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Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream.

About this product

An eye cream formulated with retinaldehyde, a potent vitamin A derivative designed to address visible signs of aging around the eye area.

More from Avène 33 products · Guru Score 92% →

Guru Score

85%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This retinaldehyde eye cream stays non-irritating on the delicate eye area, even when applied liberally around the eyes and across the upper lids, a finding that impressed reviewers given the formula's strength. The 0.1% concentration makes it a heavier-duty option if standard eye creams haven't delivered enough vitamin A support. It ranks as a strong retinaldehyde choice for those seeking proven tolerance around delicate skin.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take January 2026

What they liked

  • Gentle enough for sensitive eye area

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Best for

    Type

    Eye CareCream

    Where to buy

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    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    ✓Yay
    "I've been talking about Avène retinol for quite a bit on the channel, and I think their eye cream with retinaldehyde is a winner as well. So retinaldehyde is theoretically stronger, more potent than retinol. So if you are an advanced user, you're still a little worried about irritating the skin, retinaldehyde by Avène is a good go-to."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai
    Best Eye Skincare Products of the Year
    "I've been talking about Avène retinol for quite a bit on the channel, and I think their eye cream with retinaldehyde is a winner as well. So retinaldehyde is theoretically stronger, more potent than retinol. So if you are an advanced user, you're still a little worried about irritating the skin, retinaldehyde by Avène is a good go-to."
    Dermatologist Reacts to Viral Skincare Videos
    "Don't put it on your eyelid skin unless you're using a retinol eye cream or a retinaldehyde eye cream like Avène."
    ✓Yay
    "I used an entire Retrin AL eye cream around my eye. [...] I tested it out rigorously. No eyelid irritation, no problems whatsoever. Felt like it moisturized my skin. And after I finished an entire bottle, I did feel like the skin around my eyes was a little plumper, a little smoother. [...] The biggest difference I found between the eye cream and the non-eye one came down to the eye one being better at actually not running into the eyes. It had a little bit better tenacity."
    All 2 takes from Dr Dray
    Top Drugstore Products for Dry, Sensitive, Anti-Aging Skin in Your 50s
    "I used an entire Retrin AL eye cream around my eye. [...] I tested it out rigorously. No eyelid irritation, no problems whatsoever. Felt like it moisturized my skin. And after I finished an entire bottle, I did feel like the skin around my eyes was a little plumper, a little smoother. [...] The biggest difference I found between the eye cream and the non-eye one came down to the eye one being better at actually not running into the eyes. It had a little bit better tenacity."
    Retinol, Exfoliation & Sagging Skin | Dermatologist Answers
    "I don't use retinol but I'm currently using retinaldehyde around my eyes. [...] I have found actually with Avène their retinaldehyde, which is a little bit different than retinol but the end result is the same, I have found with the Avène retinaldehyde I used a pump bottle of the retinaldehyde eye cream and when I..."
    ✓Yay
    "Do not put this too close to the eyes. If you are like me and you are having crow's feet and fine lines around the eyes, a retinoid can do a great job to decrease those, but get something that is formulated specifically for the eyes because it will be so much lower strength but still effective. This is what I love to use. In my nighttime routine after I cleanse, I will dab a little bit under the eyes with this first, then use another product."
    Sponsored
    All 9 takes from The Budget Dermatologist
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    "For the anti-aging must-haves, it is the Retro Now Eyes or Physiolift Eyes. I consider them comparable."
    Affordable Anti-Aging Gift Guide! | Not Sponsored | The Budget Dermatologist's Top Picks
    "This is really a holy grail eye cream that will actually create lasting change on your skin by reversing fine lines and wrinkles. This one has retinaldehyde in it, which will build new collagen. I like to think of this as the closest thing to prescription strength. This is the single most expensive item in my skincare routine right now, so this is my splurge worthy item."
    Does Retinol Actually Work? Over-the-counter vs. Prescription Match-up! | Anti-aging Tips
    "They also have an eye cream form of this retinaldehyde which is my go-to product for crow's feet. I try to use this product every single night and I have a whole product review video on this product alone."
    My Top 3 Anti-Aging Eye Creams with Budget Swaps! | The Budget Dermatologist
    "There is no fragrance, no parabens. Avène uses a perfectly airtight device to package their products which I think is super cool. This has a balm-like texture so it does a really nice job of filling in those fine lines, it plumps the skin and it sits right where you put it to rebuild collagen. I love that I can pat this thicker texture in and it's not a thin cream or serum that spreads over too wide of an area. [...] This texture for an eye cream is my absolute favorite."
    Your Avène Shopping Guide! | HITS and MISSES reviewed by The Budget Dermatologist
    "The Retronal eyes is a holy grail product for me that not only treats crow's feet but also decreases dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. This is the one product that I try to use every single night."
    Skin Cycling Q&A | Anti-aging Skincare Routine Advice Part 3
    "I also use the Aven Retro Now eye cream, the one that you're using, or the Aven Physiolift eyes. I consider them comparable, so I just get whatever is in stock. [...] Yes, I do consider those treatment products, so I will use these on my treatment nights."
    Avène Giveaway + Major Sale! | Sharing My Holy Grails
    "Do not put this too close to the eyes. If you are like me and you are having crow's feet and fine lines around the eyes, a retinoid can do a great job to decrease those, but get something that is formulated specifically for the eyes because it will be so much lower strength but still effective. This is what I love to use. In my nighttime routine after I cleanse, I will dab a little bit under the eyes with this first, then use another product."
    My Drugstore Anti-aging Skincare Routine | Step-by-Step with The Budget Dermatologist
    "They have one called retro now eyes and they also have one called physiolift eyes. I have a whole video on this and why it's such a holy grail for me. This treats the crow's feet fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It also can help with the puffiness and dark circles that we get there. This also has retinaldehyde which is a key ingredient. [...] I actually use them both really interchangeably but this is another great product."
    Retinol vs. Retinaldehyde: Which Is Better For Anti-aging? | The Budget Dermatologist Explains
    "I love my retinal eye cream which works way better around the eyes than the one formulated for the face, so I actually use both of these in my routine. I use the eye one first, then I'll apply the face one and make sure to avoid that area."

    Frequently asked.

    What is Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream?

    An eye cream formulated with retinaldehyde, a potent vitamin A derivative designed to address visible signs of aging around the eye area.

    Is Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream worth it?

    Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 85%.

    What is Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream's Guru Score?

    Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream holds a Guru Score of 85%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Who is Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream best for?

    Avène RetrinAL Eyes Eye Cream is generally suited to mature skin.

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