I’m a dermatologist – you’ve been applying your eye cream all wrong and it’s making your wrinkles worse

PUTTING your eye cream on wrong could actually be making your wrinkles worse, a dermatologist has warned.

The skin in that area is particularly delicate and a few wrong moves can age it quicker than necessary.

Instead of applying a thick layer and rubbing it all around the eyes, Dr Kavita Mariwalla advises less is more.

Speaking to , she said you should apply no more than a pea-sized amount of product on each side, and you should be extra careful when doing so.

It's also important to use your ring finger, and to tap it in lightly.

The New York based-dermatologist said that's because the skin around your eyes is incredibly thin, meaning it's fragile and prone to dryness.

Pressing too hard can cause irritation and broken blood vessels and end up exacerbating issues like fine lines, discolouration and puffiness, Dr Mariwalla added.

Her advice would be to follow this simple step-by-step guide:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly
2. Squirt or dab the cream onto the back of your hand
3. Using your ring finger, lightly dot it in a semi-circle along the bone under your eye and gently tap it in
4. Moving upwards, dot the cream between the edge of your eye and your temple and gently tap it in
5. Then dot the cream in a semi-circle under your brown line and gently tap it in

Only some products can be used on the eyelids, so always check the packaging, Dr Mariwalla, of Mariwalla Dermatology, said.

And some a designed for morning or night-time-only, so again, read the label.

Also, be sure to stop a few millimetres underneath your lower lash line so the cream doesn't go into your eye.

When it comes to choosing the right product, Dr Mariwalla said it's down to your main concerns.

If you're battling fine lines and crow's feet, choose formulas that use retinol and peptides, she said.

But if dark circles are your biggest problem, look for brightening ingredients like niacinamide.

And find a cream containing caffeine if you find your peepers get extra puffy.