As you perfect your daily skincare routine, you may be wondering if you need an eye serum or cream, or at what age you should start using them. Here’s everything you need to know about eye creams.
Why Use A Specialty Eye Cream?
The skin around our eyes is thinner, more delicate, tends to dry faster than the rest of our face, and is often the first place we begin to develop fine lines.
Eye serums and creams are specially formulated for this delicate area, and skincare brands that typically add synthetic fragrance and ingredients to their products, often leave these potentially irritating ingredients out of their eye products. Whether naturally derived or synthetic, eye creams contain the nutrients to slow and reverse the signs of aging. This includes ingredients to minimize morning puffiness, bags, and dark circles.
What Causes Under Eye Bags, Dark Circles, and Puffiness?
Bags, dark circles, and puffiness instantly age us and make us look exhausted. Yes, insufficient sleep is often the primary contributing factor—but it’s not the only factor.
- Allergies may be the cause of puffy eyes, so switch to a hypoallergenic pillow, use a pillow cover under your pillowcase, and launder your pillows at least every 3 months.
- Minimize bags and puffiness by drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day, pay close attention to salt intake, and drink alcohol in moderation.
- Dark circles may fade as the day goes on, but you may also naturally have darker skin underneath your eyes. A combination of the right eye cream and concealer or eye brightener can help.
- Elevate your head when you sleep to minimize fluid retention around the eyes.
- Get between 7 and 9 hours of quality sleep per night.
When To Start Using Eye Creams?
With screen time increasing our exposure to blue light and causing us to squint when in low light—most men and women are taking a proactive approach and using eye creams in their 20s.
Even if not used daily, undereye patches provide a quick AM boost or can be added to your at-home weekly deep clean, exfoliation, and hydration routine. If not in your 20s, add a twice-daily eye cream and serum no later than your early 30s. Also, be sure to wear sunscreen year-round, wear sunglasses when the sun is shining bright, and blue light glasses when on your electronic devices.
Can’t You Just Use Your Face Serums And Creams?
In your teens and 20s, yes—as long as the products are naturally derived and don’t irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes. However, eye serums and creams are specially formulated to address fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, and bags. Some products are formulated for rapid same-day results, while others are designed as a long-term eye rejuvenator. Just like all your skincare products, select eye creams for your individual needs:
- Instantly rejuvenate tired eyes with the MBK Biocell Mask, or use up to 3 times a week as a part of your at-home anti-aging routine.
- Cool and refresh tired eyes, while minimizing puff, bags, and dark circles with this wash-off Ice For Eyes Mask.
- If you have chronic dark circles and puffy eyes, use the Drainactive Eye Fluid morning and night—which you can reapply throughout the day.
- For a general proactive or reactive approach to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, use the Eye Contour Serum and Eye Contour Cream day and night.
- In addition to your skincare products, consider a targeted beauty tool. The Eye Rejuvenator only adds a few minutes to your daily beauty routine—60 to 90 seconds per eye. Just apply eye serum and use it on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, and even around your mouth.
Aging isn’t the only thing that causes crow’s feet around our eyes, as the repetitive movement of smiling can lead to fine lines. Smiling isn’t something we should minimize, so take a proactive approach by adding eyecare products and at-home beauty tools to your personalized skincare routine.