beauty

The You Beauty Collective on the eye creams that actually ~do~ something.

Do I need an eye cream? Excellent question.

Beauty editors have long debated whether eye creams are a highly necessary step in any effective skincare routine, or small, overpriced jars of moisturiser that don’t do much at all.

As for us? We're going to play both sides, because even though we're of the opinion no one needs an eye cream (or any beauty product, really), there are a few specific concerns that do benefit from using a dedicated under-eye product.

WATCH: Here’s how the different horoscopes are doing self-care in isolation, is yours accurate? Post continues after video.


Video by Mamamia.

The keyword here is dedicated, because there are a lot of different eye creams and they all say they do different things. Brightening. De-puffing. Anti-wrinkle. Plumping. Correcting.

This is very confusing, which is why it’s disappointing when you drop cash on a tiny, expensive bottle of eye cream, only to be left underwhelmed by the results.

Very generally speaking, there are two common eye concerns that may be treated with a great eye cream: dark circles and puffiness. We say may because genetics and lifestyle factors (not sleeping, eating too much salt, not drinking enough water etc.) are a part of it, too. But doing all the lifestyle things you should be doing, and choosing an eye cream formulated to treat these specific concerns may help.

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If loss of volume under the eye is your concern, really, injectables like tear trough filler are going to give you the results you’re after, not a cream. And as for fine lines and crow's feet, you’ll notice them more around your eyes because that skin is delicate and dry and doesn’t have oil glands, which makes lines more visible.

You can use a hydrating eye cream or one with retinol (go easy if you’ve never used a retinol product before), but if you’re fairly happy with your skin and it’s just lines that bother you, save your money and simply apply your regular serum up under the eyes.

LISTEN: Hear Leigh Campbell’s take on eye creams in this episode of the You Beauty podcast below. Post continues after audio.

Quickly before we cut to the chase, another thing to know about eye cream is a little goes a long way, so it would be rude to waste it by pumping out too much. We recommend popping a tiny bit on the back of your hand and gently patting the product under and around your eye area, and then pumping out more if you need.

Now, onto what you came here for. 

These are the six eye creams the You Beauty Collective love and reckon actually work. Heads up, most aren’t cheap, but they all come highly recommended. Enjoy!

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1. Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector, $115.

"I'm not big on eye creams (too lazy), but this has been one of my top picks for yonks. It's pricey as hell, but I can honestly say it helps brighten my under eye area and make me look more... alive." – Erin Docherty, Senior Health and Beauty Writer.

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2. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eyecream, $239.

"It’s rich and decadent and feels like butter going onto the skin. Ginseng is such a wonderful ingredient but really underrated. I find that this eye cream has removed all creepiness, and has really helped with darkness too." - Iain Jeffrey, You Beauty Collective member.

3. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $18.99.

"I love the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, which I use mostly to keep the area hydrated and my skin barrier supported. With my eczema, I particularly get a lot of sensitivity around my eyes, so since I've started using this it's really helped to reduce the redness and irritability in that area." - Morgan Rohan, You Beauty Collective member.

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4. NIOD Fractionated Eye-contour Concentrate, $100.

"Controversial but in my opinion *most* of the eye products out there don’t do much. This little guy, on the other hand, is tiny but mighty. It's for under eyes and above the eyelid. It feels like a really concentrated serum in an oil. Your eye area will still look plump in the afternoon. I'm super impressed with it, as I should be for $100." - Leigh Campbell, Executive Editor.

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5. Andalou Naturals Age Defying Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $39.95. 

"As someone who wears a full face of makeup regularly, I need an eye cream that not only hydrates my under-eye area but doesn't crease my concealer or powder. And this one doesn't do either. It has the best texture - thick and creamy but not greasy, feels really silky on the skin, and absorbs immediately. I keep going back to it." - Charlotte Begg, Lifestyle Writer.

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Image: Supplied/Charlotte Begg  

6. Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Eye Cream, $59.95.

"I was never big on eye creams until I tried the Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Eye Cream. I have dark circles under my eyes and a few wrinkles that my makeup likes to settle into, but I've found that using Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Eye Cream really helped to brighten my under eyes as well as reduce the lines around my eyes. It's also fragrance-free, so that's a win." - Lacey-Jade Christie, You Beauty Collective member.

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Image: Olay  

Feature image: Instagram/@muradskincareaus; Supplied/Charlotte Begg

Do you have a banger eye cream recommendation? Tell us about your favourites in the comments below!

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