There is a widespread rumour that eye cream is just a hoax to convince you to buy another moisturiser for a ridiculous price. But genuine anti-ageing eye cream differs from facial moisturisers in several regards, such as:
- It is thicker and holds to the applied area for a longer period of time.
- It contains more oil than an average facial lotion or moisturiser.
- It is almost always fragrance-free.
- It has many active ingredients, designed to treat the problem areas often associated with the eyes.
Eye creams are usually designed to reduce and prevent the signs of ageing. But the question remains: does the stuff really work or are you just experiencing yet another placebo?
What is eye cream and should we even bother?
The skin around the eye is proven to be 10 times thinner and more fragile when compared to the rest of the face. This number becomes greater again when collagen breaks down and the skin loses its suppleness. There are several factors that accelerate the this breakdown, including:
- UV rays: Our epidermis, or outermost layer of skin, contains melanin to filter out distressing UV rays. Sun rays burn the skin and wreak havoc on our cells, often killing them.
- Environmental pollution: Wind and cold weather make our skin dry and even directly damage skin cells. This is only exacerbated further by negative human impact, like air pollution, which puts our skin into contact with harmful foreign radicals.
- Smoking: It is bad for both lungs and skin. The nicotine present in cigarettes impedes blood vessels and prevents proper blood flow to the epidermis, leading to a lack of oxygen and important nutrients.
But you should probably know what you’re putting on your skin. Many good eye creams contain certain active ingredients that can help reduce the signs of ageing, like:
- Hyaluronic acid: Hydrates the skin while improving the skin’s texture and appearance. This is a clear substance that the body produces naturally and is commonly found within the skin, deep in joints, and eye sockets. It retains collagen, improves moisture content, and enhances skin flexibility.
- Retinol: Also known as Vitamin A, retinol can help improve cellular turnover, and cultivate collagen and elastin properties. It can also fade skin pigmentation.
- Neuropeptides and other peptides: These are active receptors that help in improving the skin’s texture via hydration and the tightening of wrinkles. It can also improve elasticity of the skin by increasing collagen and elastin production.
- Key Vitamins like Vitamin C, E & B: They boost the production of collagen, resulting in brighter, smoother and healthier skin.
Though generally targeted towards women, men are able to use eye creams to genuinely reduce the signs of ageing. Consistency is key!