What is an eye cream?

Eye cream is considered specialised skincare for good reason. Their formulas are carefully considered, designed to effectively target the specific needs of skin around the eyes. They are best described as highly concentrated moisturisers – which, given the eye area’s tendency to become dry, can help tackle one of the most common causes of irritation.

However, unlike regular moisturisers, eye creams contain specific ingredients for safe use close to the eyes. This is particularly important, as the area can be sensitive and prone to reactions (anyone who’s ever felt a sting mid-routine knows what we’re talking about!). Eye creams also typically come packed with other skin-loving actives, such as peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid.

SKINSIDER TIPS: Experiencing sensitive looking and feeling under eyes? Take a look at our posts on how to help dry skin around the eyes and how to know if you have sensitive skin to learn more.

Best eye cream ingredients

Not sure what to look for? Here's some of our favourites:

Paracress Flower: This little-known plant helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by firming the skin. We source our Paracress from South Africa, where flowers are hand-picked before being extracted to produce the purest concentrations possible.

Eyebright: Renowned for its calming and refreshing properties, eyebright is full of skin-soothing tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. Our eyebright is harvested in Bulgaria, where aerial parts of the plant are macerated in water for seven days to create a blendable extract.

Aloe Vera: When it comes to hydrating, soothing and cooling, aloe vera is a must. We cut the sword-shaped leaves in the morning to maximise juice yield, before freeze-drying the liquid into a powder.

Alfalfa Seed: With its blue-violet flowers, alfalfa is rich in nourishing vitamins A, C and E. We harvest the seeds in autumn to preserve their potency and help ease the look of undereye puffiness.

Borage Seed Oil: Looking to brighten the appearance of dark circles? While no one ingredient or cream can remove dark circles completely, borage is a brightening boost in flower form. We source and produce ours right here in England, where GLA-rich oil is pressed from the seeds for a concentrated hit of hydration.

Benefits of eye creams

• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
• Hydrates and leaves the skin feeling plump
• Helps to improves the feel of skin elasticity
• Enhances make-up application

Types of eye creams

1. Eyebright™ Soothing Eye Lotion
This multipurpose lotion is infused with botanical extracts, including soothing eyebright and cooling cornflower, plus witch hazel to help tone the skin.

When used in the morning, it visibly refreshes tired-feeling eyes, helping you feel ready to face the day. Apply in the evening to gently remove the final traces of eye make-up (soothing and hydrating in the process).

2. Instant Brightening Eye Cream
Formulated with light-reflecting particles, this powerful eye cream leaves the eye area looking brighter and feeling hydrated. How, exactly? British borage oil brightens and restores moisture, while echinacea works to smooth, tone and condition your skin.

Apply in the morning – ideally after the Eyebright™ Soothing Eye Lotion – to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and seal in long-lasting hydration.

3. Superskin™ Eye Cream
With a silky-smooth, fast-absorbing texture, this eye cream can be used at any time (although we recommend rounding off your night-time routine with it, for a little touch of pre-sleep luxury).

As part of our pioneering Superskin™ range, you’ll find plant extracts expertly selected for their efficacy: firming Paracress flower extract and antioxidant-dense pomegranate fruit, plus alfalfa seed, to alleviate under eye puffiness. It also contains a trio of nourishing plant oils – cranberry, rosehip and British borage seed – designed for the delicate under eye area.

When to use an eye cream?

Unless specified on the product, there’s no one right time to use an eye cream. You can usually apply them in both the morning and the evening. Whether you use them before or after moisturising, however, is largely down to personal preference.

Some choose to apply an eye cream prior to moisturising, as eye cream formulas tend to be more lightweight than their facial counterparts. Or, you might prefer to apply eye cream at the very end of your skincare routine – post-cleansing, toning, serum and moisturiser use. In this case, the only thing that should follow your eye cream is sun protection.

In terms of when to start using eye cream, most people will do so when the first signs of ageing begin to appear around the eyes. However, it's never too early – or too late – to incorporate this step into your skincare routine. Prevention is vital when it comes to help maintain youthful-looking skin!

How to apply eye cream

Step One: Apply a grain sized amount on your ring finger
Eye creams are very concentrated, so a little goes a long way. A pea or rice grain-sized amount is usually enough for this area. Use your ring finger for a lighter touch; you don’t want to put too much pressure on the skin.

Step Two: Apply small dots around your eye contour
Start from the inner corner underneath your eye and dab all the way up to your brow bone – the dots should resemble a semi-circle around your eye contour. Gently tap to stimulate circulation, continuing until the product is fully absorbed.

Step Three: Pause before applying other products
After your eye cream, wait at least 90 seconds before applying the rest of your skincare and/or make-up. This allows the cream time to sink into your skin and work effectively.

Whether you’re looking to address specific concerns like the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles, or simply setting out to enhance your daily regime, consistency (and correct application) is key! Ultimately, whichever eye cream you choose – and whenever you choose to apply it – can help unlock smoother, brighter skin that looks as good as it feels.