear of actually getting it in my eyes [this is a bad excuse, I know; you should wear it everyday and everywhere], so I found the process a little annoying because of that extra step.
Maybe it was the sunscreen or the fact that I started by using this every other night before easing into my daily routine, but I experienced no irritation at all with this product. I was expecting a bit of a tight feeling around my eye area since the skin under the eyes is very thin, but it never happened.
The Results: Fewer dark circles and reduced puffiness
Testing Insight
I noticed that my dark circles were a lot lighter [yes, even after a night of bad sleep!] and my eyes were less puffy.
I can’t say I’ve noticed any change in my crow’s feet just yet, but I know from experience that retinol is a long game when it comes to reducing fine lines. I have faith that this will happen with continued use. As mentioned, my only complaint is having to apply sunscreen in the eye area. But truth be told, I should have been doing that anyway.
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
The Value: Pretty reasonable
RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line-Smoothing Eye Cream comes in a very small bottle—just 0.5 ounces. It retails for around $25, so on its face that might seem expensive. But a retinol-based eye cream really isn’t something you want to overdo, so a little goes a long way.
In general, this is a pretty average price for a retinol eye cream you can find at the drugstore. But as with most products, there are high-end versions. For example, Cle De Peau Beaute’s retinol eye cream retails at $150, so consider RoC's a steal.
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
Competition: A handful of options
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado [$50]: As mentioned above, this is the only other experience I’ve really had with eye cream. Retailing at $50 for 0.95 oz, this stuff is expensive. I didn’t notice any other positive effects except my skin was smoother.
Murad Essential-C Eye Cream Broad Spectrum with SPF 15 [$70]: This eye cream with retinol is significantly more expensive than RoC’s, retailing at $70 for a 0.5 ounce bottle. But it contains SPF. And like I said, having to apply sunscreen to my eye area was my main gripe with RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line-Smoothing Eye Cream, so I love the idea of built-in SPF.
Final Verdict
Overall, I was very happy with RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream. I didn’t experience any irritation with it and saw some pretty immediate results as far as reduced dark circles and puffiness.
Is RoC eye cream good for puffiness?
RoC Eye Cream with Retinol is clinically proven to address 3 major eye area concerns: lines, dark circles, and puffiness.
What is the best eye cream for puffy eyes?
If you want an eye cream that works fast, we recommend the Fenty Skin Thicc N Smooth Rich Peptide Eye Cream. This eye cream is formulated to hydrate, plump, soothe, and nourish the skin, but we also found that it works particularly well at reducing the puffiness — even if your under-eye bags are on the stubborn side.
Is retinol eye cream good for puffy eyes?
Does retinol help reduce bags under the eyes and puffiness? Absolutely. The retinol in Olay's Night Eye Cream not only makes the skin's texture appear more even, but it also makes the skin feel firmer.
How long does it take for RoC eye cream to work?
Benefits. Visibly brighten and depuff eyes in 4 weeks and reduce the appearance of fine lines by 50% in 12 weeks.