According to experts, skin around the eye contour is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face. That, along with having fewer oil glands and being a very expressive area in general, makes it the first place to show signs of wear and tear, including dryness, fine lines and ultimately, sensitivity.
But finding the perfect eye cream can be a bit of a minefield. While there are thousands of products out there, from butter-thick creams to cooling gels, all promising to target specific concerns like wrinkles, eye bags and dark circles, if you have reactive skin, it's difficult to pinpoint one that won't result in stinging, burning, itching or inflammation. Until now.
Ahead, you'll find R29's pick of the eye creams that are compatible with even the most sensitive skin types. Allergic reactions, begone.
If you're prone to atopic eczema, which can often cause rough, flaky skin, reach for this. It's an emollient cream, which means it provides a layer or a barrier that sits on top of the skin to prevent moisture from escaping, in turn minimising dryness. It isn't overly oily or greasy but keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated, not taut and uncomfortable, for hours on end.
Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream, £9.50, available at Boots
The star ingredients in CeraVe's new dermatologist-developed eye cream are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide, which are essential for hydrating, moisturising and restoring the skin's barrier. The result? Less inflammation, dryness or discomfort. The texture is silky and product absorbs in a matter of seconds. It's also non-comedogenic, so won't block your pores.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, £11, available at Look Fantastic
This eye cream is French pharmacy brand SVR Laboratories' best kept secret. Free from fragrance and parabens, it moisturises tight skin and soothes itching almost instantly thanks to glycerin and panthenol – both humectants, which attract and hold moisture in the skin.
SVR Laboratories TOPIALYSE Palpébral Eye Care, £14.99, available at Feelunique
According to the pros at cult US skincare band Kate Somerville, goat milk is ideal for sensitive skin due to its pH, which is close to our skin’s natural level. It's also filled to bursting with vitamin A, which prompts cell turnover and minimises fine lines. The formula comes in stick form, so all you need to do is twist and swipe.
Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm, £32, available at Kate Somerville
Dermatologists rate La Roche-Posay's Hyalu B5 range (especially the Hyalu B5 Serum, £27.75) for boosting moisture in thirsty skin, so it was only a matter of time before the brand launched a product targeted at eyes. Approved by R29's beauty editor, this absorbs instantly, doesn't sting or burn and banishes the stretched, rigid feeling, which is typical of dry, dehydrated skin.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eyes, available at Look Fantastic on 1st October
If your sensitive skin likes Bioderma's Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, £10.80, it'll love this. It's not a cloying cream but a featherlight gel, which quenches, cools and soothes when gently tapped into the skin. It also makes a great, crease-free primer for concealer.
Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel, £14.80, available at Look Fantastic
Clever liposomes in this lightweight formula deliver hyaluronic acid (to hydrate and fill out fine lines) and peptides (which calm inflammation and promote collagen production) into delicate skin. The result is plumper, brighter, healthier skin over time. Massage it all around the orbital area to kickstart circulation.
HealGel Eye, £32, available at Cult Beauty
Okay, it's a pricy option, but this expert-backed eye cream is a brilliant option for sensitive skin types. It contains ingredients derived from oats (known for their soothing, nourishing properties and ability to smooth fine lines and irritated, parched patches) as well as chemist-developed biopolymers (stay with us) which are proven to tighten and brighten crepey skin over time.
3Lab Skincare “M” Eye, £210, available at Fortnum & Mason in October
This is incredibly hydrating and you only need a dot. Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E repair, moisturise and nourish skin prone to excess dryness, while peptides tell cells to produce more collagen, so you can forget about slackness.
Elemis Peptide⁴ Eye Recovery Cream, £38, available at Elemis
Refinery29's selection is purely editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items we love! As part of our business model we do work with affiliates; if you directly purchase something from a link on this article, we may earn a small amount of commission. Transparency is important to us at Refinery29, if you have any questions please reach out to us.
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