Within seconds, tightening eye creams work to disappear fine lines, wrinkles and puffy bags. (Getty Images)
Maybe you've seen the videos. A middle-aged woman (or man!) stares into the camera bare-faced, heavy eye wrinkles and undereye bags evident and on display. Then, with a swoosh of a tightening eye cream, and within literal seconds, the entire area appears smooth and lifted, as if the skin there has aged backward by 10 years. It all looks a bit like magic, leaving many of us wondering: Could these products actually work?
"Yes," says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch. "Tightening eye creams can help make the under eye area appear firmer. These creams typically contain ingredients like peptides or caffeine, which work to firm the skin and reduce the appearance of blood vessels, resulting in a smoother look."
While tightening eye creams are effective at rapidly minimizing puffiness and smoothing lines, it's important to note that the magical result you'll see is brief — those fresh-as-a-daisy eyes have a quick expiration date; your skin-miracle carriage will turn back into a regular ol' wrinkly pumpkin by the end of the night. According to Gratch, "The effects of eye creams are short-term, typically lasting from a few hours to up to 12 hours." To combat this, he suggests using tightening creams in tandem with a longer-term hydrating or firming creams which can improve skin tone and texture for lengthier periods. "Instant tightening creams provide temporary results that last for a few hours, while hydration creams can keep the skin moisturized for several hours. Firming creams require regular use over time to see long-term results."
Of course, when choosing any kind of skin care, seeking out trusted brands with products made from high-quality ingredients is key: "Many eye creams are glorified moisturizers," says Dr. Brendan Camp, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology. "But some are formulated with ingredients that encourage collagen production. Collagen is a structural protein that keeps skin firm; maintaining collagen levels in skin helps limit the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin."
Whichever eye cream you choose — tightening, hydrating, firming or some combination of the three — Camp instructs, "The effects of eye treatments will last longer if used in combination with sun avoidance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly."
The following ingredients are not only recommended by dermatologists, they're clinically proven to help improve the appearance of myriad under-eye skin issues, including fine lines, crepey texture, puffiness and discoloration.
Vitamin C: "Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects skin from free oxygen radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that contribute to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots, The use of vitamin C is also associated with improved collagen production," says Camp.
Retinol: Camp explains: "Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that, over time, helps to improve skin texture by regulating skin cell turnover and keeping skin firm and warding off wrinkles by encouraging collagen production."
Hyaluronic acid "This ingredient hydrates the skin and helps reduce fine lines," says Gratch.
Peptides: Every expert I spoke with recommended eye creams with peptides to promote collagen production and help strengthen delicate eye skin.
Caffeine: "Caffeine is commonly used in formulas to constrict blood vessels, reducing puffiness and dark circles, while improving circulation around the eyes," explains Gratch.
Squalane: This popular skin care ingredient (a fatty oil that's often derived from plants) helps drier undereye skin lock in moisture and maintain hydration.
If you're looking for an instant (if temporary) tightening fix with dramatic results, this is the product for you. In under three minutes, this insanely effective cream not only tightens undereye bags but smooths, depuffs and firms the skin in the entire eye area, blurring fine lines, crow's feet and even deep wrinkles for at least a few hours. It's gone viral several times over for a reason: This product actually works.
The application can be exacting — it's best to use a makeup brush or cotton swab and apply an ultra-thin layer; if not, it looks like a crusty mess. But, once you get the amount right, the proprietary skin tightening mix (with an assist from retinyl palmitate and vitamins B and C) delivers incredible results.
For just $16, this potent eye cream contains three of Gratch's most recommended ingredients — peptides, hyaluronic acid and squalane — to help smooth fine lines, boost moisture and make the area look brighter overall.
"Made with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, this eye cream targets under-eye concerns to improve discoloration, dullness and firmness," says Camp.
This is also a cream that feels good on your skin — the texture is lightweight, supple and extra emollient.
Gratch's pick for best eye tightening cream? This award-winning lotion from trusted skincare brand Skinceuticals. "SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream is effective in reducing dark circles under the eyes This eye cream also helps reduce puffiness and fine lines, improving the overall appearance of the under-eye area," he says. "And it's fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Key ingredients include proxylane, glycyrrhetinic acid and caffeine, all of which work together to hydrate and refresh the skin."
To protect the skin in this easily-damaged eye area, Camp recommends a sunscreen made specifically for it. "This product, which is formulated for use around the eyes, contains zinc oxide to provide SPF 30 protection," he says. Bonus: The formula is tinted so you be able to skip your concealer.
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