How to choose an effective eye cream
7 December 2024
By Dr Sophie Shotter

The best eye creams for ageing eyes, Marylebone, London
Choosing the right eye cream can feel like walking into a maze. With shelves packed full of fancy jars and bold claims, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, I’m here to help you navigate the world of eye creams so you can find the one that’s actually going to work for you.
We all want to wake up with fresh, bright, and youthful-looking eyes – here’s the lowdown on how to choose an effective eye cream that can get you there.
Why do you need an eye cream?
You might be thinking, “Do I really need an eye cream? Can’t I just slather my face cream under my eyes too?” It’s a common question! The answer is, technically, yes—but it won’t be as effective. The skin around your eyes is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which is why it often shows signs of ageing first.
Eye creams are specially formulated to address these specific concerns without irritating that fragile skin. They also often contain more targeted ingredients to deal with issues like puffiness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
Step 1: Identify Your Main Concerns
The first step in choosing an eye cream is to figure out what you want it to do. Are you dealing with dark circles, puffiness, crow’s feet, or just general dryness? Different eye creams are formulated for different needs, so let’s break it down:
- Dark Circles: If your main issue is dark under-eye circles (whether from lack of sleep or genetics), look for ingredients like caffeine or vitamin C. Caffeine helps to reduce puffiness and boost circulation, while vitamin C brightens the skin and can help fade dark circles over time.
- Puffiness: For puffy eyes, ingredients like peptides and caffeine are your best friends. Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels, reducing puffiness, while peptides can strengthen and firm the skin around your eyes.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: If your concern is fine lines or crow’s feet lines, you’ll want an eye cream with retinol or peptides. Retinol is a powerful ingredient that helps boost collagen production and speeds up cell turnover, keeping the skin smooth and youthful.
- Dryness: Dry, flaky under-eye skin? Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. These ingredients will help lock in moisture and keep the skin around your eyes plump and hydrated.
Step 2: Understand Key Ingredients
Once you’ve identified your top concern, it’s time to take a closer look at ingredients. You don’t need to be a skincare chemist, but knowing what to look for on the label can make a huge difference.
Step 3: Consider Your Skin Type
Your skin type plays a huge role in determining which eye cream will work best for you. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to avoid ingredients that can be irritating, like strong retinoids or high concentrations of vitamin C. Instead, look for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or niacinamide.
On the flip side, if your skin is more resilient or if you’re dealing with more prominent signs of ageing, don’t shy away from stronger ingredients like peptides or retinol.
Step 4: Texture and Feel
Eye creams come in a variety of textures—from lightweight gels to rich creams. Which one you choose comes down to personal preference and your skin’s needs:
- Lightweight gels: Great for daytime use, especially if you have oily skin or are prone to puffiness. They absorb quickly and often feel cooling on the skin.
- Richer creams: Ideal for nighttime use, particularly if you have dry or mature skin. These tend to be more hydrating and can help lock in moisture overnight.
Step 5: Application Matters
Believe it or not, how you apply your eye cream is just as important as the cream itself! Use your ring finger (it’s the weakest, so it applies the least pressure) to gently tap the cream around your orbital bone (the bony area surrounding your eye). A little goes a long way, so start small and avoid getting too close to your lash line. The skin around your eyes absorbs products easily, so even applying near the area can have an effect.
Step 6: Consistency Is Key
Here’s the secret to seeing results with any skincare product: consistency. Eye creams are not an overnight fix but with regular use—think once or twice a day—you should start to notice improvements over time. Be patient, and give your new eye cream a few weeks to show its magic.
Choosing the right eye cream can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! By focusing on your specific concerns—whether it’s dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, or dryness—and picking an eye cream with the right ingredients for your skin type, you’re already halfway to brighter, healthier-looking eyes. And remember, it’s all about consistency—find something that works for you and stick with it!
Some of my favourite eye creams
SkinBetter AlphaRet Eye Max
This eye cream is an anti-ageing powerhouse. SkinBetter’s AlphaRet Eye Max combines two key ingredients—retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)—for maximum wrinkle-reducing and skin-smoothing effects. What makes it stand out is that it provides all the benefits of retinol without the irritation, thanks to its unique formulation. It’s gentle enough for daily use around the delicate eye area but still potent enough to tackle fine lines and crow’s feet lines.
Clinical Skin Ultra-Rich Eye Cream
As its name suggests, the Clinical Skin Ultra-Rich Eye Cream is a deeply nourishing and hydrating formula. It’s packed with peptides and antioxidants that support collagen production and help repair the skin’s moisture barrier. The texture is luxuriously creamy without feeling greasy, and I’ve found it to be fantastic for keeping the delicate skin under my eyes hydrated and plump.
Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment
Alastin’s Restorative Eye Treatment targets puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines all at once, making it a go-to for multiple concerns. It contains their patented TriHex Technology, which supports the skin’s natural ability to clear out damaged elastin and collagen while promoting new, healthy skin. I especially love how it reduces puffiness and brightens my under-eye area in the mornings.
Need personalised skincare help? Click here to book a virtual skin consultation with me, where we’ll discuss your unique skin concerns and create a customised routine that works for you.
