The skin around your eyes is some of the most delicate on your entire body and is extremely susceptible to age-related changes, such as sagging, thinning, and wrinkling.. That is why there are specific skincare products formulated with the delicate skin of the eye in mind. To help with the appearance of the skin around the eyes, you have many options to choose from. From eye serums to eye creams, figuring out which ones will work best for you can sometimes be confusing. We’ll help you decide which is better for your skin and what the difference is between these similar eye care products.
What is Eye Serum?
Eye serum is similar to other facial serums except that it's specifically formulated to help the skin around and below your eyes. Serums, in general, are known for having highly concentrated ingredients with low molecular weight, helping them absorb more quickly onto the areas in which they're applied. Common ingredients in eye serums include caffeine, antioxidants, and peptides, which can help address visible concerns such as dark circles and environmental damage.
What Is Eye Cream?
An eye cream is a moisturizing formula with ingredients designed to visibly hydrate the eye area, typically with richer compounds than a typical face moisturizer. The anatomy of eye creams includes emollients, which lubricate and smooth the look of skin; humectants, which help retain moisture; and occlusives, which help visibly lock in moisture.
Differences Between Eye Serums and Creams
The key difference between serums and creams that are designed for eye care is the consistency of the product: serums are lighter weight and gel-like, while creams are more moisturizing and thicker. However, this doesn't mean that one is necessarily better than the other. Here's a better breakdown of their main differences.
Purpose
If you're looking for a lighter feel, an eye serum is often the better choice. On the other hand, if your main concern is dryness around the eyes, an eye cream may be more effective. Ultimately, the best option, serum, cream, or even both, depends on your specific skin concerns and what you're hoping to achieve with your eye care routine
Texture
Serums typically have a lightweight, water-based consistency, whereas eye creams are thicker and more moisturizing, often with occlusive properties. Texture plays an important role depending on your current skincare routine and what you're hoping to achieve with a new product. Creams can feel heavier on the skin and may be more suitable for individuals with dryness or crepiness around the eyes. The cooling, lightweight feel of a serum may be just what you need under makeup or alone.
Skin Type Benefits
Nearly anyone can benefit from eye serums since their lightweight formulas can complement nearly any skin type. They're especially beneficial to people with oily skin around the eyes or mature skin that needs additional moisture.
On the other hand, mature skin can also become drier with age, meaning that the more moisture you can give it, the better it will look. This is where an eye cream is particularly helpful, and individuals with dry or mature skin may benefit the most. Eye creams contain many beneficial ingredients that help enhance the appearance of skin for individuals concerned about the signs of aging.
Eye Care Products By Concern
In addition to your natural skin type, the specific eye concern you might have also plays a role in choosing whether to use a high-quality serum or eye cream. The most common concerns we have heard our customers citing are dark under-eye circles, puffy eyes, and crow's feet wrinkles around the corners of the eyes.
Dark Circles and Puffiness
Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes are often attributed to a lack of sleep, fatigue, or illness, but can also develop naturally over time due to aging or thinning of the skin around the eyes. To help this, a serum like our Eye Alive Serum is designed to reduce the appearance of these concerns in the under-eye area.
Fine Lines or Crow's Feet
One of the first signs of aging is crow's feet at the corners of the eyes. This can be accompanied by a general thinning of the skin that exacerbates the crepiness of the skin in this area. Our Pro Collagen + Serum Amplifier is a serum that is a cushiony and moisturizing gel-cream, perfect for the eye area. This formula is formulated with ingredients that can help your eyes appear visibly smoother, more moisturized, and target fine lines around the eyes with the help of peptides. In addition, our top-rated Eye Cream is formulated with ingredients to provide rich moisture, helping your skin look and feel smooth.
High-Quality Skincare Products from Epicuren
If you're looking for the best way to keep your eyes looking smooth and supple, Epicuren has the eye-specific serums and creams to help. Browse our whole section of products online or take our Skin Quiz to be matched with products that are perfect for your specific skin type and different skin concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eye creams or serums better?
Creams and serums are different from each other, providing their own benefits for specific concerns. Serums tend to be lighter weight, while creams are more moisturizing and feel slightly heavier. Select the formula that best suits your specific skincare concerns and needs.
Should I use both eye serum and eye cream?
As long as the directions of your products say they can be used in the same regimen, you're free to use both an eye serum and cream.
Which comes first, serum or eye cream?
Due to the water-based formulas of serums, you should apply them first, then follow with a moisturizer. Eye creams can be applied after your regular moisturizer since they are thicker and more emollient. If you are layering the eye serum and eye cream, apply the serum first, then the eye cream. A general rule when applying products is to apply them from thinnest to thickest.
Are eye serums worth it?
Many high-quality eye serums are well worth it for the way they help people enjoy the look of their skin. Moreover, eye serums are designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes, so you can confidently apply them.
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