How To Pick The Best Eye Cream For Wrinkles, Dark Circles?

Experts have always said that the skin surrounding our eyes are seriously thin and therefore prone to fine lines and creepiness, but is an eye cream necessary? Here, we are going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about eye creams, including how to select the right one for you. 

Eye cream is essential, no matter your age

What do you think are the biggest skin concerns for men and women - especially in their late 20s, 30s, 40s and above? In my opinion, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles are at the top of the list, along with dark circles and under-eye bags. 

Shockingly, however, many people tend to skip eye cream and seem to have no clue that it's very important to have a firm spot in your skincare routine if you want to achieve a healthy and youthful look.

Why you should never skip eye cream?

This is likely because there is a lot of misconceptions about this category, making it a negotiable and skippable face care product.

Here’s an interesting-but-useful fact: The first signs of aging often become visible around the eyes. Regular use of eye cream containing antioxidants and collagen-building ingredients helps slow down premature fine lines and wrinkles, keeping the skin hydrated and plumper.

What is an eye cream?

As the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the facial skin, eye cream is specially formulated to be extra mild and softening for the sensitive skin around the eyes. 

These gentle products are often designed to fade away the appearance of dark circles and eye bags, reduce puffiness, fill in fine lines, and hydrate and plump the skin under the eyes. 

What are the causes of dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes are caused by various reasons such as lack of sleep or excessive fatigue. As for genetic predisposition, the lower eyelid of Asians consists of very thin skin, which facilitates hyperpigmentation under the eyes.

In addition, people of Latin American, African, Indian, and South Asian descent are among the melanin-rich ethnicities who also often have darker pigmentation around the eyes.

This is also compounded by bad habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption or an unbalanced diet. Allergies and atopic dermatitis are also major causes of this problem.

Some of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes are:

• Sleep deprivation and fatigue
• Collagen degradation due to aging
• Genetic causes
• Sun exposure
• Allergies
• Eczema
• Iron deficiency
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Hyper-pigmentation
• Heredity 

Can I use my facial moisturizer as an eye cream?

We get asked this question a lot, and the answer is: it depends on your face cream. However, you need to know that the skin around the eyes and other areas of the face may have a different skin type and sometimes your moisturizer may not contain the ingredients that an eye cream needs.

At what age should you start using eye cream?

Many people start using eye cream in their 30s, but the best answer is the earlier the better. Our skin starts aging around our mid-20s, but we don't notice the signs of aging until our 30s or 40s.

Eye cream is more of a preventative care - remember that the best results come from prevention. Don't wait until you notice wrinkles, bags or dark circles under your eyes, start using a cream now before you regret it.

How to pick the right eye cream for your skin?

Choose an eye cream based on your skin type. If you have oily skin, look for an eye cream that doesn't contain oil. If you have dry skin, look for a moisturizing eye cream (or eye balm). If you have combination skin, look for an eye cream that works for both oily and dry skin.

(A related blog post: How To Identify Your Skin Types and Care For Each?)

What ingredients should you look for in your eye cream?

Whether you want to reduce puffiness and crow's feet, plum deed-set wrinkles, or simply get a younger-looking complexion, a good eye cream is necessary every day.

Now you're wondering how to choose the best eye cream for your skin concerns? Simple, by checking the ingredients list and finding the right formula to get the most out of your investment.

If you tend to get dark circles under your eyes, look for an eye cream containing vitamin C and K, licorice, kojic acid or retinol and caffeine. For fine lines and wrinkles, you should choose an eye cream that has retinol (vitamin A) or peptides as well as hyaluronic acid.

If you want to reduce puffiness and eye bags, use an eye creams that contain caffeine and soothing ingredients like cucumber, green tea, aloe vera, coconut oil, chamomile, and licorice root.

Ingredients to look for in an eye cream include:

• Hyaluronic Acid
• Retinol
• Neuropeptides
• Vitamins C, E, K
• Acetyl hexapeptide (Argireline)
• Caffeine
• Green Tea
• Niacinamide
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
• Ceramides
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Kojic acid
• Ginseng

When should you apply the eye cream? Before or after the moisturizer?

It depends on the thickness of the product. Some eye creams are lighter and thinner than a moisturizer. In this case, you should apply it before your heavier creams and facial oils.

If your eye cream is richer and thicker than your moisturizer, you should apply it on top and have sunscreen follow during the day.

How do you apply eye cream?

Apply a pea-sized amount around both eyes by using your ring fingers, which are less forceful than your first or second finger and apply a gentler pressure to the skin. Do not drag or rub, but lightly pat the product into the skin.

Wait until the product is completely absorbed before applying the next products, e.g. SPF, make-up primer, foundation. You can apply the eye cream twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

10 Best (Korean) eye creams for youthful-looking skin

1. Pyunkang Yul Black Tea Time Reverse Eye Cream

An aging defense cream is infused with fermented black tea and mulberry extract, which are very rich in antioxidants and vitamins and has skin brightening properties.

They work to lighten pigmented spots, dark circles and bags under the eyes while also moisturizing the delicate skin. 

The fragrance-free formula contains excellent nourishing and repairing ingredients, including shea butter, macadamia seed oil, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, leaving skin soft and perfectly replenished and glowing with vitality.

2. TIRTIR Collagen Lifting Eye Cream

Revitalize and firm your delicate under-eye area with TIRTIR Collagen Lifting Eye Cream. Infused with high-quality collagen, this luxurious eye cream helps to lift and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The nourishing formula provides intense hydration, promoting a smoother, more youthful look.

Perfect for combating signs of aging and fatigue, TIRTIR Collagen Lifting Eye Cream ensures your eyes stay radiant and refreshed.

3. Mary & May Tranexamic Acid+ Glutathion Eye Cream

Brighten and rejuvenate your under-eye area with Mary & May Tranexamic Acid + Glutathione Eye Cream. This powerful formula combines tranexamic acid and glutathione to effectively reduce dark circles, pigmentation, and signs of aging.

The antioxidant-rich cream protects and repairs the skin, leaving it smoother and more luminous. Suitable for all skin types, this eye cream is your go-to solution for a vibrant, youthful appearance.

4. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

If you're a fan of Estée Lauder's Night Repair Serum, you'll love this too. The iconic skin care brand has released an eye serum iteration of its iconic formula.

This supercharged eye gel dramatically reduces multiple sign of eye aging, including puffiness, fine lines, and dryness while brightening the look of dark circles in as little as three weeks.

The powerful eye care includes ChronoluxCB™, brand’s own formulation that help promote skin’s natural repair process, which is vital for eyes that look younger, renewed and recharged.

5. Isntree TW-Real Eye Cream

Nourish and repair your under-eye skin with Isntree TW-Real Eye Cream. Packed with potent ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, this eye cream deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier.

It effectively minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles, ensuring your eyes look refreshed and youthful. The lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, making it perfect for daily use under makeup.

6. Cosrx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream

If the cult-favorite “Snail 96 Mucin Essence” is your holy grail beauty product, you should try this Korean face care must-have.

The multi-functional eye cream is a new addition to the brand's Snail line and is designed to brighten, soften and smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. 

Powered with 72% snail secretion filtrate and peptide to help restore elasticity, radiance, and collagen production while keeping the skin hydrated and plump. 

7. Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream

One of Sephora's best-sellers, this lightweight eye cream contains avocado protein and a peptide complex that visibly brightens and improves skin hydration levels.

The fragrance-free cream also contains natural plant extracts, like date seed and apple juice, and essential oils, like lemon, orange, grapefruit and lavender oils, to reduce signs of fatigue like dark circles and dehydrated skin.

8. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal

Transform your under-eye care routine with Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum. Infused with ginseng and retinal, this serum targets signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting cell renewal and collagen production.

The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula delivers deep hydration and revitalization, leaving your under-eye area smooth, firm, and radiant. Ideal for all skin types, this serum ensures a youthful and refreshed look.

9. La Mer The Eye Concentrated

Thanks to advanced formulation—triple the Concentrated Miracle Broth™, a hydrating eye cream provides the sensitive skin around the eyes with important nutrients and essential moisture to reveal skin’s true luminosity, radiance and freshness.

The creamy textured cream provides protection against environmental damage and visible signs of stress, contributing to more radiant, healthier-looking skin and helping to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and dark circles.

10. Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream

Achieve youthful, bright eyes with Some By Mi Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream. This advanced formula combines retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to target fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. The cream stimulates collagen production and cell turnover, enhancing skin elasticity and firmness.

Its nourishing ingredients provide deep hydration, ensuring your under-eye area looks smooth, plump, and radiant. Perfect for those seeking an effective anti-aging solution for their eyes.