A solid, daily moisturizer is an essential component of any effective skin care routine, and using one will go a long way in helping you to maintain hydrated skin, alleviate dryness, and even ensure a more radiant complexion. But one single moisturizer won’t always be able to address all of the specific skin concerns you may have, and depending on what you’re dealing with, you may require a more targeted and focused approach, especially when it comes to delicate, sensitive areas such as your eyes. From persistent dark circles to stubborn puffiness, your eyes are one of the main spots where aging, poor sleep, and a long day will be noticed; and if you’re hoping to eliminate these common concerns, then a trusted eye cream is one of the best ways to give your eyes the extra bit of TLC they deserve.

Skin Concerns

When it comes to taking care of your skin, addressing specific concerns is key to achieving a healthy and youthful complexion, and just like with all of the other products you select as part of your daily routine, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to your eyes. One of the most important steps you’ll need to take before you pick up a new eye cream from the store is to first identify what it is you’re trying to target, as each option will contain unique and powerful ingredients that are intended to assist you with correcting certain issues. For example, if you’ve started to notice the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, your needs will be very different when compared to someone who suffers from dark circles or puffiness, and selecting an eye cream at random won’t guarantee that your specific concerns will actually be addressed.

To ensure you find success with your new eye cream, it's important that you take a realistic look at your eyes in a mirror and depending on what you see, you may require a formula that has been created to target:

Frequently caused by poor sleep habits, aging, allergies, and even hyperpigmentation, dark circles are one of the most common concerns that people face, and it can be a great reason to start including a specialized eye cream in your daily skincare routine. In order to effectively address this concern, you’ll want to explore products that contain ingredients such as caffeine, retinol, vitamin A, and even hyaluronic acid, as each of these have the ability to brighten, tighten, and restore. Ideally, you’ll also want to focus on options that can be applied in the morning before you leave the house, as these help you achieve a more refreshed look at the start of the day even if you didn’t have the best sleep the night before. 

While a great night’s sleep and a healthy diet can do wonders for your skin, you can’t escape those unfortunate signs of aging forever and eventually you will start to discover fine lines and wrinkles which can be quite noticeable around the eyes. Thankfully, many eye creams have been specially formulated to target exactly that, and if reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is your ultimate goal then you’ll want to shop for solutions that include ingredients like retinol or peptides. Helping to promote collagen production, eye creams enriched with retinol or peptides will effectively smooth out those pesky wrinkles and they not only work to treat existing wrinkles, but can prevent future ones as well. 

Most often caused by fluid retention, puffiness around the eyes can have a big impact on your appearance, and it can leave you looking tired and aged, before you even start your day. Because of how delicate the skin around your eyes is, it’s prone to retaining excess fluid when you’re dehydrated, consume excess salt, haven’t had a great sleep, or as you age, and in order to combat this you’ll need a specialized eye cream that is packed with cooling benefits. One of the first things you’ll want to look for is a cream that can be kept in the fridge, and that you can apply smoothly with a metal applicator to really amp up its cooling effects. In addition, caffeine can be a very powerful ingredient for combating puffiness, as this will serve to constrict your blood vessels and ideally stimulate lymphatic drainage. Cucumber and chamomile also work well for puffiness, and like with dark circles, you’ll likely prefer a morning cream that can assist with your appearance before you leave your house each day.

Ingredients

When it comes to eye creams, there is a lot of diversity in the ingredient lists you will find, and each unique formula will be specially crafted in order to target specific concerns that you may have. Unfortunately, reading an ingredient list won’t do much to help you with picking the right cream unless you understand the inherent benefits of each item included, and if you want to ensure you aren’t wasting your money on random products, then it’s important to educate yourself about some of the most common ingredients you’ll encounter. From retinol to hyaluronic acid, there is a lot to learn about, but a few of the most powerful ingredients you will want to be on the lookout for are:

Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most potent ingredients found in many skincare products and it is known for its incredible ability to stimulate collagen production, which ultimately reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A key component to all anti-aging creams, this essential additive does a fantastic job of helping you achieve a more youthful appearance, and it can also improve skin texture, address concerns around uneven skin tones, and tackle dark circles that appear under your eyes. 

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can provide numerous benefits when included in a specially formulated eye cream. This multitasking ingredient is revered for its ability to brighten the skin and create a more even complexion, and it can go a long way in reducing the appearance of dark circles or discoloration, even when caused by hyperpigmentation. For those who spend a lot of time in the sun, vitamin C also works as a protective shield for the skin and can reduce sun damage caused by harmful UV rays every time you step outside. 

Not just an essential part of every morning, caffeine is one of the most common ingredients you’ll find inside popular eye creams, and for good reason. Known for its ability to constrict blood vessels, this powerful component is one of the best options for reducing puffiness quickly and effectively, and it can improve circulation to help you appear more awake. If under eye bags are a concern, caffeine-infused eye creams can be a game-changer and should be an integral part of your morning skincare routine. 

Anything containing the word “acid” may not be the first thing you think of when looking at products to put near your eyes, but hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient found in many eye creams and it is a powerful hydrating agent that can completely rejuvenate your appearance. By helping your skin to retain a significant amount of moisture, hyaluronic acid does a fantastic job of promoting plumpness which can then completely reduce those fine lines and wrinkles you typically see around your eyes. In addition, it also soothes dry, irritated skin that might look red or inflamed, and is a safe, effective choice for all skin types as it won't clog your pores or make your skin oily or dry. 

An amino acid that penetrates deep into the skin to promote collagen production, peptides are frequently seen in eye creams that are intended to assist with anti-aging and they serve to improve skin elasticity and firmness while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By tightening up the skin around your eyes, these powerful peptides will work to eliminate sagging and puffiness, and they can leave you looking more youthful and radiant for years to come. 

How To Apply Eye Cream

Once you’ve narrowed down your selection based on ingredients and individualized concerns, the last thing you will need to do is to learn how to apply your new eye cream correctly. Unlike with other parts of your body, your eyes are one of the most sensitive areas that you will be applying cream to, and the thinness of the skin means you need to take extra precautions to ensure you don’t hurt yourself or cause damage. Because of how delicate your eyes are, applying eye cream correctly is crucial to maximizing its effectiveness and avoiding irritation, and the following steps should be your guide every time you open that jar:

Before applying any products to your face you will want to start by washing your hands thoroughly to remove any potential dirt or bacteria that may be on them. 

Once your hands are clean, you should then prepare your face using a gentle cleanser that is both mild and fragrance free. After cleaning, make sure you pat your face dry gently using a clean towel and avoid rubbing the skin vigorously.

With eye cream, a little goes a long way and these highly concentrated formulas require only a small amount that is split between both eyes. Using your finger, remove about a pea-sized dollop of cream from your container and then warm it between your fingers before applying it underneath your eyes.

The skin below your eyes is very thin and delicate, so it's important that you apply your cream incredibly gently without tugging, rubbing, or pulling. While a bit more time-consuming, the best method of application is to lightly dab it on with a tapping motion which will prevent any unnecessary friction. 

Eye cream will likely only be one part of your skincare routine, and if you are using additional products such as oils, moisturizers, or even sunscreen then you will want to apply these after your eye cream has fully absorbed. In order of products, your eye cream should immediately follow your cleanser and toner, and it should also be applied after any serums if you opt to use those as well.