Emmanuel ChijiokeIf you are one of those who follow a beauty routine, you will know that it includes more and more products. Cleansing gels, toners, moisturizing day and night creams, serums, and specific creams for the eye contour area. Theoretically, each of these products has a specific cosmetic function and cannot be replaced by the others.
However, the growing variety of products has aroused skepticism among users. Are all of them really necessary or is it just a commercial strategy? This debate is especially frequent in reference to eye contour area cream. To know the true role of this controversial product, pay attention.
Note
- The skin around the eyes has some peculiarities that make it different from the rest of the skin. Therefore, it requires special care.
- Any moisturizing product to apply as an eye contour is not advised. It is important that it has the right characteristics and composition.
- The eye contour area cream, in addition to moisturizing power, has multiple properties. It has anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory functions, among others.
Shopping guide: What you should know about eye creams
It is important that you know the main characteristics of eye contour area creams before purchasing this product. Only then will you be able to make an informed and coherent decision. Below, we have included the most relevant information, as well as the most frequently asked questions among users.
What exactly is eye contour area cream?
The eye contour cream, or simply eye contour, is part of facial cosmetics. It is a cream specifically designed for a very specific area of the face: the eye contour area. You may be wondering why a special cream is needed for this region. Basically, because it is also a special area. As experts say, the skin around the eyes is different from the rest of the face.
It is finer and more delicate and can be affected by small alterations. The eye contour loses moisture easily, being the driest part of the face. These characteristics make it the area that ages most early.
It is these particularities of the skin that surrounds our eyes that make a specific product necessary. Therefore, eye contour creams are expressly formulated to cover the weaknesses of this area. In addition, these cosmetics provide other beauty properties that we will detail later.
What beauty properties do eye contour area creams have?
Eye contour creams do not have a merely moisturizing function, but their role goes much further. Its prolonged use provides an anti-wrinkle function, preventing the progression of expression lines. In addition, its moisturizing power allows for softening of the existing signs of aging.
These creams also combat dark circles and puffy eyes, thanks to caffeine and other components. With its use, this product prevents the deterioration of the skin that occurs with age. The results, although progressive, are lasting and evident. In addition, it is an easy and non-aggressive treatment for our health.
What components should an eye contour cream include?
The particularities of the skin around the eyes make specific components necessary to treat it. Thus, eye contour area creams will only be effective if they include the right ingredients. In addition, we can find products with different formulations depending on the effect we want to obtain.
In this sense, if our priority is to combat the signs of aging, we will choose products with an anti-wrinkle effect. For example, derivatives of retinoic acid, vitamin C and peptides or hyaluronic acid. On the other hand, if the priority problem to correct is dark circles and bags, we will need products with caffeine or others.
The following table summarizes the main components of the eye contour, along with the functions of each of them:
| Ingredient | Function |
|---|---|
| Retinol | Promotes cell turnover, anti-wrinkle |
| Vitamin C | Anti-wrinkle, fight dark circles |
| ceramides | Hydration |
| Hyaluronic acid | anti wrinkle |
| Solar protection | Avoid damaging our skin |
| Caffeine | Anti-inflammatory, reduces bags |
| peptides | anti wrinkle |
| green tea extract | Anti-inflammatory, reduces bags, fights dark circles |
When should I start using an eye contour area cream?
A frequent question among users is when to start using an eye contour cream. This will depend mainly on the effect you want to obtain. These creams do not have only one function. They have multiple properties to treat this delicate skin area, which will determine our decision of when to start using it.
If we focus on anti-wrinkle properties, it is recommended to use it from approximately 25 years of age. It is the average age of appearance of the first signs of aging in men and women. The most important thing is to start using it before the first wrinkles appear. Prevention is better and more effective than cure.
On the other hand, if your main problem is bags and dark circles, things are different. There is no set age limit to start using eye contour. Therefore, it is best to use it when you need it. That is, in the case of bags or dark circles, you can start using them as soon as possible to solve the problem.
How are eye creams applied?
The correct application of eye contour area creams is essential to obtain good results. In a beauty routine, it should be applied after facial cleansing, being the third step of your routine. Always apply it before serum and facial moisturizer. The cream should be used in the morning and at night. As for the mode of application, apply a small amount of product around the eyes and eyelids.
Extend it with a gentle massage from the inside to the outside of the eye. Go making circular movements until completely absorbed. You can also lightly tap your fingers on the skin to activate circulation.
It is important to emphasize that the application differs depending on the problem to be treated. To combat bags, apply them with small touches from the outside to the inside of the eye (from the cheekbone to the tear duct). It will help drain excess fluid from the bags. In the case of dark circles, the direction of application is reversed: from the inside to the outside of the eye.
Can any moisturizing cream serve as an eye contour area cream?
There are not a few people who consider whether it is enough to use any moisturizing cream as an eye contour cream. The answer is no. On the one hand, it is advisable to avoid the application of moisturizing creams around the eyes. They are not formulated to moisturize the eye area, and some of their products may irritate or damage the eyes.
In addition, we must remember that the skin around our eyes has special characteristics. Therefore, if the skin is different, the moisturizer should also be different. Facial moisturizing creams lack the necessary components for an adequate treatment of the eye contour area.
What side effects can eye contour creams have?
There are very few harmful effects associated with the application of eye contour. It is a topical treatment and therefore non-invasive. This excludes adverse effects derived from surgeries or other procedures to treat the eye contour. For the same reason, the use of eye contour hardly has any contraindications.
What can happen, as in all cosmetic products, are hypersensitivity reactions or allergies. There are people who may be allergic or poorly tolerate any of the components of the eye contour. It is possible to avoid it by reviewing the composition of the product and making sure that none of its components could be harmful.
Below, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of eye contour area cream.
Advantage
- Corrects the signs of aging
- antioxidants
- anti-inflammatory
- protects against UV and repairs the skin, which is something that sunglasses alone can’t fix.
- Corrects dark circles and bags
- non-invasive treatment
Disadvantages
- Possible allergic reactions
- hypersensitivity
Important Criteria and Consideration
Composition
Depending on the results you want to obtain, you will be interested in your cream containing some ingredients or others. There is no standard composition for all eye contour creams. The ingredients and their proportions vary depending on the purpose of each product.
So, if you are looking for a product to combat the signs of aging, you will prioritize one that contains anti-wrinkle compounds. For example, vitamin C, peptides, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. On the other hand, if your priority is to treat bags, you need an eye contour area cream with caffeine or green tea extract.
The composition of the product is also key in relation to its adverse effects. Before purchasing a product, you must make sure that it does not contain any ingredients that are harmful to you. There are people who are more susceptible to certain components and this is an aspect that must always be kept in mind.
Format
The format is a particularly important aspect when it comes to eye contour. In fact, some of the effects of the product will be more or less enhanced depending on its format. You will find a wide variety of products with very different packaging on the market. Therefore, it is important that you know how to choose the one that suits you best.
In this sense, some creams have a roll-on applicator with a cold effect. This steelhead promotes drainage and relieves fluid retention by moving it through the lower area of the eye. You will also find spherical applicators. They allow you to regulate the desired amount of cream and are useful for massaging the area.
Quality and preservatives
This aspect is key for all cosmetic products. You must bear in mind that the eye contour area cream is applied to a very delicate area of our skin. Therefore, the products you choose have to be of quality. Poor product quality can have dire repercussions on the health and appearance of our skin.
And how can you know if a product is of quality? There are several aspects that you can assess. For example, that it be from a recognized and experienced cosmetic brand. It is also important to look at the ingredients it includes and their origin. Finally, the opinions of other users about it can be useful.
Price
This must be taken into account when making any purchase. The cosmetic sector offers a wide range of products with very varied prices. As we always remember, a higher price is not necessarily synonymous with higher quality. Therefore, you must choose the product that best suits your needs and your budget.
Summary
In summary, we can say that it is convenient to include an eye contour area cream in our beauty routine. The skin that surrounds our eyes has special characteristics that require special care. These specific needs cannot be met by a conventional moisturizer. The eye contour will not only provide good hydration to your skin, but it will also provide you with many other benefits.
With this product, you will be able to combat the incipient signs of aging or those annoying bags or dark circles that dull your eyes. Your eyes will shine brighter and look younger and healthier for longer.
The daily use of this product is recommended by specialists in dermatology and cosmetics. So, if you are around 25 years old or you don’t know how to get rid of dark circles, what are you waiting for to try it?
Emmanuel Chijioke
