Why So Hyphy About Eye Cream?

(Originally published 5 Jun 2012)

“After the age of 26, every woman should be using an eye cream.”  I hear this guilt trip every few months and I’ve always wondered why. Eye cream seems like extra expensive moisturizer that comes in a very teeny tiny jar and is just another unnecessary product to put on your face.  So I did a little beauty myth-busting…

Eye creams are just elegant moisturizers, formulated to match the pH of your tears so it is less irritating. Some also contain products like fruit acids, retinol, and collagen to improve the appearance of those fine lines.  However, the consensus of discerning experts, and my personal opinion, is that any moisturizer is all you need in that area.  There is no solid, or even semi-solid, proof that the eye area needs any special ingredients apart from those that you use on your face.  Much of the fine lines and thinning that occur in the area around the eye as you age is more due to UV damage than neglecting to use eye cream.

For a little more anecdotal proof, I just had my skin scrutinized in a blacklight skin scanner and the skin around my eyes is perfectly moist and surprisingly un-sun-damaged.  

So pretty much, eye cream is to the beauty industry as Valentine’s day is to Hallmark.  A good moisturizer and sunscreen gently applied to the eye area should do the trick, much like a dozen red roses and a good bottle of wine. No need for balloons, bells, whistles or fuzzy handcuffs.