'It's important to treat the eye area (it's usually the first to wrinkle)'
I am asked for eye cream recommendations more than anything else, yet I am somewhat reluctant to endorse them wholesale. I think marketing and beauty advertising has caused people to place undue expectation on eye treatments as some magical cure to skin ageing, and while I certainly agree it's important to treat the eye area (it's usually the first to wrinkle), I don't always think we need a dedicated product to do it.
I'm not convinced that eye cream is anything more than a tiny pot of anti-ageing moisturiser (which I like, by the way), and I don't think all skins need the extra product and considerable financial outlay. If you have dry skin and have no reaction (eye-watering, puffiness) to putting your regular serum and day cream all around the eyes, then do that.
If your eyes are sensitive or your skin is on the oily side, then an eye cream will generally offer a lighter feel and no sun protection, which can aggravate. Whatever you choose, apply after cleanser and serum with your ring finger (it's the weakest), working from your lower outer eye clockwise for your right eye and anti-clockwise for your left, to cause minimal drag. Here are six eye creams I rate.
Prevage Eye Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF15 (main image), £76.50, johnlewis.com
Offers UV protection and feels velvety and smooth. I love it.
Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream, £24.50, benefitcosmetics.co.uk
A great first eye cream for young skins. Stays moist and makes skin look a lot brighter.
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, £33, kiehls.co.uk
Excellent on very dry, flaky or sensitive skins. Gentle tightening effect from a rich, cosseting cream.
Zelens Triple-Action Advanced Eye Cream, £75, thisisbeautymart.com
I know skin experts who say this is the best anti-ageing eye cream. I agree it's one of them.
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Eye Cream, £21.96, boots.com
Keeps skin hydrated and moist all day with no mascara smudge. Fills in wrinkles temporarily.
Sunday Riley Start Over Eye Cream, £65, uk.spacenk.com
I adore the whole range, but this is the star turn, giving depuffed skin and a reduction in fine lines.