Have you ever thought to yourself “why do I need an eye cream?” “Why can’t I just apply my face cream around my eyes?” Don’t worry, you are not alone! You’re not the first, and definitely not the last to ask.
Let’s start with the basics – why eye creams are necessary. Then, we’ll go over how to shop for the best eye cream for your specific eye care concerns.
When you think about it, every morning after waking up and looking in the mirror, your eyes are likely the first thing to catch your attention. This sparks a number of questions or thoughts in your head: Do I look tired? Do I have dark circles? Do I look rested and energised? On top of all of that, ever heard of “eye contact”? When we meet someone, usually the first thing we look at, or notice, are their eyes. No matter what, our eyes get a lot of attention, even more so today when we’re wearing face masks that cover most of our faces.
The first thing to know about the eye area is that the skin around the eyes is very delicate, up to ten times thinner than the rest of the skin on the face. The eye area also lacks sebaceous glands (glands that produce sebum, or oils, that are essential for moisturising our skin, hair and keep the nails lubricated) making this area more prone to dehydration and loss of elasticity. Not to mention, the constant need for the skin around the eyes to move with muscle contractions that support our facial expressions increases the appearance of lines and wrinkles, especially over time when there’s a lack of collagen and elastin. To top off a list of concerns, a dense network of blood capillaries beneath the skin can contribute to dark circles, puffiness and under-eye bags. So, to summarise, these concerns are pretty unique and deserve their own skin care product to address them, instead of a ton of concealer or sunglasses to hide them!
We hope by now it’s clear that choosing an eye cream that specifically targets some or all of these skincare concerns is crucial due to the unique nature of the eye area. In general, it’s recommended that any eye cream have hydration benefits, but knowing and understand any other specific concerns you might have (i.e. do you have dark circles but no under-eye bags?) and setting those priorities is key to finding the best solution that combines the right ingredients to address your eye concerns in a safe and effective way.
INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR EYE CREAM
Hyaluronic Acid: a molecule naturally found in our connective tissue. It provides a double benefit; it helps trap water molecules within the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ceramides: lipids that help retain moisture within the skin, also aiding in the formation of the skin barrier.
Shea butter: a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. It is packed with high concentrations of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals and provides excellent moisturisation properties to help protect the skin from climate aggressors.
When looking for an eye cream to target lines and wrinkles, some ingredients that are dermatologically recommended and clinically proven:
Retinol: also known as vitamin A, Retinol is the OTC form of retinoic acid and is considered a gold standard ingredient in skincare. It helps provide firmer, healthier-looking skin by promoting the skin’s natural production of collagen, while simultaneously encouraging rapid cell turnover which can help smooth skin and even pigmentation. Always use SPF during the day when using a product with retinol.
Peptides: formed by chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of skin proteins, like collagen and elastin which we lose as we age. When applied to the skin, peptides act like little messengers, communicating functions like building collagen and elastin. In eye creams, they restore elasticity and firmness while strengthening capillary walls to diminish permeability, so help to reduce the look of under-eye bags, prevent puffiness and brighten the under-eye area.
Antioxidants: they are molecules —like Vitamins A, C, E, and green tea—that protect your skin against free radicals, responsible for a chemical process called oxidation. In skincare products, they can help with reducing the signs of ageing and the overall health and appearance of the skin.
Niacinamide: a form of vitamin B3 with multiple benefits including skin lightening, anti-ageing and moisturisation. It is a powerful antioxidant, inhibiting free radical formation.
We know that while understanding key ingredients, it still might be a challenge to search for the best cream for you. Below, you’ll find a few recommendations.
CHOOSE THE BEST EYE CREAM RIGHT FOR YOU
THE BEST EYE CREAM FOR DRY SKIN, DEEP LINES & WRINKLES, AND PUFFINESS:
Do Not Age® triple peptide eye cream: A rich, buttery cream formulated with phospholipids, ceramide 3 and shea butter to help strengthen the skin and replenish moisture levels. Triple peptides visibly smooth skin, reducing the appearance of lines and dark circles. Caffeine helps to reduce puffy eyes and the look of dark circles.