Can I use retinol cream under my eyes?
Yes, it does, retinol is a powerful but complex ingredient. I can’t blame you if you’re a little hesitant about using it on the sensitive eye area. But don’t miss out on the chance to fight fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. The question is, how can you use this powerful vitamin A around your eyes? (Little do they know that the skin is 40% thinner than the rest of the face.) So it’s important to find the best formula that won’t irritate or cause damage.
Now let’s take a look at retinol cream and its uses for the eye area. Before we get started: If you want to learn more about what retinol does for your skin, check out our dedicated blog post on its benefits here on Beauty Insider.
Can retinol help fight dark circles?
Yes, it does! Dark circles are caused by a variety of issues, including lack of sleep and genetics. As we age, these dark circles become more noticeable. This is the ideal time to incorporate retinol eye cream into your daily evening skincare routine. With retinol’s powerful anti-aging benefits, you can fight off dark circles by boosting collagen production, making them less noticeable over time.
Keep in mind that you may need to slowly introduce a retinol eye cream into your routine, just like a face serum with a potent retinol. Start by applying it to the eye area once a week to allow your skin to build up tolerance, so you can work up to three times a week. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging, especially if the product is for medical use, as the formula has a significantly higher percentage of retinol than over-the-counter formulas.
However, many brands opt for an encapsulated form of retinoid when it comes to eye creams. It’s often combined with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the delicate skin under the eyes while the retinol works its magic.
Where to Apply Retinol Around the Eyes?
Before you start using a retinol eye cream, always do a patch test before applying it to your face. If there are no signs of irritation, you’re ready to go. Here’s how to best apply retinol around the eyes.
A small amount is enough, only a pea-sized amount is needed for both eyes
Use your ring finger as it naturally applies less pressure
Begin by patting the eye cream lightly onto the bone under your eye, away from the lash line
This bone along the outer corner of the eye is called the orbital bone
Apply any excess eye cream underneath your brow
Avoid applying retinol cream directly to your eyelids as this can sometimes lead to dryness and irritation
Remember to only use retinol eye cream as part of your nighttime routine
This is the basic procedure when using retinol eye cream. However, all products and formulas are different, so always check that you are applying the product correctly.
Can I apply retinol to my eyelids?
Yes or no, this largely depends on the formula of the retinol eye cream. Generally speaking, there is little need to apply retinol directly to your eyelids. Instead, you can apply it around the orbital bone and let the active ingredients absorb into the skin up to the eyelids to fight wrinkles and signs of loss of elasticity.
However, you don’t have to worry too much when using an eye cream because it is specially formulated for the eyes and contains the right type of retinol to provide anti-aging effects without the worry of irritation.
How to treat sagging skin under the eyes?
Aside from certain procedures like laser treatments and fillers, retinol is the best skincare ingredient to combat sagging skin under the eyes. If you already use retinol in your skincare routine, you know how effective retinol is in combating sagging skin. As I mentioned before, it’s best to use an eye cream with retinol because it can provide results, but the ingredient’s power won’t be too strong for the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Can retinol eye cream be used in the morning?
No, it’s best to use retinol eye cream only at night. This is because retinol becomes completely unusable when exposed to UV radiation, causing your skincare products to be wasted and not see any improvement. For best results, try using a retinol eye cream at night and use a different formula during the day, especially one that’s enriched with vitamin C, to counteract free radical damage while brightening the under-eye area and reducing dark circles and puffiness.
How to rebuild collagen under the eyes?
Here are some of the simplest and most effective ways to rebuild collagen in the under-eye area.
Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day. This flushes out all the harmful toxins, boosts collagen production and reduces signs of dark circles.
Use an eye cream rich in retinol. This skincare ingredient can provide impressive anti-aging benefits, from wrinkles to loss of elasticity.
Add an eye cream with vitamin C to your morning routine to prevent damage caused by free radicals like UV rays and boost collagen production.
Use a serum with copper peptides. They are known to stimulate collagen production and help the eye area look plumper, healthier and wrinkle-free.
There are some of the simplest ways to rebuild collagen under the eyes. If you are looking for something that will provide faster results, you should consider other laser treatments and other procedures.
Hopefully, today I was able to answer some of your questions about using retinol cream under the eyes. If you still have any questions, you can find me on the Procoal Instagram account. I’d love to see you there!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
