The Best Eye Creams & Deciphering What Works for You
- Brooke Mullin
- Apr 25, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2020
Buckle up this is a long one.
This is my most requested article. I'm finally here to break it down for you guys after a LOT of research. Over the past few months i have read a lot of articles giving suggestions among derms and am including all products that i saw repeatedly get recommended. When it comes to eye products we need to decipher what is necessary and what is another marketing scam.
It is the common misunderstanding that EVERYONE needs an eye cream...and i'm here to tell you that isn't true. Now before you freak let me explain. Did you know many of your eye creams contain the same ingredients as your daily moisturizer or night cream? This is because the skin around your eyes need the same moisture and vitamins that the rest of your skin does.
HOWEVER no, the skin around your eyes is not completely the same as your entire face. It's very sensitive and thin and sometimes requires extra attention. BUT no matter what skin type you have everyone should be protecting their eyes in the morning with a moisturizer that protects against sun damage and hydrates.
I'm going to break this down into 2 categories, those looking to prevent under eye circles and crows feet and those looking to minimize bags and dark circles. Because these will each require different attention. However if you find yourself wanting to try something in either category go for it! If the shoe fits wear it!
Lets start with those who DO suffer from under eye circles and bags.
You're not alone and there's nothing "wrong" with your genetics, they are not ALL to blame. Refrain from your eye roll but let me tell you the first steps to diminishing dark circles and bags are diet, sleep, and checking in on your allergies. All of these contribute to dark eyes and puffiness, and no eye cream will "fix" those unless you take care of yourself.
1. DIET: Dark circles are from poor circulation. Increasing Vitamin K foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach, and leafy green veggies will actually help brighten up those eye circles. Check your B12 and Iron levels as well as low levels can be the culprit. A vitamin and some diet changes will help this. Increase your vitamin C (OJ hello!) to increase absorption of nutrients.
2. Proper Sleep. Yes i know we all have busy schedules but try to stay off your phone at least an hour before bed to help fall asleep soundly. Your blood vessels dilate around your eyes when you do not sleep enough and captures fluid in the lymphatic vessels around your eyes (AKA PUFFINESS)
3. Check your allergies and food intolerances. This will actually cause inflammation to the eyes if your allergies are acting up! Food intolerances will actually create bags and dark circles.
4. AT HOME REMEDY: Tea Bag Compresses work to reduce dark circles because they contain tannin and caffeine. These diminish dark circles and puffiness. After using your tea bags keep them in the fridge to get them cool then lay over your eyes for 10-15 mins. Chamomile, green, peppermint and black tea are best for this. Give the classic cucumber a try too for its hydrating effects!
5. PRODUCTS: Here are some products that will reduce the appearance of dark eye circles and puffiness. No product will completely solve your eye problems if the above aren't addressed but daily use WILL help as some of these ingredients are not in our every day face creams so are particularly used to target the skin around the eyes.
I personally recommended this to my mother and her eye circles and eye bags completely disappeared. Month 1 i saw results but by month 3 even i didn't expect just how good the results were! Pair this with the cream for ultra results. My mom noticed her fine lines in her forehead diminish.
This contains vitamins K, E, C, peptides (smooths fine lines) , sodium hyaluronate (hydrates) and green tea extract to fight aging. I saw multiple derms recommend this particularly for dark eye circles so this power house is reliable.
100% PURE WEBSITE LINK ->://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66r5zcvivx
The main ingredient in this will be the caffeine. It is a super packed eye cream with a high concentrate of caffeine to reduce eye circles.
NORDSTROM LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66r7bcvivx
The ingredients in this actually work to deflect the light off your eyes to brighten them. It’s super charged with antioxidants to decrease fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. i saw this one pop up in two different articles and is a best seller at Ulta .
This eye cream specifically targets tightening the lines around and ABOVE the eyelid which i thought was very unique. Some of us gals worry about those droppy lids. A derm at New York City's mount sinai recommends this to her clients for wrinkles around the eyes.
SEPHORA LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66sawcvivx
This formula is extremely unique as most eye creams absorb into the skin, this actually produces a temporary tightening film OVER the skin. This is a quick pick me up after a night out to reduce the appearance of tired eyes and lasts about 4-6 hours. BUT it also contains botanical ingredients to work long term too in reducing puffiness, eye circles, and increasing brightness!
Don't Worry All of You Wondering "Okay Brooke these are great but i don't have these problems how do i just prevent them?!" - I didn't forget YOU!
PREVENTING
When it comes to preventing the above we all have to follow the same rules of proper sleep, diet, and skin protection. In fact i only recommend the above if you have truly bothersome eye areas. If you are still young your duty is to protect your skin with sunscreen and moisture to maintain skin elasticity. SO with that being said you DONT have to go run and spend all your money on a fancy eye cream. A lot of the ingredients in your daily moisturizer will actually be sufficient!
Thats right!! The hyaluronic acid and sunscreen should be enough during the day, and your night time retinol should also be enough.
With that being said if you still want that extra oomf for some off days or you have some hyper-pigmentation and your daily face cream irritates your eyes here are some good products to try:
SEPHORA LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66sb3cvivx
He's a genius we all know this about Dr. Dennis, so of course i feel inclined to trust everything he makes. This was mentioned in womens health magazine to provide antioxidants, retinol, and brighten dark spots.
SEPHORA LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66sc7cvivx
Byrdie claims this is for those with instant gratification needs. Its unique blend of seaweed, peptides, and red algae soften imperfections.
SEPHORA LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66sdpcvivx
this eye cream contains sun protection with anti-aging peptides and mineral sun blockers. Use this in your morning routine.
This is an affordable caffeine and antioxidant serum that reduces puffiness around the eyes for those days you feel you need it.
SEPHORA LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66sfucvivx
I
've seen this all over and had to include. It contains ginzeng and caffeine to diminish puffiness and brighten. This cream also leaves behind a slight shimmer for those no makeup days. (this is the one that catches my eye for those no makeup days - potential next investment)
WALMART LINK -> https://rstyle.me/cz-n/d66shacvivx
Now i do believe you could get this from your moisturizer however if you find your eyes are particularly dry carrying this around in your purse could TRULY be beneficial for you throughout the day!
If you notice puffiness and eye circles particularly after a night out, traveling, or just a restless night this is for you. It is rich in caffeine to de-puff, and has vitamin C, licorice, and white birch to brighten eyes. Derms even recommend this as a primer under your eyes before eye makeup!
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