What’s the Difference Between Eye Serum and Eye Cream?
The skin around your eyes is some of the most delicate skin on your entire body, and is extremely susceptible to age-related changes such as sagging, thinning, and wrinkling. However, if you know anything about skincare, this is probably already something you're well aware of. To help with the appearance of the skin around the eyes, you have nearly endless options for eye skincare products, which are often labeled or marketed as eye serums or eye creams. Since you probably don't need both, which is better for your skin? And what's the difference 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 retinol, which may help with visible concerns like dark circles and environmental damage.
What Is Eye Cream?
An eye cream is a moisturizing formula with high-performance ingredients designed to 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 dramatic, fast-acting results, an eye serum is often the better choice. On the other hand, if your main concern is hydration, 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, while eye creams are thicker and more moisturizing 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 better for someone 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 and quick absorption rates 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 helpful, and anyone with dry or mature skin may especially benefit. Eye creams contain many beneficial ingredients that enhance the look of skin for people who have concerns 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, or bags under the eyes, and crow's feet wrinkles around the corners of the eyes.
Dark Circles, Puffiness, or Bags
Dark circles, puffiness, or bags under the eyes are often presumed to be from lack of sleep, alertness, or sickness, but can often develop naturally over time due to age or thinning of skin around the eyes. To counteract this with a skincare product, a potent serum like our Eye Alive Serum is a highly targeted way 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. A serum that is a cushiony and moisturizing gel-cream, perfect for the eye area, is our Pro Collagen + Serum Amplifier. This formula can help your eyes appear visibly smoother, more moisturized, and target fine lines around the eyes with peptides. In addition, our top-rated Eye Cream provides rich moisture to help 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 anti-aging 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. Choose the formula best suited to 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 are safe to use in the same regimen, you're free to use both an eye serum and cream.
Which comes first, serum or eye cream?
Moisturizers contain compounds called occlusives that help lock in moisture on top of the skin, which means they should always come last in your routine.
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.