In the beauty world, eye cream is a bit controversial. Whether or not a separate product is needed for the eye area is a topic of hot debate, especially with how expensive these tiny jars can be. I am pro eye cream, but with realistic expectations. I don’t believe any cream can “erase” lines or dark circles permanently. They can, however, plump and protect the eye area from environmental damage, which can, in turn, help keep you looking fresh as a daisy.

If you’re new to eye cream, I don’t recommend jumping into the priciest end of the pool first. Some of my favorite mid-priced eye creams can be found here and here. When navigating the many options, remember these points to pick the right product:

1. Choose your goals.

Just like you would with the rest of the skin on your face, give your eye area a look in the mirror. Do you have fine lines or wrinkles? What about puffiness or darkness? You’re likely to examine your eye area up close, but I encourage you to back up a few feet as well. Everything looks more exaggerated under a magnifying glass and most of the people you meet will see you from a greater distance. How much do those things you noticed actually bother you?

2. Pick your formula.

Once you know what issues you want to tackle, you can look for actives to support those results. Caffeine can de-puff while peptides and vitamin A can help to smooth lines. Vitamin C will brighten, along with light-reflecting pigments in tinted or more pearlescent options. Keep your skin type in mind when choosing a gel or cream formula—heavy creams can run into my eyes over time which doesn’t feel very nice. I tend to use a gel for the daytime and something heavier at nighttime.

3. Think about layers.

When choosing a product for the daytime, remember to consider everything that will go on top of it. If you like to wear a lot of eye makeup, a very rich or oily formula may cause your shadows to crease over time. Something lighter with a tackier texture will help your makeup stay in place as the hours go by.

4. Check for reactions.

The eye area is very sensitive. The skin is thin and of course, no one wants to burn their eyes with the product. I like to apply my eye cream/gel both under the eye and on the lid, without getting too close to the lash line. While I don’t think you should rub aggressively, I don’t have the patience for the tapping method. I typically spread a thicker layer evenly on the area and then give it a minute or two to sink in on its own. Watch out for redness, peeling or milia (small, hard bumps under the skin) over the coming days and weeks. Any reaction like that is a sign you need to try another formula and that is why I always opt for eye cream samples when given the option of freebies with a beauty purchase.

5. Make note of the expiration date.

Eye cream tends to have a shorter shelf life once opened. After all, you wouldn’t want to apply something expired to such a sensitive area. Because you’ll never need to apply as much as they suggest, make sure you only buy as much as you can use up, especially if you opt for separate daytime and nighttime products. If you’re worried you won’t finish it in time, adjust your budget accordingly so you aren’t throwing money away.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for home fragrances here.

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MIDDI is a weekly roundup of mid-priced beauty, fashion and home buys released every Monday. Have a product you’re searching for? Leave your suggestions in the comments.