An eye cream, in the simplest form possible, is a cream formulated specifically around your eyes. It comes in different textures to combat different concerns around your eye such as dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. Eye cream generally comes in a small tube but it’s one of the most pricey products among all skincare products. Sometimes, it might cost more than your moisturizer.
However, when you examine the ingredients, you’ll realize a lot of eye creams contain an identical ingredient list with moisturizers.
For instance, Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream vs Olay Retinol24 + Peptide night moisturizer. 
As you can see, both products feature glycerin, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, and niacinamide as their active ingredients. Moreover, they are listed in almost the same order too.
Here’s a fact: According to International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), a skincare brand is required to print the ingredients on the packaging in the order of highest to lowest concentration.
With that being said, this really makes me wonder if eye creams are just another marketing strategy to get more profits? If eye creams are formulated with similar ingredients just like moisturizers, can we just use a regular moisturizer to apply around our eyes?
I have been reading tons of skincare articles that were written by professionals in the skincare field including dermatologists, chemists, and skincare enthusiasts. The question is can we use our face cream to moisturize our eye area. Are eye creams really necessary?
Here are some answers that I collected.
“If the moisturizer you’re using on your entire face is just made to simply moisturize the skin and protect the moisture barrier, it is totally fine to use around the eyes.” – Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York
Can I Use Moisturizer Around My Eyes?
The short answer is yes. But is it really that simple? I decided to put 3 different types of moisturizers to the test. Yes, around my own eyes. My eye area is a little dry with some dark circles underneath.
What Moisturizers Did I Use?
Each moisturizer is put to test for good reasons.
First of all, all of the moisturizers above have worked like wonder on my skin. I did not want to put just any cream on my eye area since it’s more delicate and sensitive. I have tried these moisturizers and my skin loves them. Secondly, they are formulated to boost hydration and moisturize my face. They do not contain active ingredients like retinol that might irritate my eyes.
The experience is simple to conduct. In short, I tried applying each moisturizer above for 15 days each, once at night. Each time I squeeze a pea-sized amount of moisturizer on my pinky. I then gently warm it using both pinkies and gently tap it around my eye area.
The Result
Abib Hydration Gel
Abib is one of my favorite K-beauty brands. Their products are gentle yet deliver great results on my skin. This lightweight gel contains a good host of ingredients such as glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, and mushroom extract. It absorbs quickly without leaving any residue around my eye area. This hydration gel delivers what it claims. My eyes feel hydrated and moisturized instantly. It does not cause any irritation around my eyes. Overall, it works well around my eyes.
Cosrx Propolis Light Cream
Cosrx Propolis light cream Infused with 65.69% of black bee pro-police complex consist of black bee propolis extract, honey extract, and royal jelly extract. It is deeply moisturizing and nourishing on my skin. It is a light cream that will absorb quickly into your skin. The texture is slightly creamier than Abib Hydration Gel. But it does not feel greasy after it is fully absorbed. I experienced some redness and itchiness at the corner of my right eye on the 6th day. I stopped using it after that. The redness does reduce after I stopped applying it.
Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Cream
Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Cream is a hypoallergenic cream that is suitable for normal or dry sensitive skin. It provides long-lasting moisture and strengthens the skin barrier. When it was used on the face, it combats dry skin and soothes dry skin instantly. It also has the thickest texture among all to protect and prevent your skin from water loss. Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Cream moisturizes the eye area very well. My eyes feel deeply moisturized but it developed two small milia around the corner of the eye. I’m not sure why or what it caused milia around my eye. I did finish my 15 days experiment and it did not grow other new milia.
Conclusion
You can use a moisturizer around your eye area but keep in mind to choose a moisturizer that is preferable lightweight with simple ingredients. Remember that the skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive. Moisturizer with minimal ingredients helps to minimize the risk of getting irritation around your eyes. From my personal experience, thick cream with high content of occlusive does not work well around the eyes. While the lightweight gel-like texture gave the best result among all.
So…Should You Use an Eye Cream?
If you have other concerns such as dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness around the eyes, eye cream is definitely a better option to go to. Eye creams are formulated to deliver effective results on your eye area.
Here are some ingredients that you should look for when it comes to choosing an eye cream.
- If you have dark circles, look for ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
- For wrinkles around the eyes, look for ingredients like retinol and peptides. La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
- To get rid of puffy eyes, caffeine and ginseng are your best friend. Origins Ginzing™ Vitamin C & Niacinamide Eye Cream To Brighten & Depuff
Source:
Healthline: 7 Ways to Care for the Skin Around Your Eyes
Huffpost: Do you need to use a separate cream for your eyes?
