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How do you take care of your eye area?
How do you take care of your eye area? Eye cream? Masks? Share!
I use a gentle makeup remover (usually a cleansing oil or a cotton pad with Lancome Bi-Facil, something like that) at night to remove all the makeup. I’ll use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to get all the last bits off the lash line. Sometimes I try to use an eye cream (right now I’m trying to use Mario Badescu’s Hyaluronic one), but I usually just use the same product I’m using on my face all-over.
Thanks to reader Mary for today’s question idea Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.
Shiseido benefiance eye cream is the best eye cream I have ever used! Loooove it!
Waterproof make up remover if I’m wearing a few coats of mascara (I soak up a cotton pad and leave it over the lids and lashes for a few minutes to “melt” off the make up), otherwise cleansing oil works for me, and a cheap eye cream in the morning and evening.
A lot of lubricating eyedrops, very soft tissue to blot excess eyedrops, a good amount if emollient moisturizers (even pure castor oil sometimes), very gentle make-up remover (Bioderma), and redness-soothing fluid (Paula’s Choice Anti-Redness Solution).
Having watery eyes combined with hooded eyelids mean that tears tend to pool up around my eyelids, and when they evaporate the water+salt content irritate the skin horribly. I miss having low-maintenance eyes. >:
What are your favorite lubricating eye drops, Ryou?
I use Refresh Liquigel by Allergan! It’s heavy-duty but only gives me very minor and brief blurry vision. Bonus: because it’s slightly thicker than most eyedrops it’s more likely to stay in your eyes instead of dripping all over your cheekbones. Of course, blotting helps too. 😉
Thank you! I have that. It makes my eyes so sticky sometimes, lol!
Yeah, it does that sometimes. It’s still much better than the ointment that they have, though! I can only use it overnight because holy blurry vision, Batman!
Christine try Systane the purple one, my optometrist recommended it and it is great.
I always wear sunscreen in the daytime, always. At night, I use Paula’s Choice Resist retinol serums or the retinol creams, which are HG for me. They are so gentle but so effective. I used to have very crepey eyelids with wrinkles, and the Paula’s Choice products have gotten rid of almost all of it!! My eye area is smooth and firm, with only a few fine lines underneath. I’m in my 40s and can still wear shimmery shadows, thanks to Paula!
I’m also a huge fan of the PC Resist line, but was worried about using the retinol-containing products on my lids. But now I’m also seeing the crepey texture so might give it a try. Do you mind sharing the specific products you are using on your eyelids? Tx so much!
Angel, glad to help. I rotate a bunch of Paula’s Choice Resist retinol products, and all of them have been gentle enough to use on my eye area. The gentlest one is the Resist Intensive Repair Cream for Dry Skin, it’s an emollient cream, and I use this if my skin is drier or more sensitive. The next gentlest is the Resist Retinol Serum, and it specifically says it’s good for use on eye area. This is an oil-like serum that sinks in after a couple of minutes. And the strongest is the 1% Retinol Serum, it’s also an oil-like serum that sinks in. If you find any of the retinol products too strong, you can mix it in with your regular moisturizer so there’s less chance of irritation. Or you can try using retinol every other night until your skin gets used to it. These 3 products have made such a HUGE difference in my eye area, so I hope they work for you, too.
Awesome. I have a sample of Resist Retinol Serum and use the 1% serum daily, so I guess I’m set to start treating those eyelids! I had thick, oily skin growing up ( it has turned combination and occasionally sensitive with age), so I’ve not had many problems using retinoids, so I’m hopeful! Tx so much for sharing your how-tos!
You’re welcome!
i use eve lom cleanser as makeup remover/cleanser in one. micellar water and q-tip if there are left over traces. i’ve recently discovered dr perricone’s cold plasma eye is amazing. in just a few days, my dark circles were improved, fine lines eased and the bruised coloring on eyelids from veins lightened! if only they managed to do something about the slightly fishy smell 🙁
Always an eye cream – one with SPF in the daytime (they’re getting harder and harder to find, especially here in Canada but even in the US, my very favourite one, from Clarins, has been discontinued). I do like using a facial cleanser that also removes eye makeup but if there is residue or if I’m wearing heavier makeup or mascara, I’ll use a separate eye makeup remover – Clinique Take the Day Off, Lancome Bi-Facil or Clarins or Bioderma.
While I rarely use anything waterproof, most of my makeup comes off fairly easily with my facial cleanser. However, I always smudge my eyeliner deep into the lashline and there’s also a bit left even after cleansing. So I take a Q tip with a bit of eye cream, no gel or serum type, and utilize that to gently remove the remainder. Then a few drops of Visine to brighten the eye itself and blink, blink, the eye washes itself to look and feel clean again. Then if it is morning, I am prepped and ready to start with a new makeup application. If I did happen to use anything waterproof, like eyeliner or mascara, nothing beats Lancome’s Bi-facil for ease of removal and no burning or stinging.
Same… Only use the Estee Lauder Synchronized Night whatever, for the eye area at night. But only cause I got it as a gift.
Gentle makeup remover, Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum and eye cream.
In the evening I just apply a bit of serum from Paula’s Choice around my eyes (the same one that I use for my face) and in the morning I use a special eye cream from LIERAC to get rid of puffiness.
– At night I remove my makeup with cleansing oil, being careful to gently massage my eye area and lashes to melt down my waterproof mascara.
– Afterwards I smooth a tiny amount of Kate Somerville True Lash Eye Makeup Remover onto my top and bottom lashline and remove it with a damp tissue to get rid of any remaining makeup residue and condition my lashes at the same time.
– Finally, I go in with Algenist’s Complete Eye Renewal Balm – two layers of it on the undereye area. Some days if my eyes area is feeling irritated I’ll use the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel instead to cool and de-puff.
– About twice a week I will use the Ole Henriksen Truth Is In The Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate first (morning and night) before layering my eye cream on top. It helps keep my eye area smooth and milia-free.
– In the mornings I go for the Algenist Eye Balm again then top it with either Shiseido’s Sun Protection Eye Cream with SPF 34 or simply use my Josie Maran Daily Argan Moisturizer with SPF 47 all over my face and make sure to get the eye area as well.
I usually use coconut or olive oil to gently remove my makeup. Sometimes I’ll use my Chanel eye gel but only if I’m feeling a little dry. I need to start using it regularly though. Eye creams really seem to help prep the eye area for smooth makeup application
Coconut oil to remove makeup and my SK oil around the eye area. Occasionally proper eye cream.
I use the Neutrogena biphase eye makeup remover (would use Lancome BiFacil if I had more $$$), as gently as I can, then I apply some of my 3746556 samplesof Lancome Genifique eye cream. I’m not sure it does all that much, butit feels nice, and I need to use up the samples somehow…
I use a gentle, conditioning eye makeup remover and my face moisturizer and take care that I have sun protection but that’s about it. I really do not buy that we should use a separate eye cream especially since so many that I have I actually tested are fragranced to next week (Clarins…).
For my allergies, Zaditor eye drops (OTC) or Pataday (Rx). I use whatever eye makeup remover I have a the moment that doesn’t burn my eyes. Right now, bhcosmetics makeup remover. I use NuSkin TruFace Line Corrector morning and bedtime for those fine lines and crow’s feet: Amazing stuff. L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Keratin Lash Boosting Serum, also amazing stuff. A couple times a week I’ll use an eye balm instead of the Line Corrector. I use whatever sample I have. I regularly get them in beauty boxes, or as part of gifts with purchase deals, etc. Right now, Estee Lauder.
I use Lancome’s Bi Facil with my Shiseido facial cotton to remove my eye makeup. I remove my face makeup and eye makeup residue with my cleansing oils. After washing my face, I moisturize my skin with a night moisturizer and moisturize my eye area with various oils such as a little rosehip seed oil, tamanu oil or a vitamin e/grapeseed oil mix. Depends upon the season, weather and my skin’s behavior that day.
I have very sensitive and allergic eyes and I wear contacts, plus my eyelids are super fragile and prone to irritation so using products designed for the eye area is a must for me (I have awful burning sensation if I try to use a regular face cream in that area).
I can’t use cleansing oils on my eyes because they irritate me horribly. I can’t really use liquid removers either because the friction of the cotton pad irritates me too. So my HG is a makeup removing lotion from Neutrogena that comes in a blue tube. I apply it with my fingers and massage the eyelids and lashes to dissolve everything, then take off the smudged makeup with micellar water on a cotton pad (a couple swipes and it’s gone).
I apply a rich eye contour cream at night (right now I have a Burt’s Bees balm but I’m not too happy with it, it’s too greasy) and something lighter that works well as a makeup base in the morning (at this time an Ole Henriksen eye cream).
I’m going to have to try out the Neutogena tube makeup remover you use–thank you for mentioning that. I can’t use the dual-phase Neutrogena oil-free makeup remover bc that REALLY irritates my eyelids. Clinique Cleansing Oil doesn’t irritate my eyes and it’s the only cleansing oil I’ve tried that doesn’t. Same with the Clinique Naturally Gentle Makeup Remover (the green tube) and the Cleansing Balm.
Let’s see…I use Skinceuticals SPF eye Cream (doesn’t migrate), sunglasses, and carry around refreshing drops, Topix Replenix CF Cream, and Cerave Lotion. Sometimes I use Vitamin C serum on lower orbital bone. Sunscreen one eyelids is a must.
I’m very delicate with the eye area. I used to not listen to the “use only your ring or pinky finger,” because.. Why? But after getting older and one day throwing up after crying and coughing profusely, I, for the first time, developed what looked like rosacea under my eyes and utop cheeks. Capillaries broken everywhere! Spots! ( Prior, at times I couldn’t seem to hydrate the area and it would strangely peel, as well as my eyelids.) I tried supreme hydration from products and got millia. I did research and l also discovered I was putting eye creams in the wrong place & I’m the wrong way. So I tried it correctly, and actually found a formula that helps my chronic dark circles snd lifts just enough, a tremendous formula that works! So now I pat, gently on the orbital bone only, with my ring finger, and it’s been wonderful! I use the Nude Skincare one, for reference. 🙂 Any info about discounts for Charlotte Tilbury? 😛
I try to wear mascara as infrequently as I can get away with. No matter how gentle you are with mascara removal, whether you use eye-makeup remover, are extremely aware and gentle and don’t pull skin, wearing and removing mascara is harder on the undereye area over time than anyone can imagine. Not seeing the damage short-term can fool you into thinking this is a sustainable practice. It’s not. And the older you are, the faster the damage happens and accumulates. I’ve tried various eye creams at different price points, but a good moisturizer can be just as effective and cost less. My favorite: Clinique DDML (Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion) for day, night, eye area, and lips.
I use the same products for my eye as for my whole face:
Morning and evening:
– Shu Uemura cleansing oil (the pink one) and Neutrogena cleanser
– Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion
– Hada Labo Arbutin Milk
– Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF50PA+++
Morning:
– Paula’s Choice RESIST serum
– Mad Hippie face moisturizer
Evening:
– Best Face Forward natural serum oil (Blue Sky Waters)
– Cerave PM moisturizer
I have pretty sensitive eyes, so the BFF and the moisturizers don’t go much past the orbital bone. The Hada Labo sunscreen can go on my lids without stinging, which is fantastic!
Although my products are different, I agree with your approach. I really like Paula Begoun’s sensible beauty info, and she maintains that special products for the eye area aren’t necessary…..with the exception of some sensitizing sunscreen ingredients and higher concentrations of retinoids that you don’t want too near the eyes, the products you use on your face are just fine for the eye area.
I take extra care of my eye area cause it’ll tell on ya. I make extra sure all liner and massacra is off with a q-tip, my mix oil cleanse and then tone witch hazel. I prefer to move my eyelashes along the q-tip instead of the opposite way. I make to use eye cream appling with my ring fingers and I use a q-tip with olive oil to moisturized my lashes.
I got a trial pack of Innoxa’s new sensitive eye cream with a purchase and it has been fantastic. I use my Sukin makeup remover cream to remove my makeup and then use this eye cream – it really works.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, avoid squinting. Of course a good eye cream. After years of searching a perfect eye cream, I’ve tried almost Everything, European brands, American Brands, Asian brands… so far my two favorites are Bobbi Brown extra repair eye cream and Kielh’s midnight recovery eye cream. They are not perfect but I do actually see a difference when I use them. Also when I put on my under eye concealer I try to pad it into my skin instead of rubbing it.
I use Mario Badescu’s eye make up remover – it’s so soothing and works great. Then for eye cream I use Crème Ancienne by Fresh – it’s really pricy but lasts me a long time (like almost 10 months a jar) and it’s the one that gives my eyes a lift and gets rid of much of the darkness and bags on my skin under my eyes. Nothing I have tired in my more than 50 years wearing makeup has done what this cream does. I sometimes use a lighter eye cream in the day time like Eyes Alive by Wei East but I have a few I will rotate through that are lighter – I need a really lux cream at night and I used it around the entire orbit, not just under eye
I remove my eye make using Neutrogena makeup remover wipes. For under my eye area I use CeraVe eye repair cream. And for my eyes I use Genteal lubricant eye gel.
In the PM I remove all my makeup including eye makeup with Pond’s cold cream. It’s gentle and effective. After cleansing I apply Philosophy Miracle Worker retinoid eye repair followed by Nivea Soft. In the AM I use eye gel (currently looking for a new one) followed by my facial moisturizer.
I use a special eye makeup remover, when I wear heavy makeup. Usually removes my Take the day off cleansing balm in combination with a muslin cloth or flanel the complete eye makeup.
Sometimes I use an eye cream like Kiehls’ avocado or Origins Gin-Zig (or something like that).
I use MAC Fast Response Eye Cream at night
Always wear sunglasses outside during the day (I get made fun of for this, “you’re SO Californian!”), always wear some kind of eye cream (since I was 17, I’m now 53 and it has made a difference) both day and night.