The eye area is incredibly delicate. It is often the first part of the face to show signs of aging or sun damage, and also one of the first places where ordinary stress and fatigue are visible.
The eyes are the window of the soul, and people want their eyes to be as fresh and bright as possible. So you might be asking yourself can I use face serum under the eyes.
In general, serums should not be used directly under the eyes as the skin is very delicate but you can use a gentle hydrating serum under the eyes.
For a list of the very best hydrating serums to use check out this post.
Read on as we explain which serums are beneficial to use beneath the eyes.
Can I Use Face Serum Under the Eyes?
Generally speaking, no, you should not use face serum under the eyes. The skin beneath the eyes is exceptionally thin and delicate and requires targeted treatments. Serums designed for use on the face are usually too harsh for this delicate area and are not designed to treat the special concerns of the eyes.
You should always avoid using face serums with highly concentrated active ingredients below the eye. Most anti-aging serums, exfoliating serums, and acne-fighting serums have powerful formulations that are designed to deeply penetrate the skin. These types of serums are usually too powerful for the thin, delicate skin beneath the eye.
However, if you use a gentle hydrating face serum, you can use it beneath the eye. Serums with mild ingredients that provide moisture and hydration, without irritating skin, can help improve the appearance of the eye area without damaging the eye skin.
Another exception is a Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is an excellent way to brighten and refresh the eye area, and improve the appearance of skin. If you use a Vitamin C serum on your face, and it doesn’t cause irritation, you can also use it beneath your eyes.
Take a look at this article to learn more about what vitamin C serum can do for you as well as how and when to use it.
No matter the skincare routine you have, an important note when working around the eyes is that you always want to use gentle circular motions when applying any kind of serum.
Common Eye Area Concerns
The most common complaints that people have about the eye area are:
- Crow’s feet and fine lines. Years of smiling, squinting, and sun can cause the muscles around the eye to contract, and the thinness of the skin makes creases and wrinkles, especially visible around the eye. As we age, our skin suffers from a loss of elasticity. Reducing the appearance of wrinkles and reducing the appearance of lines are some of the biggest benefits that people with mature skin look for.
- Dark circles. Dark circles beneath the eye are usually caused by genetics and are a natural result of the aging process. Blood vessels beneath the eye constrict and cause pigmentation, and these blood vessels are more visible due to the thin skin beneath the eye. They can become more visible when we are fatigued or stressed, or have poor nutrition and hydration. The right serum can help to even skin tone and aid in moisture retention.
- Under-eye hollows. Over time, the skin of the face becomes thinner, with less of a cushion of fat providing fullness beneath the eyes. This loss of volume can cause the area beneath the eye to appear hollow and sunken, adding to the appearance of darkness and shadow beneath the eye. These eye circles can often be reduced by using a serum that has moisturizing properties.
- Under-eye bags. On the other hand, the accumulation of fat and fluids can cause bags and puffiness beneath the eye. This puffiness is often genetic but can get worse with age and accumulated skin damage.
- While all these eye conditions are natural, and many are the result of genetics or a normal part of aging, many people want to treat the eye area and make it look more bright, full, or smooth.
Are There Face Serums That Treat Eye Area Problems?
If you use a face serum for simple hydration as part of your skincare regimen, you can use it beneath your eyes. However, if you want to target the eye area and treat specific concerns and problems beneath your eyes, it is best to use a product specifically designed to treat those concerns.
Eye serums, like face serums, have small molecules and targeted formulas that penetrate deeply into the skin, addressing eye problems from the inside out. Some of the most popular ingredients in eye serums include:
- Caffeine. Caffeine is a favorite ingredient in eye serums and should in fact be a part of any good skincare routine. It has two powerful ways of addressing eye problems. Caffeine boosts circulation, reducing the appearance of blood vessels that can darken and discolor the eye area. Caffeine is also an anti-diuretic, reducing fluid retention that leads to puffy eyes.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is famous for boosting collagen production and improving pigmentation. Keep in mind that Vitamin C may also be referred to as l-ascorbic acid. Under the eyes, Vitamin C helps to reduce dark circles and even out skin color, while also boosting collagen and helping to firm sagging skin in that area. Vitamin C is hailed as being one of the better anti-aging ingredients out there, especially due to the fact that it generally has many benefits for all no matter the skin type you have. This vitamin can even help stimulate collagen production and help with collagen synthesis too.
- Peptides. Peptides, like collagen, support the structure of the skin and naturally decrease as we age. These are very important for maintaining good skin elasticity. Peptides in an eye serum can help fight fine lines and sagging skin beneath the eyes. Peptides can also help stimulate collagen production and collagen regeneration. This, therefore, helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness and virtually all visible signs of aging, at least as far as the skin is concerned.
- Green tea. Green tea is high in antioxidants and helps to fight skin damage, therefore making it ideal for people with a variety of skin concerns. It is also anti-inflammatory, so when it is used in an eye serum it can help to reduce redness and puffiness. Green tea is also a natural ingredient, so it tends to be perfectly fine for people with sensitive skin. Of course, this usually comes in the form of a green tea extract. On a side note, you may first want to check to see if you have any allergies, as in some people green tea may cause an allergic reaction. Green tea also contains anti-inflammatory properties.
- Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which attracts and retains moisture. It is therefore fantastic for people who have dry skin. Not only does it help to hydrate the eye area and provide moisture, but it’s one of the most effective ingredients in eye fillers and other medical cosmetic treatments. Even a pea-sized amount of this acid can have great benefits. There are studies that indicate that it can help increase collagen production. It may therefore also be able to help increase skin elasticity. Read this post to see the most effective and most affordable Hyaluronic Acid serum on the market.
- Aloe Butter: Aloe butter is another one of these natural ingredients that come with many benefits. In terms of naturally occurring substances, this is one of the most powerful ingredients to have in a serum. It can help hydrate the skin surface, reduce deep wrinkles, and help with eye puffiness too. It can also help reduce the appearance of tired-looking eyes and generally increase skin firmness. Aloe butter also helps to create a good skin barrier for protection.
- Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is an ingredient generally used to help treat acne. It is generally not used for applications outside of acne control, but when it comes to getting rid of and preventing acne, it is indeed one of the best ingredients out there. It is especially beneficial for those who have oily skin.
Other beneficial ingredients to consider include goji fruit extract, licorice root extract, wild chervil extract, organic harungana extract, oat kernel extract, Persian silk tree extract, yeast extracts, organic shea butter, white nettle, and beta carotene.
Because the skin beneath the eye is so different from the skin on the rest of the face, and because the eye area often has unique problems and concerns from the rest of the face, it is not always a good idea to use a face serum beneath the eye. Face serums contain powerful, concentrated ingredients that may irritate delicate eye skin, and not provide the specific benefits needed in the eye area. However, if your eye serum provides hydration and brightening, and is safe and gentle on the rest of your face, you may use it beneath your eyes.
Conclusion
To treat eye problems and concerns, it is best to choose a serum made specifically for eye problems, and use it as directed. The eye area has unique challenges, and eye serums are formulated to effectively treat those problems without irritating the delicate skin under the eyes.
