Eye Care

Not strictly. The skin around the eye is thinner and moves more than the rest of the face, so it shows dryness and fine lines first, but a gentle facial moisturiser taken up to the orbital bone will do a reasonable job.

Where a dedicated product earns its place is targeting. Puffiness, dark circles, crepiness and loss of firmness each need different actives, at strengths and textures made for a delicate area.

• Creams and balms are richer, best at night and for dryness or crepiness, like Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream or Medik8 Advanced Night Eye
• Gels and serums are lighter, absorb quickly and suit mornings, puffiness and use under makeup. SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel and Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Serum sit here
• Patches are a short term boost, useful before an event rather than as a routine step

It depends what is causing them. If the darkness is pigment, a brightening formula such as Image Skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Eye Creme can genuinely improve it over a few months.

If it is shadowing from hollowness, or blue tones from the vessels showing through thin skin, no cream will remove it. Products that thicken and firm the skin, plus daily SPF, will soften how it reads, but be wary of anything promising to erase it.

Yes, carefully. Use a retinol made for the eye area rather than taking your face product right up to the lash line, and start twice a week.

Keep it to the orbital bone and outer corners, not the lid itself. If you get flaking or stinging, drop the frequency rather than stopping altogether. Some watering in the first week or two is common.

A grain of rice for both eyes is enough. More does not absorb and can cause puffiness or milia.

Tap it gently along the orbital bone, the ridge you can feel around the socket, and out towards the temple. Do not apply it to the moving part of the lid. Body heat will carry it where it needs to go.

Hydration and a smoother look under makeup show within a week or two. Fine lines, firmness and pigment take eight to twelve weeks of daily use.

Consistency matters more than the price of the product. A 15ml eye cream used every night for three months will outperform an expensive one used when you remember.