Where to Apply Eye Cream

Eye cream—the name implies where this product should be applied, but did you know there is a specific technique that should be followed?

As with any skincare product, there is a right and wrong way to apply eye cream. Having a skincare routine requires having the right products, so it’s important to make sure you have the best eye creams.

Still, your skin care routine is about more than just the quality of your products.  It’s just as much about how you apply them. For many of us, skincare products are an investment. You want to make sure your skin is soaking up every benefit they have to offer.

If you’ve ever wondered where and how to apply eye cream, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn all about the best techniques for applying eye cream and some important do’s and don’ts.

Making the Most of Your Eye Cream

What is eye cream, anyway? It’s an eye product specifically formulated to nurture and soothe the skin of the delicate eye area. Other products, such as eye serums and eye gels, have similar effects and different consistencies.

Before getting into how to apply eye cream, let’s first break down some of the benefits. Why should you even use an eye cream in the first place?

• Puffiness: We’ve all woken up to tired, puffy eyes. Whether it’s from stress, lack of sleep, or poor diet, puffiness is inevitable. However, many eye creams are formulated with ingredients such as green tea and caffeine, which can help combat puffiness and revive tired eyes.
• Dark circles: Some of us are more genetically prone to dark under eyes than others. However, dark circles can also be caused by the same reasons puffiness occurs. Many eye creams are designed to fade darkness thanks to ingredients like vitamin C—a well-known skin brightener.
• Fine lines & wrinkles: As the skin underneath our eyes is very delicate, it’s often the first place we start to notice wrinkles and fine lines. Eye creams containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and retinol can help hydrate and plump the skin while smoothing those pesky fine lines we start to notice as we age.
• Dryness: Dry skin under the eyes can speed up the aging process. An eye cream can help provide your under eyes with the moisture they need while also creating a smooth canvas for other products.

Pretty amazing, right? To reap all of these amazing benefits, it’s important to apply your eye cream correctly.

If you’re seeking an eye cream to target a specific issue, check how it’s labeled. For example, if you want to prevent wrinkles and other aging signs, look for an anti-aging cream.

How Much Do I Apply?

When it comes to eye cream, less is more. This is a small area of skin you’re treating, so you don’t need nearly as much as you would when applying a full face of moisturizer.

Plus, eye creams can be pricey—so you want to savor every last drop! Applying very small amounts at a time is better for your eyes and your bank account.

A pea-sized amount of eye cream should be enough for both eyes as a general rule of thumb. Eye creams are typically very concentrated, so a little goes a long way!

Now, let’s get into the specific steps for application.

A Step-by-Step Technique for Applying Eye Cream

Applying eye cream is simple and takes hardly any time at all. The following routine only requires 3 steps, but each step is critical.

Step 1

Always apply eye cream using your ring finger. It’s the finger with the lightest touch, making it perfect for the delicate skin underneath your eyes. Using half of the pea-sized amount on each eye, gently dot the product under your eyes, starting on the inner corner and working your way to the outer corner.

Step 2

After dotting on your eye cream, use the tip of your ring finger to blend it in using pressing and tapping motions—no rubbing! While rubbing may seem like the fastest way, it can upset the delicate skin of the eye area. Once you’ve patted in the product, you can use a gentle sweeping motion to ensure the product has fully absorbed into your skin.

Step 3

Using the same gentle sweeping motion as before, apply any leftover product to your brow bone and eyelid area. Always check the ingredients and suggested use for your specific eye cream to ensure it is safe for these areas, and never apply too much product close to your eyes. You don’t want the eye cream to actually get in your eye.

Repeat these steps on the other eye, and voila! You’re done!

When Should I Apply Eye Cream?

Applying eye cream should be one of the last steps of your skincare routine. Depending on your eye cream’s consistency, it should be applied either before or after your moisturizer.

If your eye cream is a lightweight formula, apply it before your moisturizer, and if it’s a thicker consistency, use it after your moisturizer. Generally, beauty products should always be layered from lightest to heaviest.

Here’s an example of a simple routine that incorporates eye cream:

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser or complete a double cleanse.
2. Exfoliate: Using an exfoliating cleanser three times per week will help slough away dead skin and unclog pores.
3. Tone: Sweep on a face toner using a cotton pad. This will help restore your skin’s pH balance and reduce pore size.
4. Moisturize: Apply a natural face moisturizer to your entire face and neck, allowing it to fully absorb before moving to the next step.
5. Eye Cream: Apply eye cream using the method outlined previously.
6. Facial Oil: Lock in moisture and all of the benefits of the products you just applied by gently pressing 3-5 drops of a facial oil into your skin.
7. Sunscreen: Applying a sunscreen to your face limits the damage the sun does to your skin. Taking this precaution keeps your skin looking youthful.

Eye creams can usually be applied twice a day. You may want to use different products for your morning and night routine.

Do’s & Don’ts for Applying Eye Cream

As a quick recap, here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to applying eye cream:

• DO: Remember always to be gentle. The skin underneath and around your eyes is fragile, and it’s where blood vessels are most visible.
• DON’T: Tug or pull at your skin.
• DO: Be patient. Results take time!
• DON’T: Be inconsistent with your application. Use an eye cream every morning and night for optimal results.
• DO: Use a tiny amount of product (a pea-sized amount is usually plenty).
• DON’T: Slather on loads of eye cream.
• DO: Use your ring finger to gently glide the product around the entirety of your eye.
• DON’T: Neglect your eyelids and brow bone area.
• DO: Look for a product with quality ingredients suited for your skin type.
• DON’T: Be fooled by the price. Expensive eye creams aren’t always better!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you apply eye cream before or after moisturizer?

As a general rule of thumb, you should apply eye cream before you use moisturizer. However, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. You should structure your beauty routine to start with the lightest, most watery products, and end with the heaviest. If your eye cream is significantly heavier than your moisturizer, it might be better to apply the moisturizer first.

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles are often linked to sleep deprivation. Not getting enough sleep can leave your skin pale, making dark tissues and blood vessels more obvious. If your eyes are puffy, the dark circles you see may also be shadows from slightly swollen eyelids.

Besides eye creams, you can treat dark circles under your eyes with a cold compress in a soft cloth. You can also try propping up your head with a pillow while you sleep. This prevents fluid from pooling in your lower eyelids and developing into dark circles.

What is the right way to apply face cream?

First, wash your face and apply a mild cleanser. Your skin should always be slightly damp before you apply a face cream.

You may choose to follow up the cleanser with a face toner to balance the pH levels of your face, then apply the cream. If you’re using an eye cream, pat it gently under your eyes before you use a cream for your entire face.

Don’t use too much face cream. Start with a pea-sized amount, adding more as needed. Dab it onto your face in scattered dots, then massage the cream into your face with small, circular motions that travel upward. You may want to finish off by applying face cream to your neck, protecting the delicate skin there.

Do you put eye cream on eyelids?

Unless the cream is specifically labeled as safe for your eyelids, you shouldn’t apply it to your upper or lower eyelids. In fact, you don’t want to apply eye cream too close to your eyes. When applying eye cream, follow the contour of your eye socket—don’t go past the bone.

Which finger do you use to apply eye cream?

Skincare experts usually recommend the ring finger because it’s the weakest of the five. The ring finger is often a natural at gently patting down eye cream in the delicate area of your eyes. If you don’t wish to use your fingers, you can look for an eye cream applicator.

Conclusion

There you have it—a complete guide for applying eye cream! Next time you’re going through your skincare routine, remember these tips and tricks for beautiful, younger-looking eyes.