The 7 Emotional Stages Of Discovering Eye Cream

If I'm being honest, I have an endless repertoire of questions about eye cream floating around my brain. While most of us are pretty familiar with skincare basics by the time we grow into adults — like the importance of SPF or washing your face before you go to bed — eye cream is often left on the back burner. It's all but ignored, until one day you realize that those dark spots near your eyes or the bags under them are irreversible.

For me, eye cream was totally left out of the equation until I had the troubling realization that I should have started using it ages ago. The thing is, once you actually remember to go out and buy some, chances are you have no idea what to do with it. Personally, I'm no skincare guru, which means that when my time came for a first-time eye cream application, my noggin was flooded by a plethora of random thoughts and questions. All of which had me experiencing more than a few unpleasant emotions along the way.

So, in an effort to not only learn about eye cream but also sympathize with all the other eye cream newbies of the universe, here are the seven emotions you are likely to experience when discovering eye cream for the first time. Application may seem easy, but that gloopy cream is a lot more complex (and draining) than you may think.

1. Curiosity

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, $14.36, amazon.com

Curiosity had me thinking, what even is eye cream? Essentially, it's a facial cream with agents in it that can de-puff, moisturize, and prevent aging around your eyes, according to Allure. After learning that, I was completely intrigued and ready to give it a try. After all, my dark circles really could use some loving.

2. Excitement

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream, $18, burtsbees.com

That curiosity soon became excitement. I mean, who doesn't love a good excuse to go shopping? And because this shopping will result in brighter, tighter, more beautiful skin, you don't even have to feel guilty for paying more than you intended. So, get your wallet at the ready.

3. Confusion

Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel, $18, ulta.com

Before you know it and just as soon as they arrived, all that curiosity and excitement will evaporate. You thought you had found the fountain of youth, but then you learned that most eye creams take at least four to six weeks to show results, according to xoJane. Apparently, there's a lot more to eye cream than you could have ever imagined.

4. Anxiety

DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Eye Balm, $50, sephora.com

You are now having a panic attack in the middle of Sephora. There, there. We have all experienced the struggles of skincare, and it's never an easy battle to face. With the hundreds of eye cream choices surrounding you now, you feel as though an anxiety attack is inevitable. How will you ever choose? How can you ever know what your under-eyes really need?

5. Panic

Clinique all About Eyes Rich, $32, sephora.com

Once you begin looking into eye cream, it's easy to worry about all the harm you've unknowingly inflicted on your body's largest organ. Some doctors recommend starting to use eye cream in your 20s, but it's never too late or too early to care for your skin. Take deep breaths: It will all be OK.

6. Determination

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream, $17.99, drugstore.com

OK, it's time to really analyze the different eye creams out there to find one that's best suited to your needs. Yes, it's overwhelming. Yes, reading the labels for beneficial ingredients like caffeine (which reduces puffiness), peptides (which promote collagen), and silicones (which smooth skin) is annoying. And yes, it may take a pretty penny to find one that you really like. At the end of the day, though, go for something you know is going to make you feel good.

7. Peace

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $13.99, ulta.com

Whether you go through this whole experience and decide to avoid eye cream for as long as possible or it becomes a part of your daily routine, there's only one thing that really matters: How it makes you feel. Maybe eye cream makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Maybe it makes you feel more confident. Maybe it even makes you feel brighter and more refreshed in the mornings. Make your confidence and comfort top priorities, and you can't go wrong.

Just remember: There probably is no such thing as a magical fountain of youth. But that doesn't mean the things you're doing aren't helping your skin.

Images: agencia1810/Unsplash; Courtesy Brands