# Does Eye Cream Do Anything? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 28, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701 "2023-05-28T16:14:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/1 "2023-05-28T16:14:47Z")
The dermatologists I know all use it and are nevertheless skeptical. The gods of capitalism smile when a small tub of it sells for fifty dollars. I buy mine at the dollar store - same ingredients, which are cheap, and few specify concentrations anyway. Do you think it works? Inspiration: > **[The Real Reason Eye Cream Is So Expensive](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/03/eye-cream-ingredients-benefits-scam/673266/)** > > Does eye cream do anything special, or is it just facial moisturizer in a smaller tub? Ancient thread: > [@OK, chicks, recommend me some eye cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-chicks-recommend-me-some-eye-cream/552405): > > I’m getting old. Either that, or the lights in the bathroom are too bright. Either way, I’m noticing bags under my eyes WAY more than I used to. I’m not much of a girlie girl, I don’t wear makeup, I don’t use cleanser (other than soap), and I’m overall mostly clueless about such things. But I do know there’s this stuff called “eye cream” that supposedly helps with bags under your eyes when your 40 and the lights in the bathroom are too bright. So, given that: 1 - does it work, or is it just a… ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/2 "2023-05-28T18:29:15Z")
“Eye cream” does no more and no less than any other moisturizer, with the caveat that some of them do contain substances that have been found to _slightly_ reduce wrinkles/fine lines. Regular use might slow down some signs of aging but will not reverse anything to any notable degree. So yes, it does do something in that it reduces dry skin problems around the eyes, and in some cases reduce the progress of aging. It’s not magic. If you can find the same active ingredients for less go for it. The issue with using regular facial creams near the eyes is, as the linked _Atlantic_ article notes, quite a few of those “regular” creams and lotions contain stuff that can irritate the delicate skin near the eyes, or the eyes themselves if you get a little sloppy. But a “regular” cream that doesn’t contain things like fragrances, dyes, etc. would probably work. That, and avoid sun exposure to the skin around your eyes. I usually wear sunglasses and hats, but if neither of those work for you maybe you could find an eye cream with some sort of SPF factor that won’t cause eye irritation? I don’t even know if one of those exists. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/3 "2023-05-28T18:56:23Z")
I never used any kind of facial creams. It was funny. The “women’s” mags would tout all these products, but the better ones would also have articles on how none of those creams were really doing much more than softening the top layer of skin, because the molecules of the cream were too big to penetrate any farther. Some later creams were developed that had smaller molecules, and they actually did something. But, not anything seriously dramatic. I’ve used a particular eye cream that made a difference for me. Again, not super dramatic, and my genetics helped, but it’s expensive, so _caveat emptor._ Oh, and products with retinol have had proven results. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/4 "2023-05-28T20:13:27Z")
…although some people find retinol too irritating to use every day, so YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/5 "2023-05-28T20:17:53Z")
Retinol at prescription doses (known concentrations) causes skin to peel and can react with sunlight especially if tanning. Since it is a derivative of vitamin A, it is dirt cheap as a raw ingredient, but most over the counter preparations, even pricier ones, decline to say how much is there and it is usually far down the ingredient list (they possibly think if they included enough to cause the above effects their users would be surprised). The ingredient list looks similar on the dollar store jar (which I buy, as a sort of Pascal’s wager, same texture) as much of the expensive stuff or the more expensive drug store selections. I am pretty sure most of it is hype and hope instead of a high help. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/6 "2023-05-28T20:22:33Z")
No personal experience myself…My SIL tried some stuff I’ve seen advertised on TV that claims to reduce bags under eyes and tighten skin. Apparently it does something, she described it reminding her of rubber cement in consistency and as it dried it was shrinking and physically tightening her skin. I don’t think it has any lasting effect, but perhaps a better deal since it at least did something. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/7 "2023-05-28T22:16:44Z")
May I ask which dollar store or what brand cream are you using? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/8 "2023-05-28T22:16:53Z")
I’ve heard of using hemorroid cream for that. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/9 "2023-05-28T23:31:35Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > No personal experience myself…My SIL tried some stuff I’ve seen advertised on TV that claims to reduce bags under eyes and tighten skin. Apparently it does something, she described it reminding her of rubber cement in consistency and as it dried it was shrinking and physically tightening her skin. I don’t think it has any lasting effect, but perhaps a better deal since it at least did something. I’m guessing that’s Plexaderm? Yes, that does have a visible effect and no, it’s not permanent. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/10 "2023-05-28T23:47:22Z")
The dollar stores in Canada likely differ from where you are. Most of them sell basically the same creams and serums (with vitamins, herbs, niacinamide, retinol or collagen), but at slightly different prices. I figure if it does something great, if not no big deal. The ingredient list and look of the product often seem to be surprisingly similar, but I am not claiming it is as good or does much. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/11 "2023-05-29T13:22:03Z")
TOL there’s something called eye cream. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/12 "2023-06-07T16:27:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m guessing that’s Plexaderm? Yes, that does have a visible effect and no, it’s not permanent. I recently decided that I’m going to look into a fall/winter blepharoplasty for the bags under my eyes, but in the meantime I’ve never tried anything; it all seems so likely to be ineffective. I keep hearing about Plexaderm, though. Do you know if makeup can be applied on top of it when it’s dry/while it’s working? (I don’t see that addressed on their website, but even if they said “yes” I’d want to hear from someone who tried it. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/13 "2023-06-07T16:48:37Z")
I don’t know - I’ve never used plexiderm myself. Also, due to skin issues, I don’t wear make-up. But maybe someone who can answer your questions will be by ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/14 "2023-06-07T19:03:18Z")
Don’t know. My SIL decided not to use the stuff. After @Broomstick provided the name of the stuff I was interested in what it was made of. I noticed mentions that water based and dry makeup works best. I don’t know what other makeup bases are, but I’d expect alcohol or oil to mix with the ingredients and undo whatever it did. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/15 "2023-06-08T11:40:33Z")
As **Broomstick** said in the first post, eye cream does no more and no less than any other moisturizer. Really, I don’t have much to add to **Broomstick’s** thorough initial post. Personally, as a woman with normal skin in her thirties, I have gotten some free samples of eye cream in subscription boxes and such, but never found one impressive enough to buy. I use a moisturizer with SPF all over my face in the morning, and a moisturizer in the evening after I shower. I have found moisturizer to be superior to going bare-faced, but that’s it. No distinction between it and eye cream other than that eye cream is more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/16 "2023-06-08T11:55:46Z")
Well, the eye cream _might_ be manufactured under more controlled conditions since it goes near the eye, but I suspect there’s no guarantee of that. Some brands might be more conscientious about that, some not. Back when I used to work and play outside in winter weather I’d actually use a very thin layer of pure petroleum jelly (unscented, do NOT use something like Vapo-Rub with eucalyptus in it!) around my eyes and on my exposed skin. It worked wonderfully, although when you were done for the day cleaning it off was a good idea (if they wind hadn’t already done that for you). It’s an example where a cheap, simple item worked just find. For use around the eyes cleanliness and lack of potentially irritating substances is probably the most important thing. For reasons of keeping the stuff uncontaminated I’d get travel/sample size vaseline so if something got into it I wasn’t throwing out a big tub of it, and I used that small container ONLY for areas on my face/around my eyes. Could also carry it with me easily in case I needed a touch-up on really bad days. I don’t use it any more because I’m not subjecting myself to those conditions any more. These days I use a less gloopy lotion, I just apply it very carefully so as not to get it in my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eye-cream-do-anything/984701/17 "2023-06-14T05:29:28Z")
The podcast ScienceVS just put out an episode on this called “[Skin Care: Is Anti-Aging a Scam](https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/94hwad35/skin-care-is-antiaging-a-scam)?”. Listen to the podcast yourself, but my memory of its main points were that virtually all creams can’t get through your skin. The best they can do is prevent a little bit of evaporation from your skin. There is a prescription medicine (of a Vitamin A derivative) that showed very minor positive effects, but probably wasn’t worth it. And that the best thing you can do for your face is to wear sunscreen. J.