Table 1.

List of active ingredients commonly found in eye creams: composition and mechanism of action

Active ingredient	What are they?	How do they work?
Retinoids Retinols Retinol esters Retinaldehyde	A class of chemical compounds that are composed of, derived from, or structurally or functionally similar to vitamin A	Increase collagen content Normalizes elastic tissue organization Stimulate fibroblast growth potential
Vitamin C Ascorbyl palmitate Magnesium ascorbyl-phosphate l-ascorbic acid	Most abundant antioxidant available in human skin	Neutralizes oxidative stress Cofactor for collagen synthesis Regeneration of oxidized forms of vitamin E
Vitamine E a-tocopherol	Lipid-soluble antioxidant (not synthesized by humans, dependent on external intake)	Acts as scavenger for free radicals and lipid peroxyl radicals
Peptides Palmitoyl-KTTKS Idebenone	Short sequences of amino acids that compose the building blocks for proteins	Support dermal fibroblasts Stimulate collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan production
Ceramides	Lipid component of the stratum corneum	Connect the corneocytes of the stratum corneum, essential for forming a waterproof barrier and repair. Prohibit water-bound molecules from freezing or evaporating
Hyaluronic acid	Nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan found in extracellular matrix	Maintains water reserve, turgor and gaps within extracellular matrix
Caffeine	Purine alkaloid found naturally in many beverages, such as tea and coffee	Acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Promotes apoptosis of damaged cells. Increases skin elasticity and enhances skin barrier function by decreasing TEWL
Niacinamide	Water-soluble amide isotype of vitamin B3	Inhibits IL-1, PARP-1, and TNF-α. Antioxidant effects through polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibition and melanosome transfer inhibition. Improves facial elasticity and decreases wrinkles

TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.