Why can’t we just use face cream? Or nothing at all?
Well no one is ‘making’ you use an Eye Cream! However, these products are specifically formulated for use around the very delicate, thin, sensitive eye area. The skin around the eyes is 6x thinner than the rest of the face, and thicker products will not penetrate properly, resulting in products ‘running into the eyes’.
Most people will not have eye issues, irritation, etc in the eyes from an actual eye cream, however, it can be common when using face or body products near the eyes.
It is generally recommended to start using an Eye Cream after about age 20, to prevent signs of aging and after age 30 to improve and correct lines, wrinkles and textural changes.
A few general tips for using eye creams:
- Don’t use too much product; the skin is very thin and can only absorb a small amount of product. It is far better to apply a small amount (size of a pinhead) twice daily, than to use a larger amount once daily.
- Best results are seen when used twice daily (am and pm after cleansing & toning).
- Avoid the eyelid: it is rarely recommended to apply anything on the eyelid, since irritation, milia, congestion, redness, etc are very difficult to address on the eye lid area.
- Apply eye cream in small amounts in a gentle circular or patting motion under the eye, from outside to inside, and around the orbital socket along the bony ridge.
- If there is excess product, apply to the lips!
- If there is any irritation or reaction, wash off immediately with cold water.
- Be gentle! The skin is thin, delicate, and easily inflamed.
Some general tips for choosing the right eye cream:
- Eye creams for daytime are generally designed to help reduce puffiness and dark circles, whereas nighttime versions usually have more emollients and are meant to repair and correct the skin while you sleep.
Ingredients that target early signs of aging include:
- anti-oxidants (vitamins c &e, ferulic acid), hyaluronic acid
Ingredients that target dark circles include:
- vitamin k, arnica extract, licorice root extract, caffeine, kojic acid
Ingredients that target puffiness include:
- caffeine, cucumber, peptides
Ingredients that target fine lines and aging:
- peptides (copper peptides, palmitoyl oligopeptide), anti-oxidants (Vitamins C & E), emollients (glycerin, urea), retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
An eye cream that contains a combination of antioxidants, emollients, caffeine, brightening agents and peptides will offer multi-faceted benefits that can be used am and pm.