Some beauty nay-sayers call them an afterthought, but we believe that a skincare regime isn’t complete without a great eye cream. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest you’ll find on your body as well as having fewer oil glands than the rest of the face, so needs extra special care when and where it can get it.

Most good eye creams are formulated specifically for the skin around the eye, so tend to be a little richer and packed with active ingredients aimed at issues associated with that area. It is more fragile, more prone to dryness, and quicker to show age and fatigue. Squinting can hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles. A good eye cream can address at least some of these issues, but always make sure you are applying it for optimal effect.

First things first, how do I use eye cream right?

First, don’t overdo it. A pea-sized amount should be enough, dotted on your brow bone and about a half-inch underneath your eye. If you pack on the product, it won’t make it more effective. It will, however, creep into your eyes and irritate them. 

Second, take care with your application. The quickest way to work a skincare product into your skin isn’t necessarily the best way to do it. Rubbing eye cream in may be the fast and easy way to go, but it is definitely not great for the fragile skin in this area. Because of how delicate the skin around your eyes is, you’ll be better off applying eye cream at gently as possible. After you’ve dotted it on, use the pad of your ring finger to pat, rather than rub, the cream to help it absorb. This method of application also allows your chosen formula some time to sink in. This is most important in the morning so your foundation or concealer doesn’t cake up from the extra emollient base in the eye cream.

Now you know how to best apply an eye cream, you need a product to put this new trick to the test. Start off by deciding what your major concerns are: dark circles? Fine lines? A combo of the two? Take a moment to think it over, then take your pick from some of our favourites…

For addressing puffiness

Trilogy’s certified natural Eye Contour Cream is a bestseller with good reason: it refreshes, hydrates and brightens the delicate skin around the eyes, cooling as it goes.

Delivered via a ceramic applicator, the hydrating eye gel helps energise dark circles and reduce the look of puffiness, with supercharged ingredients like antioxidant vitamin C, refreshing aloe vera and plumping hyaluronic acid. It’s suitable for all skin types, but especially those with tired, puffy eyes or those who prefer a lightweight gel texture.

For sensitive skin types

Trilogy’s Very Gentle Eye Cream smooths, hydrates and calms the delicate eye area, and is particularly great for very sensitive or reactive skin types. Lightweight, dermatologically tested and fragrance-free, it has been expertly formulated with soothing pure plant oils and botanicals to relieve sensitive eyes. The ingredient deck includes cooling aloe vera, nourishing antioxidant-rich maqui berry and soothing breakthrough botanical complex Syricalm.

For when you want to bring out the big guns

Nuori’s Bio Fusion Eye Serum is an intensive serum specifically designed to address universal signs of ageing in the delicate skin around the eyes. Formulated with the latest generation of natural hyaluronic acid, ceramides with high bioavailability to support the renewal and fortification of the skin’s protective barrier, and brown marine algae extract as an antioxidant and skin-firming agent, it also includes caffeine extract to boost microcirculation. Lastly, the ceramic applicator tip cools and depuffs the area around the eyes, before you layer Nuori’s Vital Eye Cream over the top for an extra boost.

For those that love a multi-tasker

Tailor Skincare’s Hydrate has had a major upgrade, and now features two per cent Hyaluronic Acid plus Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Kōwhai extract. The brand’s ultimate skin hydration hero to plump, brighten, and protect your skin, it can be used morning and night as an eye gel, serum and facial hydrator.