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3 min readWE KNOW THAT skincare can sometimes seem a bit confusing, even annoying, to take part in. Still, I just want to say that if you’re skipping eye cream, your face might be giving away your age before the rest of you does. If that’s something you care about, then you might want to keep following along.
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face, which means it’s particularly prone to dryness, fine lines, puffiness, and those little creases that somehow seem to show up overnight. Add in years of squinting at your phone, staring into the sun, and occasionally pretending you don’t need sunglasses, and you’ve got a pretty good recipe for tired-looking eyes.
This is why I stress the importance of eye cream. Unlike a regular face moisturizer, eye creams are formulated specifically for the sensitive skin around your eyes, often with ingredients that help hydrate, smooth, brighten, or reduce the appearance of fine lines.
And no, you don’t need to be 45 to start caring about this stuff. Some guys start noticing fine lines around their eyes in their 20s and 30s, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors or have chronically dry skin. If you don’t believe me, just go ahead and look at some public appearances and paparazzi photos of some major actors that are prominent at the moment. You’ll quickly realize who’s using their eye cream and who isn’t. (This isn’t to be mean, promise.)
You obviously cannot stop your face from aging (nor should that be the ultimate goal), but keeping the area well-hydrated and protected can help it look healthier along the way.
The other benefit? You might just look a little less like you stayed up until 2 a.m. watching YouTube. Ingredients like caffeine can help temporarily minimize the appearance of puffiness, while hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can make dry, crepey-looking skin appear smoother.
If you're new to the whole eye-cream thing, start simple. Marlowe No. 127 Eye Cream is our best overall pick in our guide to the best eye creams for men, thanks to its lightweight feel and straightforward formula. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel-Cream is another easy entry point if hydration is your main concern, while Kiehl's Eye Fuel is a good option for guys looking to depuff and refresh tired-looking eyes. And if fine lines are already starting to make themselves comfortable, Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye brings retinal into the equation.
Think of eye cream as preventative maintenance for your face. You don't wait until your car is smoking on the side of the highway to change the oil. Your under-eyes deserve roughly the same level of foresight.
Some Editor-Favorite Eye Creams
Marlowe No. 127 Mens Eye Cream
Kiehl's Since 1851 Eye Fuel
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3
More of Our Favorite Skincare
Moisturizers for Oily Skin | Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin | Sunscreens | Moisturizers for Combination Skin | Moisturizers for Dry Skin | Body Lotions | Night Creams | Foot Creams | SPF Moisturizers | Body Washes for Dry Skin | Bar Soaps | Natural Soaps | Biodegradable Soaps | Face Washes | Moisturizing Body Washes | Deodorants | Sunscreen for Working Out | Skincare Brands| Eye Creams | How to Apply Eye Cream
Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
