HOW TO STEP UP YOUR EYECARE GAME

Ever since I started taking my eye care seriously, I’ve noticed a HUGE difference.

It’s one of those things that takes time and consistency, but it’s also something that really pays off.

I’m going to share a few hacks, product recommendations and facts about how and why giving your eye-care routine a little extra attention can be so beneficial.

Starting with the art of occlusion…

Eye patches have, without a doubt, become a trendy beauty step that so many of us have added to our routines.

We wouldn’t even blink twice at a fellow girlie on the train or at the gym rocking her Rhode or Summer Fridays eye patches.

Personally, I’ve always been someone who is unapologetically extroverted with my beauty rituals.

I wouldn’t think twice about rocking my velcro rollers around Lakeside before a night out with the girls.

Because nothing is coming between me and my perfect curly blow-dry!

But why the eye patches?

What do they actually do?

And are they a gimmick?

Let’s talk about occlusion.

One of the biggest benefits of eye patches isn't necessarily the fancy ingredients they're soaked in. 

It's the occlusive effect they create.

Occlusion is essentially when you create a barrier over the skin to help reduce water loss. 

By covering the skin, eye patches help trap moisture, temporarily boost hydration and leave the under-eye area looking smoother and plumper.

Depending on the formula, the patch can also help keep skincare ingredients in contact with the skin for longer, potentially improving their delivery.

And this is why I think the format of your eye patches matters just as much as what's inside them.

Of course, the ingredients still count, but don't underestimate the power of creating that little moisture-trapping barrier!

There are levels to this, though, and some eye patches are genuinely quite useless, uncomfortable to wear and, quite frankly, not worth your money.

Personally, I favour the sticky, adhesive-style variety over the more slippery gel formats.

I find the gel ones just slide down my face if I don't sit still enough, and I'm someone who likes to chuck on a pair while doing my morning housework or on my way out the door when I'm feeling particularly puffy and tired.

My go-to affordable option is the BeautyPro Eye Therapy Masks, which contain ingredients including green tea, aloe vera and collagen.

I like these for mornings and daytime use when I want a little extra hydration and that fresh, more-awake look.

They also offer retinol eye masks, which are aimed more towards smoothing the appearance of fine lines over time rather than simply giving you that temporary de-puffing effect.

Retinol products need a little more care around the delicate eye area, so I'd save those for when you're following an appropriate evening routine rather than treating them as an everyday de-puffing patch.

You can find them on LookFantastic, and my code LFTFCHLOEMYKEL often works for extra £££ off!

The silicone eye-patch hack

Another way to get that occlusive benefit without constantly buying disposable eye patches is to invest in a good pair of reusable silicone eye patches.

Mine are pink, obviously, but you can find inexpensive options on Amazon.

Rather than relying on the serum inside a disposable patch, you can use your own favourite eye cream or gel.

Apply a generous layer of your chosen product (I literally slather mine on), pop the silicone patches on top and let them do their thing for as long as you want/need.

The silicone creates a barrier that helps reduce moisture loss and keeps the product in contact with your skin. 

This can make your usual eye cream feel even more nourishing.

One little hack I also swear by is storing my eye creams and gels in the fridge.

That cooling sensation in the morning is SO refreshing, especially when I've woken up looking a little puffy.

It can temporarily help reduce the appearance of puffiness, although it won't fix every cause of under-eye bags.

I particularly love the BYOMA De-Puff and Brighten Eye Gel, with vitamin C, triple hyaluronic acid and a tri-ceramide complex.

It has the perfect silky gel texture and is super affordable.

My bottle seems to be lasting forever, even with my generous application, so it's a great option if you want something that feels luxurious without spending a fortune.

Another great option for that groggy, puffy morning look is the The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream, especially if you prefer a cream rather than a gel.

Caffeine can temporarily help reduce the appearance of puffiness, while hydrating ingredients help the skin look smoother and more refreshed.

Just remember that eye creams can only do so much when it comes to puffiness caused by genetics, allergies or the structure of your under-eye area.

Let's talk nighttime eye care

Again, this is something I didn't think would make much of an impact until I started being consistent with it.

A good nighttime eye cream can help keep the delicate skin around your eyes hydrated and support your long-term skincare goals.

If you're concerned about fine lines and uneven texture, ingredients such as retinoids and peptides are worth looking into.

As we get older, the skin around our eyes can be one of the first places where signs of ageing become more noticeable.

Fine lines, wrinkles, crepey-looking skin and dryness are all common concerns, but the right routine can help improve the appearance of these changes over time.

The key word here is consistency. 

No eye cream is going to erase wrinkles overnight, but the right ingredients, used regularly and appropriately, can make a significant improvement.

I personally noticed a real difference when I started using the Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum with Ginseng + Retinal.

I love love love the texture, and I find it fits really nicely into my evening routine.

The retinal is the ingredient that is the star of the show here.

Retinal is a type of retinoid, which can help improve the appearance of fine lines and skin texture over time.

I genuinely feel like the skin around my eyes looks smoother since introducing this product, although everyone's results will vary.

One thing I like to do is apply my eye products around the orbital area rather than concentrating solely on the little strip directly underneath my eyes.

That means thinking about the under-eye area and the skin around the outer corners, while avoiding the eyelids, lash line and getting anything into the eyes.

And please remember that retinal isn't something you need to rush into. 

Start slowly, particularly if you already use other retinoids in your routine, and don't layer multiple potentially irritating actives around the eyes just because you want faster results.

The skin around the eyes is very delicate, and should be treated with plenty of care to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Another nighttime favourite of mine is the Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye Cream.

It has such a gorgeous, rich, thick texture but melts into the skin beautifully.

I reach for this on evenings when my skin feels like it needs a little extra nourishment, or when I'm taking a break from my tretinoin.

Peptides are often included in skincare formulations designed to support smoother-looking, hydrated skin, and I love having a more nourishing option to alternate with my retinal product.

Sometimes your skin doesn't need another active ingredient - sometimes it just needs some good old fashioned moisture!

A few more eye-care habits worth adding to your routine

Don't underestimate SPF

If you're investing in eye creams to help maintain smoother-looking skin, daily sun protection is one of the most important habits to build.

Apply a broad-spectrum SPF around the eye area (the higher the factor the better) where your sunscreen is suitable for use, taking care to avoid getting it into your eyes. 

Oh and a good pair of sunglasses never go a miss either when it comes to protecting our peepers!

Hydration makes a difference to how your skin looks

When the skin is dehydrated, fine lines can look more pronounced. 

A hydrating eye cream containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides can help the area look plumper and smoother.

This won't permanently remove wrinkles, but it can absolutely make a noticeable difference to the appearance of the skin.

Be gentle with your under-eyes

As I’ve already mentioned, the skin around the eyes is very delicate, so avoid aggressive rubbing when removing make-up or applying skincare. 

If you're using a cleansing balm, take your time and gently dissolve your make-up rather than rushing and risk unnecessarily tugging at your skin.

Know the difference between temporary results and long-term results

Eye patches, cooling gels and caffeine creams can be brilliant for temporarily refreshing the under-eye area. 

While retinoids and consistent sun protection have a different role in a long-term routine.

Neither is necessarily better than the other - it just depends on what you're trying to achieve.

So, are eye-care products worth it?

Personally, I think yes.

You don't need a ten-step eye-care routine or a bathroom cabinet full of expensive products to see a difference.

For me, it's about choosing products that suit my skin and what I’m trying to achieve, as well as understanding what the ingredients actually do and being consistent enough to give those ingredients a chance to work.

And if there's one thing I've learnt from taking my skincare more seriously, it's that the little things really do add up.

You don't always need to overhaul your entire routine. 

Sometimes it's just about giving the areas you've been neglecting a little more attention.

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Will you be trying any of these tips or products?