Hands up anyone who suffers from dark circles under your eyes. How about crows feet or fine lines? Under eye bags? OK… pretty sure everyone’s hands are up by now, and if they’re not, they will be in five to ten years (sorry!).
Enter eye creams. These specialised dreamy formulas are built to address all these concerns and more, and are lightweight enough to avoid causing any extra damage to the area. Here’s why you need to add an eye cream to your routine STAT, how to use them, and which ones we love the most right now.
Why should you use eye creams?
SO many reasons. The skin around your eyed is much thinner than the rest of your face and is therefore more susceptible to aging.
As I mentioned above, eye creams are great to help control and prevent fine lines, lighten up dark circles and help alleviate under eye bags. Even the act of massaging and tapping the cream into that delicate area can help with the get rid of puffiness that builds up from allergies or sleep.
Eye cream formulations also tend to be formulated with the right concentration of ingredients to help penetrate this delicate area and hydrate it better than regular creams. Not to mention that many eye creams contain ingredients that are specially developed to soothe tired eyes. And lets face it, my eyes are tired MOST OF THE TIME.
How do you apply eye creams?
Firstly, it’s a good idea to start using eye creams as soon as you have a skincare regimen; eye creams in your 20s (before you might actually need them) can help push back those pesky problems to much later in life.
Now, the way you apply these creams is crucial. Firstly, watch the amount you use. Usually you only need about half a pump or half a pea-sized amount to do both eyes. Eye creams are super concentrated and a little always goes a long way.
Next, the application. Put the cream on the back of your hand like a little paint palette. The eye area is so delicate, so dragging the cream and pulling on the skin is a big no no. You want to make sure you’re gentle and put as little stress on the skin as possible. I like to apply eye creams with my ring finger (aka the weakest finger) and gently pat the cream in until it’s absorbed. I start with the inner corner along the bone area and pat it around my eyes until it’s absorbed. This also has the benefit of helping with lymphatic drainage. Plus it just feels nice; like a little baby massage for the area.
Our favourite eye creams (and why we love them)
Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid and Niacinimide Eye Serum, $98
Retinoids are the gold standard in anti-aging ingredients and this one is formulated to be delicate enough around the eye area. Throw in some ceramides to soothe and smooth and some olive oil and shea butter to rehydrate overnight. Niacinamide is also a wonder ingredient for diminishing dark spots and softening the look of fine lines. This is one of my fave night time creams; introduce it gradually (because it’s an active ingredient) and it will change your life.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and De-Puffing Eye Contour Cream, $98
Can you tell I am having a Sunday Riley moment? If 5 Stars is the ideal night time eye cream, then Auto Correct is my morning ride or die. You know those dark circles you get from crappy sleep? And the puffy eyes? Say goodbye by adding a bit of this ultra-nourishing cream to your morning routine. This cream in the AM leaves my eyes looking brighter and more awake, almost like magic.
TULA Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm, $45
TULA Rose Glow & Get It is all about giving you, you guessed it, a glow and a burst of cooling hydration. In a convenient stick form, you just need to swipe it on and bam: brighter, more vibrant eye area! With ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine, rosehip oil, rosewater and aloe vera, this formula will nourish and protect the delicate eye area. And you KNOW how I love a twofer; the Glow & Get It can be used as a subtle highlighter too!
Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask, $50
You know my favourite kind of hard work? The kind that gets done when I am asleep. That’s why I am such a big fan of the Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask. Powerhouse ingredients like caffeine and enzymes do the heavy lifting overnight, so you wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme, $60
Vitamin C is a wonder ingredient when it comes to brightening the eye area and Ole Henriksen Banana Bright range is known for their powerful C complex. To add to the bougie feel, this creme has actual REAL gold in it, which is said to help with the delivery of the actives to the skin. At the same time as smoothing skin and hydrating the area, this formula also helps protect skin from free radicals and pollution. Then there’s the light reflecting pigments to instantly colour tired under eyes. It’s truly a miracle worker.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
