This article first appeared in Harper’s Bazaar.
The skin around your eye area is 40 per cent thinner and more porous than that of the rest of your face, making it more susceptible to environmental damage—which may explain why so many of us seem to be on an endless hunt for the best eye cream to hydrate, smooth, plump or brighten. When it comes to eye products, our demands are manifold—and so they should be, when you consider these little pots are often the smallest (and most expensive) formulations in our beauty arsenal.
But despite constant innovation in the industry, no one formula will erase wrinkles, brighten dark circles and abolish crepiness in one fell swoop, so it pays to do your research beforehand (or let us do it for you).
For example, the best eye cream for wrinkles will contain cell-regenerating ingredients—studies have shown retinol to excel in this area. A formula for dark circles will focus on targeting pigmentation (keep an eye out for vitamin C) and reflecting the light, helping to make your under-eye area look fresher and brighter. And the best eye cream for dry, sallow skin will be packed with powerful hydrators—here, hyaluronic acid is your hero.
Above, discover the leading eye creams we’ve discovered for dark circles, fine lines, and more.