The first signs of aging often become visible around the eyes and it’s no surprise really as the delicate skin surrounding the eyes is thinner and made up of less collagen and elastin compared to the rest of the face. Coupled with the lack of sebaceous glands in this area means it’s prone to dryness too. Throw in near-constant movement through smiling and blinking, is it any wonder that the eye area is particularly susceptible to signs of aging? To help camouflage these signs, the eye area often needs an extra collagen and hydration hit, along with some anti-aging big guns like retinol and vitamin C, to tighten and smooth the skin’s appearance. Other key ingredients also needed to help smooth and hydrate include peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine.
When it comes to eye creams there’s a whole host of options on the market which can sometimes make choosing the right one for you and your eye concerns a bit of a minefield! If you think you need to up your anti-aging game with an eye cream, here’s my round-up of eye creams for all budgets to help with fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. Make sure to pick the right one for you and remember, when applying, avoid any vigorous rubbing, apply a small amount of product on your ring finger and smooth below the eye, over the crow’s feet area, and pat onto the brow bone just below your eyebrows.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG – Counteract dark circles and puffiness with the 5% Caffeine Solution + EGCG from The Ordinary. Delivering a highly concentrated dosage of Caffeine and EGCG (a potent polyphenol found in green tea) it’s basically the equivalent of a really good night’s sleep in a bottle! This lightweight serum rapidly absorbs into the delicate eye contour to help reduce the appearance of discolouration and alleviate symptoms of fatigue and stress. Skin feels refreshed and lifted with enhanced hydration and a more even tone, €6.95 available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.
The Inkey List Brighten-I Eye Cream – An instant effect eye treatment cream that is light and gentle and gives your eyes an instant pop of luminosity, while refreshing tired eyes and brightening the eye area over time. It’s enriched with Brightenyl, an active ingredient that boasts 4x more brightening properties than vitamin C, to balance skin tone and minimize the appearance of pigmented spots. Paired with blurring and hydrating properties to help with dryness and puffiness, this cream smooths the contours of your eyes for a brighter, well-rested look. It has a metal applicator tip, which is lovely and cooling upon application, €11.99, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – Fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and suitable for sensitive eyes, CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream melts quickly into skin, controlling the release of ingredients to help repair and restore the skin’s protective barrier. Enriched with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and a marine and botanical complex, the eye cream visibly reduces the look of dark circles and puffiness to leave the eye contour looking brighter and smoother, and for just €13.95, it won’t make too much of a dent in your purse, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.
Eucerin Anti-Age Volume-Filler Eye Cream SPF15 – This eye cream came on my radar from the wonderful Irish Beauty Fairy, Sally Foran. Ophthalmologically tested, it delivers a more targeted approach to visibly plumping even deep wrinkles. The anti-aging formula contains collagen-boosting peptides to support skin structure and hyaluronic acid to improve moisture retention. Working deep down and on the surface, the volumizing formula smooths the skin, targeting lines caused by dehydration, particularly those found around the corner of the eyes, and restores volume for a youthful, rejuvenated appearance, whilst also protecting from damaging UV rays, €27, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online.
Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream – This hydrating eye cream visibly smooths under-eye wrinkles with a concentrated blend of five replenishing ceramides, clinically proven retinol, two peptides, and four forms of brightening vitamin C. It noticeably improves the appearance of wrinkles, renews the feel of firmness, and promotes radiant-looking skin in the eye area. Nourishing emollients like squalene also help to maintain lasting hydration and protection, €46, available online from cloud10beauty.com
NeoStrata Bionic Eye Cream Plus – This powerful eye cream from NeoStrata strengthens the delicate eye area to help hide dark under-eye circles, while a peptide blend and natural yeast extract diminish dark circles at their source. Lactobionic acid, a potent antioxidant, helps prevent collagen breakdown, smoothing lines from the inside out so skin appears firmer and younger while green tea and cucumber extracts reduce puffiness and soothe the eye area. Vitamins A, C, and E also provide additional antioxidant protection. It packs quite a punch, €60 available in selected NeoStrata stockists nationwide and online from neostrata.ie (use code sherna20 for 20% on NeoStrata website)
Clarins Total Eye Lift – new to the Clarins family, this exceptional eye care serum has been proven to help you achieve total eye radiance in just 60 seconds! Developed for all women and all ages, it combats puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, and firmness. With 94% ingredients from natural origins, this has a light, super smooth balm-like texture is quickly absorbed, and is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. In satisfaction, tests carried out, 80% of women found the eye contour area lifted, 86% found the skin around the eye looked firmer and 80% saw an improvement in the look of under-eye bags, €68, available in selected stores and pharmacies nationwide and online from clarins.ie.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum – This clinically-proven treatment serum combines Murad’s potent yet gentle triple whammy ‘Retinol Tri-Active Technology’ featuring a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol and a retinol booster with a nutrient-rich marine kelp complex that together minimizes the look of wrinkles and crow’s feet while lifting, firming and visibly brightening dark circles. Fast performance with visible results, 93% saw a reduction in lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks and more revitalized, youthful-looking eyes. Tested safe for sensitive skin, this can be used all around the eyes (including lids!) with 360 application. €79, available in selected salons nationwide and online.
