How to choose your eye cream?

How to choose your eye cream?

By Joshua Pierce, Head of Education at Credo

There are a LOT of eye creams on the market today. There are so many options, it makes my head spin… and so many marketing claims that make my eyes roll. Between the head spinning and eye rolling, it makes for a dizzying chore to find an eye cream that does what you want it to, let alone with a clean and safe ingredient list.

Let’s look at the reasons WHY an eye cream is important. Then we can uncover how to choose one that’s right for you. 
WHY YOU NEED AN EYE CREAM IN YOUR ROUTINE ASAP
The skin around your eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of the face. So, over time, as you lose elastin and collagen support in that area, the eyes will show lines, sagging and fatigue a lot quicker than the rest of the face. You may or may not be concerned with any of those issues. You may be more inclined to pick a product for the eye that supports healthy skin vs. the industry claim of “anti-aging”. Either way, let me break down the difference in formulas and how they interact with the delicate eye area.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE ONE FOR YOU?
First, think about what you want to achieve...
The first thing you want to think about are the concerns you are addressing and which ingredients will help deliver the results you want. Are you experiencing darkness under the eye? Look for eye products with Arnica like Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes. Do your eyes appear dull and tired? You could use some Vitamin C- check out Saint Jane Bright Repair Eye Cream. Are you fighting puffiness under the eye? Firming peptides could do the trick! Grown Alchemist Age Repair Eye Cream may be for you.

Then, choose the formula that suits your needs
After you’ve narrowed down what ingredients you want to look for, it’s time to move on to the formula. Which eye product will absorb into my skin the best? Which formula will address my concerns? That all depends on the consistency. Or how “thin” or “thick” the eye product feels.

The following formulations all have very different consistencies. A great rule of thumb to follow: the thinner the texture of a product, the quicker/easier it can penetrate the skin. So, let’s talk about 3 different formulations in order of how easily they penetrate the skin. 
EYE SERUMS (fast to slow absorption)
Just like serums for the face, eye serums will help deliver targeted results quicker than a richer cream or balm. They are super-powered formulas that typically have a very targeted function like combating dark circles, dullness or fatigue. Eye serums are sometimes designed as a water-based formula that can be layered under any cream or balm for boosted results! Keep in mind, there are eye serums out there that are oil-based. These are usually best worn alone, sans layering an eye cream/balm on top. I typically recommend oil-based serums for clients that are on the dryer side. If you’re a makeup wearer, you may want to choose an eye serum that is water-based so your concealer doesn’t slip-and-slide throughout the day.

Check out these bestselling clean eye serums: 


EYE CREAMS (fast to medium absorption)
Creams will often have a lot of the same functionality as a serum. However, the structure of the formulas is usually more “occlusive”. Occlusive is a term that refers to locking in moisture or supporting your skin’s function to retain hydration. Eye creams are great for day or night. If you’re opting for a cream with active ingredients like Vitamin C or Retinol (and its alternatives), then you are better off using those for your evening regimen. Those ingredients either aren’t stable under sun exposure or can cause sensitivity. During the day, I like to recommend your “de-puffers” or your “anti-fatigue” eye creams. They are gentler formulas that play well with the sun and day time activities.

Check out these bestselling clean eye creams:

EYE BALMS (slow absorption)
I’m not afraid to say it. My name is Joshua, and I’m an eye-balm-holic. Eye balms are beautifully dense formulas packed with mega nutrients and beloved hydration. Being a dry skin type, I love anything that supports my skin's ability to retain moisture (especially around the eyes where I have fine lines). I compare skin to the surface of a dry, crackling desert. When the rain comes it smooths out all the cracks in the ground. Now, apply that same logic to the skin. The more hydrated the surface of the skin is, the more radiant and smooth it appears. A little bit of eye balm applied at night can help smooth out the appearance of those pesky lines thanks to its occlusive nature! Take that rich, velvety, hydrating texture and mix in some powerful actives… and you’ve got yourself a miracle in a jar!


Check out these bestselling clean eye balms: 

Whether you’re concerned about aging eyes, tired eyes, dry eyes or all of the above, there’s a formula out there for you! Experiment with different brands and products at different times of day. Soon, you’ll find the magic eye potion of your dreams and all will be right in the world. 

But, if you’re like most of the human population, beauty products can be confusing. Especially when you get into all the nuances of formulation. Serums vs Creams vs Balms. Luckily we have a team of Clean Beauty Experts who are ready to help you with any questions you have about eye products. Visit one of our stores for guidance or engage in a live chat via our website! We’re happy to help find formulas that fit your specific needs.

Until next time, “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.”

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