“As we hit our 30s, hyaluronic acid, our skin’s natural water absorber and plumper, begins to decline,” Dr. Gohara explains, which is why applying the ingredient topically and making up for lost hydration is of the essence. In fact, many of the best eye creams for wrinkles are packed with HA and other powerful ingredients like blood vessel-constricting caffeine and collagen-boosting peptides to help fake a full night’s rest.
When should I start using eye cream?
Dr. Kim recommends incorporating eye cream starting in your mid-20s, which is “slightly before we start to lose noticeable amounts of collagen and our skin starts to lose firmness and the ability to hold on to moisture,” he explains. Whereas younger people might fare better with light, gel-like textures, he recommends people in their 30s reach for slightly richer, lotion-like eye creams with retinol, peptides, and vitamin C. If you struggle with dark circles, brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid, tranexamic acid, arbutin, and licorice root “help decrease skin pigmentation over time, ultimately resulting in the lightening of the dark circles,” Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously said.
Once you hit your 40s, seek out creamy, rich eye creams infused with retinol, peptides in higher percentages, and antioxidants to get the maximum line-smoothing and plumping benefits. “With repeated use, retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin,” Dr. Nazarian explained. (Just remember: If you use a retinol-enhanced eye cream, don’t forget to wear sunscreen — you should be using SPF regardless — or check out our curation of the best eye creams with SPF.)
How should I apply eye cream?
A common rule of thumb is using your ring fingers to gently tap the eye cream into your skin, since you’re dealing with the thinnest area on your face. Dr. Kim has a process that may reduce puffiness, or at the very least, feel calming. “I dot [eye cream] around the eyes, place my index finger on the upper eyelid area and third finger on the lower eyelid area, and rub it in as I’m doing a lymphatic massage,” he says.
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
