How To Apply Eye Cream Correctly

Whether you struggle with dark circles and puffiness or just want to give your peepers some extra ‘oomph’, you need to know how to apply eye cream correctly to achieve the best results. 

Why are they so important? Eye creams are an essential part of your skincare regime, as they usually contain targeted ingredients to address specific eye concerns such as dark circles, fine lines, puffiness, or dullness. Beauty Daily spoke to Clarins Training Manager Jason Roberts, to find out how the experts apply them. 

Applying eye cream – Where do you put eye cream?  

“The average person blinks about 10,000 times a day, so the eyes go through a lot,” says Roberts. “The skin around the eyes is also very thin, making it more susceptible to wrinkling,” he adds. 

“Apply eye cream with your middle finger and then warm it into the skin using three fingers,” he says. “A lot of people use their ring finger, but using the middle finger will add just enough pressure to work along your orbital bone and will also help with lymphatic drainage,” Roberts explains. “Start from the centre of the under eye… press the product into the skin… [and] follow an upwards and outwards motion,” he advises. 

“Don’t forget to apply the product to the centre of the brow, too, as ‘frown lines’ can be the most common type of lines around the eye area,” he adds. 

If you want to indulge in a moment of self-care, Roberts recommends applying eye cream in gentle circular motions on the temples. “The skin on the face is the only skin on the body that’s attached to the muscles, so if you’re going to do some gentle circular massage motions, you want to think about the pressure that you make instead of the size of the movement,” he says. “Another good hack is to use the back of a cold teaspoon to sweep outwards towards the lymph glands… to instantly perk up tired, puffy eyes.” 

How much eye cream to apply  

Roberts advises that less is more when it comes to the amount of eye cream you apply. “The perfect amount to use is about the size of a cooked boiled grain of rice,” he says.  

Should you apply eye cream day and night?  

Unless you are applying an eye cream that contains harsher ingredients such as retinol, apply your eye cream twice a day for best results.  

Applying eye cream in the morning can reduce puffiness, dark circles and fine lines, as well as protect the skin around the eyes from harmful environmental factors. Whereas, using eye cream at night can help to nourish and moisturise the skin around the eyes while you sleep, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.  

Read next: Winding Down Time: Experts Share Adult Night Routine Tips for Better Sleep 

What comes first…  

Eye cream or serum?  

Eye cream should be applied directly after cleansing and toning. This is because the eye cream creates a barrier to protect delicate under-eye skin from any heavier products that follow, according to Jason. The texture of eye cream also tends to be thinner, which makes it more suitable for application around the eye. 

If you are using both an eye serum and an eye cream in your skincare routine, many experts recommend applying the eye serum first and then following with the cream. This is because eye serums are generally lighter in texture and contain smaller molecules, which allows them to penetrate the skin more deeply and deliver active ingredients more effectively for maximum benefits.  

Clarins Double Serum Eye, £58 

Now your eyes can get ‘The #1 serum’ treatment! This nourishing serum is ready to revitalise the eye area, acting on all signs of ageing for smoother, firmer and brighter skin.  

Eye cream or moisturiser?  

Apply eye cream before face moisturiser. Most face moisturisers are formulated to provide hydration and nourishment to facial skin but can sometimes be too much for the eye area. Whereas eye creams are specifically designed to address the unique needs of the delicate skin around the eyes. 

Why can’t you put eye cream on your eyelids?  

Eye creams are designed to be applied around the eye area to help hydrate, nourish, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While eye creams are safe for use around the eye area, you should avoid applying most to your eyelids. 

The skin on the eyelids is much thinner and more sensitive than the skin around the eyes. This means that it’s more prone to irritation and allergic reactions. Applying eye cream directly on the eyelids can cause stinging, burning, and redness, as well as potentially clog the oil glands on the eyelids and cause milia (small, white bumps). 

However, all Clarins eye products can be applied to the eyelid area due to their gentle nature. After applying your eye cream, take your fingers and press the product into your lashes to reap maximum benefit. 

Can you use eye cream on your face?  

You can, but it doesn’t mean you should. Eye cream is specially formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, which is thinner and more prone to wrinkles than the rest of the face. While it is safe to use eye cream on other areas of the face, it may not be as effective as using a product specifically designed for the face. 

Eye creams are designed to be lightweight and easily absorbed, so they often contain fewer active ingredients than facial creams. They also tend to be more expensive than facial creams because they are formulated to address specific concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eyes. 

If you have a good-quality facial cream that addresses your skin concerns, you may not need to use an eye cream. However, if you have specific concerns around your eyes that are not addressed by your facial cream, such as puffiness or dark circles, you may want to consider using a separate eye cream. 

Clarins Precious La Crème Yeux Age-Defying Eye Cream, £125 

This luxurious eye cream is infused with collagen and rare Moonlight Flower cryo-extract to target wrinkles and leave the eye area visibly lifted and youthful. 

What should eye cream contain? 

Eye creams should contain ingredients that are gentle and nourishing to the delicate skin around the eyes. Here are some key ingredients to look for in an effective eye cream: 

1. Hyaluronic acid: This hydrating ingredient helps to plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Retinol: A vitamin A derivative, retinol is a potent anti-aging ingredient that can help to stimulate collagen production and improve the texture of the skin.
3. Plant-based retinol: An ingredient very similar to retinol, which is found in Clarins Super Restorative Range. The key ingredient is organic harungana – which is used in traditional medicine to heal wounds – and works 40% more effectively than normal retinol.

Clarins Total Eye Lift, £62 

This versatile eye serum is nothing less than iconic. Silky, nourishing, and packed with plant ingredients, it glides onto the eye area to lift, smooth, and brighten the whole eye area. It also contains an ingredient called panthenol, often found in lash serums, which works to strengthen lashes. 

3. Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and protect it from environmental damage.
4. Peptides: These amino acid compounds can help to improve skin elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. myBlend Revitalising Anti-Ageing Cream, £210 
5. A super-rich and indulgent cream, this formula is packed with peptides and hyaluronic acid, as well as fermented curcuma extract which all work together to perk up tired skin and reduce visible signs of ageing.  
6. Caffeine: This ingredient can help to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes by constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation.

Clarins Total Eye Revive, £38 

This gel eye cream uses the power of caffeine to fight off signs of fatigue and fine lines for brighter and more youthful eyes. 

6. Niacinamide: This form of vitamin B3 can help to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Ceramides: These natural lipids help to restore the skin’s barrier function, preventing moisture loss and improving the overall health of the skin.

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