Eye Cream: A Myth or a Must?
Monday April 9, 2007
Of all the products I've tried and tested, eye creams have always seemed more a hassle than a necessity -- just one more "speciality product" to slather on at the end of the day. They've become a bit of a beauty trend and I've been inundated with creams from every beauty brand imaginable, including Stri-Vectin SD, pictured left, considered THE eye cream to have in your medicine cabinet. But I wonder if, at the end of the day, they really work or if they're one of those bogus products women believe they have to have because beauty experts tell them so.
I own books and books filled with beauty experts plugging eye creams as a necessity, claiming the skin around the eyes is thinner and thus more prone to wrinkles/damage, but according to My Favorite Beauty Book, Allure's Confessions of a Beauty Editor, special creams for the eyes are not necessary. The book's editors claim the skin around the eyes "does not require its own product. Regular moisturizer works just fine."
What I like about this book is that unlike other books written by beauty gurus who own their own brand (Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy), these editors aren't selling a product and they can therefore afford to tell it straight.
What do you think: Do you swear by eye creams or is moisturizer all you need? Weigh in below.
Comments
I belive that regular moisturizer works just fine.That’s what I do every day.
I’m caught in the trap of having used it since my late twenties (42 now) and worried if I stop I’ll undo all my years of dutifully applying.
Having said that, I have less wrinkles than most women I know but that could also be due to always wearing sunglasses and therefore not squinting.
I have been using relastin face cream for a few months now and have been pretty pleased with the results. I understand they also have an eye cream (I think it’s called Eye Silk or something like that). Anybody tried it? I don’t want to buy it without knowing anything about it because it is kind of spendy.
i think regular face lotion works fine
The only reason to use separate eye cream (that I can think of) is that your regular moisturizer may be harmful to the eyes and therefore should be kept away from the eye area. That being said, I use my regular face lotion for my eyes, but also for my neck, chest and shoulders (I have sensitive skin in those areas).
I use a special eye cream because I am still searching for the right moisurizer for my super oily skin. Since I am not using moisturizer I figure at least my eyes need something - they don’t break out. However after reading this, once I do find a great moisturizer, I will quit with the eye cream and just use one product.
Regular moisturizer is just fine!! Eye Creams never do what they promise anyway. Waste of cash!!
as I approach 60 the eyes are the most in need of repair..I’m trying everything I can and all work some, but no miracles yet.
I use a light Vitamin E oil on my face and around my eyes, and I appear somewhat younger than I am.
The skin around the eyes is very delicate and needs special attention. If you don’t want to invest in eye cream, you can apply regular moisturizer around the eyes, but try to put on a generous amount in that area.
I’m 52, and could pass for 35, and have never used special creams. I had super oily skin and acne in my youth. Maybe it’s paying off now with less wrinkles?
I love the eye cream I use. I started using eye cream in my late 20’s. I found an awesome eye cream in 2004 and what a difference it made. I’m all for eye creams, and I wouldn’t live without it.
I know better, but I still use eye cream - an itty-bitty tube from LaRoche Posay.
What about gels or other preparations that supposedly lift and tighten the eye area?
Carol What is the name of the eye cream you use? Thanks
Hi! I want to know if it´s necessary to use eye primer under my eye shadows. Thaks!
I am 58 and I’m mistaken for 45 all the time. I think its due to moisturizing and vitamins.
I have been using preperation H for the last 2 years, no one thinks my eyes are those of a 56 year old, best 3 dollar investment I have ever made
I have bought eye creams from $1.00 to $150.00 and they are all crap. Genetics and stay out of the sun is the answer!
I LOVE eye cream and I can definitely tell a difference if I run out and just use moisturizer. The skin around the eye area is not the same as the facial skin and needs extra and specialized care. My forever favorite eye cream Chanel’s Precision Ultra Correcting Eye Cream. For me, it does everything is says it will, including firming the skin and correcting dark circles. I started using this eye cream years ago, when I read (Superstar) Cher’s beauty book. In it, she listed several beauty products that she swore by and this was one of them. I bought the cream to try and have kept buying it ever since!
Hi
I am 41 and have fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes. I would appreciate any suggestions . I am looking for something effective, safe and affordable.
Thanks
The best anti-wrinkle cream for fine lines and wrinkles is Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment. You’ll see results within 6 weeks. But it’s not cheap at $150. You can get it at Sephora or Macys. I find Retin-A is marvelous. I get it across the border in Mexico for less than $20, but a dermatologist will prescribe it to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Be careful as it’s a prescription and your skin will be extra-sensitive to sun.
When I use a regular facial mositurizer around the eye area, my eyes become puffy and swollen. I prefer an eye cream because it usually doesn’t have scent, and when I wake up in the morning, it doesn’t look like i was crying the night before. To Rome, I suggest trying Elizabeth Grant’s line. If you get it on the shopping channel when she visits, you can get a very good deal on packaging of various products offered in the line. I have used this line for the past two years, and have been asked by people who haven’t seen me since I started using it if I have had “work” done. Give it a shot, it’s the best! To Guise, you only need a primer if you find your eyeshadow melts into the creases of your eyelids. But be careful as some of these products collect in the creases more than the eyeshadow does. You are better off spending your bucks on a good quality eyeshadow than a primer, in my opinion.
I have worn sunglasses (prescription) from dawn to dusk for most of my life. I am 70 years old and don’t have wrinkles around my eyes..that’s the secret! I also don’t use any special eye cream, only my regular face moisturizer.
I am 67 years old and have never used anything but moisturizer and it has worked fine. Unfortunately that didn’t help my upper lip and chin. I have to use a specialized product there. I am currently using Ultra-Lift anti-wrinkle firming moisture cream around my mouth and chin and it seems to be helping.
It’s all about body nutrition and your skin complexion at the end of the day. Moisturizers and eye creams don’t do anything except moisturizing to certain extend. If you keep your body hydrated, avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar it will be the best thing for your skin!
Hi, I’m 35 with ive kids. I never wear sun glasses. Now, I have fine lines and crow feet. I try alomost evey eye cream it doesn’t seemto work. But,
people see me as 24 years old.I got nice body and no wrinkles on my face. It just th eeyes area that really bothers me. cAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE BEST THINGS TO USE?
im only 21 but i have bad dark circles under my eyes and some winkles already what do you guys say is the best way to not make it worst..
I’ve been using a nourishing(not anitwrinkle) eye cream for the past 3 months now and i know its a hassel to add to the end of day beauty regimen but it WORKS well it keeps my eyes healthy looking and its very gentle and although it may take a little extra effort/time to put on day and night think of it as spoiling your eyes and your eyes will love you back it has for me i’m 25 mother of 2 that hardly gets sleep before i would look tired now by using the cream my eyes look like … well look like they’re being attended to use eye cream its the best
Use Eucerin’s Aquaphor. It’s a light balm to protect the thin eye skin.
Eye cremes are essential for a couple of reasons. The area around the eye has very few oil glands, and therefore lacks the natural moisture that other parts of the skin produce. The other key difference between eye creme and regualar creme, is the thickness of the product. The eye area is much thinner and has significantly smaller pores than other parts of the face. Eye cremes are thinner in texture, and more easily absorbed to be able to give maximum benefit. Regular moisturizer cremes will work around the eye, but only for creating a moisture “layer” on the surface, not getting deeper into the skin to plump or firm from within. Also, because it won’t absorb like an eye creme would, women may find it makes the application or long wear of makeup more difficult. Hope this helps.
A great moisturizer will make wrinkles less noticable while a FACE FIRMING cream that contains DMAE will improve your face firmness. Both are required! Firming during the day, and Moisturizing at night.
Plus you want a face cream that has no chemicals, because chemicals will break down the skins elastic which groups together skin molecules - which causes wrinkles!
I recommend the Made from Earth vitamin enhanced face firming serum – this is what I have been using for the last 6 months. It works great for me, and I see results. I have noticed my face alot tighter, especially under my eyes. The Made from Earth Vitamin Face Firming Serum must have alot of DMAE in it because right after I apply it to my skin, I feel it tightening already. I have also used the 3 Berry Face Serum at night which has a super moisturizing effect
.
Highly recommended for healthy women who want a healthy way to remove wrinkles.
My opinion is: The skin around the eye area does age faster than other parts of your face. An eye cream is not necessary only if you use a good quality face cream that’s right for your eye area. A bad face cream can not replace a good quality eye cream.
Wow!! I’m extremely surprised no one has said anything about sunscreen. Ask any dermatologist, sunscreen is key in helping prevent premature aging and promoting healthy skin (from skin cancer that is). Also, many dermatologist will prescribe Retin-A (otherwise known as tretinoin topical) to help the reduce appearance of wrinkles. Retin-A is also prescribed for acne (that’s what I use it for).