Best Eye Care Products

Eye cream

Eye creams feel rich and cushioning, as they are thick and heavy. They’re made with a higher amount of oil than other eye-care products. This oil is suspended in water that contains active ingredients to intensively hydrate skin.

Which eye concerns do eye creams target?

Eye creams work well on fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. These are caused by a loss of collagen (a natural part of aging) and sun exposure, causing skin to become thinner and lose elasticity over time. An eye cream can provide the hydration to combat this, as well as plump up skin and fill it out.

A cream is less suitable to alleviate dark circles and under-eye puffiness.

Which skin type are eye creams best for?

Since they’re first and foremost made to hydrate skin, eye creams are suitable for people with normal to dry skin in their under-eye area.

When should I apply eye cream?

Since they’re so thick, it’s best to apply an eye cream at night before you go to bed. This allows plenty of time for the thick product to absorb into your skin in the night.

If you prefer a double dose of eye cream, you might consider wearing some in the AM as well. If you’re wearing make-up too, just keep in mind that an eye cream doesn’t always play nice with make-up. It can cause your concealer and other products layered on top to shift.

Eye gel

Unlike eye creams, eye gels are water-based. This makes them lighter in texture - less creamy and more silky. This is often thanks to the addition of ingredients that give the product some ‘slip,’ like silicones.

Which eye concerns do eye gels target?

Eye gels target similar concerns to eye creams, such as reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as dark circles.

In addition to this, a good eye gel can also help reduce puffiness under the eyes. This is often caused by fluid retention in the skin tissues, eye gels are a preferable pick to eye creams as they won’t add more unwanted fluid to potentially make the puffiness worse.

On the other hand, a cream isn’t always the best option for removing under-eye puffiness. Since this is often caused by liquid retention, adding more moisture to the equation can worsen under-eye puffiness.

Which skin type are eye gels best for?

Since they don’t add more oil to your skin, eye gels are a great pick for people with an oily skin type.

When should I apply eye gel?

Due to their light consistency and quick absorbency, eye gels can be applied in the morning. They can be worn under make-up and a sunscreen with SPF, without showing through your make-up or causing an unwanted shine.

Eye serum

Out of eye creams, gels and serums, serums are the most lightweight. They contain an exceptionally high concentration of active ingredients in a potent formula that’s designed to penetrate deeply into the skin. In some instances, this high potency may result in quicker results.

Which eye concerns do eye serums target?

Eye serums can reduce signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, and dark circles under the eyes. They can stimulate collagen production to improve the firmness and elasticity of skin around the eyes. They are also especially good for puffiness, as they don’t contain much water or oil.

Which skin type are eye serums best for?

As they typically tend to be water-based, eye serums are a suitable pick for oily skin or combination skin.

When should I apply eye serum?

You can apply an eye serum at different times of the day, depending on what the purpose of the serum is for.

For example, anti-aging eye serums work best at night, as this is when your body switches into skin repair mode, releasing melatonin and HGH (human growth hormone) to repair skin cells. Complementing this natural process with an eye serum can speed it along.

Hydrating serums can be worn either at night or during the day, unlike face creams, which are more practically to be worn overnight.

Under-eye patches

Under-eye patches refer to two little gel sheet masks in the shape of sideways crescent moons, which you stick to the skin under your eyes.

They’re packed with ingredients that infuse into your skin, and ideally improve the appearance of the skin under your eyes. There are different types of under-eye masks that target specific skin concerns, such as dark circles and puffy eyes. Others perform functions like skin smoothing or hydrating.

Do under-eye patches work?

Provided they contain the right active ingredients - in the right quantity - to effectively target your skin concern, then under-eye patches can work. However, most under-eye patches are only single-use and placed onto skin for about 20 minutes. This means that if active ingredients aren’t in a high-enough concentration, gel masks can do nothing to visibly improve skin appearance.

Retinol

Retinol is the gold star ingredient when it comes to anti-aging eye care products. Retinol is a (synthetic) type of retinoid compounds from Vitamin A.In concentrations of more than 0.3%, it promotes collagen growth and increased cell turnover. These have a number of benefits for anti-aging, including reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and brown spots.

Plant-based retinol

Retinol is chemically made in a lab, but there are natural, plant-based versions if you prefer, like bakuchiol and rosehip. These are trans-retinoic acids. They may not have the same potency as chemical retinol, or work as quickly, but still have positive anti-aging benefits when used regularly.

Peptides

Peptides are amino acids that form the building blocks of skin proteins, including collagen. As aging happens, collagen production - and the skin’s natural production or peptides - is decreased.

Peptides also help to fortify the skin barrier, making it less susceptible to UV rays and pollution.

Most collagen-based products are sourced from animals, including peptides in skincare products for eyes. As a result, most aren’t vegan friendly.

Hyaluronic acid

This is a naturally-occurring sugar found in the body, which helps retain water to keep skin hydrated and firm. Since young-looking skin often looks that way because of its high water content, eye care products with hyaluronic acid can help your skin achieve a youthful glow.

Niacinamide

This is a form of topical Vitamin B3. This water-soluble vitamin helps soften fine lines and wrinkles. It also boosts the skin’s barrier function, protecting it from environmental conditions that can age skin or make it appear duller.

Niacinamide slows down pigment-producing cells, which can help with blemishes and dark circles, evening out skin tone and making skin brighter. It also regulates sebum, so is suitable for oily skin.

Vitamin C

This is an antioxidant that’s also great for combating dark circles, as it reduces the amount of melanin your body produces. It also helps protect skin from free radicals in the environment, improving barrier function. Often used as an either/ or with niacinamide.

Ceramides

These fat molecules, also called lipids, help the skin hold water and stay hydrated. Ceramides are helpful for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. They may be less effective for puffiness. Shea butter and squalane are plant-based ingredients that can help replenish lipids.

Caffeine

It seems strange to put caffeine around your eyes instead of in your mouth. But including caffeine in your eye skincare routine can diminish under-eye puffiness. Caffeine removes water from the body, which can remove the fluid in skin tissues that cause puffiness.

Wrapping up

While an eye care product is not a neccessity in your beauty routine, it can help offer some confidence if skin concerns like dark circles, wrinkles, under-eye bags or puffiness are not your friends. Choosing the right type of product for your skin type and specific skin type, as well as carefully selected ingredients based on these concerns, will help point your eyes in the right direction.