You can make your own DIY homemade eye cream! Not only does this save you money, it also means you control which ingredients are getting on that delicate skin around your eyes.
Taking care of the delicate skin around your eyes is essential to prevent signs of aging. By using natural ingredients, you can nourish and protect this sensitive area without exposing it to harmful chemicals.
Do You Really Need an Eye Cream?
The skin around our eyes is significantly thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of our face. It is prone to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles, so it needs some extra love and attention.
But does it really need its very own cream? The answer is: not necessarily. Dermatologists have told me a moisturizer is a moisturizer, but what works for your body or the rest of your face may be too heavy for the eye area.
Despite claims, eye creams don’t do anything other than what a similar quality face cream or body lotion does for your skin. They are just less likely to irritate your eye area.
And if you go with ingredients you know you can tolerate, and make it at home, even better.
Benefits of Homemade Eye Cream
Using a homemade eye cream gives you complete control over the ingredients you use, allowing you to tailor the cream to your specific needs.
Secondly, homemade eye creams can be made without fragrance or preservatives that can irritate or damage the delicate skin around your eyes. (Although you can add natural preservatives to make DIY beauty products last longer.)
Finally, let’s face it: eye cream is crazy expensive. Making your own eye cream can be cost-effective in the long run, as many ingredients can be found in your kitchen pantry or local health food store.
Ingredients for Homemade Eye Cream
There are a lot of recipes for homemade eye cream that can work. Let’s talk about some ingredients that help. You can use any of these in a recipe you create yourself.
Shea Butter: Known for its moisturizing properties, shea butter helps to hydrate and soften the skin around your eyes.
Coconut Oil: Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, coconut oil nourishes and protects the delicate eye area.
Almond Oil: Almond oil is lightweight and easily absorbed, making it an excellent choice for reducing puffiness and dark circles.
Vitamin E Oil: This powerful antioxidant helps fight free radicals and promotes elasticity in the skin.
Aloe Vera Gel: Soothing and hydrating, aloe vera gel can help reduce inflammation and rejuvenate tired eyes.
Rosehip Seed Oil: Packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids, rosehip seed oil aids in reducing wrinkles and promoting cell regeneration.
Cooled Coffee: caffeine can help reduce under-eye puffiness, and stimulate blood circulation
Jojoba Oil: Similar to the skin’s natural sebum, jojoba oil can help balance oil production and provide hydration.
Rosehip Oil: Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, rosehip oil can promote skin regeneration and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Cucumber Extract: Cucumber has a high water content and can help hydrate and reduce puffiness around the eyes.
Green Tea Extract: Rich in antioxidants, green tea extract can help protect the skin from free radicals and reduce inflammation.
Chamomile Extract: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can help calm and soothe the skin.
Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that helps draw moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump.
Beeswax: Beeswax can provide a protective barrier to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration.
Rich DIY Homemade Eye Cream Recipe
This recipe is for a cream that’s thick and rich, for maximum moisturization. Not every skin can tolerate it. If you see little white bumps starting to develop, it’s probably too much and you need the lighter recipe below.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 5 drops rosehip seed oil
Instructions:
- In a small heatproof bowl, melt the shea butter and coconut oil together using a double boiler or by placing it in the microwave for short intervals until fully melted.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Add almond oil, vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel, and rosehip seed oil to the melted mixture.
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean jar or container with an airtight lid.
- Allow the eye cream to cool completely before using it.
- Apply a small amount of the eye cream around your eyes, gently tapping it into the skin using your ring finger.
Light Homemade Eye Cream
Here’s a simple recipe for a light homemade eye cream. This will still give you plenty of moisture, but without as much heaviness as the above cream.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1 teaspoon beeswax
- 5-6 drops vitamin E oil
- 2-3 drops lavender essential oil (optional, for a soothing scent)
- Small glass or plastic container for storage
Instructions:
- Fill a small saucepan with water and place it on the stove over low heat. Place a heat-safe bowl on top of the saucepan to create a makeshift double boiler.
- In the heat-safe bowl, combine the sweet almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir occasionally until the ingredients are completely melted and well combined.
- Remove the bowl from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Add the vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil (if using). Stir well to distribute the oils evenly.
- Carefully pour the mixture into a small glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the mixture to cool and solidify. This may take a few hours, depending on the room temperature.
- Once the eye cream has solidified, label the container with the date and ingredients. Store the eye cream in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Tips for Using Homemade Eye Cream
To get the most out of your homemade eye cream, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
- Store your eye cream in a cool, dark place to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the ingredients.
- Use clean fingers or a small spatula to scoop out the desired amount of eye cream to avoid introducing bacteria into the jar.
- Apply the eye cream gently using your ring finger, as it applies less pressure on the delicate eye area compared to other fingers.
- Use your homemade eye cream twice daily, preferably in the morning and before bed, for optimal results.
- Be consistent with your application to allow the natural ingredients to work their magic over time.