The Benefits of Using an Eye Cream

What Does Eye Cream Do?

Eye creams are moisturizing products that have been formulated with the specific needs of your delicate eye area in mind. Adding an eye cream to your daily skincare routine can help keep this skin moisturized to prevent dryness, while also helping to maintain a healthy skin barrier and promoting under-eye skin that appears smoother, plumper, and firmer. When used consistently as part of your daily regimen, eye creams can also help reduce the look of multiple signs of aging and fatigue around the eyes, and provide important moisture and care to this fragile area.

Can I use my face moisturizer as an eye cream?

When it comes to moisturizers, it’s important to remember that these products are not a one-size-fits-all. Although they may appear interchangeable at a glance, eye creams and face moisturizers can be formulated very differently—including varying ingredients, textures, and concentrations. Therefore, your face lotion, cream, or ointment may not always be suitable for use around your eyes. Always read the product label closely to decipher whether your moisturizer is formulated for use on your entire face, including the delicate eye area.

Do Eye Creams Work?

The short answer is yes: Anyone can benefit from including a moisturizing eye cream in their daily skincare regimen. However, the effectiveness of an eye cream comes down to choosing a product that has been expertly formulated to suit your skin type and concerns.

Is eye cream necessary?

We recommend adding an eye cream to any eye care routine for healthy-looking skin, particularly if you are noticing visible changes in the skin around your eyes. The decision to use an eye cream can vary depending on each individual’s preferences and needs.

Do I have to be a certain age to use eye cream?

There’s no exact age at which you should start using an eye cream. These products are available in a variety of formulas for skin concerns that can impact a wide age range—including dark circles, puffy eyes, fine lines, and wrinkles. When in doubt, a board-certified dermatologist can offer personalized advice regarding the best types of eye creams to incorporate into your skincare routine at any stage of life.

What Are the Benefits of Using CeraVe Eye Cream?

There are plenty of reasons why you may want to consider adding a moisturizing eye cream to your skincare regimen. Whether you want to combat under-eye bags or minimize the look of crow’s feet wrinkles, there’s a CeraVe eye cream option for you. Here are just a few of the benefits.

1. Reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

If puffy, tired-looking eyes and dark circles are your main concern, adding an eye cream to your routine can help—such as CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. This non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free eye cream can be used twice daily to help minimize the look of dark circles and eye puffiness. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream also features a Marine & Botanical Complex to help brighten your entire eye area.

Or, if you’re interested in trying an eye cream that’s been formulated with caffeine, we recommend our multi-tasking, ophthalmologist-tested Skin Renewing Eye Cream.

2. Deliver all-day moisture to the eye area.

Since research shows that the fragile skin around your eyes is more prone to dryness,² it’s important to keep this area properly moisturized with a lightweight, yet ultra-hydrating eye cream that delivers all-day moisture. CeraVe eye creams do just this, using MVE technology to continually release moisture directly to the eye area, along with nourishing ingredients—like our three essential ceramides—to help maintain your skin’s protective barrier.

3. Help the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, there are multiple studies supporting eye creams as an effective method for enhancing the smoothness and appearance of larger wrinkles around the eyes.³ Since dryness in this area can cause visible signs of aging to become more pronounced, the right eye cream provides moisturizing benefits that may help the skin retain moisture and appear plumper, with less visible fine lines and wrinkles.

For a lightweight and deeply-hydrating anti-aging eye cream for all skin types (including sensitive skin), we recommend our peptide eye cream—CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream. Featuring caffeine, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and an anti-aging peptide complex, this eye cream delivers all-day moisture for eyes that appear younger, healthy, and wide awake.

Studies have found that when applied topically, peptides—which are composed of essential amino acids—can help to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of aging skin.^4,5 When used consistently as part of a complete routine for healthy-looking skin, peptide eye creams (such as our Skin Renewing Eye Cream) may help to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles and improve the appearance of fatigued skin to reveal a firmer, smoother-looking complexion.

4. Safe for use around the eyes.

Some moisturizers may include ingredients in concentrations that are too harsh for use around the eyes. Eye creams are formulated specifically with the delicate nature of your eye area in mind, as well as common skin concerns in this area. For example, eye creams generally have a slightly thicker texture than face moisturizers for even deeper hydration. CeraVe eye creams are allergy-tested and ophthalmologist-tested for safety, making them suitable for use around the eyes.

5. Suitable for sensitive skin.

CeraVe eye creams are recognized as safe for use by contact lens wearers and all skin types—including sensitive skin. As with any skincare product, it’s important to know your specific skin type, whether it’s sensitive, oily, combination, normal, or dry, so that you can choose the formula that best suits your needs.

How To Apply CeraVe Eye Cream

Consistency is key if you want to reap the full benefits of an eye cream. Although each individual’s daily skincare regimen can differ, eye creams should typically be applied after cleansing and toning, in this order: cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum, and moisturizer.

To use CeraVe eye cream, dispense the cream onto your ring finger and apply in small dots around your entire eye contour twice daily, as part of your daytime and nighttime skincare routine. Gently blend the eye cream onto your entire eye area—including the under-eye area, crow's feet, eyelid, and brow bone—using upward motions, until the cream is completely absorbed. Once absorbed, follow with the rest of your skincare routine. Always avoid direct contact with your eyes, and if contact with eyes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.

For personalized advice on choosing the ideal eye cream for your skin type, it’s always best to direct any and all questions to a board-certified dermatologist. Learn more about caring for your skin with this simple anti-aging CeraVe skincare routine.