Eye Cream Review

Are eye creams necessary?

Today's store shelves are overflowing with eye creams that promise to do everything from deflate puffiness and brighten dark circles to erase fine lines. But do any of these products live up to their claims? To find out, we sifted through reviews. First, we turned to beauty expert Paula Begoun, author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," and her website Beautypedia.com. Begoun reviews hundreds of eye creams and facial moisturizers. She bases her analyses on the effectiveness and safety of ingredients and cites scientific research to back her claims.

ConsumerReports.org, another top-notch source, also offers insightful reviews. Editors report on the testing results of 16 eye creams with anti-wrinkle claims. An older report evaluates allover facial moisturizers. Several publications (including Allure, Shape and Natural Health magazines) also test numerous eye creams over the course of the year and choose the best items for their annual beauty awards. For consumer feedback, we also consulted user reviews at MakeupAlley.com, Drugstore.com and TotalBeauty.com.

Despite marketing hype, most experts say general moisturizing eye creams just aren't essential. For instance, Ellen Marmur, dermatologist and chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, says, "The basic moisturizers individuals use on their face often have the same formulation and many of the same ingredients of general eye creams." Paula Begoun agrees, saying that "product formulations for moisturizing eye creams typically don't differ from those of general moisturizing facial products." She explains the only difference is often the product's price and the size of its container.

Another issue is that while allover facial moisturizers often contain sunscreen, few eye creams do. In fact, of the dozens of eye cream brands covered in this report, only four of them contain sunscreen. Many experts find this ironic, since most studies show sun damage is the leading cause of skin damage. If your eye cream does not contain sunscreen, consider using a foundation or concealer that does. In general, the only time a separate eye moisturizer is needed is when the eye area has a different skin type or is experiencing a separate ailment than the rest of the face, Begoun says. For example, a person may have oily facial skin and dry skin around the eyes, or suffer from dark undereye circles.

Indeed, if you are trying to treat specific ailments like dark circles or puffiness around the eyes, some experts say using a specialized product can be beneficial. However, this notion has its critics. Paula Begoun points out that there isn't any research showing ingredients like vitamin K and caffeine to be effective when applied topically. What's more, user reviews are also often split; some say specialized eye creams work well, while others claim to see no results at all. Ultimately, there is no conclusive evidence that these treatments are effective, but there is no evidence to show the contrary, either. Caffeine, vitamin K and kojic acid aren't harmful in any way, so experts say you can safely use eye creams that contain these ingredients. That said, while many products can diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, they are not a panacea. For complete eradication of these problems, skin-care experts suggest surgical intervention.

The bottom line: Based on the research, a separate eye cream is not necessary for most people. A good-quality facial moisturizer can fit the bill and cost far less per ounce. ConsumerSearch has a companion report on facial moisturizers. However, if your concerns go beyond merely moisturizing (puffy eyes or dark circles), a few good eye creams are recommended in reviews.