Beauty Tips & Inspiration
The best eye creams for exhausted undereyes
Dark circles? Crow’s feet? Puffiness? No problem. Here’s how to soothe tired eyes, immediately
Do you really need to use an eye cream? It’s one of the most-frequently asked skincare questions – and something that dermatologists remain divided on.
Why? Because many daily moisturisers will work effectively on your under-eye area. Yet – here’s the rub – the skin around our eyes is 10 times thinner than any other region on the face, so if your go-to moisturiser contains higher concentrations of active ingredients (and it probably does), it’s most likely too harsh for this delicate area.
Eye creams are specifically formulated to better target the eyelid and under-eye skin, which is more vulnerable to premature ageing. Sure, genetics play their part, but when we’re stressed or sleep starved, the right eye cream can leave your undereyes looking and feeling brighter, fresher and more *awake*.
How to choose (and use) an eye cream
1. Pick your ingredient(s)
Caffeine to de-puff
Peptides to plump
Vitamin C to tackle dark circles
2. Pick a formulation
Gel or serum – to refresh tired eyes, for normal/oily skin
Lotion or cream – to nourish and replenish normal/dry skin
3. How much and how often?
Pea-sized amount AM/PM
Tap product in with your ring finger or with a puff-reducing rollerball (kept in the fridge to s–o–o–t–h–e)
Do boost your periorbital circulation (massage, massage, massage)
To brighten dark circles
With five-star customer ratings across the board, Murad’s Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector helps to target undereye circles in as little as two weeks. ‘Most vitamin C loses potency or is hard for skin to absorb,’ says brand founder, Dr Howard Murad. ‘Gold-stabilised Vita-C complex is highly stable, bioavailable and preserves efficacy for full-strength results every time.’
To ‘lift’ saggy lids
Give ‘bounce’ back to exhausted undereyes with Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream – a highly sensorial formula with potent peptides and CoQ10 to deliver a lifting, firming and tightening effect, fast, to help smooth those eyelid folds. Use to safeguard the delicate eye area from future damage, be it from spending time with blue-light technology or experiencing sleep deprivation.
For older skin prone to wrinkles
A fan favourite, Trinny London Take Back Time Eye Cream works at a molecular level to help repair existing skin damage and visibly reduce lines and wrinkles. The thick-yet-non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and, when used daily, you’ll notice improved skin smoothness and firmness within just a few weeks. Use AM and/or PM after cleansing and toning.
For tired, dry eyes
Like a cool glass of water for thirsty skin, the super-gentle Clinique All About Eyes works to refresh, hydrate and soothe exhausted undereyes. Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, this wonder cream helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines for brighter-looking eyes.
Best eye cream for sensitive skin
There are a few ingredient red flags to look out for when you have sensitive skin: avoid eye creams that contain retinoids, hydroxy acids, fragrances and alcohols. And the fix? Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment. It gently moisturises the delicate eye area, is ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested and – key – it won’t migrate into eyes. Rich, decadent, deliciously creamy and undeniably moisture-maxing, it protects skin against external stressors.
Best budget eye cream
The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is fast reaching iconic status. This is mostly thanks to its rich, water-based formula – which includes niacinamide to target crow’s feet and wrinkles – leaving the eye area looking brighter, smoother and less puffy. For anyone looking to address multiple concerns around the eye area in a single hit (most of us then) this is The One.
To brighten exhausted undereyes, fast
Charlotte’s backstage secret to brighter-looking, snatched and rested eyes in 10 minutes: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches smooth and de-puff, reducing the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and eye bags. Best of all, the skin-quenching potent serum is fast-absorbing, meaning you can apply makeup immediately after use, ideal if you’re looking for a quick (A-list-worthy) pre-party fix.
The all-in-one eye cream
Created to tackle (deep breath) dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, dryness, dehydration, lacklustre skin and the early signs of ageing – so, everything then – Clarins’ Double Serum Eye is a best-seller that doesn’t disappoint.
The silky-smooth formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing, plus it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones. Made of 96-per-cent natural ingredients, including Clarins’ new plant discovery, chervil extract, which helps the skin regain strength and vitality. It also protects against the blue-light pollution generated by screens that causes dehydration and leads to ageing around the eyes. In a word, sorcery.
