Eye products are considered one of the most expensive products in the range for most skincare brands. An eye cream can cost you just as much as your face cream. It is hard to believe because you only get 0.5oz-0.6oz (15ml-20ml) products while you normally get 1.6oz-2oz (50g-60g) of face cream.
Due to the high price point, it does make everyone question that if we really need an eye cream or eye serum? Can we just use our moisturizer around our eye area instead? Well, I’ve done all the research that I could and ready to share with you every bit of the information to you.
Let’s start with the common problems that we usually occurred around our eye area.
- puffiness
- eye bags
- dark circle
- fine lines and wrinkles
- droopy eyelids
Puffiness
All these problems can occur at any age. However, the symptoms become more obvious especially after 30 years old. Puffy eyes are caused by aging, lack of sleep, or fluid retention. Most of the time, your eyes look puffier in the morning when you just woke up. Then it will slowly become less puffy as you start your day and blink your eyes.
Eye Bags
Eye bags are very common problems but can be difficult to get rid of. Your under eyes look mildly puffy and appeared tired-looking. Some people can have it naturally since young, but aging, lack of sleep, and alcohol can make this problem worse.
Dark Circles
Dark circle is one of the most common problems around eyes at any age. Your eyes look like they constantly have a dark shadow over them. Most people have dark circles, some are less obvious and some are more obvious. Dark circles can be caused by eye strain, aging, fatigue, and genetics. If you work in front of your computer or phone, it’s gonna strain your eyes. When your eyes are strained, your blood vessels will enlarge. As a result, the dark blood vessels become more visible and you will have dark undereye(source).
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Do you know that eye area develops fine lines and wrinkles earlier than other parts of our bodies? This is because the skin around our eyes is very delicate and thin. Besides, we can blink our eyes up to 1200 times per hour. Imagine how many times we blink for days, months or years? Aging is the main reason that caused fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, fine lines and wrinkles are like best friends. They usually come in pairs, unfortunately.
Droopy Eyelids
Lastly, droopy eyelids. If you have a drooping eyelids means that the border of your upper eyelid falls to a lower position than normal. It is possible that it will block your vision in some severe cases. When our eyes lost the elasticity, your skin sagged and become loose. It resulted in your eyelids become droopy.
In these cases, using an eye cream or serum can significantly improve or slow down the aging process of the eyes.
Eye Serum
Let’s start with the eye serum. I’d say it’s pretty much like the concept of a face serum. An eye serum contains active ingredients that are more concentrated that will penetrate deeper into your skin around the eyes. Even though eye serums aren’t as common as eye creams just yet, but I personally think that the trend will keep on growing because it is so much more effective than an eye cream. Apart from that, teens started applying makeup and skincare much MUCH earlier than the previous generations. It means that they are more conscious when it comes to anti-aging, skincare and so.
One thing to keep in mind though, you have to pair your eye serum with an eye cream to make it more effective. This is because eye serum is formulated in small molecules, it will need a thicker cream to seal it deep into your skin.
Eye Cream
Eye creams are specifically formulated to moisturize or banish problems around the eyes. Our eye areas are very delicate and fragile. It can easily develop fine lines, allergies, and dryness. Start using an effective eye cream at an early age can be helpful to prevent these symptoms around your eyes. Eye creams help to prevent moisture loss, fine lines, and puffiness too. Always start with a light texture eye cream if you are still young. If your eyes are particularly dry, maybe you can try a rich eye cream. Be aware that some eye creams can be too rich or thick for your eye area, and cause milia(tiny white bumps around the eyes).
Eye Serum or Eye Cream
I think eye serum is definitely more effective than an eye cream. It is more concentrated and effective to use. Besides, it penetrates deeper and feels lighter on the skin. The ‘downside’ of using an eye serum is you’ll always have to pair with an eye cream to make sure it is locked into your skin. So if you can’t commit to doing both of the steps, maybe you should just opt for an eye cream. But if you could, definitely use an eye serum together with an eye cream or a gentle moisturizer that will not cause milia or irritations.
In addition, if you are still young (teen girl) and do not have any specific concerns on your eye area, using a moisturizing eye cream should be more than enough.
How to Use Eye Cream or Eye Serum
My favorite way to use an eye cream or eye serum is to dot it under the eye area first. Then I gently use my ring finger to pat it and make sure it is spread evenly around the eyes especially the corner of my eyes. After that, I slowly pat all the way up around my eyelids, just keep going in a circular motion until the eye cream is fully absorbed.
I prefer to just gently tap and pat it than just use your finger to massage it in a circular motion. You are using the least strength by using the patting technique with your ring finger. Sometimes massage it around your eyes in a wrong way can cause fine lines and wrinkles. Patting it lightly until it absorbed is the best and safest way to apply an eye cream or eye serum.
When You Should Use Eye Cream or Eye Serum?
You should use your eye serum before your eye cream. After you cleanse your face and apply your toner, then it’s time to apply your eye serum if you have one. After that, I like to give it some time to fully absorb. I will apply my face serum, then back with my eye cream. Lastly, apply my face moisturizer. Perhaps this picture below will give you a better understanding of how I apply my eye cream or eye serum.
Can You Use Moisturizer to Replace Eye Cream?
It is debatable whether you can use a moisturizer around your eye area. Honestly, the answer is yes and no. It sounded like a simple yes or no question, but it’s actually not. It greatly depends on your skin type, your moisturizer, your eye area and what result you expect to get from the eye cream or moisturizer.
For instance, you are young and just experience a little dryness around your eyes. I’d say you can use your moisturizer if the ingredients are safe to use around your eyes. Some moisturizers contain fragrance or alcohol and they might cause irritation to your eyes.
For the second example, if you have dark eye circles or eye bags, don’t expect that your moisturizer will help banish these problems.
Just be careful and consider your needs to see if you want to invest in eye cream or not. I personally enjoy using an eye cream and think they are worth the splurge. I tried both, but I still willing to spend my money on an eye cream. I have dark circles and my daily moisturizer will never help me relieve those dark circles.
Moisturizer vs. Eye Cream
Undeniably, these two products share tons of similarities. It sealed active ingredients, prevent moisture loss and keep your eye area moisturized. However, I do think some ingredients work better around the eye area such as caffeine and ginseng. One of the best selling products from The Ordinary is their Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. It is formulated to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. That being said, if you hope to improve a specific eye area problem, invest in an eye cream.
