I don’t think there’s any skincare product on the market that’s as divisive as eye cream. Not because there’s anything in particular that’s wrong with it (when used correctly, eye creams can be very beneficial for treating dark circles, wrinkles, and more), but more so because there are droves of people who don’t seem to know if eye creams are actually necessary. That’s partly because minimalism is everything these days, and at a time when everyone seems to want to pare down and simplify their skincare routines as much as possible, it’s easy to assume that eye cream is a step that can be waved off and skipped.
The truth is there’s no right or wrong answer here, but if you’re someone who relies on eye creams to keep the skin under your eyes looking fresh and healthy, it’s also imperative that you apply them correctly and in the right order. For a short breakdown on how eye creams work and the best time to apply them, read ahead.
What Does Eye Cream Do?
There are tons of eye creams on the market these days that do a handful of different things, so what yours can accomplish is often dependent on what your personal needs are. Some eye creams have ingredients like caffeine that address puffiness and tired eyes while others are meant to reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet in the area. Some are marketed as “filler-in-a-bottle” type products that clear up wrinkles so quickly and so well that they can be looked at as less invasive (and much less expensive) alternatives to in-office aesthetic treatments, while others use brightening ingredients like vitamin C to get rid of dark circles. At minimum, though, any eye cream that you add to your skincare routine is supposed to hydrate and moisturize the area in addition to some of the things mentioned above.
What Kinds of Ingredients Are Usually in Eye Creams?
Plenty of eye creams and serums feature topical caffeine as a star ingredient, since it can tighten your blood vessels and cause less blood to flow through the area (dark circles are caused by said blood flow) while also pulling out excess fluids that can cause puffiness. Vitamin C on the other hand is a natural brightening ingredient that can reduce dark circles that are a result of too much pigment, but it also has antioxidant properties that shield the skin under the eyes from environmental damage and premature aging. And then there’s retinol, a common anti-aging ingredient that’s often added to eye creams to get rid of crow’s feet and reduce sagging. It boosts collagen production, which can ultimately fill in these areas and make them look plumper and more youthful.
So Do I Actually Need an Eye Cream?
This all comes down to personal preference and whether or not you’re experiencing dark circles, puffiness, and/or wrinkles under your eyes and actually want to put in the work to minimize them. Some people swear by wearing eye creams day in and day out while plenty of others skip this step and stick to more minimal skincare routines. Choosing not to apply one isn’t exactly a major skincare faux pas (it’s certainly not as bad as skipping sunscreen or never washing your face), but since the skin in that area is already pretty thin and sensitive, you’re more likely to face more of the aforementioned issues as you age. In essence, you should do what you think will work best for you.
When Should I Apply My Eye Cream?
So you’re building out a skincare routine—specifically, one with an eye cream—and you’re a little confused on the general order in which all of your products should be applied? You’re certainly not alone there. To be honest, investing in a good skincare product is pretty meaningless if you aren’t actually using it correctly. Most dermatologists would recommend applying your products in order of what’s lightest to what’s heaviest. To ensure that you’re getting the most out of each product in your routine, read ahead for a short guide on the exact order you should be applying your skincare.
-
Step 1: Cleanser: Above all else, you should always start with a clean face. A good cleanse in the morning is necessary if you sweat, drool, or produce a lot of oil in your sleep, while a nighttime cleanse is needed if you frequently wear makeup or live in an area with poor air quality. For normal to dry skin, gentle cleansers and clean formulas can suffice, especially in the morning, while oilier or more combination types can settle for a foaming formula that really gets deep into the pores to remove dirt and excess oil.
-
Step 2: Toner: This is another skincare step that’s hotly debated, but toners are necessary for everything from adding extra hydration back to the skin to removing excess makeup and dirt that your cleanser may have missed. Use one that won’t be too harsh or drying on your skin.
-
Step 3: Serum: Next is serum. These are thin formulas that usually have high concentrations of certain ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, etc.) because they’re meant to treat specific skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, congestion, and fine lines. They’re not totally necessary if you have skin that generally behaves pretty well and doesn’t have any particular sensitivities and needs, but should you choose to apply one, it should always go after your toner.
-
Step 4: Eye Cream: Any eye cream you use is almost always going to have a pretty thin consistency (it has to be thin for the ingredients to really be able to penetrate the area and do their job), so these should be applied right before your moisturizer. The skin under your eyes is sensitive, so be gentle; instead of rubbing the product in, use one of your fingers to lightly tap around the area until the cream is fully absorbed. Ideally, you should apply a pea-sized amount.
-
Step 5: Moisturizer/Sunscreen: Finish things off by sealing everything in with a moisturizer. If you have dry skin or live in a cold, dry climate, go for a formula that’s thick and rich. If your skin is oily, a gel moisturizer will get the job done just fine. Also, some moisturizers are also made with sunscreen, so choose a hybrid formula if you’d like to keep the steps in your routine minimal.
Which Eye Cream Should I Use?
That’s easy. Our Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream is a dual-functioning product that addresses dark circles and wrinkles with a little help from bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a plant-based retinol alternative most often used by those who want the benefits of retinol (smoother, firmer skin and skin cell turnover that can lead to a reduced appearance of signs of aging) without any of the drawbacks (retinol is known to be a little irritating, but bakuchiol is a lot less harsh on the skin). The Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream has a very thin, non-sticky texture that absorbs fairly quickly—just apply a small, rice grain-sized amount around your undereye area or to your finger and gently pat it into the area until it’s fully blended. With just four weeks of regular use, our clinical testers reported an improvement in melanin and pigmentation in the area as well as more moisturized skin and reduced appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet. For best results, apply it twice a day (before moisturizing!) during your morning and nighttime skincare routine.
This Is Exactly When You Should Apply Eye Cream In Your Skincare Routine / Eye Cream Should Always Be This Step In Your Skincare Routine
I don’t think there’s any skincare product on the market that’s as divisive as eye cream. Not because there’s anything in particular that’s wrong with it (when used correctly, eye creams can be very beneficial for treating dark circles, wrinkles, and more), but more so because there are droves of people who don’t seem to know if eye creams are actually necessary. That’s partly because minimalism is everything these days, and at a time when everyone seems to want to pare down and simplify their skincare routines as much as possible, it’s easy to assume that eye cream is a step that can be waved off and skipped.
The truth is there’s no right or wrong answer here, but if you’re someone who relies on eye creams to keep the skin under your eyes looking fresh and healthy, it’s also imperative that you apply them correctly and in the right order. For a short breakdown on how eye creams work and the best time to apply them, read ahead.
What Does Eye Cream Do?
There are tons of eye creams on the market these days that do a handful of different things, so what yours can accomplish is often dependent on what your personal needs are. Some eye creams have ingredients like caffeine that address puffiness and tired eyes while others are meant to reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet in the area. Some are marketed as “filler-in-a-bottle” type products that clear up wrinkles so quickly and so well that they can be looked at as less invasive (and much less expensive) alternatives to in-office aesthetic treatments, while others use brightening ingredients like vitamin C to get rid of dark circles. At minimum, though, any eye cream that you add to your skincare routine is supposed to hydrate and moisturize the area in addition to some of the things mentioned above.
What Kinds of Ingredients Are Usually in Eye Creams?
Plenty of eye creams and serums feature topical caffeine as a star ingredient, since it can tighten your blood vessels and cause less blood to flow through the area (dark circles are caused by said blood flow) while also pulling out excess fluids that can cause puffiness. Vitamin C on the other hand is a natural brightening ingredient that can reduce dark circles that are a result of too much pigment, but it also has antioxidant properties that shield the skin under the eyes from environmental damage and premature aging. And then there’s retinol, a common anti-aging ingredient that’s often added to eye creams to get rid of crow’s feet and reduce sagging. It boosts collagen production, which can ultimately fill in these areas and make them look plumper and more youthful.
So Do I Actually Need an Eye Cream?
This all comes down to personal preference and whether or not you’re experiencing dark circles, puffiness, and/or wrinkles under your eyes and actually want to put in the work to minimize them. Some people swear by wearing eye creams day in and day out while plenty of others skip this step and stick to more minimal skincare routines. Choosing not to apply one isn’t exactly a major skincare faux pas (it’s certainly not as bad as skipping sunscreen or never washing your face), but since the skin in that area is already pretty thin and sensitive, you’re more likely to face more of the aforementioned issues as you age. In essence, you should do what you think will work best for you.
When Should I Apply My Eye Cream?
So you’re building out a skincare routine—specifically, one with an eye cream—and you’re a little confused on the general order in which all of your products should be applied? You’re certainly not alone there. To be honest, investing in a good skincare product is pretty meaningless if you aren’t actually using it correctly. Most dermatologists would recommend applying your products in order of what’s lightest to what’s heaviest. To ensure that you’re getting the most out of each product in your routine, read ahead for a short guide on the exact order you should be applying your skincare.
Which Eye Cream Should I Use?
That’s easy. Our Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream is a dual-functioning product that addresses dark circles and wrinkles with a little help from bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a plant-based retinol alternative most often used by those who want the benefits of retinol (smoother, firmer skin and skin cell turnover that can lead to a reduced appearance of signs of aging) without any of the drawbacks (retinol is known to be a little irritating, but bakuchiol is a lot less harsh on the skin). The Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream has a very thin, non-sticky texture that absorbs fairly quickly—just apply a small, rice grain-sized amount around your undereye area or to your finger and gently pat it into the area until it’s fully blended. With just four weeks of regular use, our clinical testers reported an improvement in melanin and pigmentation in the area as well as more moisturized skin and reduced appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet. For best results, apply it twice a day (before moisturizing!) during your morning and nighttime skincare routine.