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How to Apply Eye Cream: 4 Tips for Applying Eye Cream

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Mar 18, 2022 • 2 min read

Eye cream is a targeted skincare product that moisturizes the delicate eye area without causing irritation. Learn about the active ingredients in eye cream and how to apply it safely.

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What Is Eye Cream?

Eye cream is a moisturizer for the delicate skin around the eyes. Eye cream can hydrate the skin, promote anti-aging, and reduce dark circles and puffiness with ingredients like Vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. Like other face moisturizers, eye cream can come in a cream form or a gel form, which works best on oily skin.

The eye area has the thinnest skin on the face and quickly loses moisture. This area is also prone to dryness and signs of aging, such as fine lines, eye wrinkles, and crow’s feet. You can use an eye cream as part of your daytime and nighttime skincare routine.

How to Properly Apply Eye Cream

Follow this step-by-step guide to applying eye cream:

  1. 1. Prep your face. Whether you’re applying eye cream in the morning or in the evening as a night cream, it is essential to first clean your face with a gentle cleanser.
  2. 2. Clean your hands. Eye cream is generally applied with your ring finger, so wash your hands with soap and water to ensure they are clean.
  3. 3. Dispense the eye cream. Place a pea-sized amount of eye cream on your ring finger. Ring fingers have a natural light touch because of the nerves.
  4. 4. Apply the eye cream. Dab the eye cream in small dots in a semi-circle the under-eye area, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Next, dab the eye cream in the area under your brow bone and around your orbital bone.
  5. 5. Let the cream absorb. Wait ninety seconds to allow your skin to absorb the product before applying other products to the rest of your face. You can apply toner, serums, moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup products after applying eye cream.

4 Tips on Applying Eye Cream

Follow these tips and tricks when applying eye cream:

  1. 1. Find the eye cream right for you. The best eye cream for you fits your skin type and needs. Most eye creams are multi-purpose, but some have active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. If your concern is aging, use anti-aging eye creams with active ingredients such as antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, retinol, and/or peptides. To reduce dark circles, use eye creams with brightening ingredients like niacinamide and caffeine, which constrict blood vessels. For maximum hydration, use products with hyaluronic acid.
  2. 2. Dab the eye cream. It is essential to gently dab the eye cream on. Be careful to not rub the eye area or pull the skin, which can irritate your eyes.
  3. 3. Store eye cream in the fridge. You can store eye cream in the refrigerator to make the cream colder—this can be soothing, especially in warmer months. Cold eye cream can also help reduce puffy eyes.
  4. 4. Gently tap your eye area. Some skincare experts recommend gently tapping or massaging the eye area before applying eye cream to better stimulate blood flow to the area. Extra blood flow may allow for better product absorption.

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