It’s no secret that everyone wants to look younger and more awake, especially when it comes to the under eye area.  Lots of time and money is spent looking for makeup, concealer in particular, to hide a multitude of concerns such as lack of sleep, puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles, and darkness.  The secret is not always in the makeup but in your skin care routine in the form of an eye cream.

If you use some form of moisturizer for your face, you might be the type to use that same product under your eye, if you even pay attention to that area.  The truth is, the skin around your eyes is the most delicate and sensitive of all the areas of your face (think tissue paper vs construction paper) so what you use should be specifically formulated for that area.  The under eye is also thinner and has no oil glands to replenish the delicate under eye skin so it is prone to show the first signs of aging.  Other contributing factors to under eye aging include improper removal of eye make up, rubbing, squinting and other environmental aggressors.  A good eye cream and healthy life style choices can help.

When shopping for an eye cream, look for those formulas that contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinoids, anti oxidants and optical diffusers.  Your eye cream should have a consistency you like, preferably be fragrance free (avoids invitation) and have good absorption.  Formulas that come in pumps are best as there is less exposure to air and light which degrades the product.  If the product does come in a jar, be sure to use clean hands or spatula to apply product.

SkinCeuticals Eye Balm With Triple Age Defense $82.  This rich emollient cream is great for those with mature or aging skin around the eyes.  Contains vitamin A & E and helps with collagen production, lipid replacement, and hydration.  Dimethicone helps to smooths under eye skin and makes for smoother concealer application.

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy AM. Gel Cream $36.  This cooling eye cream is perfect for revitalizing eyes first thing in the morning.  It addresses the concerns of firming and hydration and also targets the upper eyelid.  Key ingredients include red algae for hydration and anti-aging as well as peptides for plumping.

Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum $60.  This powerhouse eye serum addresses multiple concerns of the eye area.  Powerhouse ingredients of copper and black tea ferment create a smoother, radiant appearance under the eye while the Shaba Complex of niacinamide and edelweiss stem cells diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  COQ10 provides anti-oxidant protection.

PCA Skin Ideal Complex Restorative Eye Cream $87.  Target multiple signs of eye aging with this scientifically backed eye cream.  Optical diffusers instantly brighten while peptides help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and niacinamide helps with tone and strength of the skin.

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum $88.  This fast absorbing formula contains 3 forms of retinol which helps to stimulate collagen production and strengthens the eye area, creating a firmer, more toned look to the eye area.  Marine kelp extract brightens the eye area.

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream $18.  Lightweight and fast absorbing, this eye cream contains the key ingredient of hyaluronic acid which is highly effective at moisturizing and smoothing.  Aloe vera helps to calm and sooth the delicate eye area, making this eye cream perfect for daily use and prep for concealer application.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream $19.99.  A gel-cream hybrid, this eye cream is cooling, hydrating and fragrance free.  Key ingredient hyaluronic acid boosts moisture and locks it in all day.  It also smooths the skin under the eye without leaving an oily residue behind.

Dr Brandt No More Baggage Eye De-puffing Gel $42.  Banish the look of puffy, tired, aging looking eyes with this advanced de-puffing eye gel.  Quick acting, apply this in the morning to smooth and depuff.  The apricot color provides brightening to help you look well rested, caffeine helps to tighten and the peptides will plump and hydrate.