Beauty 101: How to Choose the Best Eye Cream

From your 20s to you 50s, here's what to shop for now.

By Danielle Fontana Dooley, Associate Director, Digital Content · Aug 5, 2015

Whether you’re a beauty editor or a novice, shopping for anti-aging products can be tough, but there are a few products out there that simplify the process by telling us which skin type or age range we should belong to before purchasing. To help navigate, we asked celebrity aesthetician Nerida Joy for the ingredients we should be looking out for in our eye-care products that will work best for different ages and concerns.

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20s

Joy says that in your 20s, generally, fine lines are beginning to appear, and you may be struggling with possible dark under-eye circles as you begin your eye care regimen. “The ingredients best suited for this age group are plant-based ones that build strong antioxidant defense systems to protect themselves from harm,” she adds, advising to look for ingredients including aloe leaf juice, kelp and pearl powder.

Try These:
RéVive Eye Renewal Serum Firming Booster ($150)<br

Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask For Puffy Eyes ($25)<br

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream ($42)<br

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30s

Within your 30s, Joy explains that environmental exposure generally tends to make the deeper and longer lines to the lower-outer eye area more visible. “Dullness around the eye can also begin to creep up during this time. Ingredients that are best for this decade will work to energize and nourish the eye area, like ginseng extract, citric acid and sodium hyaluronate.”

Try These:<br

Eve Lom Eye Cream ($75)<br

3Lab The Serum ($130)<br

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream ($180)<br

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40s

In your 40s, Joy says that, unfortunately, signs of stress are beginning to show up around the eye area. Because of this, it’s best to look for ingredients that will restore and support healthy functioning cells. “The ingredients that are best suited for the job are pearl and hazelnut protein.”

Try These:<br

Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream ($145) <br

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Moisturizing Eye Cream ($34)<br

Scalisi Skincare Eye Cream ($55)<br

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50s

Joy explains that in your 50s, dryness and puffiness, as well as the heaviness of the upper eyelid tend to plague us, which all adds up to more delicate, aging skin. “Ingredients that deliver nutrients and bring noticeable firmness and lift are crucial here,” adds Joy. “Look for calcium alginate and citric acid for their firming abilities, and sodium hyaluronate for nourishment and protection.”

Try These: <br

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream ($42)<br

Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum ($115)<br

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Eye ($100)

Bonus Tip: “For best results, an eye cream or eye gel should be used both in the morning and at night in a complete circle around the eye area,” says Joy.