How to find the best eye cream

Eye creams are a product that can split the beauty industry into two camps, one side believes eye creams are a hugely beneficial step in your skincare routine to help combat the signs of ageing like fine line and wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. The other side’s opinion is that eye cream is nothing more than a face moisturiser in a small pot. Whichever side you decide to join both want to have bright, youthful and well-rested eyes, which is where we come in and share with you everything we’ve learnt about treating your under eyes and how to find the best eye cream for you.

How do eye creams work?

The skin around the eyes is delicate and very thin in comparison to the skin on the rest of your face. It is prone to dryness and can show signs of fatigue as well as ageing due to the constant movement of the eyes from laughing, talking and squinting, fine lines, also known as crow’s feet can appear. There are also fluids that collect under the eyes that cause puffiness and dark circles. Luckily for us all, there is an impressive number of eye creams available on the market to battle against these concerns. Many of which are formulated with potent, active ingredients and different textures, from nourishing, thick creams, or cooling gels.

A little eye cream can go a long way and by targeting specific areas of the eyes, such as the under eye and the outer corners, will ensure the product deliver the best results in the quickest way. Retinol, vitamins C and B and hyaluronic acid are key ingredients to treat the under-eye area and leaves the skin looking plumped, brightened and awakened. Be mindful of how you are applying the eye cream too as too much pressure and tugging around the delicate skin can, in fact, accentuate any lines and wrinkles. Always use your ring finger to gently dab eye cream on as this is the finger we naturally use less pressure with. With the skin being thin also results in the product being able to blend its way in quicker so avoid applying too much thick, heavy product as this may cause irritation and make the eyes feel sore.

How do I care for your under eyes?

Here are some key points to help with caring for your under-eye;

• Use an eye cream in the morning- Be sure to use an eye cream every morning containing hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to help revive the skin, reduce any puffiness and make your eyes feel bright and awake.
• Use a retinol eye serum in the evenings- Use an eye serum containing retinol in the evenings to help combat signs of age. Retinol is extremely potent so choose a product with a low percentage, to begin with, and introduce the product slowly to your routine. You may find that retinol eye serums sting or tingle when you first apply them, which is normal, however, should the stinging continue, rinse the eyes with water and discontinue using it.
• Get your beauty sleep- Getting those precious 6-8 hours of sleep is hugely important for the eyes. Sleeping on your back will also help as laying on your front or side will cause puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles.
• Protect your eyes from the sun- Sun damage can also affect the eyes, with UV creating free radicals that can damage the skin and also make us squint which leads to crow’s feet. Be sure to use an SPF every day, even on cloudy days, and wear sunglasses and hats to protect the face and eyes.
• Drink plenty of water- We seem to say this a lot, but keeping yourself hydrated will help keep your skin plumped, healthy and glowing.
• Maintain a healthy diet- Sugar, caffeine, saturated fats may all taste yummy, but your skin really does hate them! Your skin needs plenty of vitamins and minerals to remain healthy and without these the signs of ageing are exasperated.

Do I really need an eye cream?

As previously discussed this is the great debate! For some of you (the very lucky ones) you will find you don’t need to use a specifically formulated eye cream and can carry your face moisturiser up to your under eyes. Should you want to give this a go ensure the moisturiser is fragrance-free as this could cause some irritation.

For some of us, using an eye cream is a vital step in our regime as signs of ageing and dark under-eye circles can become quite noticeable. We will briefly share with you the reasons you may be finding your eyes are showing signs of these concerns.

Your Genetics

These play a part in the tone of your skin, the colour of your eyes and hair so it’s no real surprise dark under-eye circles are connected to your DNA too. For those with Asian and Mediterranean heritage will find dark circles are more pigmented.

Lack of Sleep

Not meaning to nag, but getting enough sleep is vital to your eyes to look their best. As you sleep your skin cells are able to regenerate and produce collagen and elastin, both of which keep the skin looking plumped and youthful.

Sun Damage

The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin making it age prematurely, more so with the eyes due to the thinner skin and frequent squinting. 

Ageing

Unfortunately, you can’t stop the ageing process, as we grow older our skin becomes weaker and more worn out making wrinkles deeper and skin looser as the collagen and elastin production begins to slow down. The one point to remember is prevention is the weapon to fighting off the signs of ageing so start using a good skincare routine as soon as possible. 

The dos and don’ts of using an eye cream

The dos

• Do: look for eye creams and serums that contain skin-replenishing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol and antioxidants
• Do: make sure your eye cream or serum contains an SPF of 30 and above to protect from the sun’s damaging UV rays
• Do: consider your concerns and skin type when looking for a cream or serum, this will avoid any unwanted reactions or irritation
• Do: use eye gel masks for an added boost of hydration to the under eyes
• Do: get plenty of sleep to prevent any signs of ageing to appear exaggerated
• Do: maintain a balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins and minerals to keep the skin nourished and healthy

The don’ts

• Don’t: forget to use your ring finger when applying eye cream to stop you from tugging the delicate skin around the eyes
• Don’t: feel as though you need to use an eye cream or serum if you don’t need to
• Don’t: use an eye cream that contains strong fragrances
• Don’t: use an eye cream or serum that comes in a jar as active ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol are UV sensitive and can lose their potency with constant exposure to the sun
• Don’t: expect miracles, unfortunately, wrinkles, under-eye bags and dark circles cannot be erased completely, but using a good skincare routine with quality ingredients will combat these, making them less noticeable

There you have a rundown of how to find the best eye cream for you and how to treat any signs of ageing you may have noticed. By following just a couple of these tips we have shared you will give your under eyes the opportunity to reverse any signs of ageing and stay looking bright and vibrant, trust us, you will have to see it to believe it!

Are you wanting to know more check out the dedicated blog post on how to treat and prevent under eye wrinkles?

FAQs for finding the best eye cream

How do I choose eye cream?

It is best to take into consideration your skin type and any concerns or problems you have with your skin. Try avoiding products that are too heavy for your sensitive eye area as this can cause puffiness and irritation. Lightweight gel formulas with high amounts of hyaluronic acid will work well for many different skin types. 

Is it OK to put eye cream on eyelids?

This all depends on the eye cream formula and how potent the ingredients are. Always ensure you read the instructions that are usually printed on the packet to see how you can use the product. 

What age should you start using eye cream?

From the age of 25+ would be a suitable time to start using a lightweight eye cream in your evening routine. Though you may not see any signs of ageing, such as lines or bags prevention is the key to anti-ageing. If you are over 30 you can invest in a more powerful formula that contains retinol to help combat any fine line and wrinkles in the eye area. 

What is the difference between eye balm and eye cream?

It's the consistency that is the main difference between an eye balm and eye cream. Creams are often heavier and ideal for using if you have a more dry skin type and eye area. Balms are normally lighter and can be used with any skin type to help hydrate and replenish the under-eye area without feeling too thick and heavy. 

What is the best ingredient for eye wrinkles?

Hyaluronic acid really comes into its own when blended into eye creams. The hydration boost to the under eyes that can look tired and show visible lines easily. Other ingredients that will help if you are over the age of 30 would be retinoids. Bear in mind if you are introducing a new product into your skincare routine you ensure it is the right one for you. Always seek the advice from a dermatologist if you are unsure.