When looking for the best eye cream for mature skin, there's a lot to consider. After all, our eye area gets a lot of attention (and does a lot of work) over the years. Think smiling, squinting, furrowing—even things as small and instinctual as rubbing your eyes—can exacerbate the effects of aging.
“In skin-of-color patients, especially if there is a history of allergies and chronic skin rubbing, skin discoloration and skin thickening can also be an issue,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford, New York.
Unfortunately, even the best moisturizers for mature skin will not be enough to address signs of aging in the eye area. The skin around the eyes also happens to be the most delicate, meaning it naturally ages faster. Needless to say, by the time we reach our 40s and beyond, there's going to be some evidence of all the expressions made throughout those four or more decades.
“Over time the area can become crepey,” says Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a dermatologist, and founder of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City. “There is also hollowing as collagen breaks down.”
What happens to the eye area as you age?
Dark undereyes, bags, and puffiness are common concerns regardless of age, but for mature skin the struggles differ with new challenges such as “dehydration, cross-link wrinkles, dark circles, loss of elasticity, or sagging of the upper eye lid and brow,” says Aislinn Woodward, an esthetician at Penelope and the Beauty Bar San Francisco.
Which ingredients should I look for in eye cream for mature skin?
“I love peptides for strengthening the skin and improving elasticity,” says Dr. Roberta Del Campo, founder of Del Campo Dermatology in Miami. “I also recommend vitamin C for those with pigmentation, and hyaluronic [acid] is always a must for plumping and blurring fine lines and wrinkles.” For more of the usual eye concerns such as puffiness and undereye bags, Purvisha Patel, MD, a dermatologist in Memphis and founder of Visha Skincare, says to go for caffeine, which helps to stimulate circulation, vasoconstrict blood vessels in the skin, and decrease puffiness. In general, when trying to find an eye cream, look for words on the label like hydrating, firming, and antiaging, recommends Sarah Akram, a celebrity esthetician in Alexandria, Virginia.
Do I need to use eye cream if I’m already using moisturizer?
Simply put, your eyes may be at a different stage than the rest of your face, requiring more potent ingredients and a richer cream. Dr. Del Campo says that skin around the eyes is often more crepey and dry, so moisturizer that treats those concerns could be too heavy for the area. You wouldn't put a lip balm everywhere, right? Plus, if you're shelling out money for pricey actives in a tiny jar, it's more budget-friendly to reserve it for a smaller area (your eyes) rather than slather it all over your face.
I have sensitive eyes. What should I avoid?
Most derms will tell you to avoid anything with fragrance. “Sensitive-skin patients do not react well to products that have fragrance and are at a higher risk of developing an allergic contact dermatitis,” says Lian Mack, MD, a dermatologist and founder of GlamDerm in New York City.
