At the core of every skincare routine, you'll find four simple steps: cleanse, tone, hydrate, and moisturize. The process, despite viral 10-step scenarios, is pretty straightforward. But when eye care enters the chat, things can get fuzzy. The skin around and under the eyes is notoriously difficult to deal with. For starters, it's the thinnest tissue on your face and is more prone to aging issues. Luckily, there's a solution: eye serums. Targeted and potent, these solutions can be a helpful tool to combat the most common concerns.

I know what you're thinking: "Are eye serums really worth the extra step? Can't I just apply my face serum to the area instead?" To answer those questions, you need to understand the basics behind eye serums. Keep reading to learn what makes them unique, how they work, and how your routine can benefit from their use.

What is an eye serum?

Put simply, an eye serum is a concentrated substance specifically designed to target concerns around the eye. It's helpful to think of them as you would your go-to face serum. Vitamin C serums, for example, work to even tone and protect your skin from free radicals caused by environmental stressors. A hyaluronic acid serum boosts hydration and plumps the skin. Eye serums work similarly for the issues that plague the eye area. 

How do eye serums work?

Our skin loses the collagen and elastin that keeps it bouncy and tout as we age. For the skin around the eye, the effects can be more visible and dramatic. To be clear, there's absolutely no shame in having a warm crinkle around the eyes. But when a few lines turn into wrinkles or you suffer from under-eye darkness, it's nice to have some help.

Eye serums are that extra set of hands. They're uniquely formulated to handle the stubborn, deep-set issues around the eyes. Some of the most notable components include energizing ingredients like caffeine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that invigorate the cells and tighten the skin. 

The Benefits of Eye Serums

With dark circles, eye serums can brighten the area to make you appear refreshed. Some formulas can even be used to lighten the area over time. Even if dark circles and fine lines aren't a top concern, you can still reap the benefits of these serums.

Like a cream, they deliver a powerful punch of ingredients but are much more approachable. The lightweight consistency means they absorb into the skin faster and can be used in the morning and the evening. They can even be lightly layered under makeup without the worry of pilling.