When Should I Start Using Eye Cream?

Our Customers Asked:

At what age should I start using an eye cream?

 

Our Experts Answered:

Rule of thumb: When it comes to skincare, the earlier the better. Many people start using eye cream in their 30s—when they start noticing the first subtle crease on the outer corner of their eyes—but even before you see a wrinkle, you can start as early as your 20s. That’s because the best results come from prevention. If you have extremely dry skin, noticeable dark circles, chronically puffy eyes or other eye-specific issues, you want to take care of your eyes no matter what your age.

Do you really need eye cream if you use a facial moisturizer?

A lot of people wonder why an eye cream is even necessary in the first place. After all, can’t you use your regular moisturizer around your eyes? You can, but eye creams are specially formulated to tend to the skin around your eyes, which is very different from the rest of your visage: The skin around your eyes is ten times thinner than your face. As you can imagine, that means it is that much more delicate, which means it can crease and dry out a lot more quickly. Plus, it’s that much more vulnerable to environmental aggressors (think harsh winds and UV rays). Your eye-area skin does not enjoy as much natural moisture from sebum (oil). Oil, even though it might be a hassle for those who struggle with constant blemishes, is one of your skin’s best anti-aging features since it keeps your skin healthy and smooth. Your eye area doesn’t have enough of it, so it’s up to you to provide plentiful moisture. Since the eye area is so fragile, it’s typically the first part that manifests the signs of aging. As we get older and all the wiser, skin in general starts weakening in structure. It loses elasticity (the quality that makes youthful skin “bouncy”) and collagen begins to slowly break down, which causes sagging and wrinkles. Not only does this come naturally with age, but both internal and external factors like hormones, weather/climate, pollution, smoking, poor diet and sun damage expedite these changes. All of these changes show on your eyes first. Your eye area is in constant motion and endures a lot of strain every day. Think about how often your eyes move throughout the day. You blink around 10,000 times each day, and when you smile, frown, cry or squint the skin around eyes get “tugged” around. Let’s not forget all the times you rub your eyes, put on and remove makeup and insert contact lenses. Compare that to, say, your forehead, which pretty much get left alone all day as long as you’re not touching them. All these movements contribute to the development of the dreaded crow’s feet around the eyes.

What do eye creams specifically do?

Eye creams are specially formulated to deliver anti-aging benefits while respecting the delicate nature of the eye region. Since the formula is so close to the actual eye, they are created to ensure you get all the hydration and protection you need while minimizing chances of any irritation. All great eye creams will include potent antioxidants, which are important to help defend your skin from expedited aging caused by UV rays and other environmental influences. Your eye cream should at the very least consist of a form of Vitamin A (or Retinol), which is one of the most extensively studied ingredients in skin care for its skin-renewing, age-defying benefits. Here are three exceptional eye solutions to keep the windows to your soul as bright, uplifted and youthful as possible: • DR. DENNIS GROSS - FERULIC + RETINOL EYE CREAM: This eye cream offers both immediate and long-term benefits, delivering instant brightness and smoothness and a revitalized, youthfully resilient appearance every day. This is achieved by this amazing duo: Ferulic Acid, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from environmental damage, particularly from the sun (the top cause of aging!), and Retinol, the number-one ingredient recommended by essentially all skincare experts. Together, these two ingredients help retexture skin so it looks firmer and taut, while diminishing the appearance of dark circles. There’s more: ECG Complex™, based on the antioxidant powers of green tea, helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles and protects against free radicals, while Mica helps reflect light to blur the look of fine lines. • AVÈNE - YSTHÉAL EYE & LIP CONTOUR CARE: This multi-tasking solution can be used on both your eyes and lips! Like all great eye creams, this one includes a powerful antioxidant in the form of Vitamin E to help slow down aging. Avene has also included Retinaldehyde, a form of Retinol that’s shown to be more amenable to sensitive-skin types and just as effective. • SUNDAY RILEY - AUTO CORRECT BRIGHTENING AND DEPUFFING EYE CONTOUR CREAM: If dark circles and puffiness are the main issue, try this cream. Not only is it packed with antioxidants for general anti-aging benefits, but caffeine and Brazilian ginseng root extract rapidly energize tired-looking eyes. Horse chestnut and acamella oleracea extracts smooth the appearance of crow's feet and wrinkles. Cocoa and shea butter moisturize and plump the skin, as watermelon rind extract and sodium PCA add extra hydration. Bonus Tip: Looking cool, has its benefits. Don’t forget your sunglasses! The sun is the biggest contributor to wrinkles, dark spots and sagging but what about your naked eyes? Long-term exposure to the sun can lead to retina disease and sunglasses are your best protection to protect your eyes from a host of conditions cause by ultraviolet rays. In this case, fashion definitely equals function! So the bigger the better (think Jackie O!).

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