Both experts recommend gently applying eye cream onto the eyelids and underneath the eyes but not too close to the lashes because "even eye creams can irritate the eye if you go too close," says Dr. Jack. A 2011 study in the Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science attempted to prove the efficacy of topical caffeine on puffy eyes. In their findings, however, the researchers wrote that "the overall efficacy of the selected caffeine gel in reducing puffy eyes was not significantly different from that of its gel base. You've heard the promises: Eye creams reduce or even erase the signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. A: According to most dermatologists, eye cream is an unnecessary luxury. Additionally, because eye creams include more emollients, they moisturize the eye area and can diminish the appearance of wrinkles. I have been using Clinique's Moisture Surge oil-free gel, and I use it all over my face, including my eyes. They aren't as emollient as eye cream, in the same way that face serums aren't as emollient as a moisturiser. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. I’m more inclined to tilt towards the “Yes, we need eye cream” camp, but if you have beautiful, smooth, normal skin, with no under eye problems, then I think you’re fine with a good moisturizer, provided that it’s safe, non-irritant, does not contain fragrance and is light. Find more articles, browse back issues, and read the current issue of "WebMD Magazine."Â. Eye serums will pack more of a punch long term, but might not be as comforting on a daily basis. The eyes, as they say, are the windows to the soul but now, with most of us wearing masks when we’re out and about, they’ve been called into even greater focus. Squinting and constant movement of the eyes also hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles. ", The thickness doesn't actually add anything to the quality of the product. Eye creams can address some of these issues. Eye cream is just face cream in a smaller jar. I don't use it right now regularly, just when the whim gets me. Squinting and constant movement of the eyes also hasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and fluids collect under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles. Cosmetics are expensive. Did you know that the eye is surrounded by 22 muscles and engages in approximately 10,000 movements a day? But I'm only 16! The skin around the eyes is more fragile, more prone to dryness, and quicker to show age and fatigue. The old protocol to apply eye cream with a gentle circular motion that starts at the outer eye, travels under the eye towards the nose and then over the lid has been deemed outdated. American Academy of Dermatology:  "How to get the most out of your skin care products.". American Academy of Dermatologists: "How to select anti-aging skin care products.". By law, it's a cosmetic … That's why you'll hear it changes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Yilmez, E. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, published online Nov. 11, 2005. Dr. Frey challenged this assumption and told us: "There's never been any proof that those kinds of ingredients can penetrate that level into the epidermis in a concentration strong enough to get into the blood vessels to cause constriction," and added the caveat that if an ingredient could penetrate and have any effect on blood vessels, then "it wouldn't be a cosmetic," it would be a drug, and therefore it would be regulated by the FDA. But others claim it's only a marketing ploy, and no better than your regular moisturizer. Amnuaikit, T. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2011. Eye creams are not necessary. They contain more oil than a regular facial lotion, and they have a lot of active ingredients aimed at the problems we see around the eyes," Farris explains. Is eye cream necessary? How special lotions help that delicate skin. All great eye creams will include potent antioxidants, which are important to help defend your skin from expedited aging caused by UV rays and other environmental influences. But, you can use them slightly closer to the eye area (it's recommended that eye creams be used on the occipital bone only). By law, cosmetics cannot claim to change the skin. However, many dermatologists do believe in treating dark circles or undereye puffiness with caffeine, though as an ingredient, it's often found in separate eye serums or treatments and not in traditional "eye creams. But it can be harsh on some skin. I am in my early 30's, and trying harder to prevent wrinkles, and take care of my skin (while on a budget). Parvez, S. Phytotherapy Research, published online July 14, 2006. REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream featured Peptides to minimize the appearance of fine lines and expression lines and visibly firms skin. “Your face moisturizer has basically the same formulation and ingredients that you get in any eye cream,” says NYC dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas. Critics of eye creams say they aren’t necessary. The benefits of coconut, argan, tea tree and more. 34 individuals were given under-eye gels, some containing caffeine, some not. Sodium ascorbate, or vitamin C, can thicken the skin and help conceal dark circles after about 6 months. Ceramide and hyaluronic acid also help; these are moisturizers that help prevent water loss in the skin and improve elasticity. Dr. Frey compares this to pumping a raisin full of water until you get a grape. There is nothing special about eye creams, certainly nothing that makes them a can’t-live-without beauty booster. Oshima, H. Skin Research and Technology, May, 2009. They feel this way because many moisturizers and eye creams have essentially the same ingredients. Patricia Farris, MD, clinical associate professor, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans. Now, a typical. With an abundance of products available to us these days, it's hard to decipher the necessary from the nice-to-have. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. Now, a typical beauty routine consists of multiple creams, serums, peels, toners, and masks as medicine cabinets grow more crowded every day. For more great stories, head to INSIDER's homepage. While yes, we do need to take care of the skin around our eyes, the derm explains that eye cream isn't the only way we can do so. If you use an eye cream and your wrinkles seem to disappear, that's probably because of the humectants in the cream — like glycerin or hyaluronic acid — which attract water and draw it to the surface of the skin thereby giving your skin a fuller, more "plumped" look. But when I was working, I was way sleep deprived on the regular and slept badly in general (being unemployed sucks, but you do get good sleeps) and man did that SU:M eye cream make me look better in the morning than not using it. The eye cream is also formulated with Glycerin to provide deep, long-lasting moisturization. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. ″ [From your] teens into adulthood, you should be using moisturizing eye creams,” Sanchez said. 34 individuals were given under-eye gels, some containing caffeine, some not. consists of multiple creams, serums, peels, toners, and masks as medicine cabinets grow more crowded every day. Some experts insist that eye cream is essential if you hope to slow down the signs of aging (and who doesn't?!). Is Eye Cream Necessary? Oftentimes the eye creams are just face creams in a smaller jar. "Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, so they tend to be thicker. Farris, P. Dermatologic Surgery, July 2005. The subject of eye cream came up and every resource I looked up recommended it, because the eye area is sensitive and it helps reduce aging lines. "If you're a skin pathologist and you take a little piece of skin from right around the eye and you compare it under the microscope to a little tiny piece of skin that you get, say a little bit lower down on your cheek …[skin pathologists] cannot tell where the skin is coming from. Despite so many new types of products launching all the time—essences, sheet masks, and boosters—it's a classic product that we beauty editors still get asked about time and time again: eye cream.One question that always comes up: "Is eye cream a must … "A delicate touch is the most important aspect of eye cream application," says Dr. Lancer. Meaning, if you have specific concerns you wish to target such as dark circles or drooping, then an eye cream specifically formulated for those concerns would be beneficial. Brands claim they will help you get rid of bags under the eyes, dark rings and a saggy skin, but eye creams are no miracle cure. "Other moisturizing creams, for as long as they do not contain harsh ingredients that are too strong or may irritate the eye area, are actually sufficient to nourish and protect it," the doctor adds. Face creams often don’t adhere to the eye area as well. Have you ever wondered if an eye cream is really necessary? The most controversial step in your nightly skincare routine and the one that dermatologists and facialists often disagree on is eye cream. 樂 When to consider using an eye cream (and when you probably don’t need one) We spoke to three experts to get the low-down. Collagen helps maintain skin's elasticity. The wrinkles are "gone" until the effects of the cream wear off, and as we described earlier — these humectants are not specific to eye creams and you would get the exact same effect if you patted some moisturizer under your eye. Facial creams are designed for a thicker skin and address altogether different needs. A re eye creams really useful or just another unnecessary product to add to your skincare regime? Pavicic T. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, September2011. Once upon a time, you washed your face, slapped on some moisturizer, and threw on some sunblock. That's why some people refrigerate their eye creams. Puffiness is a buildup of fluid and blood under the eyes. Is eye cream necessary? However, many dermatologists do believe in treating dark circles or undereye puffiness with caffeine, though as an ingredient, it's often found in separate eye serums or treatments and not in traditional "eye creams.". "The law in this country states that any manufacturer that sells a product that intends … to change the skin or change the function of any organ, [then] it's a drug and if it's a drug, it has to get premarket approval by the FDA," Dr. Frey explained. since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. You can't say, as a matter of fact that it'll get rid of your wrinkles.". Whereas, a well formulated eye cream will … Farris likes Olay Regenerist Eye Regenerating Cream Plus Touch of Concealer ($21.99), which contains vitamin B3 to lighten dark circles and peptides to boost collagen. Evgeny Kabardi/Shutterstock, "Here is where I also fail to understand the logic of applying a 'thicker' cream," Dr. Alexiades explained. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. An eye cream is not magically going to vanish all your dark circles or eye bags or puffiness, but hear us out — don’t write off eye creams just yet. Even beauty guru and go-to for product advice — Paula's Choice — thinks that eye cream is an unnecessary step. Yes, it is!!! But to answer your question, will they do? For example, no eye cream can claim to erase wrinkles, they can only claim to change the, Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. ", From drugstore moisturizers to department store night creams, "80 to 90% of all over the counter moisturizers, whether they're face creams, night creams, or eye creams" follow what Dr. Fayne L. 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