‘The eyes shout what the lips fear to say’ – or so the saying goes. If that’s true, then mine are mainly broadcasting that I’m very tired. And with summer welcoming those long, light evenings and bright early mornings (meaning early nights are far less tempting and being woken up by the sun first thing is now a given), I’m surely not the only one in need of a decent eye cream.
A third of us don’t clock up enough sleep, according to the NHS. Combine that with all our prolonged screen time – which can cause dry eyes and eye strain, contributing to wrinkles, puffiness and dark shadows – it’s no wonder that I struggle to look spritely when I wake up in the mornings.
Swipe and shop: The best under eye masks
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Moisture Bomb Hyaluronic Acid And Orange Juice Hydrating Brightening Eye Sheet Mask
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Why do I need to use an eye cream?
While an eye cream can’t redress the rhythms of modern life or alter hereditary dark circles, a gem of a product can smooth, de-puff, brighten and tighten the eye area.
The best eye creams bring antioxidants to the table, which brighten skin and boost collagen production, alongside hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to plump out fine lines.
What should I look for in an eye cream?
Interpreting the ingredients list on the back of a product can be confusing, so instead look out for key ingredients to target specific tired-eye concerns. Skin barrier-strengthening ceramides and lipids are especially vital in an eye cream, as aesthetic doctor Dr Paris Acharya explains: “The eye area is extremely delicate and consists of the thinnest skin on the body,” she says – so it needs a little extra TLC.
Meanwhile the holy grail of skincare ingredients, hyaluronic acid, is a brilliant addition to any eye care product for its hydrating properties (which is particularly a concern as you age). Vitamin C works to brighten and reduce pigmentation, so it’s an ideal option if you have dark circles. And look out for caffeine to reduce puffiness and retinol to improve skin texture.
As for which elements to avoid, Dr Paris advises treading carefully where fragrance is concerned, “as it has the potential for irritation in such a sensitive region”.
How should I apply eye cream?
Given that the eye area is such a tender spot, a light touch is best when applying your eye cream. Dot a small amount of product under your eyes and up around the orbital bone (the bone above your eyelids), then tap and gently massage into the skin in an outwards direction using your ring finger so as not to apply too much pressure.
Should I apply eye cream to my eyelids, too?
It’s best to avoid applying eye cream directly to your eyelids unless you have very dry skin, as all but the most mild formulations can sting eyes and cause puffy lids.
Which are the best eye creams to use?
The following eye creams have stood out for their ability to make it look like you’ve had a full eight hours, even after a few too many late nights. The ultimate ‘eyecons,’ if you will.
Best eye cream for brightening: Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Ringlight Creamy Illuminating Eye Balm, £10
This rich, hydrating cream works to reduce the look of tired eyes in two ways: firstly, it’s infused with light-reflecting particles to instantly illuminate dark circles; secondly, it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid to plump skin and shea butter to soothe, to keep the delicate under-eye skin nourished.
Plus, it’s part of the Revolution Skincare range created with beauty expert and journalist Sali Hughes, who recommends keeping it in your bag to refresh your under-eye concealer whenever it’s needed. All day brightness and expert approved, what more could you ask for?
Best eye cream for under makeup: Vichy Minéral 89 Eyes, £21.95
Vichy’s Minéral 89 Eye Brightening Serum is Dr Paris’ daily go-to, and mine too. Cooling and light, it brings down puffiness and smoothes away pillow creases, with hyaluronic acid and added caffeine for a temporary lifting effect. Adenosine – a gentle yeast-based ingredient that’s naturally present in the skin – soothes irritation, strengthens skin and slows the formation of wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Even better, it’s fragrance-free and slips under makeup like a dream. One for contact lens wearers and those suffering from allergies in particular – you’d be hard pressed to find an eye treatment that’s more calming or refreshing.
Best eye cream for reducing puffiness: Skin Proud Icicle Eye Serum, £14.95
Skin Proud’s Icicle Eye Serum got its name for a reason. This balm feels cool on the skin on application, and since it comes in stick form, the soothing effect isn’t ruined by clammy fingers. Its ingredients are pretty hardworking too, with a five-part hyaluronic acid complex helping to hydrate and refresh sleepy under eyes.
The best thing about this product though, has to be that it can be reapplied over makeup if you need a pick-me-up throughout the day. Genius.
Best eye cream with SPF: Medik8 Advanced Day Eye Protect, £40
The eye area is often overlooked when it comes to sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that up to 10% of skin cancer cases occur around the eyes, so applying an eye cream with SPF in the AM in addition to grabbing your shades on the way out of the door could be a literal lifesaver.
Not to mention, it could help to prevent premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and inflammation. This caffeine-infused SPF 30 eye cream from Medik8 will perk up your eye area first thing and the fragrance-free formula won’t sting – a common detractor for using sunscreen around your lids.
Best eye cream for reducing dark circles: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Anti Dark Circles Eye Cream, £30
Brightening niacinamide is the star player in this illuminating eye cream by La Roche-Posay – it evens out skin tone while encouraging your skin to produce its own ceramides to prevent moisture loss and resultant dullness. The formula also contains ginkgo biloba extract, an antioxidant that also deserves a shout out as it not only helps to shield skin from environmental damage but has an anti-inflammatory effect that’s especially welcome if you’re dealing with eczema or dry, flaky skin around your eyes.
The instant lift is real too; light-reflective pigments neutralise dark shadows and the hygienic metal applicator cools skin on contact, making it especially pleasurable to use come summertime.
Best budget eye cream: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, £12.99
Speaking of dry skin around the eyes, if yours are feeling and looking fragile, CeraVe’s ceramide-loaded eye repair cream will restore softness and hydration in no time. Developed by a squad of dermatologists, it bolsters your skin barrier’s natural defences, adds radiance thanks to a hefty dose of niacinamide, and features a frankly luscious cocktail of glycerin, aloe vera and almond oil to nourish skin and promote healing.
It’s worth noting that it’s fairly thick, so a tiny blob goes a long way. Top it with a brightening concealer containing SPF to enhance its powers – I love the MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, £24, Look Fantastic. It’s lightweight, waterproof and so richly pigmented that dark shadows don’t stand a chance.
Best antioxidant eye cream: Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream, £40
A pot of gold. If it’s high-watt luminosity you’re after, this light-reflective apricot-toned eye cream by Summer Fridays helps to effectively bounce away signs of fatigue. De-puffing caffeine, an impressive roster of hydrating lipids and a firming peptide add to its glimmering appeal.
Antioxidant vitamin C, meanwhile, is the big hitter in terms of long-term brightening and precious collagen preservation. Just be aware that the texture is on the balmy side due to the high shea butter content – if the skin around your eyes has oily tendencies, this might cause makeup slippage or aggravate puffiness. Otherwise, you’re golden… quite literally.
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