Can applying Skinceuticals 1% retinol cream under eyes damage skin?

I would be cautious when applying a 1% retinol to the under eyes. The under eye skin is very thin and susceptible to harsh products and typically avoided with retinols. I would recommend that you stop applying it to your under eyes and focus on moisturizing to reverse the severe dryness and irritation caused by the retinol.

Retinol works great under the eyes for age prevention, but i find that a combination of lasers, botox, and microneedling improves the results.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for sharing your concern. It is not recommended to apply SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 underneath your eyes. This may be the cause of the redness and burning you are experiencing. In the evening, apply 4‐5 drops to clean dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Allow product to absorb before applying other skincare products. Limit initial use to once or twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, then every night as tolerated. If you are a new user, we recommend starting with Retinol 0.3 to establish skin tolerance. We also recommend pairing SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 with your retinol application. Formulated to be the ideal pairing for retinoid usage, Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is a potent corrective moisturizer that features the cholesterol dominant ratio of naturally occurring lipids needed to replenish and reinforce the skin barrier as it ages. In addition, retinol may increase photosensitivity. Always use a high-protection, broad spectrum sunscreen when using this product. We hope this is helpful.