Ackkkk!! Help! Just looked very closely at my eyes in the mirror the other day for the first time in a long time and yikes!! – my crow’s feet have developed crow’s feet! How can this be? 🙂
Of course, I’m no spring chicken, and my 50-plus-year-old eyes can’t be expected to still look as fresh and dewy as a twentysomething’s, but still. I’ve not done the eye cream thing much at all over the years and now I’m starting to seriously regret it.
A good while back, a friend gave me a sample of a La Mer eye cream, but it must’ve been too rich or something, because after several nights, I began to develop a few tiny little bumps around my eyes. So I quit using it, or any others, to let my skin re-set, then kind of forgot about the whole thing and completely fell off the eye cream wagon.
But now I’d like to get back on and I’m not sure where to start. I’ve heard there are some good products out there (especially those that won’t break the bank), but most of all, I’m looking for a high level of effectiveness; something that would work well for someone coming late to the eye-care game.
So do any of you wonderful Posse readers have any eye product suggestions? Any tips and tricks to help conceal the lines I’ve already got? Or any recommendations for a concealer (for the dark circles) that won’t settle too much into the wrinkles and look even worse?
The only (tiny) silver lining to my dilemma is that since I’m nearsighted, my glasses tend to make my eyes look a bit smaller anyway, thereby also reducing the look of my lines. But that’s not that big of a comfort … sigh.
Photo of Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bouquet in the BBC comedy series “Keeping Up Appearances.” This woman can evoke more laughter with her eyes (and eyebrows) than any performer I’ve ever seen.
In my 50s I began to switch all my products (well, except fragrances, of course!) to natural and organic lines, and not only does my skin now look better than it ever has, but the milia that I had around my eyes for many, many years has gone completely! My 2 favorite eye products are Odacite eye cream and Vered eye serum. While nothing topical will actually get rid of wrinkles, both of these leave my eye area brighter and smoother that it has been before. Good luck!!
Catherine, thanks so much for sharing your experience. I will definitely have to check out those products. (BTW, where do you buy them?) At this point, a brighter and smoother eye area sounds pretty good to me.
I use Dr. D Schwab products exclusively. No animal products or testing, no petroleum products, and certified organic. Try the Gingkosome or citrusome serums on your eyes. I have great luck with their products, and get no break-outs. Love them. http://www.perfectskinsandiego.com
Thanks, LaDona — will look into them; they sound great!
Well, your first mistake was looking closely in the mirror! Aside from that, I think retin a is the only thing short of botox or surgery that actually works. The rest soften a little, very little.
Isn’t that the truth? I’m never getting that close to a mirror again, ha! Thanks.
I use Strivectin (the one in the yellow tube). It doesn’t cost as much as a lot of others, and it lasts a long time and works as well as any $250.00 jar of eye cream.
Filomena, you read my mind! I was trying to think of that brand and couldn’t, so thanks! I really need to try that. Glad it works for you!
I use CeraVe Eye Repair cream for night and Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 Age Defense Eye Cream for day (sun protection to keep away the crow’s feet). The CeraVe is kind of awesome especially for the low price. If you have use a good fragrance free face cream you can use it around your eyes. Nothing against fragrance, but it can irritate your eyes in a cream. For sun protection I find mineral only sunscreen, i.e. titanium oxide and zinc oxide, is best so it doesn’t sting your eyes like chemical sunscreens. FYI-No cream will get rid of crow’s feet that is already there, but it can soften and temporarily plump up crepiness. Here is an article about crow’s feet if you want to look at it.
http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/eye-care/_/how-to-minimize-crows-feet
Hi, Peach! (You’re not from Georgia, are you? 🙂 ) You are the second person to rave about CeraVe,and it makes sense that it would work because it’s so good for sensitive skin. And you’re so right about the sun protection; I think our eyes tend to get overlooked in that department. I will try the Clinique. And thanks for the article, too. Looking forward to reading it …
Your sad discovery sounds awfully familiar 🙂 I have just started working on the same issue. I’ve been completely surprised at how well Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair works. It’s pretty easy to get samples of this from any high-end department store. I’m just trying to reduce the puffies…
Pixel. so glad you mentioned that — think I have a few sample packets around here. I’ll dig them up and try them tonight. Hope it helps me and continues to work well for you; thanks!
Check out the eye cream frim Tatcha. They sell trial/travel sizes so you could invest a small amount to see if it works for you. Put on the eye cream before you use a concealer.
Thanks, Mary! I love it when you can get samples of products — so nice to try for a few days. BTW, where do I know Tatcha from? Is it a Japanese-based company and did they ever do a fragrance?
Paula’s Choice works great – no scent and not too creamy, but rich feeling. It’s called Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream. Her stuff is great for people who react to weird things in their products. You can only buy online, but she has great products for my 50 year old face.
Woo-hoo — yet another PC fan!! I like the sound of that eye cream, so off I go to investigate. Thanks!
i think that anything topical will only make a subtle difference. Have you looked into line filler injections? They stimulate collagen in the skin and actually fill the creases.
Hadn’t thought of that, Diana, but it’s worth looking into. Do you have any experience with it? Although I’m deathly afraid of needles and having one near my eyes might send me into a panic attack 🙂 But no one ever said beauty would be painless, right?
I’ve been using Isomers, a company from Canada. They are not sold in dept stores, just online. I use various serums, as most creams for that delicate skin are too heavy and can cause puffiness and those little bumps that you experienced. They have various serums with good descriptions. Also, a phone # which you can use to get advice. I”ve used these products for over 15 yrs now, and am quite pleased with the results
Wow, Kathleen, a 15-year testimonial — that’s greatl! I’ve always heard that serums were better and more easily absorbed than heavy creams, so I will look into the line, and so nice that they offer help. Thanks!
Hi Ann! I’ve kind of given up – my skin is so touchy and every eye cream I’ve ever tried just irritated my eyes and skin in general. About all I use now is CeraVe cream, it’s a very effective moisturizer. As to wrinkles, I feel I’ve earned every one! ????
Hi, dear! So nice to see you; hope you are well. I’m glad you mentioned the CeraVe as it has been rec’d to me several times for my rosacea and I’d forgotten about it. And yes, we have earned those lines, but I’d still like mine to quit multiplying like rabbits 🙂
I second Paula’s Choice products. I have used her line exclusively for years, and in my opinion, my skin is better for it. She has lots of different options for anti aging for all skin types (Including blemish prone skin, which is great for me since I’m one of those lucky people who have to worry about both wrinkles and blemishes). You can buy samples of almost all her stuff, some in larger sizes. Also not an affiliate, just a fan.
Yay, another fan of Paula’s Choice! And glad to know you can purchase samples — that’s so important. Thanks so much, Aelily!
I’m just glad to have lived long enough to have things like wrinkles. :o) I’m a transplant patient, first transplant in 1990 and second in 2005. I “shoulda, could’a, would’a” died so long along ago if it weren’t for the Lord and modern medicine. If time is marked by a few wrinkles, it is a small price. We’re alive! :o)
However, wrinkles don’t do anything for appearance, I agree. If i had them….maybe I do, I haven’t really looked…..I’d use the things from Paula’s Choice because what they do for the rest of my skin is amazing. It looks much younger than my 59 years. I would take look at her Resist anti-aging eye cream and any other Resist product than can be used around the eyes. (I am not affiliated; just a fan.) I really think it’s more a matter of underlying skin structure than surface issues, as evidenced by the person above who has used eye creams from age 25 and still developed them.
Oh, Deb, I didn’t realize that. Yes, you are right — wrinkles really are a blessing in the whole great scheme of things, aren’t they? So, so glad you are alive and well and with us here on the Posse (sending you a big hug across the Internet!). And I’ll definitely investigate Paula’s Choice, too. Thanks, dear!
Hi Ann, I’ve been using eye cremes from the age of 25 (approximately) but I’ve also developed crow’s feet. Somehow I don’t care because I laugh a lot and it only enhances the lines around the eyes anyway.
A good trick to prevent the concealer from settling into the lines is to mix it with a tiny bit of eye gel and then apply it under the eyes. I use E. Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer and mix it with the eye cream or gel that I currently use.
Howdy, Neva! You’re right — having laughter in your life is worth a few lines. Thanks for the mixing tip; I’ll give it a go. And I’ve heard good things about that EL product so will try that as well. Maybe I’ll just go into a Nordstrom or somewhere and embark on “the great concealer hunt.” 🙂
I highly recommend eye serum by Drunk Elephant – togeter with the rest of their products
What a cool name for a skin care line — I’m definitely intrigued! And if someone were to ask how I treated my skin, it would be so much fun to say, “Drunk Elephant.” Thanks!
Drunk Elephant is loaded with anti-oxidants and moisturizing ingredients at a very reasonable price. Another reasonably priced product is Boscia B.B. Eye brightener. It has an SPF of 20. I like products with skin communicating ingredients and not prone to causing milia (the little hard white bumps under the skin). If your skin has milia, it’s regards an ingredient as a problem for you and encapsulates the problem ingredient. The usual suspects can be vasoline (la mer uses this) or peptides (a part of a protein that the skin doesn’t recognize as beneficial). What works for one person may not work for another so my personal and professional advice is to ask for sample or inquire about returns. If a company won’t allow returns, it’s a sign to go somewhere else to shop. Good skincare can be expensive. Another alternative which can be very effective and opens the eyes is 6 units of Botox placed strategically at the sides of the eyes closest to the temple. This has been very effective at removing or minimizing crows feet. It lasts about 3 to 4 months and is less expensive than the La Mer eye cream. This is my personal opinion and I work for none of these companies. Most dermatology offices will offer a free consult for this practice. Current methodology is a less is more approach despite what you see in Hollywood. Doctors and most patients are happier with a more natural look.
Katherine, what a wealth of information — thanks so much!! I think those milia bumps were what I got from the La Mer. Good to know about the other options as well. And you’re right about some things working for some people and not for others. Thanks!
*I have no idea how an ebay link got in my 100% Pure comment, sorry about that.
It happens sometimes — not to worry!
for the crowsfeet ~ Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Whipped Squalane Face & Eye Mousse
http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/products/details/for-the-face/moisturizers/whipped-butters/whipped-squalane-face-eye-mousse
(I’m 55, sensitive skin, sometimes I slather this on my whole face just because it’s awesome)
for puffiness ~ 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream
http://www.100percentpure.com/collections/eye-cream/products/organic-coffee-bean-caffeine-eye-cream-0-3-oz
(I have genetic predisposition-level eyebags, they are right there in my childhood photos; however, this helps when they’re baggier than usual)
Both of these products smell GREAT, have all really safe ingredients and are super affordable, too. I don’t have dark circles, so can’t comment on the concealer.
Their soaps are amazing!
I haven’t ordered from Chagrin Valley for a while, I love their soaps. This cream sounds great! I’m 56 with dry sensitive skin, I’ll have to check this out. Thanks for the rec.
Wow, Leenie — thanks for the product recommendations. I especially like that they’re affordable. I have sensitive skin as well (a touch of rosacea) so I’d love it for my face as well.
I have dark circles inherited from my father and all my life have tried various concealers. What I am using now and which works far better than anything I have ever tried, is a combination of Laura Mercier concealers: Secret Concealer and High Coverage Concealer. I use two different shades to get it just right for me.
I luckily have very fee wrinkles at age 72 but if I didn’t have this terrific way of using concealers I would clearly look my age. As it is, I easily pass for way under 65!
Wishing you success, Barbara
Thanks, Barbara — I know you are beautiful! I’ve heard good things about Laura Mercier’s concealers (several others have rec’d this line), so I’ll definitely check it out.
What I use on my face is the Skyn Iceland glacial cleanser and pure cloud cream. My skin is pretty fussy about what I use and my skin is dry. The Skyn Iceland serum is great too. I used to be able to find all of this at Sephora but they quit carrying it. But you can find it on Amazon. They have the sampler sets too.
Thanks, Eldarwen, good to know, and I think I have heard of this line. I will be on the lookout for it. Gotta run to work now but will check back in tonight.
I’m having good results with a combination of Hylamide Subq Eyes & Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Night Eye Cream (which I’m not finding on Neutrogena’s site right now, so maybe it’s been discontinuted?).
Oh, I hope not! Or if it is, maybe you can stockpile? I’ll look around and see what I can find — thanks!
Whoops, my bad — it’s actually the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Eye Cream (I’m using the Ageless Intensives Night cream for the face as a whole).
Currently I’m using Avene Soothing eye contour cream which I love, but you might want to try a cream containing pro retinal. Then, for concealer I use Laura Mercier Secret Concealer which has good coverage, and blends easily.
Thanks, Stacie! I have hard good things about LM and will look for the Avene.
You read my mind – I’m currently in the market for the same thing.
I would be very interested to hear recommendations of others who have found something that actually works.
Me, too, Jennie! Posse folks always seem to have such good suggestions and a wealth of knowledge.