Your eyes may be the windows to your soul, but if they're accompanied by deep and visible wrinkles you're going to need more than just a cream to wind back the clock, the Consumer Council warned on Thursday.

After carrying out tests on a variety of anti-wrinkle creams that promise to banish the likes of crows' feet and tear troughs, the watchdog said its advice is that users shouldn't get their hopes up.

It said 220 women aged between 40 and 55 tried out 15 anti-wrinkle products for a month. They put the creams around one eye twice a day, and left their other eye untreated.

Looking at the results, the council concluded that about 80 percent of the creams only had a moderate or slightly-above-average effect in reducing wrinkles. Four products did a bit better, however.

Gilly Wong, the council's chief executive, said people who turn to creams to chase away their wrinkles need to keep their expectations low.

"The moisturising effect overall is very good. But in terms of anti-wrinkle effect, the consumers probably have to manage their expectations a little bit, because it really couldn't help you to get rid of your wrinkles," she explained.

"It helps you to smooth them or make the skin around your eyes smoother. If it's really deep wrinkles, it can soften them a little bit, but it may not get rid of them."

The watchdog said the creams it tested retail for between HK$179 and HK$1,060, but the cost is no indicator of how good a product is.

It also advised users with sensitive skin to check the ingredients as several of the products tested contained fragrances and free formaldehyde.