We've heard it a million times; skin care experts telling us we absolutely need a separate eye cream for use around the eye area. But is this an accurate statement, or is it just a marketing ploy by the cosmetic industry to get us to buy more products?
The eye area does tend to have skin that is thinner than the rest of the face. So, the rationale is because the skin is thinner and more fragile, we need a cream that specifically addresses those concerns. Some suggest eye creams should not be as heavy or emollient as those we might use for the facial area. I find this interesting because so many eye creams I have tried are very thick and heavy, in some cases much more so than a face cream or moisturizer by the same company.
It is true that using creams around the eye area that are too heavy or greasy may cause milia ( a skin condition which causes hard white bumps that resemble white heads), or even blemishes, but this can happen whether it is a specialty eye cream or a facial moisturizer. Heavy creams may also contribute to under eye puffiness. So,the point is to avoid creams that are overly emollient, regardless if they are marketed as an eye cream or not.
A very hydrating cream does not need to feel greasy or heavy. A well formulated product, whether it be an eye cream or facial cream, should feel soft and silky and penetrate within a few minutes. However, I have talked to some women with dry skin who feel they need to use a heavy, thicker cream in order to feel hydrated. The reasons for this may vary; in some cases it may simply be because this is what they have been told by the beauty industry.
So, is it perfectly OK to use your facial moisturizer or anti-aging cream around your eyes? Absolutely! Listen to your skin and let it be your guide. Don't get lured into believing that you need a separate eye cream. However, if a facial cream contains an ingredient(s)that might irritate your eyes, then, don't use it. For example, a cream which contains essential oils might be fine for your face, but may burn or irritate your eyes if you apply it to that area.
However, there are some cases in which you may opt to buy an eye cream. A separate eye cream may be a good choice if it contains ingredients that are not included in your face cream. For example, some eye creams may contain ingredients which target dark circles and under eye puffiness.
Another reason why it may be feasible to use a separate eye cream is because some people may have dry skin around the eye area only. In this case they may opt to use an eye cream around the eye area and a light weight cream or serum everywhere else.
If you look at the ingredients in an eye cream and compare it to a face cream, you will find little to no difference in the basic ingredients. Some of the most expensive face and eye creams use inexpensive mineral oil or petroleum which can actually suffocate your skin. Instead, try to use products with natural oils which hydrate and nourish.
Listen to your body and your skin. Use good old common sense and do not be drawn in by all the marketing hype. You should always have options when it comes to your your lifestyle and budget.
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Dr. Teri Dourmashkin has a Doctorate in Health Education from Columbia University. She has done extensive research on safe and non-toxic skin care for over 15 years. She is the founder and president of La Vie Celeste Skin Care, Inc. To learn more about non-toxic skin care that promises more beautiful, and radiant looking skin, then visit= > http://www.laviecelesteskincare.com . e-mail: sales@laviecelesteskincare.com
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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