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Eye creams are only used on a tiny area of your face, but these strategic formulas can work some serious magic — as long as you use them properly. Follow the steps below to apply your eye cream like a pro!
If you have a particular under-eye problem to solve, you’ll want to pay close attention to the ingredients in your eye cream formula. Below are some of the best ingredients to target the following concerns:
Dark circles: seek out a cream with Vitamin K, which suppresses pigmentation and reduces the appearance of dark circles.
Puffiness: the anti-inflammatory properties of Green Tea helps keep undereye bags and puffiness under control.
Fine lines: Vitamin C and peptides are two of the most popular wrinkle-fighting ingredients in anti-aging eye creams.
Dry skin: look for formulas with ultra-hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid (bonus: it also fights fine lines and wrinkles!).
The best way to apply eye cream is with your fingers, so you should always wash your hands first. (Your face should be freshly washed, as well.) Bacteria and dirt have a sneaky way of hiding on hands and under nails, so always wash hands well before touching your face and eyes. Not only will this help avoid eye infections, it can also reduce breakouts.
A little goes a long way when it comes to eye cream. Using too much can cause irritated skin especially for products with a lot of actives or fragrance. If you use too much, there’s a greater chance of accidentally getting some product in your eye.
To apply, gently tap or pat a small amount of eye cream around your orbital eye area. Avoid getting eye cream too close to the inner/outer corners of your eyes and your waterline. Be sure not to pull or stretch your skin.
Where to put eye cream may seem pretty straightforward — it goes on your eyes, right?
Not quite! Applying eye cream right under your eyes and directly on your lids is a common mistake. It should actually go along the orbital bone that surrounds your eye. This is about one-half inch below your eye, to your temple, and up to your eyebrow.
To apply, start below the inner corner underneath your eye and gently tap small dots of cream in a semi-circle toward your temple and up to your brow bone. Repeat this pattern until the product is fully absorbed, working from inner corners up to temples to stimulate microcirculation.
Optional: Move up to the brow bone. If you so choose, continue dotting eye cream in a semi-circle under your brow bone. Just make sure not to go too far down the lid — eye cream will naturally spread a bit, so you want to leave some space so it doesn’t make its way into your eye.
Let your eye cream sink in for about 60-90 seconds before applying makeup or other skincare products. Time for the active ingredients to work their magic!
Applying eye cream at the right time is one of the most important factors in figuring out how to use eye cream correctly.
The general rule when it comes to layering skincare products is to apply them from thinnest to thickest (more on this in our Complete Guide to Layering Skincare Products).
To maximize results, apply your skincare products in the following order:
Many eye creams are meant to be used both morning and night, but certain formulas are best suited for either daytime or nighttime use. For best results, check product labels for a morning vs. evening recommendation on when to apply eye cream.
You’ve got the basics down, but there are a few ways you can give your eyes a little something extra. Here’s how to treat the most delicate skin on your face with expert-level precision.
