Today there is a whole range of skin care solutions on the market, for both your face and body. From oils to serums to creams to balms, the choices are endless! And sometimes, these endless moisturizer choices can frustrate you and really get under your skin.
Some people are minimalists – they buy one face cream, apply it all over and go. Others invest heavily in their skincare regimen, layering products such as toners, facial serums and creams. And to top it off, they religiously apply eye creams or under-eye creams to the thin skin around their eyes.
But should you really buy an eye cream, or will your regular face serum do the job? Are eye creams an expensive fad? Or are they a must-have in your skincare routine, as your favorite beauty influencer insists? Let’s try to peel away the layers and solve this mystery with Dr. Priti Shenai, founder of Skinworks, a leading beauty and dermatology clinic in Mumbai.
What is a facial serum?
dr. Priti: Facial serums nourish, moisturize and protect your skin. They have a thin consistency so they can be quickly absorbed by your skin. Another feature of facial serums that distinguishes them from facial creams is that they contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, such as skin lightening agents, exfoliating acids, vitamins, etc. By using a facial serum, you can therefore expect results much faster than a facial cream .
Is it okay to use a facial serum around your eyes?
dr. Priti: The skin around your eyes (eyelids and under the eyes) is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your face. Thus, it is more likely to show wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, and other signs of aging than other areas of the face. So you have to make sure that this skin stays hydrated to prevent dehydration.
Because the eye area is more delicate than the rest of your face, certain types of facial serums can be harsh on it. Highly concentrated serums with active ingredients such as retinol and exfoliating acids (such as glycolic and salicylic acids) are not gentle on the eyes! So, if you use such a facial serum, do not apply it around the eyes. Use an eye cream instead.
What is an eye cream and how is it different from face creams and serums?dr. Priti: Eye creams are specially formulated to treat (or prevent) skin conditions that affect the eye area.
They treat common skin problems such as:
- dark circles
- Wrinkles
- ramparts
- Sagging skin (eye bags)
- Sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, it will not respond well to facial serums and oily creams
Eye creams have a thicker consistency than face creams and are much oilier than face serums. They are also much gentler and contain active ingredients such as retinol in a smaller amount.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy an Eye Cream?
dr. Priti: If you want to get rid of dark circles or reduce wrinkles around your eyes, it’s definitely worth investing in an eye cream. But before you spend a lot of money on products that are trendy or promoted, consult your dermatologist. They will recommend fast-acting, genuine products that work best for your specific skin type and solve your skincare problems for good.
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