Do You Really Need An Eye Cream In Your Skincare Routine?

Do you really need an eye cream? It’s one of the most asked (and debated) questions when it comes to our skincare routines, and my original answer used to be ‘no, you probably don’t’. But, here’s why I’ve actually changed my mind…

Why do people say you might not need one?

To state the obvious, eye creams are products that are specifically designed to improve skin quality around the eye area. However, many people will say that you really don’t need to use a separate product around your eyes. Skin is skin, they’ll say. So, use whatever moisturiser you like; apply it all the way from your hairline to your breastbone – as long as you put sunscreen on top.

I used to be one of these people. Let’s be honest, the more products you start to use, the more of a faff skincare starts to seem. But, over the past few years, I have changed my tune. The more skin specialists I talk to, the more I have come to think that I should give my eyes more specific help.

What are the benefits of an eye cream?

The skin around your eyes is so thin that delivering appropriate ingredients to hydrate, nourish and stimulate it – without weighing it down or overloading – is a challenge.

Equally, the delicate eye area tends to show signs of ageing more quickly, including puffiness, fine lines, dark circles and dryness – all concerns you might want to target. So, finding and using a specific product – aka an eye cream – that works to improve these skin goals (without causing side effects) makes sense. 

If the skin around your eyes is especially sensitive, reacts badly to fragrance in products, or puffs up if dosed with anything too creamy or oily, you may have reached this conclusion a lot sooner than me.

So now, yes, you will find a specific eye product in my skincare routine.

Just to confirm: what is the difference between eye cream and moisturiser?

While eye creams do share are a lot of similarities with regular moisturisers – especially when it comes to boosting your skin’s moisture levels – eye creams are tailored (and tested) for the eye area. That means they tend to be fragrance-free and slightly lighter in texture to avoid milia (those white tiny bumps you might get around your eyes).

Eye creams also tend to include ingredients specifically designed to target your eye area concerns such as:

• Caffeine to reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles
• Peptides to firm and boost collagen production without causing irritation
• Niacinamide and vitamin C to brighten
• Lightweight hydrators such as hyaluronic acid

Can I use my regular retinol cream around my eyes?

Technically yes, but I probably wouldn’t! Remember that any redness or peeling that a retinoid can cause anywhere on your face is likely to be worse around the delicate eye area. And, no one wants sore-looking eyes.

If your main concern is fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area and you want the results from a retinol, it is probably best to choose a specific retinoid eye cream that has been tested to avoid irritation. And, even then, to use it carefully.

How to use an eye cream

The best way to use an eye cream is gently! Use a small pea-sized amount and tap don’t rub into your skin using your ring finger (which is said to have the lightest touch!). Check the usage instructions but many products can be used not only under your eyes but around the sides and under the brows. This can give you the best boost in skin quality.

Do YOU need a separate eye cream?

As to whether YOU need to use an eye cream – it’s totally up to you (and there’s no set age you ‘should’ start using one. But if you have eyes that go baggy or puffy when you put facial moisturisers around them, it’s well worth trying a specific eye cream or gel (they’re lighter in texture) – and often include ingredients to brighten the look of the eye area, which is helpful if you have shadows under your eyes.

Our TTG-approved eye creams

Need help on what to buy? Here are a few TTG favourites we personally recommend:

For fine lines: Meder Beauty B7R Blepharo-Rich Eye Cream, £51: This award-winning eye cream – reviewed in more detail here – nourishes your skin with plant-based squalane, peptides and probiotics, to target fine lines and dryness. SHOP NOW

For dark circles and puffiness: Doctor Skin Collagen I-Shine Eye Cream, £75: With hyaluronic acid for hydration and liquorice extract for brightening, we love Dr Rabia Malik’s eye cream for the clever vibrating applicator, which pushes the formula deeper into your skin for faster results. SHOP NOW

For fresher-looking eyes: iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex, £115: Meticulously tested to prove its benefits, this cream is proven to improve the appearance of crow’s feet and dark circles, making it a great multi-tasker for the delicate eye area. SHOP NOW