Do I Really Need an Eye Cream?
I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a while, when I saw Nadine Baggot’s Youtube entry on the exact same topic so I thought it’s about time I add this to OhMightyHealth.
Do You Really Need the Eye Cream in Your Skincare Routine?
For a long time I’ve been wondering about this. I just had a nagging feeling at times because I knew I’m really taking care of my skin with great overall products that contain what my eye contour area needs to stay hydrated, moisturized and treated properly for the common problems: dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, etc.
But, at times, I don’t really have much time to add proper skincare products and resort to a quick ‘clean, tone, moisturize’ routine. Then is when I feel I’m lacking a good product around my eye area.
The Answer:
I’d say you probably DO need an eye cream if you’re only following the ‘traditional’ cleanse, tone, moisturize routine because your cleanser and toner will lack ingredients that are necessary for your eye area and your moisturizer will also be too thick for this sensitive area. Also, eye creams have their own pH which should be around 6 or 7 instead of 5.
I’d say you probably DON’T need an eye cream if you’re using serums (which are naturally lightweight) or lightweight products that contain active ingredients in your skincare routine because they usually contain ingredients that can benefit your eye area (if you use serums that don’t contain ingredients that benefit your eye area then yes, I’d say you would need an eye cream).
**I make a FABULOUS eye cream which I give to friends and family but I don’t really use it because the rest of the products I use as part of my skincare routine already contain powerful ingredients.
Ingredients to Look Out For in Your Other Skincare that Will Benefit Your Eye Area
If your serums contain the below then I’d say don’t bother with an eye cream. **If your serums have essential oils in them you might want to watch it because we want the amount to be on the low end. Better to be safe than sorry and get yourself a separate eye cream if that is the case.
We’re looking for ingredients that help with moisturizing but also offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, firming, anti-wrinkle and also repairing benefits like vitamins, humectants, emollients and so on.
Let’s see:
For your Vitamins A, B3 and E look out for:
- Oils with Vitamin A like rosehip oil, apricot kernel oil, etc
- Oils high in antioxidant Vitamin E like grapeseed oil, pomegranate oil, etc
- Natural peptides like pea extract which is said to contain vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
For your Vitamin C look out for:
- Products with Ascorbyl palmitate in them if possible, which is the best form of Vitamin C in natural skincare. More info from my friends at Formula Botanica here.
For moisturizing and hydrating look out for:
- Natural ingredients like aloe vera juice
- Hydrosols like rose water
- Hyaluronic acid or any other humectant like glycerin
Other:
- Caffeine (not a must in my opinion but still worth adding to the list as it helps with puffiness)
- Fruit extracts like cucumber
You can certainly use eye cream as part of your skincare routine (it does feel like you’re pampering your eye area separately which can be a lovely experience) but at least know if this is a necessary step in your routine, or not.
Also, it is good practice that you know exactly what your serums contain.
Eye Creams Made with Organic, Natural Ingredients
If after reading the above you still feel you need an eye cream or are not happy with the one you have I recommend, here are some eye creams I recommend. They all contain excellent natural ingredients and they’re not too pricey. See what you think.
From Christina Moss Naturals:
Ingredients list: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF (Vegetable – Made From Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Almond Oil), Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Albizia Julibrissin (Persian Silk Tree) Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chrondus Crispus (Irish Moss) Extract, Asparagopsis Armata (Red Algae) Extract, Ascophyllum Nodostrum (Knotted Wrack) Extract, Sorbitol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Fruit Extract*, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract*, Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Fruit Extract*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid. *Certified Organic Ingredients.
My comments: The basics are there: aloe vera, glycerin, oils like grape seed, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E. Notable additions are the lovely fruit extracts (citrus). The moss, algae and silk tree bark extract are a botanical plus. A lovely, organic product that simply does the job.
From Eavara:
Ingredients list: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Emulsifying Wax, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Glycerin, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Organic Borage Seed Oil, Organic Primrose Oil, Rose Essential Oil, Organic Witch Hazel Extract, Organic Jojoba Oil, Rosemary Extract, Organic White Willow Extract, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin E, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid.
My comments: Same goes for this one; aloe vera juice, glycerin, lovely oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E; all great basics for the eye cream. The plant extracts deserve attention, with the addition of rose organic essential oil which is such a high-end oil (and smells divine). Most ingredients are of organic origin, I love two of their chosen oils: borage seed oil and primrose oil (check them out on my anti-inflammatory oils post).
From Spirit Nest:
Ingredients list: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylic/Triglyceride, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Oil, Olea Eurpaea (Olive) Oil, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Citric Acid
My comments: Besides the basics (aloe, oils, vitamin E, etc) this cream also has shea butter in it. It contains pomegranate seed oil which is a high-end oil packed with vitamin E. The evening primrose oil will work as anti-inflammatory with and added push by the lavender essential oil. Another great eye cream in my opinion.
From Beauty by Earth:
Ingredients list: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin (Vegetable), Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Xylitylglucoside (and) Anhydroxylitol (and) Xylitol, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Organic Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Organic Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Kernel Extract, Organic Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Organic Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sclerotium Gum, Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Essential Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine)
My comment: With aloe vera, vegetable glycerin and vitamin E, this eye cream also has caffeine which being vasoconstrictive can reduce puffiness. I love the sea buckthorn extract (this cream is packed with beautiful botanical extracts including cucumber and pineapple).
From Bee Naturals (not a Cream, More Like a Balm):
Ingredients list: Olive Oil, Unbleached Beeswax, Rice Bran Oil, Avocado Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Essential Oil
My comment: I don’t know why I totally love this product. It’s probably the simplicity! Just beeswax, 3 oils and carrot seed essential oil. Carrots contain vitamin A, olive and avocado oil are great for dry skin and meadowfoam oil is quite similar to our own sebum. I love this product.
Wanna Use JUST ONE INGREDIENT?
Then you’d need an oil instead of a cream. The oil is:
APRICOT KERNEL OIL
Why is it the best oil for your eye area?
- Extremely light so it is easily absorbed (the skin we have around the eye area is very thin)
- Helps retain elasticity and tone
- Can diminish the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and tackles fine lines and wrinkles
- Non-irritant
- Highly nourishing packed with Vitamin A and D
- Non-oily feel
- A great oil for dry, prematurely aged or irritated skin
HOW TO APPPLY:
Simply apply a little amount of the oil around the eye area and leave on. If there’s an excess of oil (it might take you a little while to get the hang of the right amount) just wipe it off. Avoid applying too close to your eyes and never apply on your eyelid.
BEST TIME TO USE THE OIL:
As part of your daytime routine.
MY RECOMMENDED ORGANIC APRICOT KERNEL OIL:
Eye Cream or No Eye Cream?
Hopefully you should be able to decide after reading this post. I’d love to hear your comments below.
