How to Find the Perfect Eye Cream

The skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin covering the rest of our faces, making it more vulnerable to environmental threats and signs of aging. Indeed, the areas around and under the eyes are usually the first places where wrinkles and other aging signs appear. Eye creams offer one solution to reduce eye wrinkles and other issues. The question remains, though: which eye cream is right for you? Let’s explore what eye creams do, what’s in them, and how to find the perfect product for your skin.

What to Know About Choosing Eye Cream

What Is Eye Cream Supposed to Do?

Eye cream is a moisturizing skin topical specifically formulated for the thin, fragile skin around one’s eyes. Unlike standard moisturizers for the rest of your skin, eye creams are usually thicker, more oily, and rich in key active ingredients meant to deal with common skin concerns that surround the eyes, such as wrinkles and fine lines (i.e., “crow’s feet”), dark circles, sun damage, and more. The blend of vitamins, fats, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and other substances found in many eye cream products combine to hydrate these areas and increase the skin’s elasticity.

What to Look for in an Eye Cream

While all eye creams are aimed at similar goals and often contain similar ingredients, some are more effective than others. Knowing which components to look for in an eye wrinkle treatment will help you narrow the field so you can find the perfect product for your skin. The first thing to look for in an eye cream isn’t its brand name or price point but its composition. You’ll want to select a cream that features antioxidants and restorative ingredients like ceramides (fats/oils), vitamins (especially vitamins C and E), retinol (vitamin A), peptides, triglycerides, hyaluronic acid, natural butters and plant extracts, and more. Of course, more ingredients doesn’t always equate a more effective product, but a lack of essential components like the ones mentioned here points to a lower-quality product that has been stocked mainly with fillers and unnecessary ingredients.

Next, it’s usually wise to opt for an odorless eye cream to reduce the risk of irritation or having an allergic reaction. You’ll want to avoid eye creams that come in a jar, as some of the anti-aging ingredients (like antioxidants, retinol) start losing their efficacy once the seal is broken. Prioritize eye creams that include an SPF (sun protection factor) of a 30+ rating for daytime use to prevent the sun’s negative effects on your skin. You might also use a separate nighttime eye gel before bed; these products are more balm-like in texture and help restore the skin around the eyes overnight.

Finding the Right Eye Cream for Your Skin

Now that you know what to look for in an eye cream, how can you find the perfect fit for your skin? As is the case with any skincare product our routine, some trial and error is involved. After all, it will take some time to judge the effects of any given under eye wrinkle treatment, so it’s important to stick with a single product for about 4-6 weeks before continuing with it or moving on. To get started, though, consult with your dermatologist and/or qualified esthetician to go over your particular needs, desires, and skin type. They can help you determine which ingredients are most crucial for your specific situation.

For instance, the best eye cream for tackling crow’s feet and other aging signs is one rich in vitamin C, targeted peptides, and anti-aging retinol. Those with sensitive skin might want a product with omega fatty acids and ceramides to fortify the skin around the eyes. Your skincare provider might also tell you that a specialized eye cream isn’t necessary for your skin at this moment, recommending an all-purpose moisturizer and/or serum instead. Additionally, you’ll want to take your budget into account and make sure that you’re not allergic or overly sensitive to any ingredient inside a given cream. There’s no shortage of effective eye creams out there, so do some research of your own and run your findings by your dermatologist to get their opinion. Together, you can find the best fit for your skin.

Eyes on the Prize

There’s no such thing as the “perfect eye cream,” but certain products are bound to treat your skin better than others. Let the experts at Premier Dermatology Partners help you find the best skincare products for you. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.