How to Apply Eye Cream in 5 Easy Steps

From dark circles to puffiness to crow’s feet, there are quite a few complexion concerns that revolve around the under-eye area. Since the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate compared to other parts of the face, the eye contour area is more prone to showing early signs of aging. Besides grinning and bearing it, is there anything you can do to address your biggest under-eye problems? We’re happy to report there is! Consider adding an eye cream to your daily skin care product lineup. Trust us, it’s well worth adding an extra step into your skin care routine. We’re breaking down exactly how to find the best eye cream for your skin care concerns along with how to apply eye cream the right way.

FIND THE BEST EYE CREAM FOR YOU

Adding an eye cream to your skin care routine is always a good idea, but it’s important to pick the right one. Start off by deciding what your major concerns are. Are dark circles ruining your mood every day? Do you wake up with under-eye bags every morning? Gasp! Have you spotted your first under-eye wrinkle? Here, have your pick from our best eye creams for every under-eye concern.

If you have dark circles…try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Miracle Blur Eye. This eye cream is formulated with Opti-Blur™ Technology and light-diffusing pigments. It helps to reduce the signs of fatigue and aging around your eyes, including dark circles, with continued use over time.

If you have under-eye bags…try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power™ Eye Cream. This luxurious, lightweight eye cream formulated with hyaluronic acid helps reduce the appearance of under-eye bags with continued use over time. Plus, it has a cooling applicator!

If you have crow’s feet…try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream. With age, skin can start to look less firm and fine lines and wrinkles can appear more visible. The delicate eye area is particularly susceptible to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (i.e. crow’s feet) as well as dark circles under the eyes. This eye cream can help minimize the appearance of crow’s feet and dark circles with continued use over time.

HOW TO INCORPORATE EYE CREAM INTO YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Every time you add a new skin care product to your beauty routine, you’re faced with a new problem—determining when to use it. So, when exactly should eye cream be slotted into your skin care routine? The answer: Applying eye cream should be the final step in your skin care routine every day, both in the morning and at night. That said, before reaching for your new favorite skin care product, follow the steps below for the ultimate TLC skin care routine.

STEP #1: CLEANSE

The first step of a successful skincare routine lies within a quality cleansing routine. While you can certainly cleanse the surface of your skin with a single product, we like covering all the bases with a double-cleansing routine. That said, start by removing your makeup with a cotton pad soaked with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types. This product is created with tiny oil molecules to help draw impurities away from the skin in the most gentle way possible.

After you’ve removed all traces of makeup, reach for a more traditional cleanser. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate and Refine Cleanser, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify and Mattify Cleanser, and L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox and Brighten Cleanser are each formulated with three different types of clay and one special ingredient to cater to an array of complexion concerns. The clay-to-mousse formula makes for a soothing cleanse that will never over-dry skin. Once a day, squeeze your facial cleanser of choice into your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse. Gently massage the facial cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

STEP #2: EXFOLIATE + MASK

To elevate your skin care routine a step further, every other day after cleansing consider exfoliating skin with a sugar scrub. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub, and L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Face Scrub are formulated with three pure sugars and one unique ingredient to gentle, yet effectively, exfoliate skin while catering to a variety of complexion concerns.

More of a masker? Consider adding a twice-weekly mask to your routine. Need a reco? We have five.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Exfoliate & Refining Treatment Mask is formulated with three types of clay and enhanced with red algae extract to draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth the look of imperfections, and allow skin to breathe.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Mattify & Purify Treatment Mask is formulated with three types of clay and infused with eucalyptus leaf extract to draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of excess shine.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Treatment Mask is formulated with three types of clay and infused with charcoal to draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, reduce the look of dull skin, and even out skin tone.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Maskis formulated with three types of clay and infused with yuzu lemon to draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and resurface skin for a super-smooth finish.

The L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask is formulated with three types of clay and infused with seaweed to draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and calm stressed skin.

For each mask, apply an even layer to clean skin, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with water. And since both of these methods ensure that your skin is free of any makeup, dirt, or debris so that your eye cream and other skincare products can really sink in to deliver their results.

STEP #3: TONE

After cleansing and exfoliating, it’s time to tone. Reach for a bottle of the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner and a cotton round. Soak the cotton round with the toner and swipe it across your face to remove any traces of dirt or debris that could’ve clung to your complexion. Not only will this step create your cleanest skin, it will also help soothe your complexion and minimize the appearance of pores.

STEP #4: MOISTURIZE

You can’t cleanse without preparing to moisturize immediately thereafter. That’s because your skin’s hydration content is highest directly after a cleanse and a moisturizer will help lock all that hydration in. Instead of using any old cleanser, try the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, and L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin. All three are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe water to help provide long-lasting hydration.

STEP #5: DOT ON EYE CREAM

When it comes to eye cream, a little goes a long way—we’re talking about a dime-sized amount only. Seriously, you don’t need to overdo it! Pick up a small amount of eye cream on your finger and dot it on around the orbital bone, from the inner to the outer corners of your eye area.

Editor’s Tip: Pat, don’t rub.The quickest way to work a skin care product into your skin isn’t necessarily the best way to do it. Rubbing eye cream in may be the fast and easy way to go, but it can actually be bad for your skin. Don’t forget just how delicate the skin around your eyes is. You’ll be better off applying eye cream at gently as possible. After you’ve dotted it on, use the pad of your finger to pat, rather than rub, the eye cream into your skin. Keep patting until the eye cream is fully absorbed, and there you have it!

Up next: 8 Mistakes You Could Be Making with Your Eye Cream.