The skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, so this is often where you’ll see signs of aging first. It also means you need to pay special care and attention when using an eye cream. Here we’ll discuss what to look for in an eye cream formula to target your specific under-eye concerns, and how to apply it for best results. What Ingredients to Look for in Your Eye Cream To apply, start at the inner corner underneath your eye, applying small dots in a semi-circle up to your brow bone. Gently tap in that semi-circle pattern to stimulate circulation until the product is fully absorbed. Be sure not to pull or stretch the skin while you’re doing this. Tap or press the eye cream on the skin. Apply it with extremely gentle, sweeping strokes and keep pressing and tapping lightly so that the skin absorbs it better.

Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Assessment of Topical Bakuchiol and Retinol for Facial Photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019;180(2):289-296. doi:10.1111/bjd.16918Koreans follow a special routine to take intensive care of their eyes. They apply a suitable eye cream under their eyes gently in circular strokes, following up with a moisturizer and sunscreen. This is how they protect their eyes from early signs of aging and related damage. This tried-and-tested method works well for them. Caroline Robinson, MD, a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Chicago and the founder of Tone Dermatology.

If you're looking to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine for the first time and are worried about reacting to it, this serum is a great starter. The time-release retinol can minimize irritation while still being effective, and you'll be sure to see results with the bakuchiol in the formula. Torres A, Rego L, Martins MS, Ferreira MS, Cruz MT, Sousa E, Almeida IF. How to Promote Skin Repair? In-Depth Look at Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Strategies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr 11;16(4):573. doi: 10.3390/ph16040573. PMID: 37111330; PMCID: PMC10144563. We recommend this cream for those who are also dealing with acne or hyperpigmentation, as the combo of bakuchiol with glycolic and lactic acids (which are often used in brightening formulas) can work to lift dark spots and promote an even complexion. What's more, the anti-aging effectiveness is not the only questionable thing about RP. It also exibits questionable behaviour in the presence of UV light and was the center of a debate between the non-profit group, EWG (whose intentions are no doubt good, but its credibility is often questioned by scientists) and a group of scientists and dermatologists lead bySteven Q. Wang, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.Eye creams are super concentrated, so a pea-size amount is all you need for both eyes. For that delicate area, use your ring finger since it naturally has the lightest touch. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the skin. STEP 2: Apply small dots from the inner corner underneath your eye to your brow bone. Shannon Stubbs is a staff commerce writer at Byrdie, where she frequently covers skincare. She conducted additional research to find products for this article and is a fan of Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment. If you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate a retinol-based formula, bakuchiol can deliver a very similar end result. Like retinol, it works to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and helps improve elasticity but without the potential irritation. If you want a double dose of the anti-aging ingredients, we recommend the Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 1.0, which has both retinol and bakuchiol in the formula. Good-quality eye creams are safe skin care essentials, and one must start using them in their 20s. Although you may not see the point of using eye creams so early, using them before the damage is done is a better way to prepare your skin for the age-related challenges. Byrdie Social Media Editor Star Donaldson loves this P.M. powerhouse. Unlike retinol, you don’t have to use bakuchiol at night, but it’s always a good idea to apply active ingredients while you snooze; that’s when your skin naturally goes into repair mode and can best maximize the product's effects. Along with the bakuchiol in this formula, there are also alpha-hydroxy acids—glycolic and lactic—for a mild exfoliating effect that further ups your skin’s glow factor, plus tons of moisturizing and conditioning ingredients so you wake up with a soft and supple complexion.

No, it is not recommended to put your eye cream on your eyelids as it increases the risk of getting into your eyes. This may lead to severe irritation and burning sensations in your eyes. To avoid this, ensure that your product is dermatologically-tested. While you can apply an eye cream at any time of the day, using it before going to sleep at night is more effective and has proven to deliver visible results. This allows the product to settle in properly and absorb into your skin better. A good night’s sleep is all that your eye cream needs to treat your skin issues. Dr. Leslie Baumann wrote a great review of the debate and summarized the research available about retinyl palmitatehere. It seems that there is a study showing RP being photo protective against UVB rays but there is also a study showingRP causing DNA damage and cytotoxicity in association with UVA.

This is a great nighttime product that I recommend often,” says Robinson. “It combines bakuchiol with vitamin C and topical melatonin, ingredients that work together to repair damaged skin cells and promote flexible, rejuvenated skin while you sleep.” (And no, unlike the oral supplement, topical melatonin won’t make you sleepy, but it is a potent antioxidant.) It’s a top choice for bedtime skincare routines to undo any damage from environmental free radicals incurred during the day. And the serum-in-oil texture both applies and soaks into the skin beautifully, so you never have to worry about ending up with greasy residue on your pillow. Hyaluronic acid and shea butter: hydrate and seal in moisture around the eye area to prevent fine lines