Using skin care products in the eye area

Proper application of eye creams and most other skin care products is important for penetration and effectiveness of active ingredients. See our article on how to maximize the effectiveness of skin care products by proper application.

Eye creams should not be applied to the eyelids or the skin immediately adjacent to the eyeballs. The application shouldn't go further than the edge of the bone - eye movements will create enough skin motion to distribute the cream to the eyelids.

What active ingredients to look for

The majority of the scientifically proven skin care ingredients (see Topical Actives section) have potential to benefit the eye area if used properly. However, there are caveats, mainly due to particular sensitivity and delicateness of the eye area skin. In particular, potentially irritating ingredients, such as retinoids, ascorbic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids and others should be used (if at all) with extra caution.

Here's some things you can do if you wish to try potentially irritating active ingredients on the eye are skin:

• Using lower concentrations, applying smaller amounts, applying less frequently

• Using less irritating analogs (e.g. retinol or retinaldehyde instead of tretinoin; or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate instead of ascorbic acid),

• Using special less irritating formulations (e.g. Retin A Micro instead of regular Retin A).

• Buffering in case of acidic products. For instance, partially buffered alpha hydroxy formulas are less acidic and tend to be easier on the eye area skin.

• Mixing with or co-applying with skin protective substances, such as colloidal oatmeal, zinc oxide, dimethicone, vitamin E and others.

For detail instructions on the proper use of specific active ingredient in the eye area, see Eye Skin Care Infopack