When it comes to skincare products, eye creams may be the most misunderstood, neglected, and underutilized item in daily skincare routines. Dermatologists often field questions about whether or not an eye cream is necessary, what these skincare products do, when to incorporate eye creams into a skincare routine, and how to choose the right products. In this blog, we’re going to tackle all those questions as well as walk through our most recommended eye creams and why dermatologists consider these recommended products to be among the best eye creams on the market.

How Is Eye Cream Used in Skincare Routines?

Even if you don’t know much about dermatology and skincare, you have probably observed that the skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than other areas of your skin. You may even have noticed that your first signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, darker skin) appeared around the eyes. Because the skin around the eyes is so sensitive, it requires specialized care to minimize the negative results of years of exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, application of cosmetics like eye shadow and mascara, and contact with other environmental irritants that damage the skin around the eyes.

Eye creams are an important part of the skincare routine. They are formulated to be gentle on the skin while providing essential moisture. Each eye cream is different, but they typically contain a combination of emollients and humectants. Emollients are moisturizing products that smooth rough, dry skin and add a hydrating boost to the skin right away. Humectants are moisturizers that continue to attract moisture from deeper layers of skin to the skin’s surface for long-term hydration.

The following are important skincare steps you can take to protect the area around your eyes from damage, including signs of aging:

• • You should always use makeup remover to take off cosmetics rather than scrubbing the skin around the eyes, which can cause irritation, and inflammation, and increase the risk of developing fine lines and wrinkles.
• • It’s important to protect the eyes from sun damage. Invest in a facial sunscreen and apply it carefully around the eyes. You can also use sunscreen products made specifically for the eyes, which may be especially important if you wear contacts and want to avoid irritation.
• • Wearing sunglasses and hats with a brim can help protect the eyes from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.
• • Apply eye cream in the morning and evening. We’ll talk more about what type of eye cream to use later in this blog. To apply eye cream, use your ring finger to gently dab a pea-sized amount of the product in small spots below the eyes down to the orbital socket. Tap the small spots of eye cream gently until fully absorbed. Avoid applying eye cream to the eyelids unless the product specifically calls for application on the lids.

What Is the Best Eye Cream?

The best eye cream will depend on the individual’s needs. In most cases, people will be looking for eye creams that meet one of the following needs:

• • Provide good, everyday hydration and care for the skin around the eyes
• • Address skin dryness, including flaking or cracking skin
• • Improve the appearance of dark undereye circles, redness, and other discoloration around the eyes
• • Decrease crepiness, puffiness, sagging, or bags under the eyes
• • Reverse signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles

Below, we’ll talk through some of our most recommended eye creams and the benefits they provide. While these products are proven effective and may be beneficial for many people, everyone has unique skincare needs. For this reason, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist if you have any doubts about what eye cream is best for your individual needs.

ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology

Whatever your skin type or skincare goals, ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology is a great everyday eye cream that offers numerous benefits without using any unnecessary and possibly irritating ingredients. Developed by the skilled professionals at ALASTIN, this eye cream is backed by the same rigorous scientific testing and research that makes their entire line of dermatologist-provided skincare products truly exceptional within the field. TriHex is one of the innovative skincare technologies that ALASTIN products utilize to deliver truly impressive results for those who use their products. TriHex delivers a three-fold skin health benefit. First, it removes damaged collagen and elastin. Second, it stimulates the production of new, healthy collagen and elastin, and third, with regular use, the skin care product line with TriHex technology improves the overall health and appearance of the skin. Thanks to its innovative formula, ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology smooths and calms skin around the eyes. With daily use during morning and evening skincare routines, this eye treatment helps individuals achieve and maintain a flawless appearance and healthier skin.

Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream

If you’re dealing with the skin around the eyes that is sagging, puffy, hooded, or crepey, Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream may be your best option. The advanced moisturizing formula is crafted with peptides and potent antioxidants that work to boost hydration as well as smooth and firm the skin, which results in a visible reduction in the appearance of drooping, puffiness, and bags under the eyes. In addition to hydrating skin and improving the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and puffiness, Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream also shields skin from free radical damage that contributes to signs of aging to stop fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles before they form for generally more youthful-looking skin.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex

With the word “age” right in the name, it will likely come as no surprise that SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex is an antiaging eye cream. However, A.G.E. actually refers to Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), a common factor in skin aging. AGEs accumulate in tissue as we grow older and as a result of diseases like diabetes. This accumulation is closely linked to changes in appearance, including crow’s feet, crepey skin, fine lines, wrinkles, dark coloring, redness, and puffiness. Free of parabens, alcohol, and dyes, this gentle product is as safe and effective for oily, dry, and combination skin as it is for aging skin. While not specifically formulated for sensitive skin, SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex is usually safe for those with sensitive skin, but it’s always best to spot test and/or consult with a dermatologist before including a new product in a skincare routine for sensitive skin.

Sente Illumine Eye Cream

Whether you’re struggling with changes to the appearance of your skin as you age or you’ve always had dark circles or bags under your eyes, Sente Illumine Eye Cream should be part of your morning and evening skincare routine. This product is paraben-free and fragrance-free, and it was tested by dermatologists in partnership with ophthalmologists to ensure it’s safe for the skin and eyes even when wearing contacts. Some contact wearers can experience discomfort or irritation after applying eye cream, so it’s important to find a product that will work safely while you’re wearing contacts. In addition to being safe and gentle, the Sente Illumine Eye Cream is formulated to maximize efficacy. This eye cream was proven effective, in as little as two weeks, to improve the appearance of skin by reducing dark circles, redness, puffiness, crepiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Ideal for aging skin, Sente Illumine Eye Cream is also safe and effective for use as part of morning and evening skincare routines by individuals of almost any skin type.

SkinBetter Science Interfuse Treatment Cream

If you struggle with the appearance of crow’s feet, wrinkles, fine lines, bags, or sagging skin around the eyes, skinBetter Science Interfuse Treatment Cream is exactly what you’re looking for. This precisely formulated product utilizes a proprietary delivery technology to maximize the benefits of this product and ensure complete absorption. Skinbetter Science Interfuse Treatment Cream delivers an immediate boost of hydration, and it also helps keep skin hydrated in the long term. The unique neuro-calming peptides instantly relax crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes. Vitamin C offers antioxidant benefits to protect the skin from damaging free radicals. This ingredient also provides a brightening effect to counteract dark circles under the eyes and leave the skin looking bright and healthy.

Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

For nighttime care of the skin around the eyes, skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream offers a variety of benefits. With nightly use, this uniquely formulated eye cream works as a deep moisturizer and antioxidant, protecting and healing skin from environmental damage, and providing anti-aging benefits. Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream also helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and decreases puffiness.

Do You Want to Talk to a Dermatologist About Eye Cream or Your Skincare Routine?

Whatever your skincare questions or needs, talking to a dermatologist should be your first step. These knowledgeable skincare experts can help you better understand the best products for your skin type, including choosing the right eye cream. If you’re looking for a dermatologist, we hope you’ll reach out to one of the skilled professionals at U.S. Dermatology Partners. These dermatologists curated our list of available products at DermSkincare, and they can help you create the right skincare routine that will keep you looking and feeling your best. Getting started is quick and easy. Simply take a few moments to complete their online scheduling request form. A local dermatology team will be in touch to answer your questions and finalize the details of your visit.