Did you know…?

The skin around your eyes is approximately one-tenth the thickness of the skin on the rest of your face. Bottom line? It’s extremely thin and incredibly delicate – meaning it deserves not only extra attention, but requires specialized care too.

So no, moisturizers aren’t the same as eye creams.

Sure, both play a role in hydrating the skin, but keep in mind the skin around your eyes is different than that elsewhere. Because it’s significantly thinner and has far fewer oil glands than the rest of your skin, it’s that much more susceptible to internal or external changes in diet, health, sleep (usually lack of), weather and aging. Such high sensitivity means the eye area is more prone to reactions to certain products than the rest of the face. Most facial moisturizers contain active ingredients far too strong or harsh for this delicate skin; therefore, trying to double your moisturizer as an eye cream may irritate or inflame the eye area.

Eye creams, however, are formulated to target this vulnerable area with sensitivities in mind. While lighter in texture, eye creams are effective in that they are often very emollient and feature one or two “star” ingredients that help target specific concerns: dark circles, fine lines, or puffiness.

What now?

What specific concerns are you having with your eye area? We’ll break it down for you for a quick eye care 101 guide:

Fine lines & wrinkles? Eye creams containing Glycolic Acid will help to soften the look of fine lines. Creams and serums with Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid help to maintain the skin’s elasticity and firmness, locking in moisture to help keep skin well hydrated and plump for a more youthful appearance.

Puffiness & under eye bags? Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated to prevent not only premature signs of aging, but also prevent the preorbital area from retaining excess fluids overnight. Applying gentle, cool pressure will generally help to alleviate the puffiness; anything from a cold spoon (stash spoon in the fridge overnight, or pop it in for 10 minutes first thing when you wake up) to keeping a gel eye cream in the fridge will do the trick.

Dark circles? Use an eye cream rich in antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E for maximum benefits. Because dark circles are usually typically a hereditary condition, there are no quick fixes. Sleep well and avoid salty foods and alcohol as they cause the skin to retain fluids that result in an unwanted, shadowy look under the eyes.

Questions? Leave us a comment below or shoot us an email – we’re always more than happy to help!

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