If there’s one place that gives away just how tired or stressed you are, it’s your eyes. Since the delicate area around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your skin, it’s basically a magnet for fine lines, crepiness, puffiness, and dark circles. That’s why eye cream — the step so many people still question whether they really need — isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must in any well-rounded routine.
But, here’s the thing: Use it the wrong way, and you’re basically short-changing your results. The fix? Steer clear of a few common eye cream mistakes and stick with a formula that’s actually designed for sensitive, high-maintenance undereyes.
Take Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, for example. This plant-based retinol alternative tackles wrinkles, dark circles, and dryness without the irritation or sun sensitivity that often come with traditional retinol. It’s clinically tested, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and plays nicely both day and night. The results speak for themselves: After just four weeks, users saw an 11.24% improvement in wrinkle depth, a 23.77% boost in moisture, and nearly a 3% reduction in dark-circle pigmentation.
This eye cream doesn’t stop at bakuchiol — it also features fermented black rice, whose natural fermentation process enhances antioxidant potency and nutrient absorption. Together, they help reinforce the skin barrier, defend against premature aging, and provide a gentle yet powerful boost in firmness, smoothness, and radiance.
And while finding the right formula is half the battle, how you actually use it matters just as much. Below, we’re breaking down five of the most common eye cream mistakes (and how to fix them) so every dab, pat, and pump pays off.
Mistake #1: Using Too Much Product
When it comes to eye cream, less is truly more. Because the skin around your eyes is so thin and delicate, slathering on a thick layer can actually lead to irritation or even milia (those tiny white bumps that form under the skin).
The fix:
With Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, one small pump is all you need. The airless pump gives you the perfect dose every time (and keeps the formula fresh right down to the last drop). Plus, the texture is so lightweight and fast-absorbing that it practically melts into skin. Add an extra pump for the orbital area — the bone that frames your eyes, running under the brow and along the upper cheek. The bakuchiol and antioxidant-rich black rice extract help boost elasticity and brightness there too, so you’re targeting fine lines and dullness from every angle.
Mistake #2: Applying Eye Cream In the Wrong Order
Even the best eye cream can’t work its magic if it’s applied in the wrong step of your skin care routine. A common mistake is layering it after heavier serums or moisturizers, which can block absorption.
The fix:
Eye cream should generally go on after serums, but before heavier moisturizers. Think of it this way: You’re creating a protective, targeted layer that seals in hydration and active ingredients where they’re needed most. For example, if you’re using Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Anti-Wrinkle Serum, let it fully absorb first, then follow with the eye cream to lock in hydration and target fine lines.
Mistake #3: Skipping Morning Application
A lot of people assume eye cream is only for nighttime use, but that’s a major missed opportunity. A little morning eye cream goes a long way, helping wake up tired eyes, smoothing things out before makeup, and shielding your skin from everyday stressors like sun and pollution. The key is choosing a formula that won’t make your makeup slip and slide (a.k.a. Something that absorbs quickly and works well under sunscreen or concealer).
The fix:
Since Haruharu Wonder’s eye cream is made with bakuchiol, you don’t have to worry about any of the sun sensitivity that comes with traditional retinol — you can absolutely use it in the morning, too. It even doubles as a skin-prepping step under concealer, adding just the right amount of hydration to keep makeup smooth instead of creased or cakey. The formula’s black rice extract helps shield the skin from free radicals throughout the day, while the light, cooling finish refreshes and instantly depuffs if you didn’t get the best night’s sleep.
Mistake #4: Focusing Just on Your Undereyes
Remember that extra pump we mentioned for your orbital bone? Don’t stop there — your crow’s feet (those fine lines at the outer corners) and the inner corners where shadows tend to form deserve some love, too. Applying cream only to the undereye area skips some of the most common areas that show early signs of aging.
The fix:
Use your ring finger (it’s the weakest one) to gently tap your eye cream in a semi-circle — from the inner corners, underneath the eyes, and up around the outer corners toward your temples. Avoid rubbing; lightly tapping provides just enough pressure to help the product absorb without tugging at delicate skin.
Mistake #5: Expecting Overnight Results
Even the best formulas require some time to yield results. The skin around your eyes renews more slowly, so consistency matters way more than piling on extra product in one go. Using your eye cream inconsistently — or constantly switching between formulas — can keep you from seeing the real, long-term improvements.
The fix:
Commit to using eye cream twice a day for at least four weeks before judging the results. In Haruharu Wonder’s studies, participants who used our Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream twice daily for just four weeks saw visible improvements not only in wrinkles but also in hydration and brightness. It’s proof that being consistent (and covering all the right spots) really does pay off faster than you’d think.
See the Difference
Eye cream can be one of the most powerful steps in your skin care routine, but only if you’re using it correctly. Applying too much, skipping mornings, or expecting overnight results can limit the benefits of even the most advanced formulas. Your eyes deserve just as much TLC as the rest of your face (maybe even more!). Get your technique and ingredients down, and you’ll start noticing the difference one gentle swipe at a time.
Meet the Author
Christa Joanna Lee is a writer, editor, and copywriter focusing on beauty, wellness, parenting, and lifestyle topics. With extensive experience in the magazine industry, she has created editorial and branded content for print and digital platforms, including Allure, Glamour, Bustle, Teen Vogue, SELF, Woman’s Day, New York Magazine, and InStyle. She has worked with brands like Innersense, Ouidad, and Soko Glam as a freelancer, and previously led copywriting at Birchbox and managed Sunday Riley’s editorial platform, The Edit. Currently, she assists media outlets and brands in engaging audiences through genuine and impactful storytelling. Contact her at christajlee.squarespace.com.
Common Eye Cream Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead for Smoother, Brighter Eyes)
If there’s one place that gives away just how tired or stressed you are, it’s your eyes. Since the delicate area around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your skin, it’s basically a magnet for fine lines, crepiness, puffiness, and dark circles. That’s why eye cream — the step so many people still question whether they really need — isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must in any well-rounded routine.
But, here’s the thing: Use it the wrong way, and you’re basically short-changing your results. The fix? Steer clear of a few common eye cream mistakes and stick with a formula that’s actually designed for sensitive, high-maintenance undereyes.
Take Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, for example. This plant-based retinol alternative tackles wrinkles, dark circles, and dryness without the irritation or sun sensitivity that often come with traditional retinol. It’s clinically tested, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and plays nicely both day and night. The results speak for themselves: After just four weeks, users saw an 11.24% improvement in wrinkle depth, a 23.77% boost in moisture, and nearly a 3% reduction in dark-circle pigmentation.
This eye cream doesn’t stop at bakuchiol — it also features fermented black rice, whose natural fermentation process enhances antioxidant potency and nutrient absorption. Together, they help reinforce the skin barrier, defend against premature aging, and provide a gentle yet powerful boost in firmness, smoothness, and radiance.
And while finding the right formula is half the battle, how you actually use it matters just as much. Below, we’re breaking down five of the most common eye cream mistakes (and how to fix them) so every dab, pat, and pump pays off.
Mistake #1: Using Too Much Product
When it comes to eye cream, less is truly more. Because the skin around your eyes is so thin and delicate, slathering on a thick layer can actually lead to irritation or even milia (those tiny white bumps that form under the skin).
The fix:
With Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream, one small pump is all you need. The airless pump gives you the perfect dose every time (and keeps the formula fresh right down to the last drop). Plus, the texture is so lightweight and fast-absorbing that it practically melts into skin. Add an extra pump for the orbital area — the bone that frames your eyes, running under the brow and along the upper cheek. The bakuchiol and antioxidant-rich black rice extract help boost elasticity and brightness there too, so you’re targeting fine lines and dullness from every angle.
Mistake #2: Applying Eye Cream In the Wrong Order
Even the best eye cream can’t work its magic if it’s applied in the wrong step of your skin care routine. A common mistake is layering it after heavier serums or moisturizers, which can block absorption.
The fix:
Eye cream should generally go on after serums, but before heavier moisturizers. Think of it this way: You’re creating a protective, targeted layer that seals in hydration and active ingredients where they’re needed most. For example, if you’re using Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Anti-Wrinkle Serum, let it fully absorb first, then follow with the eye cream to lock in hydration and target fine lines.
Mistake #3: Skipping Morning Application
A lot of people assume eye cream is only for nighttime use, but that’s a major missed opportunity. A little morning eye cream goes a long way, helping wake up tired eyes, smoothing things out before makeup, and shielding your skin from everyday stressors like sun and pollution. The key is choosing a formula that won’t make your makeup slip and slide (a.k.a. Something that absorbs quickly and works well under sunscreen or concealer).
The fix:
Since Haruharu Wonder’s eye cream is made with bakuchiol, you don’t have to worry about any of the sun sensitivity that comes with traditional retinol — you can absolutely use it in the morning, too. It even doubles as a skin-prepping step under concealer, adding just the right amount of hydration to keep makeup smooth instead of creased or cakey. The formula’s black rice extract helps shield the skin from free radicals throughout the day, while the light, cooling finish refreshes and instantly depuffs if you didn’t get the best night’s sleep.
Mistake #4: Focusing Just on Your Undereyes
Remember that extra pump we mentioned for your orbital bone? Don’t stop there — your crow’s feet (those fine lines at the outer corners) and the inner corners where shadows tend to form deserve some love, too. Applying cream only to the undereye area skips some of the most common areas that show early signs of aging.
The fix:
Use your ring finger (it’s the weakest one) to gently tap your eye cream in a semi-circle — from the inner corners, underneath the eyes, and up around the outer corners toward your temples. Avoid rubbing; lightly tapping provides just enough pressure to help the product absorb without tugging at delicate skin.
Mistake #5: Expecting Overnight Results
Even the best formulas require some time to yield results. The skin around your eyes renews more slowly, so consistency matters way more than piling on extra product in one go. Using your eye cream inconsistently — or constantly switching between formulas — can keep you from seeing the real, long-term improvements.
The fix:
Commit to using eye cream twice a day for at least four weeks before judging the results. In Haruharu Wonder’s studies, participants who used our Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream twice daily for just four weeks saw visible improvements not only in wrinkles but also in hydration and brightness. It’s proof that being consistent (and covering all the right spots) really does pay off faster than you’d think.
See the Difference
Eye cream can be one of the most powerful steps in your skin care routine, but only if you’re using it correctly. Applying too much, skipping mornings, or expecting overnight results can limit the benefits of even the most advanced formulas. Your eyes deserve just as much TLC as the rest of your face (maybe even more!). Get your technique and ingredients down, and you’ll start noticing the difference one gentle swipe at a time.
Meet the Author
Christa Joanna Lee is a writer, editor, and copywriter focusing on beauty, wellness, parenting, and lifestyle topics. With extensive experience in the magazine industry, she has created editorial and branded content for print and digital platforms, including Allure, Glamour, Bustle, Teen Vogue, SELF, Woman’s Day, New York Magazine, and InStyle. She has worked with brands like Innersense, Ouidad, and Soko Glam as a freelancer, and previously led copywriting at Birchbox and managed Sunday Riley’s editorial platform, The Edit. Currently, she assists media outlets and brands in engaging audiences through genuine and impactful storytelling. Contact her at christajlee.squarespace.com.