The Importance of Eye Creams

What’s the deal with eye creams?

Maybe the skincare hack TikTok you just watched said you can use a moisturizer as an eye cream, maybe you’re not sure what the difference is, or maybe it’s not something that you’ve considered using before! We’ll help you de-mystify the world of specialized eye care and explain the how’s and why’s of incorporating an eye cream.

How is an eye cream different than moisturizer?

Eye creams are actually an entirely different sector of skincare - they’re a targeted treatment formulated for the extremely thin and delicate skin under and around the eyes. Not surprisingly, eye creams are vastly different from a moisturizer that you’ll be using all over your face, neck, and chest. They’re typically less irritating, carry ingredients that won’t cause harm to the extremely thin skin, and allow for deeper moisture penetration.

Wait, the skin around my eyes is different?

Yes! Not only is it thinner, but it’s more vulnerable to damage like UV rays than the rest of the face. It’s also more prone to irritation and allergic reactions, meaning that a product you use for the rest of your face without issue may cause a reaction in your under- or around-eye area.

Your muscles also work extremely hard in this area, making the surrounding skin move and groove far more often than our forehead or cheeks! This skin, especially when not moisturized frequently enough, starts to form more permanent wrinkles and fine lines with time. This is why you’ll see conditions such as crow’s feet or other expression lines forming as your skin ages.

Formulation, formulation, formulation.

Ingredients that we use on the rest of our face aren’t necessarily safe for use in the under-eye area. As an example, hydroquinone is a fabulous ingredient to help with aging and brown spots, but should never be used close to the eye as it’s harsh and can have a degrading effect on the skin. Another ingredient we love (for fighting acne!) is salicylic acid, but this isn’t something that we want to bring up to the eyes.

When you select an eye cream to protect and moisturize this specific area, you won’t have to worry about the inclusion of ingredients that are too harsh for this super-delicate skin. Among the examples we gave, there are a host of ingredients that, while effective and safe for use on your skin, aren’t the best option for around the eyes. Something to watch out for!

De-puff me!

Another huge benefit of investing in a dedicated eye cream is the de-puffing benefit it brings! Eye creams like the Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Care and the Growth Factor Eye Serum come with a metal tip/applicator that provides a cooling, soothing effect on the eye area when applying. Powerful ingredients like caffeine (present in the powerhouse ZO Eye Brightening Creme!) provide a boost and help to soothe and de-puff the skin, taking away that tired appearance.

If you’ve ever wondered about the effectiveness of jade rollers or other skin-cooling methods, this is a technique that’s proven to help decrease puffiness along with the actual ingredients in your chosen eye care serum or cream!

Light and Bright.

Dark circles got you down? Another huge benefit of a dedicated eye cream is the inclusion of ingredients like kojic acid! Kojic acid, in an appropriate percentage, naturally helps to lighten and brighten the skin to help with dark circles. The ZO Eye Brightening Creme also includes kojic acid in its formulation, making it a fabulous choice if you’re struggling with a dark or dull under-eye area. Things like fatigue or dehydration can make dark circles appear more pronounced, so make sure you’re pairing your chosen eye cream with a proper sleeping routine and lots of water!

Bye bye, crow’s feet!

Naturally, one of the top reasons you’ll want to incorporate a designated eye cream is for the anti-aging benefits. Plumping this area and increasing collagen production with ingredients like peptides and growth factors will give you a youthful glow and help keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay!

Because this area is prone to so much movement and creasing like we discussed above, this is an extra-important step in keeping your aging skin nourished and moisturized for the maximum anti-aging benefits!

When should I start using an eye cream?

There’s no time like the present! With skincare, earlier is usually better - prevention is easier than correction, after all. If you’re starting in your 40’s, 50’s, or even 60’s, it’s still extremely beneficial and will keep those lines, wrinkles, and puffiness from becoming deeper and more pronounced. If you’re starting in your 20’s or 30’s, lucky you! You’re ahead of the game and you’ll have to contend with fewer deep lines as you age.

Questions?

Never fear, your medical aesthetician is here! Contact us any time to get in touch with our skin master and founder, Charmaine. You might need a professional consultation to introduce or change a product in your everyday routine, or even just a quick conversation about your current treatment plan - let us help! We’ll make sure that no matter what your skin goals are, you’re getting the correct level of care, the ingredients your unique skin craves, and a master plan for long-term skincare success!