How To Apply Eye Cream
Once upon a time, eye cream was considered a symbol of opulence. Today, it is a common product found on most women’s bathroom counters.
With countless skincare products available online and in nearly every mall and market, it can be an overwhelming task to find and choose the ones that your skin really craves. An effective eye cream is one such coveted skin care product that most women can’t live without.
You may follow a top-notch skincare regimen – the right natural exfoliator, moisturizer, toner, the works. But if it lacks the right eye cream, your skin is missing out on something extremely crucial – particularly for anti-aging.
The delicate skin under your eyes doesn’t produce oil the same way the skin on your face does. Over time, your skin begins to lose its elasticity and its tightness, making way for the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, specifically in the area around your eyes.
Therefore, applying a quality, effective eye cream will aid your skin in retaining its texture, even as you age, keeping the area hydrated and healthy. It isn’t just enough to have the right product, you also need to know how to apply eye cream to benefit from it.
Not sure where to start? You are not alone!
Many of us are unsure about the right way to apply our skincare products let alone one as important as eye cream. So let’s delve deeper into the world of scientific skincare so that you can make the best of your investment!
WHERE SHOULD YOU APPLY EYE CREAM?
This question might seem ridiculous, but it is an important one. There are some precautions that you must take when it comes to applying eye cream.
First of all, the eye cream should not be anywhere close to your eyelashes. This is because it is very easy for the cream to find its way to your eyes which can lead to terrible irritation and redness. The first thing to practice is to apply the cream at a reasonable distance from your eyelashes so that it cannot go to your eyes either through the lashes or directly.
The next thing to consider is whether the product is solely an under-eye cream. If so, we suggest that you avoid applications encircling your eyes.
You must apply it from either side of your nose going towards the outer corner of the eyes. This is the spot that is notorious for developing those ultra-fine lines also known as “crow’s feet”.
Moreover, you must spread the cream on the area above your cheeks and right below the lower lid. This area is also prone to wrinkles and is often overlooked.
See Related: How To Use An Anti-Aging Serum
HOW TO APPLY YOUR EYE CREAM
The proper way to apply eye cream is to start with washing your hands properly. Also, make sure that your face is freshly cleansed and dry (damp is okay too).
Then, take only a pea-sized amount onto your ring finger. The ring finger just happens to be the ideal finger to take care of the skin around your eyes. This is because it’s known for its ability to apply the least pressure on this sensitive and delicate part of your face.
Now, put only a small amount of the cream on the lower part of the eye which is your orbital bone, and gently apply from the inner lid through the outer part. You can put it on the skin either in a light dab or with a light dotted motion.
As you apply, be sure not to stretch or irritate this overly sensitive zone. Many of us have a tendency of taking an excessive amount of eye cream and apply it generously around the eyes.
It’s important to mention here that you should avoid doing this by all means since no miracle is possible overnight – even with the perfect anti-aging night cream. A little amount of cream, when applied consistently will go a long way in serving the purpose it is meant for.
SHOULD YOU APPLY YOUR CREAM TO THE EYELIDS?
When it comes to applying eye cream, this is the second most asked question. And a lot of controversy centers on it. According to some skincare experts, you should apply the cream on the eyelids for two reasons:
The first reason is obviously that the areas undergo a lot of trauma on a day-to-day basis, and secondly, it is touched and rubbed often on any given day. So, you will require a restorative eye cream that can calm the skin and reduce the common issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness while preventing the formation of dark circles.
But when you are applying the cream on the eyelid, again, there’s no need to be heavy-handed with the amount. A pea-size amount is plenty. Remember, be sure that you don’t go near your eyelashes which can risk irritation.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY YOUR EYE CREAM?
If you think that you can maximize the results simply by applying eye cream in the right way or in consistent amounts, there are a few more things to consider. If you are using the product in the wrong order, even the best eye cream in the market will fail to produce desired results.
As your skin will fail to absorb most of the product, your whole skincare regimen will be useless. You must consider the application of the eye cream as the last leg of your whole skincare routine. Think of it as frosting on a cake!
First of all, your skincare routine should begin with cleaning your face thoroughly with a cleanser that’s made for your skin. Make sure that you are choosing something that is water-based, with ingredients that are highly permeable and easily absorbed by the skin.
Then, you should apply toner, a serum, and a facial moisturizer, and end with your eye cream. If you also use facial oil, be sure that the eye cream comes before you apply your facial oil.
Why? Because facial oils make it near impossible for any other product to be absorbed by your skin.
If the whole thing sounds too confusing or if you don’t have so much time to dedicate to your skincare, then stick to the perfect three-step regimen: Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize!
WHICH IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR APPLYING YOUR EYE CREAM?
The greatest way to apply eye cream is using an outward motion beginning from the inner side of the eye towards the outer corner while gradually moving towards the lids. You should gently tap the cream allowing it to slowly melt to the surface of the skin due to the inherent warmth present in your ring finger.
The cream should be applied a bit far from the eyes since it seeps through the pores of the skin. It means that the cream will spread to the area near your eyes and may even reach the corner of your eyes if you are not careful. When you follow this direction, it can help in ruling out the formation of fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes.
Bonus: How To Use Toner And Moisturizer
WHICH SHOULD YOU APPLY FIRST: MOISTURIZER OR EYE CREAM?
To find the answer to this question, you will have to consider the consistency of your moisturizer as well as the eye cream. When your eye cream is heavier compared to your moisturizer, you must apply it after the moisturizer is absorbed into the skin. But in case you find that the eye cream has a lighter consistency, you should apply it before the moisturizer.
This may also depend on the ingredients used in the eye creams. For example, hyaluronic acid.
Typically, the instructions are clearly mentioned on the packaging. Follow the general rule of thumb: The one with lighter consistency should come first followed by the skin care product with a heavier consistency.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT ROUTINE FOR APPLYING YOUR EYE CREAM?
An eye cream can be applied at different times in a day. When you choose the best eye cream, you should check whether it can be strictly applied at a particular time of the day or at any point in time according to your preferences.
For example, night cream should be applied at night. Ideally, you should apply the eye cream every 12 hours to maximize the impact of the product.
* MORNING ROUTINE: If you prefer applying eye cream during the daytime, you should go for a lightweight formula that will sit comfortably underneath your makeup (and definitely before your primer). It’s better to opt for products with SPF to protect your skin and reduce the risk of blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles.
* EVENING ROUTINE: When you apply the eye cream during the evening, you can allow it to rest on your skin to be absorbed through the night. You can go for a rich texture with a lot of hydrating elements.
To reap all the benefits mentioned above, you should try to incorporate the eye cream twice into your daily skin care routine. It’s worth mentioning that you will require two distinct formulas for this.
IDEAL INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR
There is a broad range of eye creams and eye serums available, some of which are specifically designed to address some common concerns like anti-aging, fine lines, and wrinkles. While some may help you look younger by reducing puffiness and wrinkles, others may work towards protecting the skin from future damage.
When you are selecting the product, make sure it’s cruelty-free, water-based, and dermatologically tested and contains some of these key ingredients:
* Antioxidants like Niacinamide and Vitamin C: Even though we are all aware of the many benefits of Vitamin C in lightening the skin tone and reducing blemishes, the name Niacinamide may sound scary to some. It is actually a form of Vitamin B3 which serves as an important nutrient for the skin.
It boosts hydration, shields the skin from environmental damage, and penetrates the skin to renew the complexion. When your eye cream contains the right percentage of this vitamin, over time, you will notice that the texture of the skin around your eyes has improved and the right level of hydration is maintained.
* Retinols: This ingredient is very important for stimulating the cell turnover of the skin. Most of the night eye creams and other skincare products to be used overnight contain retinol.
This is because it improves the skin’s ability to repair itself more actively while counterbalancing the surged loss of moisture when you are sleeping.
* Hyaluronic acid: This is a naturally present sugar in the skin that functions by holding the right amount of moisture for a firmer look. In fact, the best kinds of moisturizers will use hyaluronic acid.
* Peptides: Peptides refer to a chain of amino acids that are linked to one another and they function as the building blocks for other large proteins such as collagen. Peptides are highly responsible for increasing the level of collagen in your skin which improves the elasticity and smoothness of the area around your eyes.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BEGIN APPLYING EYE CREAM?
Not only the skincare specialists, but dermatologists have also agreed that people should start following a comprehensive skincare regime from a very young age. This will shield the skin from the regular wear and tear from the very beginning rather than using products at a later stage for reversing the ill effects of aging.
But this area is highly controversial and everyone has their own perspective on the matter.
So when should you start using a broad range of skincare products including an eye cream? The most sensible decision would be to start off as soon as you hit the 20-year mark.
If you start taking great care of your skin from a very early age, it will definitely show good results as you age. Make sure you set up your regime of applying a dermatologically tested and cruelty-free eye cream twice every day for keeping off the signs of aging.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When it comes to applying eye cream in the right way, most of us consider it a no-brainer. But there is much more than we knew initially about the efficacy of eye cream ranging from type, quality, application, frequency, and ingredient composition.
Though it may sound super simple in the beginning, the technique of applying the cream can be as complicated as choosing the cream itself. Ignore the misconception that eye cream is a thing only for mature women.
Chances are, if you’re reading this, it’s high time you should be using a daily eye cream because it is one of the most effective instruments you can use to help beat the impact of aging on the skin around your eyes.
Need help with selecting a great eye cream? Check out our water-based and cruelty-free customer favorites: EyeRenue Complex™, our Anti-Aging Night Cream™ or Nutri-Cell Complex™
Keep Reading: Why Is Skin Care Important?
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For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts, and more.