How to Choose an Eye Cream

First, decide if you want an eye cream for day or night use. An eye cream with an SPF is ideal for day use and since it's designed for the eye area, it's also likely to be far more gentle. Eye treatments for day use are usually lighter in texture (gels, gel-creams, lotions) to be more effective when used under makeup. They work as a primer to even out the skin's texture and set color products that you layer on top for longer wear. The higher the SPF you want, however, the more you should consider a tinted cream, rather than untinted. Higher SPF products can look ashy under the eyes when no pigment has been added.

Look for richer textures in eye treatments for evening. Active ingredients such as glycolic acid (to smooth texture), hydroquinone (to lighten ages spots), retinol (to firm, smoothe and brighten), and other Vitamin A derivatives work best at night and won't be hindered by layering makeup on top. Night products also contain more occlusive moisturizers like Shea butter, petrolatum and lanolin to seal in hydration, helping the active ingredients work more efficiently.

Next, choose eye products made specifically for use on the eyelids if you intend to use a treatment there. Other eye treatments can "travel" or "slip" too much and irritate sensitive eyes if applied to close to the lash line or on the eyelids. Treatments for eye lids are usually gel or gel-cream and formulated to stay put. Any other products used near the eyes should be applied no closer than the orbital bone that surrounds the eye area. Also look for creamy eyeshadow base products hitting the market that tout skin care benefits like Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer with Vitamins A, C, and E.

When sorting through the marketing-speak on the label and in the advertising, look for the following key words for each type of treatment. For day eye products look for the words protecting, optical diffusers, line fillers, antioxidant protecting, smoothing, and enhancing. For night eye products zero in on the terms repairing, restoring, rejuvenating, firming.

Tips:

- Keep eye gels and gel-creams in the refrigerator and apply cold when you have puffiness around your eye area.
- If you keep your eye treatments in the refrigerator, let the people who live with you know that there are non-edible items in the icebox and not to spread those products on toast.
- Ask for samples.
- Clarify the store return policy of the store you're purchasing from to make sure you can at least exchange a product you're not happy with.
- Use product sparingly and as directed.

Warnings:

- Avoid eye creams with sunscreen at night. Treatments with sun protection ingredients can be irritating to eyes while you sleep and can also interfere with the repair process your skin goes through every evening.
- When beginning a retinol or other Vitamin A based treatment for the first time, start the product usage every other evening for the first week or two and work up to every night. Retinol products can cause skin sensitivity so it's easier on the delicate skin around the eyes to ease into your new skin care regimen.
- If you're using exfoliating products like glycolic acid or retinoids, always use a sunscreen during the day.