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Stupid question of the day:

Aziraphale

Veteran

How do you know your eye cream is working?

I mean, as far as I can see, they ALL work, insofar as they temporarily make the skin around your eyes look moist. But how do you know, in the long term, that any of them actually slow the aging process, which is what they all boast? Ten years from now, how will I be able to tell if the lines around my eyes are not as deep as they might have been, had I not used eye cream?

And how are eye creams different from regular creams? Because the plain ol' drugstore face cream that I use (CeraVe at the moment -- thanks Angie) seems to work just as well under my eyes as everwhere else on my face, in that it makes the skin look a bit dewy.

I'm having a struggle with this at the moment because eye creams tend to be pricey, and I'm nearly out, and wondering if I'm stupid to replace it when I could spend that money on something else that gives me more pleasure and that I can tell is working. Like, if I buy a top, I will be able to see clearly that it is in fact covering my upper half, which is what it is designed to do.

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Gaylene

Anonymous

I personally don't think they are anything different than a standard face cream. So I would just take that money and use it on something that gives me a concrete result!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't use them. I don't think they do anything other than an ordinary moisturizer. If you are going to have lines, you'll have lines. And most of us will, if we live long enough and smile a lot. Keeping the skin healthy and hydrated from the inside and avoiding too much sun is probably more important, IMO.

K. Period.

Veteran

I've never found that dedicated eye creams do much more than a good face cream, despite all the claims by the beauty counter people and all the samples that I've received. What I do know is that the only thing that has real, scientific studies behind it about true collagen increase is Retin-A, which is too strong for many people's skin as they get older. I have liked a few non-prescription treatment-style face creams. I've really liked the effect of the Prevage serum (expensive! beauty counter.) and the Boot's Preserve and Protect (cheap! Target.) I don't buy the retinol thing at all, although I know that lots of people like them and I've heard the Olay one, which has an eye cream, is cheap and well liked by folks.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I just use normal face cream, and get some eye stuff if it's super on sale :p

I am starting to get some lines, but hell, they're smile lines - can't complain about that!

ClaraT

Veteran

If you look at the ingredients, many face creams and eye creams are interchangeable.

I think that eye creams tend to be quite emollient, and many of us want extra moisture around our eyes (but don't need it so much on the T-zone, for example). Thus, heavier creams or creams that are more moisturizing tend to be sold in smaller packages as 'eye creams.' Some women may find that their all-over face lotion is sufficient, while some want a bit of extra-moisture cream just by their eyes.

(and to answer the question: I don't think you can ever know if eye creams work in terms of anti-aging!)

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Just a thought, but I had read that applying eye creams can have a negative effect if the skin under the eye is dragged upon application.

At 35 I just apply a fluid moisturiser in the day and a richer cream formulation during the evening but my fine lines at this point are on the forehead.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Got me. My eyes feel dry if I don't apply it, so I do - but I don't moisturize anywhere else on my face.

I do know the skin around the eyes is more sensitive and thinner than other areas, and more prone to wrinkles, and less prone to acne, so maybe that's why there are separate creams.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I think it's become very popular to knock eye creams because so many have inflated claims. HOWEVER, I think there have been developments in terms of certain ingredients that help boost collagen, etc and help keep that delicate skin healthy.

This (rather fluffy) article details some of the ingredients you might want to seek out: http://www.eyecream.com/eye-cream-ingredients/

I know I saw a better more thoroughly researched article but darned if I can find it now. I think there are some ingredients that are in all-over face creams/moisturizers that you do not particularly want near your eyes, so yes, I do use an eye cream and LOVE the results. http://www.imageskincare.com/p.....covery-gel

carolbee

Veteran

Hmmmm, very good question, I'll be watching this thread with interest. I do spring for eye cream though do not spend mega bucks. However I do wonder why as I have very hooded eyes and undereye bags as well. What I really need is an eye lift .... not sure I will ever be brave (stupid) enough.

Thistle

Veteran

Most eye creams are scented so I can't use them. I have heard good things about Oil of Olay.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Interesting perspectives, ladies. Thank you. Julie, I had also read somewhere that application of a thick cream causes pulling around your eyes, and that's why eye creams are more runny, like lotions. That does make sense. I should have clarified that CeraVe I use all over my face is not the cream, but the lotion. I don't generally apply thick cream to my face unless it's the dead of winter and the blasting heating system has been super-drying out my skin.

Mamapicklejuice, you say you use an eye cream and you love the results. But how can you tell that your eye skin looks better after using the eye cream for a while than it would have looked if you'd just used your regular face lotion? That's the part I'm unclear on.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I guess I should clarify. I am 40 and I have pretty regular skin -- probably not bad for a woman of my age -- some fine lines and occasional zits (still, dammit). My eyes are not hooded and I don't get undereye bags AT ALL. If anything, when I'm tired or a bit dehydrated, they get a little hollow-looking. A lot of the eye creams have ingredients to combat eye bags (like caffeine, which de-poufs your skin), and since my eyes need the opposite of de-poufing, I'm a little hesitant to use them.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I've done both. And I've done it as a case study, as it were. Regular face moisturizer on one eye, eye cream on the other. The eyelid with the eye cream is significantly more moisturized and healthy looking than the other.

Aziraphale

Veteran

That's smart! I've thought about doing that, but I'm way too obsessive-compulsive to be able to put something on ONLY ONE EYE. I wouldn't be able to concentrate for the rest of the week.

So, the one you used for your personal test trial -- is it the one you linked to? And do you put it on the upper eyelid? Because whenever I try to do that, it ends up in my eyeball and the blooshot results are not pretty.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think you need to go for the one with the best immediate cosmetic effect, because I don't think eye cream in itself offers long term help (unlike retin a, or vitamin c, or fill in the blank). If Cerave works for you I would use that and buy that blouse!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Yes, I and I've never been sure you could do that with regular face creams. Seems like things could get absorbed right through the eyelid to the eye that shouldn't be! This eye cream can be applied all around the eye, upper eyelid and all. I suffer from an eye condition which, during a flare-up, causes my eyelid to get inflamed (puffy), red. scaly/flaky and feel as rough and dry as a scruffy pad (no joke). So I totally believe the claims that Hyaluronic Acid acts as a hydrator that binds 1000x weight in water because the results after just one day were just a miracle to me, and after a couple days, my eye was fine again. Looking at the ingredient list, I think the anti-inflammatory Echinacea and Imperata Cylindrica were probably also helpful. (No caffeine, fwiw.)

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Shevia - mine has Vitamin C in it - perhaps that's another reason I find it so effective.

I'm not trying to shave away the years or look 20 again, I really just want to keep the eye area healthy and moisturized because, well, it looks best then, whether you wear eye-makeup or not. It's definitely easier to wear eye makeup when your skin is healthy. That was sort of a recent revelation to me - that you can't just spackle over bad skin. Once I started taking care of my skin - makeup became more enjoyable to wear.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I once read something Paula Begoun wrote somewhere (not sure if it was her book, which I have, or her website) saying that you don't really need a separate eye cream.

Here's one of her blog posts on the topic:

http://www.paulaschoice.com/ex.....-heres-why

That said, I confess to using Olay eye creams, both their Regenerist eye cream and their Pro-X eye "restoration" complex.

The Pro-X is almost twice as expensive as the regular Regenerist eye cream, and I do remember reading in Paula's book that there wasn't really that much difference between the two.

In terms of my own experience, I *do* find the Pro-X eye cream makes a difference. Oddly, I use it in the morning - and I find the Pro-X "restoration complex" (geesh, what a name) moisturizes nicely, gives a tiny bit of a lift overall, while still playing nicely with makeup (not too greasy).

That said I have no idea whether it's making any kind of difference in terms of anti-aging effects. The only thing I can say for sure is that the Pro-X eye cream in particular seems to smooth out and lift a wee bit. When I run out of it, I could swear I notice the dryness and those little lines a lot more. It's for this reason that I keep buying the stuff! I'm not convinced it's restoring anything, but I *am* convinced that it makes my eye area look better, somehow.
Hope this isn't too vague!

I've also bought very expensive creams and treatments, and I am NOT convinced that the extra-fancy stuff for eyes is worth it at all.

In the end, apparently we don't really need a special eye cream.

My suggestion is that if you can find a reasonably-priced drugstore version that you like, then by all means - go for it. I wouldn't spend $$$$ on fancy eye creams from higher-end brands/lines.

editing to add: I agree with shevia - go for the one that has some cosmetic effect if you can find something you like, otherwise, I don't buy into these 'anti-aging' claims when it comes to eye creams.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Good question and interesting responses. I use Burt's Bees eye cream morning and night. It's not expensive, seems to moisturize well, and I figure it can't hurt, right?

DonnaF

Veteran

IMHO, all eye creams are basically cosmetic. They may change one's appearance but have no lasting effect. I suppose if something had sunscreen, it would block sun damage. But otherwise, if it made lasting changes, it would need an Rx. Some eye creams will cause break outs or clogged pores in some individuals, have a scent that irritates or bothers some, and/or have an objectionable texture to some. Avoid those, and choose the cheapest one you like!

Aziraphale

Veteran

VC, I have heard that the Olay products are actually pretty good for the price. I've never tried them, but I confess to being a little curious.

Janet, it's funny, the eye cream I had previous to my current one was in fact the Burt's Bees one, and I was thinking I might buy it again because I like the texture and the smell! There's something faintly earthy about it. Compared to other makeup counter eye creams, it's quite reasonable, too. (Still a lot of money compared to the cost of a tub of CeraVe, mind you...). Anyway if I buy the Burt's Bees one, I don't feel like I'm being taken for a ride, you know? Because I'm buying it not for the miracles that it promises, but because the act of applying the creamy, earthy-smelling potion gives me pleasure.

I think that's the crux of the matter. I have no problem doing things that give me pleasure. It's the things I feel compelled to do to prevent something undesirable that I find myself resisting. Like putting on an eye cream that may or may not minimize future wrinkles. Or here's a better example: I simply cannot make myself lift weights. I know I should, to help build bone and ward off osteoporosis (I'm in a risk category). But it's just such a chore. Yet I genuinely enjoy hiking (another activity that helps build bone), and I'll do that at every opportunity I get, because I find it pleasurable.

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I've got another question--why do we, as intelligent women, buy these pricey little tubes and pots? Most dermatologists refuse to have anything to do with the stuff that is touted by beauty "experts" and magazine advertisements, yet the industry as a whole makes millions every year as we faithfully put down our money for these products because we've become convinced we need them.

I suppose that, if you have the money, patting an exotic cream under your eyes every night doesn't do much harm, but I can't but wonder why we are so susceptible to outlandish claims and inflated prices: an "advanced night repair synchronized recovery complex" (Estee Lauder: $80 for 1.7 oz.) or--*gasping for air here*--La Prairie's Cellular Cream Platinum Rare at $650 for 1 ounce!

I'm thinking of using my face stuff on my eyes and saving my money for a trip to Paris. My wrinkled eyes will at least be smiling when they see the Eiffel Tower.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well, Gaylene, that's the thing. That's why I asked the question in the first place. Why the heckity heck am I buying a cream that does not, I suspect, do much? If I could be certain that eye cream would in fact improve the long-term condition of my undereye skin, I would feel more confident buying it. But I'm not. And yet despite being a skeptic, I still spring for the stuff (although not the $650 stuff, I hasten to add. Haha). So what's going on here?

Maybe part of it is that dabbing on a cream is easy, and even pleasant, to do. And while we know it might not make us look younger, then again it might, right? So while we know FOR SURE that strenuous exercise is going to tone our bodies and consequently make us look younger, it's still an awful lot of work. You have to find the time, as well as the motivation and perseverance, to do it. So many of us don't do it, or at least not as much of it as we should. Equally, we don't always eat as healthily as we could, because doing that is also a lot of work. Or maybe we drink more alcohol than is wise. Or stay up late too often. But a cream? You just slap it on. It's no effort, and It feels nice. It's instant gratification, in that it immediately makes your skin look dewier. The only thing it hurts is your pocketbook, and even that can feel like a minimal downside. The fact that it may not actually do what it promises to do pales in comparison to the possibility that it MIGHT do something.

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, I think you're on to something. Patting on a nice-smelling lotion under my eyes sure beats feeling all sweaty after working out on the elliptical for an hour. And that little decorative pot looks much nicer in my bedroom than a hulking machine. I just need to get over that lingering feeling that somewhere a highly paid executive is laughing at me.