Eye Serum vs Eye Cream: These Results-Driven Formulas Will Do The Trick
All of us come into this world with youthful, radiant skin. As life goes by, the wear and tear that we experience day to day tend to reflect directly on our skin, and especially our under eyes.
There's everything on the market these days, from plumping, to brightening, to anti-aging products, and there's different formulas they come in too such as serums and creams.
Rather than sending you to another research session, I've created a guide for you breaking down everything.
For covering what an eye serum and eye cream are, comparing them against each other, and giving you a few choices to help you jump in to whole of under eye care, it's all here! Let's get into it!
What is an Eye Cream?
Let's start with the product that's more talked about and familiar in the beauty space.
An eye cream is essentially a moisturizer that simultaneously targets skin concerns for your under eye and lid region.
The skin under your eyes are delicate so eye creams are formulated to be thicker in order to soften and smoothen the skin and lock in moisture.
This multi-faceted product can be used as a preventative product to strengthen the skin and prolong signs of aging.
It can also help lightly target concerns like brightening, depuffing, protect from environmental aggressors, softening fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin, and hydrating the under eye region.
What is an Eye Serum?
An eye serum is a thin, lightweight, sometimes water-based, fluid or gel-textured product that is packed with potent active ingredients with the aim of treating targeted concerns.
Eye serums are not as rich as eye creams meaning that their light texture make it easy for the product to absorb into the skin.
They are used to treat various problems such as, softening fine lines and wrinkles, crows feet, firm the skin, brighten, and depuff the under eyes.
Now, Let's Compare
As you are probably starting to see, both products are great ways to treat a nultitude of skin concerns while also being different in some minor, yet important, aspects.
Consistency:
Eye creams are thicker and may contain more oil in order to thoroughly hydrate the skin. Eye serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing and thin.
Skin Concerns:
Both can target similar skin concerns such as:
- Brightening
- Anti-Aging
- Reducing Dark Circles
- De-puffing
- Hydrating
Both eye serums and eye cream have great benefits. Though similar, but have their own special purposes.
Purpose:
Eye creams are great for hydration and locking in moisture. They are also great for addressing crepey skin and smoothening the texture. Newer formulas are starting to include active ingredients to address other skin concerns as well.
Eye serums are great for targeting skin concerns with its higher dose of concentrated active ingredients. The formula is caliberated to deliver maximum results by penetrating deep into the skin to resolve the skin concern at hand. Eye creams are more of a supplementary, topical solution in comparison.
For ideal results, it is recommended that both are used together - eye serum first, followed by eye cream.
Eye Cream Picks
Now, that you've dived down below the surface and uncovered the secrets of the eye cream, here are a few great picks to help you get started. I have it broken down by the skin concern each product targets.
Best Standard: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Best Hydrating: CETAPHIL Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
Best for De-Puffing, Anti-Aging and Dark Circle Reduction: RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
Best for Brightening: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme
Best Multifaceted: Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Multi Action
Eye Serum Picks
Next up, eye serums! Like the eye cream, the top favorite serum picks have been listed by the skin concerns they target.
Best Standard: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift
Best Hydrating: Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes Serum
Best for De-Puffing, Anti-Aging and Dark Circle Reduction: Advanced Clinicals Dark Circle Serum
Best for Brightening: Murad Environmental Shield
Best Multifaceted: ZOSH ZO Skin Growth Factor Eye Serum
FAQs
With all the products in the market, even learning more about the products can bring up follow up questions.
To help you out just a bit more, I pulled some of the most asked questions on the internet, researched and answered them for you!
Yes! For best results they should be used together with the eye serum used for strong treatments for specific skin concerns, and eye cream used to supplement the serum for treating skin concerns but mainly to moisturize and hydrating the under eye region for an overall healthy, youthful, supple skin.
What goes first eye cream or serum?
Eye serums go first! When applying skincare, the products are that more lightweight and thin in consistency are applied first so they can absorb into the skin. The cream formulas are applied after to lock the products and moisture in place, hence they go on towards the end of the skincare routine.
Should you put eye cream on eyelids? / Should you put eye serum on eyelids?
There is some debate on this, but overall, it is alright use to both eye serums and creams on the eyelids in smaller quantities. Keep the application light as well as away and outside of the eyeballs.
What age should you start using eye cream?
Its always easier to prevent skin concerns rather than correct them, so the recommended age is your 20s.
Is eye serum better than eye cream?
Unfortunately, there is not a concerete answer for this question because in the end, it comes down to what skin concerns you are trying to address. If all you want is a product to hydrate the under eye then the eye cream is better. For example, if you want a potent, anti-aging solution, serums are the way to go. Of course, a combination of the two is ideal for best results!
Conclusion: Eye Serum vs Eye Cream
We have taken the deep dive in the world of under eye products and learned about them in great detail.
Both are great and serve different purposes with the eye cream being a product that hydrates and supplementarily targets skin concerns, while the eye serum is meant specifically for targetting skin concerns with their high concentration of active ingredients. Both are great individually, but for best results, use them together!
So if you're looking for some extra under eye help, eye serums and creams are the way to go!
And whether you are newbie to skincare or a pro, the picks above are great resources to add and exapnd upon your skincare journey!
How We Curated Our List
There are many options on the market with many different ingredients. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what product is best for you, especially if you're just starting your skincare journey.
We've taken the guesswork out of it for you and compiled a concise list of high-quality products that will fit both your budget and your needs. Whether you're looking for a luxury option or something more affordable, we've got you covered.
Thanks for reading!
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