Should I Be Using An Eye Cream?

Our skin undergoes various changes throughout our lives, and taking care of it becomes more and more important as we get older. Though we typically start to notice more prominent signs of aging in our 40s, it's actually around our mid-20s and early 30s that our skin starts to show the first signs of aging.

This is the time when our bodies start to produce less collagen. Collagen is one of the main building blocks that keeps our skin healthy, prevents it from sagging, and gives our skin that plump, youthful look. As we get older, our skin starts to lose that youthful glow and starts to become thinner, drier, and less elastic.

Now, that's really not anything new, but one area that often goes unchecked (but also tends to show the first signs of aging) is the delicate skin around our eyes. This is because the skin around our eyes is much thinner than the skin on other areas of our face which means it's more susceptible to breaking down.

That's where adding an eye cream to your skincare routine can make a significant difference and help combat those early signs of premature aging.

When should I start using an eye cream?

Now, if you're thinking you're too young or too old to start using an eye cream in your skincare routine, let me go ahead and tell you that you're not.

By the time you hit your early 20s, you should already have a daily skincare routine set in place that works to prevent signs of premature aging. But that doesn't mean there's no room to add in more products as you get older if those products can also help combat signs of premature aging (because let's face it, when you reach a certain age, you don't really want to look older than you actually are).

So maybe you're not in your 20s and you're not really trying to prevent signs of premature aging because you've already got a few fine lines and wrinkles. An eye cream can still help by working to reduce the appearance of those fine lines, wrinkles, and even dark circles.

How does an eye cream work?

In general, eye creams work by keeping the delicate skin around your eyes moisturized, firm, and plump.

It moisturizes.

The skin around the eyes tends to be drier due to the limited number of oil glands in that area. As we age, the skin's natural ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to dryness and dehydration. Eye creams are specially formulated with hydrating ingredients that help to replenish and lock in moisture, keeping the skin around the eyes plump, smooth, and nourished.

It reduces the appearance of premature aging.

Fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet are common signs of aging that appear around the eyes. Eye creams often contain ingredients like retinol, peptides, and antioxidants that can help to stimulate collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.

These targeted anti-aging ingredients can help to diminish the visible signs of aging and promote a more youthful-looking eye area.

It can help reduce dark circles and puffiness.

Lack of sleep, stress, and other factors can cause dark circles and puffiness under the eyes making you look tired and aged. Many eye creams contain caffeine, Vitamin K, and other ingredients that can help to constrict blood vessels, diminish dark circles, reduce puffiness, and brighten the under-eye area.

It can help protect against environmental damage.

The skin around the eyes is constantly exposed to environmental aggressors like UV radiation, pollution, and free radicals which can accelerate the aging process. Eye creams with antioxidant-rich ingredients like Vitamins C & E and green tea extract can help to neutralize free radicals and protect the delicate eye area from environmental damage.

It can help with various skin concerns.

Eye creams come in various formulations, catering to different skin concerns and needs. You can choose an eye cream that is specifically formulated for your skin type, whether it's dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin.

Some eye creams also come with added benefits like brightening, depuffing, or firming, allowing you to customize your skincare routine based on your individual concerns.

Why should I even use an eye cream?

The big question: can't I just take the moisturizer I already use on the rest of my face and apply it to my eyelids?

Great question!

Yes, you absolutely can. If your main concern is keeping the skin around your eyes moisturized, go for it.

But that's not really going to help combat those signs of premature aging that tend to show up around your eyes. Yes, it will help lock in moisture and help prevent dry, flaky skin, but it won't necessarily help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, or any other common skin concerns that develop around the eyes.

Eye creams work to deliver some of the same essential nutrients as moisturizers do. However, eye creams are designed specifically to be less potent and more gentle than moisturizers so that they don't irritate your delicate eye area.

A good eye cream could be just what you need to take your skin to that extra level!

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