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.

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.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected