How to Find the Best Eye Cream
Eye cream is a product that divides the beauty industry into two camps. One side believes that eye cream is a very useful step in your skincare routine to combat signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness. The other side believes that eye cream is nothing more than a facial moisturizer in a small jar. Whichever side you choose, you want bright, youthful, and rested eyes. That’s where we step in and share with you everything we’ve learned about treating the eye area and how to find the best eye cream for you.
How do eye creams work?
Compared to the skin on the rest of your face, the skin around your eyes is delicate and very thin. It dries easily and can show signs of fatigue and aging. The constant movement of your eyes when you laugh, talk, and blink can cause fine lines, also known as crow’s feet, to appear. Additionally, fluid can collect under the eyes, leading to puffiness and dark circles. Luckily for all of us, there are a ton of eye creams on the market that address these issues. Many of these products are formulated with powerful active ingredients and different textures, from nourishing thick creams to cooling gels.
A little eye cream goes a long way, and applying it to specific areas of the eye, such as the eye area and outer corners, ensures that the product works as quickly and optimally as possible. Retinol, vitamins C and B, and hyaluronic acid are important ingredients to treat the eye area and make the skin look plumper, more radiant, and more awake. Also, be mindful of how you apply your eye cream, as over-pushing and pulling on sensitive skin can actually exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles. Always apply eye cream gently with your ring finger, as we typically apply less pressure with our ring fingers. Thin skin also means that the product blends in faster. So don’t use too many heavy products, as this can cause eye irritation and soreness.
How should I care for my eye area?
Here are some top tips for caring for your eye area:
Use an eye cream in the morning – Using an eye cream with hyaluronic acid or vitamin C every morning can energize your skin, reduce puffiness, and leave eyes looking bright and awake.
Use a retinol eye serum at night – Using an eye serum with retinol at night can prevent signs of aging. Retinol is very effective. So, start by choosing a product with a lower ratio and then slowly introduce the product into your daily routine. You may notice a burning or stinging sensation when you first use a retinol eye serum. This is normal. However, if the burning sensation persists, rinse your eyes with water and discontinue use.
Treat yourself to some beauty sleep – your precious 6-8 hours of sleep is extremely important for your eyes. Sleeping on your back helps too, as sleeping on your stomach or side can lead to puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles.
Protect your eyes from the sun – Sun damage can also affect the eyes, as UV radiation creates free radicals that damage the skin and cause us to squint, which can lead to crow’s feet. Be sure to use SPF every day, even on cloudy days, and wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your face and eyes.
Drink plenty of water – we seem to say this so often, but staying hydrated will keep your skin plump, healthy, and radiant.
Eat healthy – sugar, caffeine, and saturated fats may all be delicious, but your skin really hates them! Your skin needs a host of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy, and without them, signs of aging can worsen.
Do I really need an eye cream?
As mentioned before, this is a big debate! Some of you (the really lucky ones) will find that you don’t need a specially formulated eye cream and can apply your facial moisturizer all the way under your eyes. If you want to try this, make sure your moisturizer is fragrance-free as this can cause irritation.
For some of us, using an eye cream is an important step in our skincare routine as signs of aging and dark circles can become very noticeable. We’ll briefly tell you why these problem signs may appear under your eyes.
Your genes
This affects your skin tone, eye and hair color, so it’s no surprise that dark circles are also linked to your DNA. People of Asian and Mediterranean descent will notice darker dark circles under their eyes.
Lack of sleep
I don’t mean to nag, but getting enough sleep is important to keep your eyes in top shape. While you sleep, your skin cells can regenerate and produce collagen and elastin, which keeps your skin looking plump and youthful.
Sun damage
The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin and cause it to age prematurely. This is especially true for the eyes, where the skin is thinner. And frequent blinking.
Aging
Unfortunately, you can’t stop the aging process. As we age, our skin becomes more fragile and more worn, causing wrinkles to deepen and the skin to sag as collagen and elastin production decreases. Remember, prevention is your best weapon against the signs of aging. So start a good skin care routine as soon as possible.
Dos and Don’ts When Using Eye Cream
What You Should Do
What You Should Do: Look for eye creams and serums with skin-repairing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, and antioxidants
What You Should Do: Make sure your eye cream or serum has an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays
What You Should Do: Consider your concerns and skin type when searching for a cream or serum to avoid unwanted reactions or irritation
What You Should Do: Use a gel mask to hydrate the area around your eyes
What You Should Do: Get plenty of sleep to prevent signs of aging from becoming more severe
What you should do: Eat a balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins and minerals to nourish your skin and keep it healthy
What you shouldn’t do
What you shouldn’t do: Don’t forget to use your ring finger when applying eye cream to avoid pulling the delicate skin around your eyes
What you shouldn’t do: Feel like you have to use an eye cream or serum when you don’t need it
Don’ts: Use a heavily scented eye cream
Don’ts: Use eye creams or serums that come in jars, as active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol are sensitive to UV rays and may lose their effectiveness if constantly exposed to the sun
Don’ts: Expect miracles. Unfortunately, wrinkles, eye bags and dark circles can’t completely disappear, but a good skincare routine with quality ingredients can combat them and make them less noticeable
Here’s an overview of how to find the best eye cream for you and how to treat any signs of aging you may have noticed. Just follow a few of these tips and your eye area has a chance of reversing signs of aging and looking radiant and vibrant. Trust us, you have to see it to believe it!
Would you like to know more? Then read our special blog post on treating and preventing eye wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding the Best Eye Cream
How do I choose an eye cream?
It’s best to consider your skin type and any concerns or issues your skin may have. Avoid products that are too heavy for the delicate eye area as this can cause puffiness and irritation. Light gel formulas with high amounts of hyaluronic acid are suitable for many different skin types.
Can eye cream be applied to the eyelids?
It all depends on the formula of the eye cream and the efficacy of the ingredients. Be sure to read the instructions, which are usually printed on the packaging, to understand how to use the product.
At what age should I start using an eye cream?
Age 25 is the best time to start using a lightweight eye cream as part of my nightly routine. Although you may not see signs of aging such as wrinkles or eye bags, prevention is key in anti-aging treatment. If you are over 30, you can purchase a stronger formula with retinol to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
What is the difference between an eye cream and an eye cream?
The main difference between an eye cream and an eye cream is the consistency. Creams are usually heavier and are perfect for dry skin and the eye area. Balms are generally lighter and can be used on any skin type to moisturize and plump the eye area without feeling too heavy.
Which ingredients are best for removing wrinkles around the eyes?
Hyaluronic acid is particularly effective in eye creams. It moisturizes the skin under the eyes, which can look tired and have slightly visible wrinkles. Other ingredients that can help if you are over 30 are retinoids. Remember, when introducing a new product into your skincare routine, make sure it is right for you. When in doubt, always seek the advice of a dermatologist.
