My eyes, my eyes.

Oh hey, I'm twenty-five and just now realizing that shit is GOING DOWN on my face that I was not aware of.

I need some eye cream, and I would love to know of any brands or treatments you're down for. A general, great moisturizer would be awesome, as well. Some basic information:

1. I am bi-racial, which means that I am forever being told I don't 'need' creams, moisturizer, serums or the like because I am brown and that myth is perpetuated by members of my own family, who use nothing but Dove and look 10 well into their seventies. However, I absolutely do need them as I am dealing with a little bit of hyperpigmentation, a little dry skin in the outer corners of my eyes, a little uneven texture and tone, a little bit of The Wrinks when I squeeze my eyes together and smile really big. I also don't drink enough water, get enough sleep and sometimes I am around enough cigarette smoke to feel it the morning after, even though I don't smoke.
2. I have a maximum budget of 50 dollars for each item (eye cream/moisturizer), so 100 total. If we can't do it for less than that, I'm up for using mayonnaise. If you're a Kiehls girl, let me hear those names being dropped.
3. I'm more interested in prevention and maintenance than a cure. I just want to stay hydrated and healthy, rather than transport my dermis back to the dewy days of 1986, when I was four. Like I'm down for my age showing on my face, I just want to make sure that my face is happy about it.
4. I don't break out or deal with acne beyond the occasional, monster cheek or chin zit, and I've got that taken care of thanks to salicylic acid and a scorched-earth policy when it comes to that. I use Cetaphil, because it is just great, and I sleep on my face which I shouldn't but I do. I don't know if that makes a difference, I just feel like confessing.
5. I apologize if this comes across as being demanding, all "TELL ME YOUR SECRETS" -- I just, like I said, have no idea where to turn. All of my back issues of InStyle are pissing me off, and my friends, when we attempted to have a round-table about this, were equally dumbfounded. We are all in the sausage factory, blindfolded and running around. There are no adults.

Please, be our adult.

Comments

[Kate]

I use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. Its cheap and fantastic - for eye cream? Well, when ever I am in a high end department store, I ask at the La Mer counter for a sample and then after they give it to me (50% success rate over the last 6 years), I use it sparingly around the eyes only.

Total skin care budget? Around $15 per year.

[Cess]

I too am biracial and despite everyone telling me oh your skin doesnt need any help I use Artistry brand products and I LOVE them. I use the eye cream as well as the hydrating system (cream cleanser, toner and moisterizer)all for less than 75$. You may have seen some of their ads in O magazine, People or Real Simple.

[Nicole]

I swear by Kinerase moisturizer. More on the pricey range $100, but worth every penny. It keeps you skin tone even and makes it look healthy. I use sparingly and a tube last me about a year. I figure it's an investment that is worth it.

[Anali]

Oh this post cracked me up! I'm 43 and pretty happy with how my skin is aging. I think Molly mentioned anti-oxidants, which I agree with, but don't just put them on your face, eat them. I keep a list of anti-oxidant foods on my fridge and try to eat some each day. Eating berries, nuts, yogurt, salmon and other healthy foods helps too.

I use Noxzema to wash my face and put aloe vera gel on it. I mix it with sunscreen in the summer. I also use Neutrogena Healthy Skin eye cream.

And just be happy! I think how well you enjoy your life ends up showing on your face. I know 25 seems old to you now, but when you look back in 20 years, you'll realize just how young you are.

[Skin Care]

The importance of keeping your skin healthy can't be overemphasized. It's the body's first defense against disease and infection, and it protects your internal organs from injuries. It is, in fact, the largest organ in the body. Skin Care Treatment helps to your body temperature and prevents excess fluid loss, and it also helps your body remove excess water and salt. Most women strive to keep their skin looking youthful. http://skin-care-treatment-natural-tips.blogspot.com

[steph]

ok. I am a basic skin care girl. eye cream is my only real "development" since turning 30. Love the All About Eyes from Clinique and the Hydrofirming eye cream from Avon. Keepings specially moist has helped...at least it makes me FEEL better.......

[Cora]

Delurking here to share some things I haven't seen mentioned yet. I have super sensitive oily skin with surface dryness, VERY hard water, and have tried a zillion products. Here are a few I love and use regularly.
Clinque's City Block spf 40 for everyday.
Be Fine Night Cream, find it at Rite Aid drugstore. Lovely moisture without irritation or greasy feel.
Burt's Bees Repair Serum around eyes and mouth.
Pure almond oil for whole face, great for your hands too with lots of non clogging extra moisture. Only use it at night though, since it makes me shine like the top of the Chrysler building.
Kiss My Face olive oil soap, 3 ingredients leaves my face clean, soft and not greasy. Closest thing to the olive soap I got in Greece that was AMAZING.
Alba Aloe and Green Tea Oil-free moisturizer, great for moisture when you don't need sunscreen like at night under makeup. Lovely, light and smells yummy!! Target now carries it.
Hope you find something you love in all these great suggestions.

[molly]

I love product recommendations! If you'd like a natural product that's relatively inexpensive, I would recommend Jason's 25,000 IU vitamin E age renewal moisturizing creme. I got a sample size of it awhile back in the natural foods section of my grocery store and have been buying it ever since for my eyes and my forehead. Love it. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=45863&catid=10400

[Laura]

I noticed no one has mentioned anti-oxidants. You need them. All that second hand smoke generates free radicals which will prematurely age your skin, although of course nothing's as bad for skin as sun exposure. If you can find a sunscreen moisturizer with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green or white tea extract, then that's good because you've gotten more pop for your skincare dollar and fewer steps in the bathroom. Olay's moisturizers have Vitamin E and maybe some other anti-oxidants. I personally prefer Prevage (idebenone) serum before my sunscreen, but it is spendy.
Topix Replenix green tea serum might be a good option for you and sort of in your price range if you go cheap (Neutrogena, Olay) on the sunscreen. And you can.

Eye cream: Olay Definity eye gel/creme is good stuff.

[Sarah Murphy]

A company called Biotherapeutic makes AMAZING products-their eye cream-called Restore is great---it's only sold at spas, so it takes some work to find it, but it's worth it-check out their website for more info

[Missy]

Hmm just read Chainsaw's comment. That's the first I have heard that about jojoba oil! I usually break out quite a bit, but haven't had any problems since starting using jojoba oil. I use it at night, and use a moisturizer with sunblock in it during the day - best way to prevent those wrinkles!!

[Missy]

I cannot say enough good things about jojoba oil. It's like 2 dollars (I get mine at Trader Joe's) and is seriously the best moisturizer ever. It's the closest thing you can get to your skin's natural oils, so it doesn't get all pore-cloggy. You can also use it to remove eye makeup and give yourself a nice facial massage. Hooray!

[Jenn R]

I've been using this Roc Eye Cream (http://www.rocskincare.com/retinol-correxion.jsp#c) for a while and it's really great for morning and night. I've tried a bunch of eye products, and this seems like a good balance of cost/effectiveness. Don't forget- you need to pick something and stick with it for a few months. Don't give up if you don't see immediate results.

[Jenn R]

I've been using this Roc Eye Cream (http://www.rocskincare.com/retinol-correxion.jsp#c) for a while and it's really great for morning and night. I've tried a bunch of eye products, and this seems like a good balance of cost/effectiveness. Don't forget- you need to pick something and stick with it for a few months. Don't give up if you don't see immediate results.

[Janelle]

I am a big fan of Arbonne products. A bit pricey, but my skin has never looked better. I smoked for years. Also, I have sensitive skin and Arbonne products have eliminated that sandpaper-like allergic reaction I get from many products.

[sil]

Hmm, I'm 42 and my dermotologist thought she had the wrong file when she saw me. My skin looks great and it's pretty much a combo of genetics and sunblock. So please heed the sunblock call. Personally, I'm a big fan of Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer (contains sunblock) - gentle and good, both of them. Eye cream is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinke Intensive. It's got hyaluronic acid and doesn't bother my extremely sensitive skin. All are from the drugstore and leave plenty left over for good bottles of wine. Tho you didn't ask, my fave body lotion is Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion. Good luck with the shopping.

[alicia]

Avon Anew eye cream. amazing. I prefer it over the Khiels and Clinique.

[L.]

I can't even begin to comprehend how kind all of you are. I had no idea this many people read this site, let alone felt the goodness in their hearts and let it pour fourth through fingers. Thank you so much for the advice, recs and commiserations (Missa, I HEAR YOU SO HARD) and Emily, thank you so much for the sunblock recs, that was something I forgot to mention (right now I rely on ALBA and whatever is in my tinted moisturizer. When I wear it. Which is not often enough to really do anything. Especially since I mostly wear it at night. So choice. So effective!).

I will report back. Thank you all again. I am really intrigued by the mentions of oils/oil cleansing and will stay away from Jojoba, Chainsaw, thank you for the warning!

[Alya]

I'm a fan of Clinique moisturizers. But I use face washes from brands like Neutrogena and Clean & Clear.

[Peggaus]

Over at the Advice Smackdown Amy answers all kinds of questions about such matters.

http://www.alphamom.com/smackdown

Me, I think many things work, as long as you use them consistently.

[Michele]

Use just a drop or two of apricot or grapeseed oil, dotted gently under your eyes. A 4 oz. bottle will last virtually all year, until you forget when you bought it and get another just so that your bathroom shelf will look more sanitary. Wear sunglasses, and a hat out in the sun. I live in on of those touristy little towns-everyone will come up to shop and be burned to a crisp by the end of the day, except me. Ok, I'll have hat hair, but my skin is still intact, and my hair is a LOT cheaper to fix!

Michele H.

[Kelly]

i'm a big fan of Clinique's All About Eyes. i used to use a Kiehl's product that had avocado in it and really, really liked it as well. as for moisturizer i use Oil of Olay's Total Effects which rocks my world. it's about $20 and makes my skin feel amazing. i opt for the SPF version.

[Morgan]

I'm a big fan of the Philosophy line - the eye cream especially. I've always had fairly defined creases between my eyebrows, and I swear that they've drastically reduced in the 8 months I've been using it. The tube in Canada costs ~$45, but after 8 months I'm still on my first tube...

[Charlotte K]

I am a big fan of DHC, which I started trying out by using samples included in their catalog. Their line is based on olive oil and comes from Japan.

They have different products for different skin types but I use the basic set of oil cleanser, mild soap, toner and olive oil moisturizer. The set which lasts me about a year is $75. but I tried things out first before buying a whole set.

They also make this amazing tube called "Velvet Skin Coat" which makes your skin soft and absolutely matte. I don't use it every day but if I want that look it is unlike anything else I've ever tried. And they have nice eye creams and treatments.

[Emily]

I hear you. My mom has smoked for 40 years and we have the same under-eye wrinkles: wtf.

I just bought Aveda's green science eye firming cream - the smaller of the 2 jars, $45. I react to retinol products but whatever is in this rocks my world.

I'm a disciple, fanatic, president of the fan club for Pangea Organics. I have oily skin, but after a few weeks of using their cleanser and lotion, I don't really have oily skin anymore, but it's also not drying (read: making the wrinks look worse) like so many other things.

Then on top, Philosophy The Supernatural, with spf and all.

Good luck with your search - and update us if you find anything Holy Grail-worthy!