Do you really need an eye cream? Here’s why you should (and when you shouldn’t) use one

To answer your question bluntly: Eye creams aren’t a necessity. That said, when they’re good, they’re a great addition to any routine. While they are often touted (and demonised) as glorified moisturisers, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to these polarising products.

From the anatomy of your peepers to the collateral damage of SPF use, here are five reasons why you may want to introduce the staple into your routine:

Your eyes are a delicate area

While you certainly can abide by the philosophy of “if it’s good enough for the face, it’s good enough for the eyes” and call it a day, we would have to respectfully disagree. Not all products are created equally, and the needs of your skin change from area to area. The eye area, in particular, is extremely delicate.

Anatomically, the skin around your eyes (~0.5mm thick) is far thinner than the skin on the rest of your body (between 2mm to 4mm). Therefore, if your skincare products are particularly high in actives, you are likely to experience sensitivity around this delicate area.

READ: The real reason why you have dark circles, and 5 simple ways to get rid of them

The solution? Using an ophthalmologist-tested product, such as a designated eye cream, in its place. That said, in this respect, whether or not you choose to use eye-specific products is totally up to your personal preference.

TRY: Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Eye Gel-Cream

SPFs can hurt (the eyes, not you)

Speaking of sensitivity, have you ever tried to protect yourself against one of the Earth’s greatest dangers (read: the sun), only to find yourself teary-eyed and thoroughly betrayed before you even manage to step outside? You’re not alone. The experience of eye-irritating SPFs is a universal one, and if it’s something you particularly struggle with, there is a solution.

Can you guess what it is? An eye cream, of course! During the daytime, it’s best to use an eye cream that is specifically formulated with SPF—this will keep your peepers both nourished and protected.

TIP: SPF is a daytime ordeal. Don’t bother with it during the evenings; instead, use a nighttime eye cream!

TRY: Supergoop! Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 PA+++

It’s perfect under makeup

Here’s a fun fact: The undereyes are especially dry. If you’ve ever noticed texture around your eyes post-makeup application or you’ve had trouble creating a truly uniform base, a lightweight yet hydrating eye serum may just be the gamechanger you need.

TIP: Eye creams work particularly well when doing powder-based makeup looks, preventing the area from excessively drying out.

TRY: Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Eye Serum

Your eyes age first

While ageing is a natural, inevitable process of life, there is no harm in taking precautions. One area to pay attention to ASAP is, in fact, your eye area. As misfortune would have it, being more delicate and dry around the eyes has its downfalls—the first signs of ageing actually appear here. Why?

Put simply, your eyes are the most mobile part of your face—between all the squinting, the blinking, and looking around that you presumably do on a day-to-day basis, you’ve got a recipe for premature wrinkles. Obviously, smile lines are a welcome (and inevitable) reminder that joy does, in fact, occur to you on occasion, but other wrinkles and sunspots are not equally fond friends.

The solution is to invest in a specialised eye cream that targets such issues like premature ageing and is actually formulated for safe use around the eyes.

TRY: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask

It’s a pampering experience

Listen, this may sound like absolute drivel at first, but hear us out. Believe it or not, there is a lot more to skincare than just anti-ageing actives and efficacy. While those are indeed fabulous (and very desired) qualities to look for in a routine, the art of skincare has truly evolved past functionality alone. In our digital age, our morning and evening routines may very well be the only thing holding us together—hence, the sensorial experience matters too.

So, once again, while you could argue that any old moisturiser will suffice for the eye area, the indulgence of using a rich, creamy eye treatment is self-care in its purest form.

TRY: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

With all this in mind, hopefully, we’ve made our case for eye creams. They are not a necessity, but they can be wonderful to have. That being said, as with all skincare, some products may just not be suitable for your skin—too-rich creams may cause milia and others may just not suit you. The best course of action is to play around with your options and inevitably find a routine that works for you.

Find more skincare stories like this here.