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How to Wake Up Tired Eyes In 2023: Our Favorite Products Right Now

Tired eyes be gone!

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Is there anything worse than someone telling you that you look tired when you’re well-rested? Saying you look tired feels like a polite way to say you don’t look your best, and you’re suddenly self-conscious.

A primary contributing factor to looking tired is your eyes. Thanks to computers, smartphones, televisions and other devices, many of us suffer from eye strain as a result of staring at screens for long hours. We also experience changes to our eyes’ appearance as we age and muscles in our faces start to weaken.

While we can’t stop the aging process, and it’s hard to entirely get rid of screens from our lives in this digital age, there are still plenty of products on the market to reduce the look of tired eyes.

As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time to bring some of the best products for freshening tired eyes to your skincare routine.

What are the best products for tired eyes?

When your eyes feel and look tired, it’s typically because of eyestrain. Eyestrain is a common condition from intense overuse. Most people develop eye strain from staring at computers, tablets, and smartphones for long hours. It can cause sore, burning, or itchy eyes, blurred vision, headache or sensitivity to light. Some people also experience headaches or neck discomfort.

Age-related changes may also cause the eyes to appear or feel tired. As we age, we lose tone in our facial muscles, and the skin starts to thin and lose elasticity. This loss of tone and elasticity can give the face a droopy or flabby appearance. The skin around the eyes may also wrinkle, creating crow’s feet at the eye’s corner. Other age-related eye changes include sunken eyes when eyelid fat settles into the eye sockets and drooping eyelids when eyelid muscles weaken.

What are the type of products for tired eyes?

Eye products are flooding the cosmetic industry, promising to brighten, tighten, and lighten the delicate skin surrounding the eye. While most eye products deliver similar results, it’s helpful to understand the subtle differences between creams, serums, eye masks, and drops.

Eye creams act as moisturizers for delicate under eye skin. Most eye creams have either emollients or humectants. Emollients fill cracks in the skin for a smoother look and feel, while humectants pull water from deeper skin layers. You can find eye creams for day or night use. Most are lightweight enough to wear under makeup as long as you give it a few minutes to absorb into the skin.

Eye serums provide similar benefits to eye creams, but the ingredients of eye serums are usually more concentrated. Eye serums have a lightweight feel and consistency, much like oil. Like eye creams, you can find serums for day or night use. Many people use an eye cream and a serum, but you may find your desired results with only one product. 

Under-eye masks hydrate the skin and often target signs of aging like wrinkles and dark circles. An eye mask is typically half-moon-shaped to fit securely under the eye. Some eye masks contain ingredients like retinol or vitamin C to nourish the skin. Unlike creams and serums, you don’t have to use your eye mask daily to soak in their benefits. Most individuals see results when using them two to three times a week.

Eye drops can treat various eye conditions, but most over-the-counter drops are for dry eyes, redness, and irritation. Upneeq is the first and only FDA-approved eye drop used to treat droopy eyelids, providing a temporary solution to tired-looking eyes.

How to Choose Products for Your Eyes

Not only are there different types of eye products to navigate, but each product has hundreds of varieties, making the eye cosmetic industry feel overwhelming. When deciding on an eye product, a few things to consider are the price, ingredients, desired results, and commitment to using the product.

Price

Like many cosmetic products, eye creams, masks, serums, and tools can significantly range in price. Most eye creams and serums can average $40 to $50 but will last anywhere from one to two months, depending on how often you use them. Set a budget for how much you want to spend, and look at products within that price range.

Another price-related element worth considering is if the product offers subscription pricing. When you find an eye product that works for you, you will likely want to purchase it again. Buying a $50 eye cream every other month can add up, but with a subscription price, you can save by essentially promising the company that you’ll continue to buy the product. Many subscriptions come with free shipping and allow you to customize the delivery frequency.

Ingredients

The skin under the eyes is delicate and quickly gets irritated. When shopping for eye care, look for products with all-natural or organic ingredients. You also want to look for products free of harsh chemicals such as parabens and synthetic fragrances.

Some skincare lines will have a third party test their products to prove they are free of harmful additives. Any brand or company advising third-party testing should also have lab results available for download so you can dive deep into what you’re putting under your eyes.

Desired Results

What do you want to see from using an eye product? Are you trying to get rid of wrinkles and dark circles, or do you want to keep your under eyes skin moisturized? Whatever results you seek, there’s likely an eye cream designed to help you reach your goals. While not every eye product will work for every person, narrowing down the desired effect is an excellent place to start.

Commitment

You need to use most eye products frequently to achieve the best results. Be honest with yourself about how often you’re going to use your eye products. You need to apply serums and creams at least once, if not twice a day, to see a difference in your skin. With masks and massaging tools, you can commit two or three times a week and see differences in your skin’s brightness.

How to Wake Up Tired Eyes: 4 Best Products for You

Don’t let your eyes speak for how you feel. Freshen up your tired eyes with our favorite eye care products and tools.

Upneeq

Best Overall Product for Tired Eyes
Best Products For Tired Eyes
Upneeq

Buy from Upneeq, starting at $79.99

Why we like it:

  • Subscription pricing available, FDA-approved
  • No contraindications
  • Effects last up to 8 hours

Upneeq by SkinSolutions.MD is the only FDA-approved prescription eye drop for low-lying eyelids (aka acquired ptosis), giving them an instant lift for fuller and brighter eyes.

Acquired ptosis is a common medical condition that gives your eyes a droopy appearance. It typically develops later in life as the eyelid muscles stretch and weaken, and can affect your field of vision — or even interfere with daily activities like reading or driving. It may also affect your self-esteem, creating tired eyes, and giving the face an asymmetrical look.

How it works: Upneeq activates receptors in the upper eyelid muscle, allowing those eye muscles to contract and lift by 2 millimeters. It takes one drop a day to create an eye-opening lift in as fast as 5 minutes.

How to use: Cut open one foil packet and remove the single-use vial. Remove the top of the vial with a twist. Tilt your head back and apply one drop of Upneeq in each eye. Keep your head tilted back and blink for 15 to 20 seconds to allow for the solution to absorb.

What customers say: Many customers using Upneeq say the eye drops give them a noticeably more awake look. People also note the confidence boost when using Upneeq, saying it made them feel more comfortable after seeing how much whiter and brighter their eyes appeared. 

Foreo Bright Eye Lifesaver

Best tired eye brightening bundle
Best Product For Tired Eyes
Foreo

Buy from Foreo, $279

Why we like it:

  • Devices are sustainable, hygienic, and waterproof
  • International shipping
  • There is a 2-year warranty on both devices

Many individuals spend endless hours looking at screens, causing strained, stressed and irritated eyes. Rejuvenate and brighten your eyes with the Foreo Bright Eye Lifesaver bundle, which you can customize by choosing the color of your IRIS eye massager and UFO mini face spa.

How it works: The IRIS illuminating eye massager treats digital eye strain by gently massaging the eye’s contours. The UFO mini face spa uses heat to unclog the meibomian glands in the eyes while diffusing moisturizing ingredients onto the skin’s surface. Although you only have 14 days to return the product (it also can’t be opened), we think once your tired eyes see what this bundle can do, you’ll want to keep it handy.

Note: Getting some simple blue light glasses can also help with digital screens affecting your eyes.

How to use:

  • IRIS: Clean and dry your face, then apply SERUM SERUM SERUM around the eye area. Turn the device on, place it inside your eye contour, and swipe for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other eye.
  • UFO mini: Clean and dry your face and neck. Place the acai berry mask on your face, smoothing out any air bubbles. Turn the device on and gently glide the device over the mask in circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • The return policy is only 14 days, and products must be unopened

What customers say: Customers who purchased the IRIS eye massage say they see fewer dark circles and under-eye bags. Some individuals also note the lines around their eyes, like crow’s feet, look thinner. People who use the UFO mini call it addictive and relaxing — the perfect addition to your bedtime routine.

CLEARSTEM BRIGHTEYES Eye Gel

Best anti-aging eye cream
Best Products For Tired Eyes
CLEARSTEM

Buy from CLEARSTEM, $54

Why we like it:

  • 30-day return policy, and international shipping
  • No hormone disruptors, toxins, or silicone. Vegan and cruelty-free
  • International shipping is available

If you have crow’s feet, dark circles or puffiness, try the BRIGHTEYES Eye Gel from CLEARSTEM. Blending peptides, argan stem cells and aloe vera, this eye gel offers a cooling sensation as it firms the delicate skin surrounding the eye. If you have a little extra on your finger after application, apply it to your lips for a moisturizing lip mask! 

How it works: This anti-aging eye gel contains nourishing botanicals, peptides and stem cells to brighten and firm the skin around tired eyes.

How to use: First, clean and dry the skin around your eye. Apply a pea-sized amount around the eye area. Let the eye cream absorb into the skin and repeat regularly day and night for best results.

What customers say: Nearly 98 percent of people who use this eye cream say they would recommend it to a friend. Most customers say they love how soothing and cooling it feels on the skin. Others say it works great under concealer and doesn’t cake makeup like other eye creams.

AnnieMak Renew Eye Cream

Best for dark circles
Best Products For Tired Eyes
AnnieMak

Buy from AnnieMak, $33.96

Why we like it:

  • Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free
  • No sulfate, parabens or GMOs
  • Dermatologist tested

Strengthen, repair and illuminate your eyes with AnnieMak Renew Eye Cream. This eye cream uses organic oils and clean ingredients to help reduce puffiness, redness and dark circles for a more youthful look. This eye cream has no toxic chemicals, such as preservatives or sulfates, and third-party testing found no signs of GMOs, pesticides or heavy metals.

How it works: The Renew Eye Cream is scientifically formulated with patented ingredients to hydrate, smooth, brighten and strengthen the skin surrounding the eyes. The cream contains organic jojoba oil, witch hazel, manuka honey and an advanced peptide technology that reduces eye puffiness, redness, dryness and dark circles.

How to use: Gently apply a moderate amount around the eye after cleansing. For best results, use morning and night.

What customers say: Customers agree the Renew eye cream keeps skin smooth and soft and makes the eyes appear brighter. Many users say the cream is hydrating and are seeing noticeable results with regular daily and nightly use.

What Causes Tired Eyes?

FAQ

What causes droopy eyes?

Drooping eyes, also called ptosis, can start for various reasons. It happens when injury or disease weakens the muscles or ligaments responsible for raising the eyelid. Some people are born with drooping eyelids, either in one or both eyes, while others develop it with age.

How do I use eye creams and serums?

There are a few ways to use eye creams and serums, and each product may have a slightly different application process, so it’s always best to read the directions before use.

In most cases, you always want to apply creams and serums to clean dry skin. Start with an eye cream, using a moderate amount under the eye, gently patting the cream into the skin. Let the skin absorb the cream before applying serum. You can put a serum the same way as cream, using a dabbing motion with the finger instead of rubbing it like lotion. Give your skin a few minutes to absorb before putting on makeup.

Does Upneeq work?

Upneeq is FDA-approved, which means the FDA finds it a novel treatment for droopy eyes. Upneeq is the only FDA-approved medical treatment for droopy eyes. However, results may vary with each person, and the solution is temporary. You will need to reapply drops daily.

Freshen up your tired eyes in 2023 with eye creams, serums, and tools designed to moisturize, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin. When shopping for the right eye product, consider the price, commitment, ingredients and desired results before you finalize your purchase. Bring your newest eye care solution into your daily skincare routine, and say goodbye to tired eyes in 2023!

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