Can I use retinol cream under my eyes?
Yes, it does, retinol is a powerful but complex ingredient. I can’t blame you if you’re a little hesitant about using it on the sensitive eye area. But don’t miss out on the chance to fight fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. The question is, how can you use this powerful vitamin A around your eyes? (Little do they know that the skin is 40% thinner than the rest of the face.) So it’s important to find the best formula that won’t irritate or cause damage.
Now let’s take a look at retinol cream and its uses for the eye area. Before we get started: If you want to learn more about what retinol does for your skin, check out our dedicated blog post on its benefits here on Beauty Insider.
Can retinol help fight dark circles?
Yes, it does! Dark circles are caused by a variety of issues, including lack of sleep and genetics. As we age, these dark circles become more noticeable. This is the ideal time to incorporate retinol eye cream into your daily evening skincare routine. With retinol’s powerful anti-aging benefits, you can fight off dark circles by boosting collagen production, making them less noticeable over time.
Keep in mind that you may need to slowly introduce a retinol eye cream into your routine, just like a face serum with a potent retinol. Start by applying it to the eye area once a week to allow your skin to build up tolerance, so you can work up to three times a week. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging, especially if the product is for medical use, as the formula has a significantly higher percentage of retinol than over-the-counter formulas.
However, many brands opt for an encapsulated form of retinoid when it comes to eye creams. It’s often combined with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the delicate skin under the eyes while the retinol works its magic.
Where to Apply Retinol Around the Eyes?
Before you start using a retinol eye cream, always do a patch test before applying it to your face. If there are no signs of irritation, you’re ready to go. Here’s how to best apply retinol around the eyes.
A small amount is enough, only a pea-sized amount is needed for both eyes
Use your ring finger as it naturally applies less pressure
Begin by patting the eye cream lightly onto the bone under your eye, away from the lash line
This bone along the outer corner of the eye is called the orbital bone
Apply any excess eye cream underneath your brow
Avoid applying retinol cream directly to your eyelids as this can sometimes lead to dryness and irritation
Remember to only use retinol eye cream as part of your nighttime routine
This is the basic procedure when using retinol eye cream. However, all products and formulas are different, so always check that you are applying the product correctly.
Can I apply retinol to my eyelids?
Yes or no, this largely depends on the formula of the retinol eye cream. Generally speaking, it is not necessary to apply retinol directly to your eyelids. Instead, you can apply it around the orbital bone and let the active ingredients absorb into the skin up to the eyelids to fight wrinkles and signs of loss of elasticity.
However, you don’t have to worry too much when using an eye cream because it is specially formulated for the eyes and contains the right type of retinol to provide anti-aging effects without the worry of irritation.
How to treat sagging skin under the eyes?
Aside from certain procedures like laser treatments and fillers, retinol is the best skincare ingredient to combat sagging skin under the eyes. If you already use retinol in your skincare routine, you know how effective retinol is in combating sagging skin. As I mentioned before, it’s best to use an eye cream with retinol because it can provide results, but the ingredient’s power won’t be too strong for the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Can retinol eye cream be used in the morning?
No, it’s best to use retinol eye cream only at night. This is because retinol becomes completely unusable when exposed to UV radiation, causing your skincare products to be wasted and not see any improvement. For best results, try using a retinol eye cream at night and use a different formula during the day, especially one that’s enriched with vitamin C, to counteract free radical damage while brightening the under-eye area and reducing dark circles and puffiness.
How to rebuild collagen under the eyes?
Here are some of the simplest and most effective ways to rebuild collagen in the under-eye area.
Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day. This flushes out all the harmful toxins, boosts collagen production and reduces signs of dark circles.
Use an eye cream rich in retinol. This skincare ingredient can provide impressive anti-aging benefits, from wrinkles to loss of elasticity.
Add an eye cream with vitamin C to your morning routine to prevent damage from free radicals like UV rays and boost collagen production.
Use a serum with copper peptides. They are known to stimulate collagen production, helping the eye area look plumper, healthier and wrinkle-free.
There are some of the simplest ways to rebuild collagen under the eyes. If you are looking for something that will provide faster results, you should consider other laser treatments and other procedures.
Hopefully, today I was able to answer some of your questions about using retinol cream under the eyes. If you still have any questions, you can find me on the Procoal Instagram account. I’d love to see you there!