Picking the best eye product that’ll work for your routine is mostly about setting up realistic expectations. Even the most expensive eye cream on the planet won’t be able to lift sagging eyelids or completely abolish dark undereye circles. But, there are plenty of magical ways that an eye product, like Sunday Riley’s new 5 Star Eye Serum, can be transformative for your entire eye area — and it’s all about powerful, high-quality ingredients that pack a big punch. Below, we go through a few of the all-star ingredients that you should consider when you’re looking for an eye serum or cream.
Retinoids: “Retinol is the gold standard when it comes to slowing down the signs of aging,” says Dr. Martha Viera, a board-certified dermatologist from Miami. Both retinol and retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A and “promote collagen production and cell turnover. This is important for the area around your eyes because the cell turnover is slower than the rest of your body,” she says. The retinol in your existing face creams or moisturizers can be too powerful and irritating for your eyes, so it’s best to get a specific product like 5 Star Eye Serum that’s designed specifically for the eye area. The 5 Star Eye Serum contains five percent retinoid ester and one percent liposome encapsulated retinol.
Niacinamide: This B3 derivative supports ceramide production, brightens the look of discoloration in the under-eye area, and softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “Niacinamide is great because even though it’s very powerful at targeting hyperpigmentation, it’s still going to be very soothing to the skin,” says Dr. Michelle Henry, MD FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan.
Asiatic Acid: In combination with madecosside and asiaticoside in the 5 Star Eye Serum, the trio (which are active components of Centella Asiatica) supports natural collagen synthesis while also being nurturing to the delicate skin around your eyes. “You see Asiatic acid in a lot of anti-acne products because it’s great at healing wounds and it has anti-inflammatory properties,” says Henry.
Red Poppy Seed Extract: Though there isn’t a way to totally make under-eye circles disappear (they’re often hereditary), red poppy seed extract is beneficial for those looking to brighten the look of dark circles.
Ceramides: Ceramides, which are naturally already a part of your skin, attract moisture and replenish hydration in your skin for a plumper, more radiant-looking under-eye.
Caffeine: It’s not just for your java. When caffeine is incorporated into your eye creams, this ingredient “boosts the circulation in the eye area and helps with dark circles and puffiness,” says Viera.
Hyaluronic Acid: Since the thin area around your eyes doesn’t produce oil, it’s prone to dryness. “Hyaluronic acid molecules can attract 1,000 times its weight in water. It is a great humectant that helps create a plumping effect to the skin and makes it look younger and smoother,” says Viera.
Peptides: These small proteins “stimulate some collagen to reduce the appearance of fine lines,” says Henry. Your collagen production becomes less efficient as you get older, so peptides essentially “tell” your skin to make more collagen.
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