Do You Need An Eye Cream?

The New Year is here, and many people want to optimize their skincare routine. 

You have a favorite cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Do you need an eye cream, or can you use the same moisturizer all of your face?

Eye Skin

The skin around the eye is thinner and more delicate. The eyes are a sensitive area, and you want to be careful with what type of products you use in this area. If you are using products with active ingredients like retinols, glycolic acid, and other actives this may irritate this delicate area. What you use on other areas of your skin may not be appropriate for the delicate areas of your eyes. 

Moisturizers

Ingredients that are emollient in general are a good option. Ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can be helpful to keep the skin moisturized.  If in doubt do a patch test.  Apply a small amount of the product to a small area daily for three to five days and monitor for any skin sensitivity or reactions. 

Candidate For Eye Creams

If you have a specific issue like: dark circles, fine lines, crepey skin, and under eye puffiness an eye cream may be a good option. They may not be necessary for everyone.  If you are concerned about your under eye area and are noticing changes in the under eye area it is time for a discussion with your dermatologist.

Lines / Wrinkles

Those with mature skin would benefit from eye creams to help boost collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Peptides and growth factors can help boost collagen production and improve the skin's firmness and overall texture.  I do share the creams are best used in combination therapy with Neurotoxin treatments for lines. 

Dark Circles

There are many reasons for dark circles.  Hereditary, sleepless nights, dark veins underneath the skin, loss of fat and many mores. Ingredients like niacinamide and Vitamin C in concentrations for around the eye may help to brighten.   The blood vessels around the eyes can result in venous pooling of blood, creating a dark under eye that resemble dark circles. For this arnica and vitamin K can help in reducing their appearance and their effects.  Under eye bags and puffiness can create the illusion of dark circles.  If there is swelling this needs to be addressed first. 

There are also some dark circles that exist because of hereditary reasons. Your bone structure and the light shadows hit your face– rather than actual darkness in the skin.  This may require combination treatment options. 

Summary

Under eye creams are part of a treatment plan and will not be able to treat and fix everything. No skincare can do that. Eye cream can be beneficial if you have specific under-eye issues that you're hoping to correct. If you are looking to hydrate the eye area and don't have specific under eye issues like dark circles, puffiness, or wrinkles, you can use your regular facial moisturizer. When in doubt, I recommend consulting with your board-certified dermatologist to customize a treatment plan.