You should already be using one.

The good news, however, is that if you’ve never dipped a baby finger into the big, beautiful world of eye creams, you’re in for a real treat once you get started.

Regularly using a good eye cream is one of the best things you can do to halt the crepey skin and crows feet that come with ageing.

If you’ve already got a gaggle of laughter lines, no problem; a rich cream will soften them into submission, meaning your concealer or foundation will glide on with ease instead of settling in the crevices.

Unlike, say, a daily cleanser, which is washed down the sink every night, eye cream is worth splurging on. Not only does it make a serious difference over time, but it’s also an economical buy; you’ll only use a small amount every day so a pot or a tube should last at least six months.

If we’re going to make something a habit, we want results. Here are five eye products that really work:

The dark circle fixer

Genetics is the biggest culprit when it comes to dark under-eye circles. Hereditary traits that range from darker pigmentation to slower circulation and thin or pale skin can accentuate that purple tinge beneath your lids.

While you can’t control the existence of dark circles, Eminence’s Wild Plum Eye Cream can help minimise their appearance. A natural anti-inflammatory, Wild Plum Juice contains mineral nutrients that stimulate circulation, improving blood flow and reducing the appearance of darkness caused by poor drainage. The formula also contains moisturising shea butter, calendula to soothe and tone, green tea for youthful-looking skin and horse chestnut to tone and tighten.

Buy it: Eminence Organic’s Wild Plum Eye Cream is €71 from eminence.ie.

A perk-up for puffy peepers

You know those mornings when a triple espresso won’t quite do the trick?

The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is the secret weapon everyone needs for those emergencies. Simply massage a small amount onto the eye contour in the morning and evening to deflate puffy eye bags and reduce eye contour pigmentation.

The light-textured formula contains an extremely high 5% concentration of caffeine, supplemented with highly-purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Independent studies have shown that topical use of each of caffeine and EGCG can help reduce looks of puffiness and of dark circles in the eye contour.

Buy it: The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is €6.70 here. 

The ten-minute trick

Finally found ten minutes to yourself in a hectic day? Pop on a pair of Patchology’s calendula petal-infused eye gels and escape the drama in a cloud of relaxing lavender scent. Soothing calendula acts as an anti-inflammatory, while antioxidant evening primrose extract detoxes the undereye area, leaving skin smoothed and renewed and jasmine flower naturally reduces dryness and improves skin’s suppleness.

Regular use helps improve skin elasticity and fight skin fatigue but these are an excellent treat before a big event or an important photo opp too.

Buy it: Patchology “Down Time” Calming Tea-Infused Aromatherapy Eye Gels are €11.80 from Brown Thomas. 

A drink for dry skin 

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream is an advanced cocktail of 15% Vitamin C (Ole’s highest concentration for daily use) and 5% skin-smoothing PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), and hydration- boosting hyaluronic acid create the ultimate multi-acid serum.

These powerhouse ingredients guarantee age-defying all-day hydration so all you need to do is sweep it on twice daily and enjoy the instant results while the thick. creamy formula prevents further lines from appearing around your eyes.

The cult cream sold out instantly when it launched during the summer, with delighted customers leaving thousands of glowing reviews on the brand’s website. Having tried it for ourselves, we concur; the hype checks out.

Buy it: Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum is €69 from Boots

The bargain line buster 

Looking for an effective daily eye cream that won’t break the bank? Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Eye Repair Cream helps to restore the protective skin barrier around the eyes.

The formula is a fast-absorbing, non-greasy lotion with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Its’ promise of reduced dark circles and puffiness and brighter, smoother looking skin check out.

It’s also fragrance-free so you don’t have to worry if you have sensitive skin.

Buy it: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is €13 from pharmacies.