As an advanced practice esthetician, Grace J. from our Cedar Cliff salon gets asked all kinds of skin-related questions by her clients. And while everyone’s skin goals are different (and can even shift over time), one reliable constant is anti-aging. The skin on our eyelids and beneath our eyes is the first to show signs of aging, stress, and lack of sleep … three things most of us do everything in our power to avoid.
The good news is we live in an era when advanced, results-driven eye crémes and gels are readily accessible. But do we really need them? Which one works best? Can you apply them the same way you’d apply lotion?
Here, Grace J. answers all of these questions and more to help get you started on your eye créme journey. We bet it’ll become your new favorite step in your skincare routine!
Why Do I Need Eye Créme?
The number one question I get from my clients about eye crémes is, “Can’t I just use my facial moisturizer as my eye créme? Do they have to be two separate products?” And the answer is yes! Let’s talk about why.
The skin on your eyelids is actually the thinnest on your entire body. This means it can be very reactive and sensitive, so what you’re putting on it matters. Using a product that’s too heavy can result in clogged pores and even milias, which are small white bumps containing old, dead skin that gets trapped under your new skin. Milias have to be professionally extracted by your esthetician or dermatologist, so why not prevent it if we can? Eye crème textures can vary, but they don’t have the same heavy formulas as our facial moisturizers. The rest of our skin needs a thicker layer of moisturizer, but not our eye area!
Also, the goals you have for your under eye aren’t necessarily the same goals you have for the rest of your face. Eye crémes are specifically formulated with active ingredients that target common concerns like dark circles, puffiness, hollowness, excessive dryness, and fine lines. Although eye crémes are typically hydrating, this isn’t their main benefit. They are designed to target a specific concern, with hydration being a bonus. Just like if we were treating acne, sun damage, or texture, our whole face is not a one size fits all. We spot treat what we need to where we need correction. This goes for eye crémes as well. For best possible results, it’s always best to cater to what we need exactly where we need it.
How to Choose the Right Eye Créme for You
Choosing the right eye créme can be so overwhelming, and most of the time there are multiple options per brand! This is where you really have to be observant and get up close and personal with your skin:
Is your eye area always crinkled, to the point that fine lines are getting more prominent? You’ll want to look into eye crémes with stem cell extract, peptides, and even retinol. My favorite eye créme for fine lines is the MAX™ eye crème from IMAGE Skincare.
Is your eye area darker than you’d like, making you always look like you only got three hours of sleep? Look into eye crèmes with caffeine and vitamin C. My favorite for dark circles is IMAGE Skincare’s ILUMA intense brightening eye crème.
Is the area around your eyes drier than the rest of your face, which means makeup has a tough time laying down nicely? Try eye crèmes with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin E. My favorite is the VITAL C hydrating eye recovery gel from IMAGE Skincare.
Dealing with all three skin concerns? You can never go wrong with the IMAGE MD® restoring eye recovery gel!
How Do I Apply Eye Créme?
Unfortunately, eye crèmes are not necessarily self-explanatory. Slathering it on and rubbing it in like a regular facial moisturizer won’t get you the results you want. It’s a specific, goal-targeted product, and it has a specific application method to ensure its effectiveness!
To start, put a pea-sized amount on one of your ring fingers. Then, rub the product in between both of your ring fingers. Do small tapping motions under your eyes, and then continue this tapping motion on the sides of the eyes, as well as in the crease of the eyelids underneath the eyebrow.
Tapping is going to prevent any harsh tugging, which will only deepen any fine lines on this delicate skin. Your ring finger is the weakest on your hand, making it the gentlest option.
Now, Watch the Results Come In!
Eye crèmes are a staple in any solid skincare routine. This thin, sensitive skin needs their active ingredient-packed, intentional formulas to keep your eye area looking its best. And while we love a good facial moisturizer and may be tempted to slather it all over our face, it’s best to skip the eye area to avoid any clogged pores or milias, and instead think of eye crème as a spot treatment for our eye-specific concerns.
Questions? Talk to your esthetician about which eye crème may work for you! They’ll keep your goals in mind and help you choose a product to best address your concerns.
Grace J is an esthetician at our Cedar Cliff spa and has been a part of the Cole’s team since September 2021. She can be found on Instagram @esthibygrace.
