HOW TO USE AND APPLY EYE CREAM?

Your eyes might be the window to your soul, but they don’t have to reveal all your secrets! Especially when it comes to the date written on your driver’s license. You might be considering adding an eye cream to your regimen to keep your eyes looking as fresh as you feel, but you might have a few questions about it – like what benefits an eye cream will have for your skin, what ingredients to look out for, and how to apply it for the best results. Read on to find all this out and more!

WHY USE AN EYE CREAM?

You might think that using your regular facial moisturiser on your eye area is sufficient. It hydrates your skin and it may even contain an anti-ageing formula, so it should be enough for your eyes, too, right? Well, not exactly.

The skin around your eyes is thin and extremely delicate, which means it can dry out a lot more quickly than the skin on the rest of your face. It’s also more vulnerable to external factors, such as wind and the sun. We think it’s always best to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.

Being quite delicate you want a product that is easy to apply but moves nicely across the skin given a massaging effect before absorbing. This massaging effect is great for helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles.

For all these reasons, your best bet is to use an eye cream that is specifically developed for the eye area and designed to address your specific skin concerns.

WHEN SHOULD YOU START USING AN EYE CREAM?

The short answer: the sooner, the better. Using an eye cream as part of your skin care routine can delay the first signs of skin ageing, so using a great cream in your 20s can be an effective preventive measure.

However, many only start paying attention to their skin care in their 30s, when the first signs of ageing appear.

Since the thin, delicate eye area is where fine lines, tiny wrinkles or duller-looking skin typically appear first, an eye cream in your 30s can be of great help.

No matter when you start, it’s never too late! Your skin can benefit from an eye cream no matter your age or skin type, as it can help minimise the look of fine lines and wrinkles and keep your skin looking younger for longer.

Interested in a personalised skin care regimen? Take a selfie with Olay Skin Advisor and you’re only a tap away from finding out exactly what your skin needs.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR IN AN EYE CREAM

Here are some of the best ingredients to look for when selecting an eye cream:

• Niacinamide.

It’s a form of Vitamin B that can help your skin lock in moisture around the delicate eye area. Read more about Niacinamide and its many benefits for your skin.

• Retinol.

This ingredient helps stimulate surface skin cell turnover. If you’re thinking about adding retinol to your regimen, then kill two birds with one stone and hydrate the skin around your eyes for 24 hours to see visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles with Olay Retinol24 Night Eye Cream. Why a night eye cream? During the night, the skin’s natural ability to repair itself is more active compared to the day. A night cream is key to boosting skin recovery as the skin is more receptive to active ingredients overnight, and it also helps counterbalance increased moisture loss while you sleep. Learn more about retinol and its many benefits.

• Peptides.

These chains of amino acids are linked together and work like building blocks for larger proteins, such as collagen, which is mostly responsible for your skin’s firmness. Discover more about Peptides and how you can benefit from them.

• Hyaluronic Acid.

This is a naturally existing sugar in our skin and has an incredible ability to hold a high amount of water. Hyaluronic Acid helps plump the skin to give it a firmer look. Try Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Gel, which is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides and Niacinamide for wide-awake eyes and an instant refresh.

WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY EYE CREAM FOR BEST RESULTS

The general rule of thumb is to treat specific areas, like your eye area, after you’ve already used your face moisturiser. The eye cream should be one of the last products you use, the only thing that should follow it is sun protection if you apply your eye cream in the morning. How to put on eye cream:

• Use a pea-sized amount – no need to drown your skin in eye cream.

• Use your ring finger as the delicate eye area requires a delicate touch without too much pressure.

• Be very gentle while you dab, tap or lightly massage the cream in.

• Work your way out. Apply the eye cream around your orbital bone, starting from the inner corner of your eye, working your way towards the outer corner.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN APPLYING EYE CREAM

There are also a few don’ts when it comes to how to apply eye cream:

• Don’t apply your eye cream before your moisturiser.

As we already mentioned, specific treatments should always come after the face moisturising step.

• Don’t let the eye cream get too close to your eye.

Don’t put it on your eyelids or eyelashes, as it can easily get into your eye and cause irritation.

• Don’t pull at your skin.

If you’re a bit too harsh and rub the skin instead of gently dabbing, tapping or massaging, your skin can stretch. Since the eye area is so delicate, that stretch can lead to irritation or wear and tear on the skin.

• Don’t forget – less is more.

Don’t put on more than a pea-sized amount, as it can also cause irritation and you can easily reach the opposite effect if you go overboard.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: HOW TO APPLY AN EYE CREAM

Now that you’ve learnt to look for Niacinamide, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid or Peptides when choosing an eye cream, to apply it after your face moisturiser, and to avoid pulling your skin when using an eye cream, check out our guide on how to cleanse your skin to properly prepare it for moisturising.