Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream

Formulas with vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) can have many benefits for your skin when applied topically—including firming and brightening your skin’s appearance, and other anti-aging benefits. This ingredient is also a powerful antioxidant that can help defend your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals (which come from sources like air pollution and intrinsic aging).

When used as part of a consistent skincare routine, vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and promote firmer, younger-looking skin with more radiance. You can find vitamin C included in many brightening serums, anti-aging face lotions, and eye creams for dark circles (like CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream).

Research shows that eye creams containing vitamin C may help to improve the look of under-eye concerns like dark circles.^1,2 However, keep in mind that there are many possible causes of dark circles, like lack of sleep, aging, dehydration, genetics, and lifestyle. So, while vitamin C eye creams may help reduce the look of dark under-eye circles, it’s important to speak with your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns about persistent dark circles.

The skin around your eyes is especially delicate. In fact, research shows that it’s the thinnest skin on your entire face (and even your entire body).³ The eye area lacks subcutaneous fat to help protect it—it’s also constantly subject to facial movements and exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. These are just a few of the reasons why your eyes may be susceptible to showing signs of aging and fatigue faster than the rest of your face.

Eye creams are designed with the unique needs of this delicate area in mind. They may also be formulated to target skin concerns around the eyes, such as fine lines and dark circles. CeraVe’s eye creams are developed with dermatologists to keep your eye area moisturized while delivering targeted benefits to help firm, brighten, and smooth your under-eye area.

Vitamin C and retinol are two popular anti-aging ingredients that can be used to help address under-eye concerns. When choosing to use an eye cream with retinol or vitamin C, it can be helpful to start by considering your primary concerns. Although they can have similar anti-aging benefits, vitamin C eye creams tend to be popular choices among those looking to improve the appearance of dark circles, dullness, and fine lines around the eyes. On the other hand, eye creams with retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) may help smooth the look of visible wrinkles and give under-eyes a fresher-looking appearance.

It’s never too early (or too late) to begin using an antioxidant eye cream with vitamin C. CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream is suitable for all skin types and skin tones, and can be used by adults 18 years or older. When it comes to addressing under-eye concerns, one rule of thumb is that it’s generally better to start sooner rather than later. If you have any questions about when to start using an eye cream, consult a board-certified dermatologist for advice.

Our moisturizing eye cream with 5% pure vitamin C can be applied twice daily after cleansing as part of a well-rounded skincare routine. Apply the non-greasy formula onto your entire eye contour, including the under-eye area, crow’s feet area, eyelid, and brow bone. Avoid direct contact with your eyes (if contact with the eye occurs, rinse thoroughly with water). Use your ring finger to disperse small dots around your eye contour and gently blend using upward motions, until completely absorbed.

We recommend following with a facial serum, (such as CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum) and finishing with a moisturizer. Two excellent moisturizer options to consider include CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen and CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream.

Yes, our vitamin C eye cream can be applied alone or under makeup, without pilling.

Yes, CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This anti-aging eye cream is developed with dermatologists and features a gentle formula that’s allergy-tested, fragrance-free, and suitable for those with sensitive skin and eyes. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend checking with your dermatologist before using any product for the first time.

Both of these products feature vitamin C in addition to other beneficial ingredients for healthy-looking skin, such as hyaluronic acid and CeraVe’s three essential ceramides. With that said, our antioxidant formulas have distinct uses in your skincare routine. CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream features 5% pure vitamin C and is intended for your eye area only.

Meanwhile, CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum with 10% pure vitamin C is meant to be applied on your face, avoiding the eye area. Our vitamin C eye cream has a rich, creamy texture while our vitamin C serum has a thinner, gel-like consistency. We recommend incorporating both of these formulas into your skincare routine, as they make an ideal pairing for promoting smooth, radiant-looking skin.

While it’s important to keep your skin hydrated, using the right product for each area is key. Some face creams may be suitable for use around the eyes, but this isn’t always the case. Face moisturizers may include ingredients in concentrations that are not intended for use around the eyes. Always read the product’s instructions carefully to see which areas your product is formulated for, and apply only as directed on the label (or as recommended by a dermatologist).

Yes, this product is developed with dermatologists and has been ophthalmologist-tested for safety. The gentle yet effective formula is suitable for use around the eyes and can be used by contact lens wearers. When in doubt, we recommend consulting your doctor to see if CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream is right for you.

If fine lines and crow’s feet wrinkles are your main concerns, we recommend trying CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream with peptides. For dry skin in need of moisture, reach for  CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, our hydrating eye cream with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a Marine & Botanical Complex. Lastly, our Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream makes an ideal pick for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone, dullness, and dark circles under the eyes.

All of our eye creams are fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin, and formulated with MVE Delivery Technology for continuous, all-day hydration. They contain hydrating ingredients, including our three essential ceramides, and are designed to help restore the skin’s protective barrier. You can use any CeraVe eye cream to help visibly improve the look of tired eyes.

1. “What Can Vitamin C Do for Your Skin?” Cleveland Clinic, 11 Dec. 2022.

2. Ohshima H, Mizukoshi K, Oyobikawa M, Matsumoto K, Takiwaki H, Kanto H, Itoh M. “Effects of vitamin C on dark circles of the lower eyelids: quantitative evaluation using image analysis and echogram.” Skin Res Technol. 2009 May;15(2):214-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2009.00356.x. PMID: 19626722.
3. Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. “Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eyelid.” [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.