Best Cosmetic Products for Eyes

Best ingredients for the eyes

The way to get glowing and healthy skin is to choose products that have natural ingredients which moisturise, strengthen and lift the sensitive skin around our eyes instead of irritating them.

Here is a great list of ingredients you should keep an eye out for when choosing cosmetic products for your eyes:

• Peptides: Peptides support collagen production and are a good choice for those with thinning skin and fine lines.
• Ceramides: Ceramides refine the tightness of, and add moisture to, the skin.
• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid attracts water which moisturises the skin and improves its elasticity.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs like lactic acid, glycolic acid and mandelic acid can reduce the effects of hyperpigmented skin.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that grants sun protection and brightening properties.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a moisturising and soothing vitamin.
• Retinoids: Also known as Vitamin A, retinoids can reduce the appearance of wrinkles but increase sensitivity to the skin and therefore should only be used in the evening. They can also irritate the skin, so only use retinoid products designed specifically for the undereye.
• Green tea: Puffy eyes in the morning? Fret not since caffeine and tannin naturally have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce dark circles.
• SPF: This ingredient is key to preventing sun damage and wrinkles around your eyes.

What to look for when buying a mascara

Most of us that wear make-up would agree that a good mascara is essential to perfecting any look. Our eyes frame our face; by lifting and darkening our eyelashes, we can brighten our faces, rejuvenate our eyes when we are tired and make them stand out. A bold eye-look is often complemented by a precise eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Here are some things you should watch out for when buying mascara:

Easy application

The applicator brush will determine how easy the mascara will be to apply without getting any clumps or smudging it. This includes scoping out the size, shape and material of the wand for the most comfortable experience. Wands can be shaped in many ways to catch each eyelash more easily.

Thin brushes tend to be the best for lengthening since they can get under your lashes the easiest. Thicker brushes will create a more voluminous look but make sure it is the right size for your eye to avoid clumping. Look for a wand that is densely packed and has a pointed tip for easy, clean application. Choosing a well-designed brush will also reduce the chance of you accidentally poking yourself in the eye or smudging your application.

Long-lasting

The way to making sure your mascara lasts all day is to look for high-quality ingredients that provide adequate colour, length and hold. There is little more annoying than having your mascara go flat and having to reapply it, leading to product build-up.

Easy to remove

While we may want our mascaras to be long-lasting and waterproof, we also need them to be easy to remove with the right products. To avoid damaging your eyelashes trying to remove mascara by scrubbing endlessly, look for a water-soluble formula for everyday wear and save the waterproof mascaras for special occasions.

Quick-drying

When you’re running late, the last thing you need is a slow-drying mascara that smudges when you move around. This is an especially important factor to consider if you’re applying more than one coat and need to wait for each coat to dry before applying the next.

Hydrating

Many cheap mascaras clump up easily, this is because they don’t have moisturising ingredients in them or they have hard-to-use applicator wands. Keep an eye on the ingredients list to ensure they’re full of rich, moisture-boosting ingredients instead of sulphates and parabens which are likely to dry out your lashes and make them more brittle.

Do eyelash serums work?

If you’re a big fan of eyelash extensions, lash lifts and false lashes, you might be interested to know that you can get the same look at home completely naturally.

Eyelash serums promote thicker and fuller eyelash growth through the use of certain ingredients such as peptides and hyaluronic acid. They’re applied topically and can also work in conjunction with eyelash conditioners which restore moisture to your lashes and strengthen them.

They normally take up to 12 weeks of daily use to work and may not be suitable for those with sensitive eyes and skin since they need to be applied from the root of your lashes.

Hair growth supplements

You could try taking a hair growth supplement if you’re looking to lengthen your lashes and thicken up your brows. The supplements tend to contain collagen which is good for both hair growth and for keeping the skin looking plump. These are normally taken in a pill or gummy vitamin format.

Eye cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than skin elsewhere on the body. As you age, this skin naturally gets thinner due to a lack of collagen which can result in wrinkles, sagging and dark circles.

While this is a completely normal and natural process, if you want to keep your skin looking brighter and more youthful, you can consider using an eye cream. Many eye creams are specially formulated to boost collagen production and tighten the area around your eyes.

Generally, eye cream should be applied on freshly washed skin and before any moisturiser or make-up to ensure the best results. They can be applied either in the morning, before bedtime or both, however, they may contain different formulas.

For daytime eye creams - look for a light cream that you can wear under your make-up, particularly with SPF in it to combat wrinkle formation. Nighttime eye creams should contain rich and hydrating ingredients to soak into your skin overnight.

Eyebrow tints

Tinting your eyebrows, especially if you have dark eyebrows already, may not seem like it’ll do much but you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make in giving you a gorgeous and full set of eyebrows. The eyebrow tint can dye tiny hairs that would normally go unnoticed to give you a healthy and well-groomed look.

While you can get this simple procedure done in a salon, you can also pick up an eyebrow tint cream and do it yourself. It involves applying the tint to your eyebrows for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and wiping it off or peeling it off for results lasting between a few days to 4 weeks. The dye will slowly and subtly fade over time.

It’s a painless and cheaper alternative to microblading whilst still giving you bold and full look.

To make your tint last as long as possible, keep your brows completely dry for 12 hours after your appointment (including washing your face). During the entirety of your tint, it’s best to avoid wearing oil-based makeup, face serums and face oils which can make your dye fade faster.

Eyebrow gel

Eyebrow gel (or eyebrow wax) is perfect for locking your hairs in place and securing your volumised look. They can also add volume and shine to otherwise sparse and dull eyebrows. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways of maintaining your eyebrows.

Brow gels come in all colours to suit your make up needs whether you have light or dark hair. A tinted brow gel is a great option for those looking to create natural definition, darken their eyebrows or cover up greys. For extra definition, you can use several shades.

Brow gels generally come with a spoolie (basically, a small mascara wand) for easy effortless application. Simply use the spoolie to brush your brow hairs upwards and outwards. Work the brush from root to tip to coat each part of your eyebrows evenly. Use short strokes and apply multiple layers to sparse areas.

Most everyday eyebrow gels will last the whole day and can easily be removed with your usual makeup remover and cleanser.

Skincare tips for your eyes

In addition to choosing the right products for your eyes with high-quality ingredients and correctly applying them, you can follow these simple tips for the best eye skincare regimen:

• You can gently massage the skin around your eyes to improve circulation and reduce puffiness.
• Avoid going to sleep whilst wearing eye makeup since that can irritate the skin and make it more brittle. Use a gentle makeup remover that’s safe to use around the eyes and never scrub or force your eye makeup off.
• Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) light to reduce the risk of eye wrinkles and skin cancer.
• To further protect your eyes and eyelids, wear a hat. The brim should be at least 3 inches wide to adequately protect your eyes from the sun.
• Be mindful when choosing products to use around your eyes. Use skincare and makeup formulas that are specifically made for the skin around your eyes and never apply products meant for other parts of the body to your eyes as they may be too harsh for the delicate skin.

It’s always a good idea to read reviews on a product before purchasing, you can get the inside scoop on the best cosmetic products for eyes by reading reviews on our site to help inform your purchasing decisions.