Whether it’s offering a sneak peek into someone’s soul or letting the world know you’ve been on a week-long Netflix binge, trust the eyes to say it all. As the thinnest and most sensitive skin on your body, the area around your eyes is the first to show signs of aging and the consequences of inadequate sleep, squinting and sun damage. Needless to say, whether you’re in your 20s or 50s, the skin surrounding your peepers needs an extra dose of TLC. And that’s where eye creams come in.
While your serums and moisturizers may do a good job preserving and maintaining the overall health of your skin, they may not be enough to provide that extra nourishment needed by your under-eye area. “The skin under and around the eyes is thin and can dry out easily. While there are oil glands on the eyelids, the skin can get dry, flaky and irritated, especially when exacerbated by cold, dry winter air or by windy, summer environments,” explains board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD. “Eye creams can be used for various reasons, including moisturizing, reducing inflammation, anti-aging, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of dark circles.”
That said, deciding on which product can help your eyes look refreshed and rested can be a tad overwhelming, especially when you consider the wide variety of formulas available. Fortunately, narrowing down your options is not as hard as you may think once you’ve taken stock of your eye area’s most pressing needs and the best ingredients that will help address your concerns.
Best Eye Cream for Your Under-Eye Concerns
Whether it’s eye wrinkles or morning puffiness giving you grief, there’s an eye cream that’s right for you. Below, we’ve listed down our top eye cream picks for every under-eye concern and budget.
FOR DARK CIRCLES
While the gloom under your eyes can often be blamed on lack of sleep, Dr. Shainhouse says dark circles can also be caused by several factors, including genetics, swelling, engorged blood vessels and even shadows cast by raised facial features. “Look for ingredients like arnica, vitamin K and caffeine to help temporarily shrink blood vessels,” says Dr. Shainhouse. These antioxidant ingredients are known to improve circulation and calm swelling, helping to minimize puffiness and preventing blood from pooling beneath your eyes and causing it to appear darker.
