Joanna Topor

School's in session. Summer hours are over. Can you feel the stress? Wrinkles are minutes away. No worries--the cosmetic industry has mountains of prettily packaged products ready to smooth your every condition. But our inner skeptic has us wondering--do we really need five different lotions and potions for our face? A cleanser and moisturizer we understand, but separate eye cream? We consulted with Jennifer Paulick, esthetician at the Northwestern Institute of Cosmetic Surgery, to dig the dirt on eye cream--why we need it, what it is and where to get it.

First, an overview: wrinkles around the eye area, commonly known as crow's feet, are caused by a variety of reasons. Bone structure, skin positioning, gravity, sleep quality and sun damage are just a few of the factors influencing the way we're going to age. The bad news? Paulick reports lines around the eyes can develop as early as your mid-twenties. The good? Prevention works. The most important thing is staying out of the sun since most skin damage occurs from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The delicate eye area does not take well to thick, goopy sunscreens. Some eye creams include SPF 15, but sunglasses are the best protection. Once shades and SPF are firmly in place, turn to eye cream to prevent future damage and minimize existing problems.

The first element to consider when finding an eye cream is moisturizing. Moisture comes in gel and cream form. Paulick reports gel is oil-free, will evaporate faster and is great for acne-prone skin. Cream has a bit more of an oil base and is best for those with dry skin. Next, consider additives like antioxidants vitamins A and E, pomegranate extract and grape-seed extract. These compounds scavenge damage-causing free radicals, helping to prevent redness, swelling and wrinkles. "I love [antioxidant] vitamin C," says Paulick. "It's a wonderful ingredient to use underneath the eyes."

Recently, a lot of products have started to feature Kinetin, a substance found in green leafy plants that has been shown to slow down the plant's aging process (imagine what it can do for yours).

Paulick recommends beginning your eye-cream search at Sephora, where an attentive staff can work with you to find the product that best suits your needs. Those more comfortable with drugstore prices can head to their neighborhood outposts to look for lines by Almay and Neutrogena. If you're looking for earth-happy skin care, check out The Body Shop's line of Kinetin eye cream.

Don't know if you're a candidate for eye cream? Many cosmetic doctors' offices now have an esthetician like Paulick who offers free skin consultation. They will meet with you to discuss your skin and skin-care options--it's never too early for a professional opinion.

Murad Essential-C Eye Cream, $55 at Sephora, 845 North Michigan, (312)335-9391

Almay Kinetin Firming & Brightening Eye Cream, $12.99 at Drugstore.com

Body Shop Daily Eye Crème with Kinetin, $20 at The Body Shop, 520 North Michigan, (312)645-0971

(2005-09-06)

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