Should You Begin Using Eye Cream?
The first signs of aging typically appear around the eyes, as this skin is up to 20 times thinner and more fragile than the rest of your body. It’s particularly prone to fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness, making eye cream an essential step in your skincare routine – even from an early age. Keep reading to discover when to start using eye cream and how to find the best eye cream for your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s… moreover, why eye cream is one of the most important beauty products.
How soon should you begin using eye cream?
When it comes to maintaining youthful, healthy-looking skin, prevention is key – particularly around the eyes. To delay the signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet) and counteract the appearance of dryness, puffiness, and dark circles, it’s advised to start using an eye cream as early as your 20s.
However, the eye cream used will vary depending on age and skin concerns. Below, we explain what happens to the eye area as you age and recommend the best eye cream to improve the appearance of the undereye area.
Once upon a time, 10-step skincare regimens were everywhere, overflowing our medicine cabinets with products while draining our bank accounts. The options for cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and face masks were dizzying, and now you might be left wondering which skincare steps are necessary — and which are okay to skip.
What Age Is the Ideal Time to Begin Using Eye Cream?
Once upon a time, 10-step skincare regimens were everywhere, overflowing our medicine cabinets with products while draining our bank accounts. The options for cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and face masks were dizzying, and now you might be left wondering which skincare steps are necessary and which are okay to skip.
While many have ditched their lengthy routines in recent years, eye cream is one staple that is here to stay. That doesn't mean that these creams aren't without controversy, though. One of the longest-running debates in the world of skincare is whether or not it's okay to use moisturizer in place of eye cream, or just skip the eye area altogether when applying products. But some dermatologists specify some concerns like dryness or puffiness around the eyes warrant a little help from a specially formulated product. And because this skin is extra sensitive, regular moisturizer likely won't cut it.
Still, eye creams aren't one-size-fits-all, and the decision to add them to a skincare routine can depend on several factors, including age.
The benefits of beginning to use eye cream.
First, before deciding what kind of eye cream you should use and at what age, it's important to understand the biggest reasons for investing in one in the first place. Dermatologists often suggest that the skin around the eyes is much thinner than other areas of the face. Additionally, this skin experiences much more movement when we use our muscles to smile, squint, and make other facial expressions. These two factors contribute to more wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes.
Many skincare brands also explain that the skin surrounding the eyes also doesn't produce as much oil as the rest of the face, making it especially prone to dryness — and that, too, can cause wrinkles over time. Eye creams are formulated to target this unique, delicate skin, offering hydration while smoothing out fine lines. It's worth noting, though, that eye creams aren't miracle potions, and there are some skin concerns that they can't help.
When should you begin using eye cream?
Since eye cream is best known for treating unwanted wrinkles and fine lines, it's easy to assume it's unnecessary until later in life. But not so fast — eye creams can be beneficial for a wide range of ages. The experts suggest using eye cream as early as possible because its efficacy relies on prevention just as much as treatment. In other words, even if you don't have wrinkles yet, using eye creams now can do wonders for your skin later. Aestheticians agree with this telling that it's best to start using a lightweight cream as early as age 20.
When it comes to incorporating eye cream into a skincare routine, the verdict is generally the earlier the better. But is it ever too late to start using eye cream? Cosmetic Dermatology shows that eye creams can improve the appearance of deep wrinkles, such as crow's feet, proving their anti-aging benefits even after lines and grooves have already set in the skin.
What substances should you search for based on their age?
Eye creams are useful at almost any age, but that doesn't mean every age group should be using the same kind. Just as people outgrow their old face wash or update their serum lineup as their skin changes, eye creams can be swapped out depending on age too.
People in their 20s might be tempted to hop on a TikTok eye cream trend, but a better bet is to look for products formulated specifically for the eyes containing brightening ingredients like vitamin C or caffeine. Both work to hide the evidence of long overtime hours or late nights out.
For eye cream newbies in their 30s, it's best to look for growth factors and peptides, which help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Meanwhile, people in their 40s should consider retinoids for a more potent kick of collagen.
For those in their 50s and beyond, doctors recommend looking for retinoids in addition to hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The added moisture from these ingredients will save dry skin around the eyes.
An eye cream can lock in moisture, protect the skin, and prevent signs of aging around the eyes — but eye cream alone can't do it all. One of the best steps to take at any age is to shield the eye area from the sun. Crow's feet and age spots around the eyes are signs of sun damage, according to doctors. While eye cream can mitigate these concerns, they're no match for SPF and big sunglasses.