Table of Contents
Do you really need a special cream to do eye care? Or will any cream work around the eye area? We take a look at some of the biggest myths and misconceptions people have about eye care and eye creams.
Eye creams are some of the most polarizing skin care products on the market, and many people do not really believe that they do anything special for the skin around the eyes and the eyes themselves. That is why we have provided this article to consider some popular thoughts about this product and see whether they are true or not.
Biggest Eye Care and Eye Cream Misconceptions
Here are some of the most popular things that people think about eye creams and eye care.
Misconceptions1: Eye Creams Are Just More Expensive Moisturizers
One misconception that people have about eye creams, and which is one of the biggest arguments against using them, is that they are not different from the regular moisturizer used on other parts of the body.
Well, using the moisturizer is great, and some might actually great for your skin, but generally, moisturizers are not too good for the skin around your eyes. These thick, ingredient-filled actives might be a tad too much for the delicate skin around your eyes. Therefore, using them is liable to cause some irritation or congestion on the area.
Dermatologists have reported seeing patients that have great facial moisturizers using these too close to their eyelids and getting irritated. Some of the irritations that might be triggered by using these moisturizers include itching, dermatitis, peeling, and inflammation.
And these reactions are no surprise when you keep in mind that the skin on the eyelid is pretty thin and is susceptible to irritation more than any other parts of the face.
Also, using moisturizers in the eye area can create blocked pores in the skin around the area. Thus, certain ingredients found in your typical facial cream might just be too much for the eye area.
As the foregoing shows, eye creams are not simply expensive moisturizers but actually have a good purpose for the skin around your eyes.
Misconceptions2: Retinol Is Bad For the Eyes
One myth that is also peddled when it comes to caring for the skin around the eyes is that retinol or retinoids are bad for the skin in this delicate area. While it is true that the skin in this area is delicate, that does not mean that you absolutely must not use retinol in this area.
Many are afraid of using creams with this ingredient because they are afraid that it will cause some serious irritation for them. But what do the dermatologists say? Well, dermatologists do not agree. According to them, the right formula in your eye cream can be great for the area around and under the eye.
Retinols are important in taking care of skin with fine lines, wrinkles, and more. It also comes in handy when treating tone and texture on the skin.
However, this does not mean that all retinol can be used on the skin. Not all of these ingredients have the same quality, and it is important that you choose one that will not irritate your skin. How, then, can you find such a product? It is highly recommended that you go for a product that is specifically formulated for eye care.
Some of the best dermatologists argue for cosmeceutical formulations over prescription products due to being milder on the skin.
When choosing an eye cream with retinol, it will be beneficial to choose one that combines retinol with ferulic acid or some other antioxidant. This pairing of the two will make the product more comfortable to use and reduce the chances of irritation.
Misconceptions3: Eye Creams Are Ineffective Against Dark Circles
We have come across several people that would use almost anything but eye creams to treat dark circles around the eyes. According to them, these dark circles are genetic and cannot be eliminated. While this is true for some people due to their genetics, dermatologists have revealed that eye creams can prove very effective when trying to treat dark circles under the eyes.
When choosing such eye creams, though, it is important that you choose one that comes with the right ingredients. In treating dark circles under the eyes, the first thing to do is to note the cause of the dark circles. Some of the things that cause these circles include genetics, pigments, or vascularity. You will then choose the right treatment depending on the cause.
If the dark circles are a result of genetics, you will see it while you are younger, and there’s little that can be done about that. But if it is caused by blood vessels showing beneath the skin, eye creams that contain peptides can assist you in getting rid of the circles.
What if you aren’t sure about what causes the circles? Well, in such a case, antioxidants are ingredients that your creams should contain. These will protect your skin from damage that can increase the pigmentation. When choosing vitamin-containing eye creams, look for products that contain a gentle derivative of ascorbic acid to prevent irritation to the eye area.
Misconceptions4: Eye Creams Don’t Work For Puffy Eyes
As with dark circles, many also believe that eye creams are useless when used for puffiness. After all, getting a massage or using a roller can help with removing puffiness from the eyes. While massaging is an excellent solution, eye creams can also help, especially topical eye creams.
The puffiness in the eye area is often the result of water beneath the skin. While massaging will take care of the puffiness, it doesn’t do anything to the original cause of the water lying under the skin. The excess fluid is caused by the fragile lymphatic system. Therefore, if you always resort to massaging, there is a risk of injuring the vessels under the system. Massages, according to these dermatologists, are only temporary solutions to the problem.
To really eliminate puffy eyes, the structure of the system needs to be restored. And eye creams can help you with this. Topical eye creams contain antioxidants that have been found to help in reducing inflammation while restoring the structure of the lymphatic system.
Apart from antioxidants in your eye cream, you should also choose creams that contain caffeine because it constricts vessels and will reduce puffiness in a jiffy.
Misconceptions5: Don’t Use Sunscreen around the Eyes
Sunscreen is beneficial for the skin, but many assume that it doesn’t work around the eyes. Well, that is not right. While it is true that SPF can sting your eyes, it doesn’t affect the area around the skin. In fact, using sunscreen is very important if you are looking to avoid skin cancers on your eyelids.
Therefore, as you apply sunscreen all over your body, ensure that you also apply it to the eye area. This is doubly important when you consider how delicate and thin the area around your eyes is.
To keep it protected and undamaged from UV radiation, ensure that you cover it up with a sunscreen.
Misconceptions6: Eye Cream Is Only For the Sides of the Eyes
One funny myth is that eye cream should only be used for the sides and beneath the eyes. However, if you followed this instruction, you’d be ignoring a large percentage of the skin around the eyes. Applying eye cream only to these areas will make you look weird because you might have hyperpigmentation in the areas you often apply the cream to.
We do not mean that you should use the eye cream indiscriminately – but you should follow the specific directions given by the manufacturer of the product.
Since not all formulations are the same quality, some are better to be applied on specific parts of the eye area while others can cover the whole eye area.
Misconceptions7: Eye Cream Is Not Important
The last myth that we will debunk is the myth that you don’t need an eye cream as part of your skin care routine.
The truth is that you do need the eye cream. The composition of skin around the eyes differs from that on other parts of the face, so it is important that you have a product that notes that difference and works accordingly.
Eye creams are made differently from your regular skincare products, and they deserve a place as part of your beauty regime.
Conclusion
We believe that these myths we have debunked have opened your eyes to the usefulness of eye creams. As you carry out your skin care routines, do not forget the eyes and the skin around the eyes. With the right eye care routine, you can remove dark circles, crow’s feet, and other issues that are associated with the skin around the eyes. With the right approach to skin care, the skin around the eyes will certainly be healthier and more beautiful than before.
