Do I Need An Eye Cream?
There are two parts to this question.
You’re probably asking yourself:
1. Do I need an eye cream (and when do I know to begin using one?)
and
2. Can I just use my moisturizer around my eyes?
Well, my friends, to answer the first of these two questions, you need to keep in mind that the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the face and the most susceptible to damage.
With the thousands of expressions we make in a day, big or small (smiling, squinting, etc.), can you imagine how this skin is stretched, crinckled, pulled and in general, moved about?
Think of this: haven’t you been able to see anger, happiness or sadness in someone’s eyes?
The point we’re trying to make is we use our eyes a lot!
(We would recommend begin using an eye cream as a preventive measure by your mid-twenties for best results in the future.)
To address the second question; (which we’ve been asked pretty regularly) the bottom line is using your moisturizer around your eyes is definitely better than nothing…but it’s not enough.
The skin surrounding the eyes doesn’t have the sebaceous (oil) glands the rest of our face has. This natural oil is part of a natural lipid barrier that everyone has, regardless of skin type (some people’s barrier is more compromised than others, but this is a different topic altogether!)
So, by not having this ‘natural lubrication’, it means you need a little extra help in hydrating little extra help in hydrating and providing extra nutrition and moisture to this very thin and delicate skin.
We recommend even applying serum treatments to your eyes before the eye cream. This layering is great for prevention and treatment of fine lines.
Because this ocular area doesn’t have sebaceous glads, it’s okay to use a richer eye cream without worrying about breakouts if you’re oilier (of course if it doesn’t irritate your eyes.)So once you have your eye cream and you’re ready to prevent your heart out, there IS a correct way of applying your eye cream….
…and it DOES NOT include patting it on with your ring finger!
Surprised?
Well, we like to keep it interesting…
Here’s why:
- Products don’t automatically penetrate into the skin if just left on the surface. Most of your products evaporate this way.
- Scientifically, penetration is only increased by increasing the heat in the skin.
How do you increase the heat in the skin you ask?
- Massage increases the micro-circulation in the skin, and with increased blood flow comes heat!
- When you leave product on the skin, especially so close to the eyes, it allows for migration to occur. What we mean by this is that it’s getting in your eyes, which causes your eyes then to burn, water and get very irritated.
- A special note: before you return an eye cream because it irritates your eyes, try massaging it in well, and see if your eyes react the same way.
So, stay tuned for our next post which will have to do with HOW to properly massage when applying your eye cream.
Oh! and remember to always protect your eyes from the sun with your sunblock…
Stay posted for our next post which has to do with how to massage your eye cream.
To your skin’s health!
The Derma Divas.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
It is important to be careful whenever touching anywhere around you eye. Your skin can get easily damaged and not to mention your eye.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Thanks Tony for posting!
It’s true, you never want to get products in your eye, so you never want to bring them too close, especially not on the lashes (they tend to be a vehicle to take product into the eyes). Because this is the most delicate skin on the face, you also want to be gentle, although by the same token, it’s the area that needs a lot of care because it tends to age the fastest.
Thanks for your comment and we hope to hear from you again…
To your skin’s health!
The Derma Divas.
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