Here’s Why You Need to Start Using Eye Cream Now
We live in a skincare obsessed world, and if there's anything we've learned, it's never too early to start taking care of your skin.
You probably have your go-to serums and moisturizer, but are you using an eye cream? Although eye creams are typically focused on anti-aging, there are also many benefits to starting them in your teens, like to target premature aging and hydration.
We tapped Dr Shasa Hu, MD, FAAD and co-founder of BIALife to answer all of our burning eye cream questions, like when to start, how to properly apply, what ingredients to look out for and which products to use. Keep reading for everything she had to say!
Sweet High: At what age should someone start considering incorporating eye cream into their skincare routine?
Dr. Shasa Hu: Our eyes age faster than the rest of our face because of the thinner eyelid skin and how much we use our eyes. Most people don't know that our eyes blink up to 28,000 times a day. Teens 16 and over are usually okay to start using eye creams. The rule of thumb is that once you're consistent about using your sunscreen (which should be your daily routine as early as childhood), and you have started to wear eye makeup, you can add an eye cream to your routine. Teens who get lash extensions or lash treatments can also add eye cream to balance out irritation from these treatments. For young people with a very expressive face or sensitive/dry skin, they may even want to start earlier, since dry skin shows more fine lines and ages faster.
SH: What are the benefits of eye cream?
Dr. Hu: Most of the eye creams hydrate, protect and strengthen the eyelid skin. Some eye creams will have additional anti-aging or corrective benefits that target puffiness, under-eye dark circles, fine lines or laxity.
SH: What are the benefits of beginning eye cream use in teenage years?
Dr. Hu: Basic eye creams that focus on hydration and protecting the barrier function of the eyelid skin will be enough for teens. Nowadays, we love to experiment and have fun with eye colors, mascara or lash extensions, and these beauty trends can dry out or even irritate the eyelids. Therefore, to combat and to prevent premature aging of our eyes, a light hydrating eye cream applied twice a day can be very beneficial.
SH: What ingredients should teens look for in eye creams?
Dr. Hu: Look for hydrating lipids and molecules like ceramides, squalene, glycerin and hyaluronic acid in the ingredient list. Also look for "ophthalmologist tested" on the label especially for teens with sensitive skin or those who wear contact lens.
SH: What ingredients should teens stay away from in eye creams?
Dr. Hu: Stay away from eye creams with fragrances, perfumes or ingredients ending with "alcohol." If an eye cream tingles or stings after application, then that's probably not a good option.
SH: What are some affordable options you recommend?
Dr. Hu: Cerave Eye Repair Cream and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream are great eye creams under $20.
SH: At what part of the skincare routine do you use them?
Dr. Hu: Apply eye cream after your serum, or if you don't use any serum, apply eye cream after you clean your face.
SH: How should they be applied?
Dr. Hu: Dispense a small amount of the eye cream on the pads of your middle finger, close your eyes, then gently tap and blend the cream in a 360-degree motion around your eyes to cover both upper and lower eyelids. Take a look at this BIA Life instructional video on how to apply eye cream.
SH: Anything else we should know about teens and eye cream?
Dr. Hu: For most teens starting eye cream, don't just fall for fads or brands endorsed by influencers. Be choosy about what you put on your eyes because that area of our skin is so delicate and sensitive. Often times, labeling gimmicks such as "all natural" or "organic" are used to appeal to consumers, but if you look carefully at the ingredient list, you will realize it is impossible to have all ingredients to be "organic." Bottom line, read the list rather than the label.
While we're chatting skin, HERE is how to properly use a gua sha tool.