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Best firming eye creams to tackle wrinkles and fine lines
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When calling them ‘lateral canthal lines’ didn’t quite catch on, one might assume plastic surgeons gathered together to rebrand them with a more creative moniker in a bid to draw attention to these signs of ageing.
Crow’s feet, also known kindly as laughter lines, develop at the corner of the eyes and tend to be the first wrinkles that appear. Once you spot them, you may just find that they’re all that you can see when you look in the mirror.
But there’s no need to despair, or rush to injectables. Before you go under the needle, consider topical solutions to bring you back confidence and the sparkle in your eye.
Firming eye creams are formulas designed specifically to combat fine lines around the periorbital area. London-based Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Derrick Phillips explains, “Firming eye creams are formulated with ingredients that tighten and tone the delicate skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These creams often include ingredients like peptides and antioxidants to promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity, contributing to a more youthful eye area”.
As the skin around the eyes is 10 times thinner than the rest of the face, it is important to find a lighter-weight cream that is gentle. The components contained within your typical complexion products are likely too harsh. Dr Phillips confirms this, revealing that “If you have sensitive skin or are looking for products that have been formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, then firming eye creams may be for you”.
Pay attention to the ingredients in your hunt for a hard-working anti-ageing hero. The derm highlights peptides specifically “which stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles”. He draws our attention also to “antioxidants like vitamin C that may be included to protect the skin from free radicals and promote overall skin rejuvenation for a firmer and more youthful eye area.
Shop the best firming eye creams below
Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Eye Cream
This is a results-driven eye cream where the before and after pictures almost speak for themselves. The lightweight cream contains not one but seven different forms of collagen and actives that encourage collagen production in order to combat crow’s feet and encourage a plumped appearance.
The trademarked complex EyeFective also gets to work on dark circles, while hyaluronic acid and squalane provide the moisture. The tub may appear small but a little goes a long way and it gets to work fast.
Top tip, store in the fridge for the ultimate cooling effet.
111SKIN Eye Lift Gel NAC Y²
Founded by Dr Yannis Alexandrides, renowned Harley Street plastic surgeon, 111SKIN offers surgically-inspired, science-based luxury formulations that pack a real punch. This eye serum is a triple threat against darkness, puffiness, and wrinkles, containing Argireline, Mother Nature’s answer to Botox, which subtly inhibits muscle contractions to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Recently reformulated, there is now 100 per cent more of this component, making it more effective than ever.
The patented combination boosts antioxidants to rejuvenate the under-eye area for a more youthful appearance. Caffeine fights dark circles, while vitamin B nourishes. A one-stop shop for your eyes.
StriVectin Peptight 360° Tightening Eye Serum
With a cooling tip, the application of StriVectin’s serum is one you’ll relish, especially when your eyes are feeling heavy, puffy and tired. The science-backed label has created this formula to tighten the area around the skin with a blend of three peptides.
While it packs a punch, revitalising and rejuvenating the delicate periorbital area, it has a lightweight, silky texture that ensures it is quickly absorbed into the skin, especially when massaged in a circular motion. There is also Kakadu plum extract and caffeine to brighten dark circles, and marine ferment and microalgae for a wide-eye appearance.
Dr Sebagh Firming Eye Cream
Dr Jean-Louis Sebagh founded his eponymous label to harness his expertise as one of the world’s premier cosmetic doctors into accessible products to use at home. The Firming Eye Cream is a targeted treatment designed specifically to tackle the look of fine lines and wrinkles with an advanced concoction of ingredients.
The first is a ceramide-like component that nourishes and replenishes the skin. This is combined with hydration hero hyaluronic acid, and a hazelnut oligopeptide complex that is made up of arginine, praline, glutamic acid and aspartic acid to firm and restore the skin tissue.
Medik8 Eyelift Peptides
Medik8 is all about results and, as such, peptides drive the formula. There are no less than five different kinds within, all selected for their anti-ageing properties. When applied to the contours of the eyes, the ingredients offer a tightening effect, encourage collagen production and reduce puffiness with the addition of a rice and soybean-based protein complex.
Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream
Naturium has taken the beauty world by storm for its high-powered and affordable product line-up. Take this Multi-Peptide Eye Cream, for example. Peptide-based products tend to go hand in hand with an elevated price tag but that is not the case here. The brand calls on Matrixyl 3000, Argireline Amplified and vegan squalane to support collagen production and smooth the signs of ageing around the eyes – and all for under £20.
Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
The price of this retinol eye cream might make your eyes water but on the plus side, the formula won’t. This cream doesn’t simply rely on retinol, but the plant-powered efficacy of bioretinols, which mimic retinol’s effects while reducing sensitivity. The formulation’s honey-like hue (picture Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream) sinks straight in, partly thanks to the ingenious applicator, which aids absorption without unnecessary pressure.
Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
With 37 reformulations in the making, Allies of Skin’s eye product comes after a gruelling testing process that took three years. The formula combines peptides, the natural retinol alternative bakuchiol, glow-getting vitamin C and omega-rich oils to give the area around your peepers the love, care and attention they deserve. Brightening, depuffing and pesky lines be gone with this beauty sleep in a bottle.
Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream
There’s lots going on inside this bright purple bottle: five different ceramides (to boost hydration), vitamin C and retinol. The pale pink cream has a thicker consistency than many eye care treatments but sinks in immediately. In summary? A brilliant, targeted product to smooth the toughest of wrinkles, with a hefty hydration hit to counteract retinol’s drying effects.
The Outset Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream
I have to admit, I take an incredibly lax approach to eye cream. I know I should probably use it but when I’m already loading up on so many different creams, I can’t help but feel like it gets to a point where enough is enough. While it may bring an alphabet of vitamins and anti-ageing benefits to my peepers, this cream wasn’t enough to win me over to the product type once and for all.
It’s a thick cream and very nourishing but I feel applying the other textures up to the periorbital area should do much of the same job. There is the hyaluronic acid alternative complex and a form of vitamin C that works the glowing magic as well as the unique addition of Irish moss with minerals, polysaccharides and micronutrients and centella asiatica extract to smooth and soften. Remember that when applying to the delicate eye area, use your ring finger to dab onto the skin - do not swipe or drag.