Eye cream is one of those age-old questions, a bit like the anti-ageing skincare question… Do we need it, what does it actually do, and when should we start using it? Unless you’re someone who has suffered from chronically bad undereye bags, or maybe errant dark circles, you may not have even considered an eye cream until you hit the ripe old age of around 30. And for that matter, if you are blessed with great skin, you may not have considered anti-ageing skincare at all. Who has time to worry about ageing when you’re too busy having fun etc etc?

Well depending on how concerned you are about growing older and people knowing about it, it really doesn’t hurt to be paying a little bit of special attention to the skin under your eyes. Even if they’ve given you no reason for alarm, because we do want to keep those windows to the soul bright and alert looking after all. 

Here’s a little run down about the skin under our eyes, what makes it different to the rest of the face, and how to keep it in tip-top condition.

Why is the skin under our eyes different?

The skin around your eyes is unlike the rest of your face. It’s thinner, up to ten times thinner in fact, which makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of ageing. And, because the skin is more permeable, it also means that it absorbs products more easily, and shows veins and pigmentation more clearly, just to name a few. All of these factors mean that a) products that work for the rest of the face may not be appropriate for this delicate part of the face and b) it loses moisture quicker, leading to dryness and the early development of fine lines and wrinkles. 

When we get tired, stressed, or lack sleep, it's this fragile skin that often begins to show the first signs. Dark circles, puffiness, and creases can appear almost overnight making you look more tired than you may even feel. But it’s not all doom and gloom, the good news is, eye creams designed specifically for this sensitive area can help keep your skin hydrated, bright, and firm, all while reducing the appearance of these common concerns.

What are the benefits of using an eye cream?

An eye cream is not just a product to treat eye bags or dark circles (although they are great for that reason, too) it’s an essential part of your skincare routine that works to address the unique needs of the delicate skin around your eyes. Eye creams are specifically formulated to be more gentle and effective on this thinner skin, delivering targeted treatment that can address multiple concerns. What is great for the face is not necessarily great for the under-eye area. 

The best eye creams include potent ingredients that work to brighten, firm and hydrate without damaging this sensitive skin. But here’s the thing: while moisturisers are great for keeping your skin hydrated, they don’t offer the concentrated treatment your eyes need. Eye creams are carefully crafted to deliver the right ingredients in the right amounts, ensuring you get the most out of your skincare routine. Think of them as your under-eye’s personal bodyguard, defending against the signs of fatigue, ageing, and everything else life throws your way.

Which are the best under eye products to use?

For fine lines and wrinkles

If fine lines are your main concern and crow's feet are starting to make an unwelcome appearance, it’s time to meet your new best friend: Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum. This product is a powerhouse, packed with retinol to tackle fine lines and wrinkles while providing a serious hydration boost. While it may be true that it's impossible to turn back the clock as far as skin is concerned, it's also well-documented that retinol is about as close as you’ll get to succeeding at it. This serum delivers retinol in a controlled release to ensure maximum benefits without irritation.

What’s even better? This eye serum also contains hyaluronic acid, which is the hydration hero that plumps up your skin and helps smooth out those pesky fine lines. This means you’ll not only be helping to reduce the look of wrinkles, but you’ll also get a plumper, more youthful-looking eye area. It’s perfect if you’re starting to see a few signs of ageing, but don’t want to take things too far just yet. With this product, you’re giving your eyes a little boost that’ll have you looking more awake and refreshed in no time. 

To brighten dark circles

If you feel like your under-eye area could use a little brightening, try the Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector. Because dark circles are often caused by fatigue, stress, or just bad genetics, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to do away with them all together, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something to reduce their appearance. This innovative serum is packed with Murad’s proprietary Vita-C Complex, which is a super stable form of vitamin C that helps to brighten and lighten the skin around your eyes.

Vitamin C is known as being the go-to skin care ingredient when it comes to brightening, as it helps to reduce pigmentation and improve circulation. The result? Dark circles are less noticeable, and your eyes look like you’ve just had 12 hours of beauty sleep (even if that’s not quite the case). Plus, it’s also got red algae to help reduce puffiness and balance out the overall look of your under-eye area, so it’s a win-win for those peepers. 

To reduce puffiness

Puffy eyes? Not a problem. the Targeted Eye Depuffer is exactly what you need. It comes with a cooling applicator tip that feels like a mini spa treatment every time you use it and it is also packed with a mix of ginseng, caffeine, and lily to target puffiness and help tighten and tone the skin around your eyes. It’s basically like a cup of coffee for your face, and you’ll look forward to putting it on every day. 

While you will feel the cooling and soothing effects as soon as that applicator touches your skin, the formula also works to firm and tighten the under-eye area over time. Whether you’re dealing with bags from a late-night Netflix binge or just the usual morning puffiness, this product will help reduce their appearance, leaving you with a more awake and refreshed look. The added bonus? The light-reflecting complex in the formula helps brighten up your eyes immediately, giving you a refreshed and radiant look right away (and looks great in pics). 

When your skin is a bit dry 

Some people find that the skin under the eyes gets dryer than the rest of their face, and this is totally normal. Let’s face it… if your under-eye area is dry, it’s going to show. Dry skin can make fine lines more noticeable and leave you looking tired and dull. The Renewing Eye Cream is the perfect solution for when your under-eyes need a serious hydration boost. This rich, ultra-hydrating eye cream is designed to lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling soft and nourished all day long.

When you need results… fast

If you’re looking for a bit of everything, fine lines, puffiness, dark circles, and dryness, then the Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks are the answer to your under-eye related prayers. These luxurious eye masks are packed with all the good stuff: retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to give you a complete treatment in just one go. They’re perfect for when you need a little extra love, like before a big event or when you just need to feel extra pampered. It’s like a mini spa session for your eyes, and who doesn’t love a little self-care?

How to apply eye cream 

Now that you’ve picked out the perfect Murad eye treatment for your needs, let’s talk about how to apply it to get the best results, because technique does matter. 

1. Cleanse and Prep

Start with a clean, dry face. Make sure you’ve cleansed and toned your skin to remove any makeup or dirt that could get in the way of your eye treatment.

2. Apply Gently

Use your ring finger (it’s the weakest finger, so it’s gentler on your skin) to gently tap a small amount of product around your under-eye area. Don’t rub or drag the skin, just tap and let the product absorb.

3. Pat, Don’t Pull

Pat the product into the skin gently, and don’t forget the eyelids if you’re using a treatment that targets all-around the eye.

4. Follow with Moisturiser

Finish your routine with a moisturiser to seal in all that good stuff. 

Ready for perfect peepers?

Using an eye cream, or any type of skincare product for that matter, isn’t one of those things you can’t stop once you start. Does it help? Absolutely, Will it damage your skin if you start and stop? Unlikely. The best anti-ageing methods are always those that are preventative like wearing SPF and starting retinol early, and adding an eye cream to the mix is no exception. While it’s not going to reverse years of excessive drinking, smoking and not getting enough sleep, a little extra care for the eyes does go a long way. So if you feel like you’re ready to take the plunge, it’s a good pracitce that you may not see the benefits of now (because you’re a spring chicken) but decades later, you’ll thank yourself for doing.