How come my eye cream is only for night use?

Recently, I started using a new eye product that was sent to me for review and only upon using did I realize that this product is only for night use, which means I need to use a different eye gel for the day. Why is it we can’t use the same product day and night on our eye area? The answer is actually the same as why you have day care and night care products. While most eye creams are formulated to reduce eye bags, dark eye circles, lines and wrinkles, some formulations may contain more potent ingredients to perform better on the delicate eye area during specific time.

Day time eye care products
During the day, it’s better to use eye care products that give your skin more moisture and protection from the external pollutants. This is why some eye products used in the day contain SPF or antioxidants to counter free radicals. Additionally, day time eye products tend to contain ingredients that reduce puffiness of the eyes that we are more prone to in the mornings. So such eye gels may include ingredients like caffeine, arnica, chamomile or cucumber that can help with reducing puffiness. From what I’ve read, some of these depuffing agents may cause some amount of dehydration and hence, are not suitable for night time usage due to the higher trans-epidermal water loss (or TEWL) that our skin experience at night.

Night time eye care products
Some eye creams contain concentrated ingredients that specifically help skin repair and rejuvenate itself during the night. Such products used in the night are formulated to help revitalize the skin around the eye area while we sleep. These are typically eye serums or eye creams and may contain ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acid, retinol, tripeptides or even vitamin C. These products are better used in the night for the reason that your skin is able to absorb the active ingredients at that time since such active ingredients are less effective when exposed to sunlight. In addition, your skin would not have to compete with the other products you apply like makeup to fight the UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements in the day.

Eye products that work day and night
Okay, of course there are eye gels, serums or creams that are designed for both day and night usage but these may only contain ingredients that provide extra moisture or to help reduce puffiness. Based on my experience, those eye products that have yielded some results for me tend to be those that are specified for night use as they contain more intense skin repair benefits. So while I do prefer to use just one eye gel or cream for both day and night for reasons of convenience and cost savings, I’ve come to accept that the skin around my eye area are better off with two different eye care products.

Comments

  1. Carrie says:

    Great post! You’ve really broadened my knowledge about eye creams/gels as I did not realize some were specifically formulated for night use only!! LOL At the moment I am using eye gels given from my aunt day and night as a precaution for premature lines and wrinkles, but I haven’t really seen any improvements (have been using them for like a year or two now, she sent at least 5 bottles of them OMG!! And it’s a brand I’ve never heard of…). Not the mention my dark circles (had them since 10 or 11 TT#k8SjZc9DxkTT), I think they are hopeless as it may be due to genetic or allergies… Even going to bed early and having a regulated routine in the long run did not help. All that I could do now is to use congealers to prevent my ghostly panda look @0@”

  2. sesame says:

    Hahaha…you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with panda eyes! I have eye bags and they don’t go away. My panda eyes are not too bad and I found that eating stuff that improve blood circulation has helped. Of course, quality sleep too. ?

  3. Soos says:

    Some eye creams are too heavy and emollient to wear during the day under makeup.
    Soos last post is: Best Doughnuts in Honolulu and why I don’t eat them

  4. EcoBeauty says:

    Yeah, noticed that some eye creams/serums do give specific instructions on whether it’s meant for day or night time application. I used to not follow them AT ALL although ever since I noticed my skin’s needs and condition usually change throughout the day, I sometimes make the effort to apply different products during my night and day time skincare routine. But that only happens when I’m not too lazy and I have a spare eye cream. #k8SjZc9Dxk#k8SjZc9Dxk
    EcoBeauty last post is: Aging and Hormones: How Far Are You Willing to Go?

  5. sesame says:

    Yup…prefer eye gels in the day. Eye creams can make the eyelids oiler and make the makeup fade a lot quicker.

  6. sesame says:

    Same here…in the past, I didn’t read very carefully and then excitedly use the product both day and night until I read the instructions more carefully. ?

  7. Lydia says:

    I cannot stress enough how helpful I find your articles! #k8SjZc9Dxk#k8SjZc9Dxk

    My Dr. Hauschka eye cream came with the instruction to be used in the morning only and I was a bit confused back then because I had no eye cream for the night. Now I’m back to using a cream that’s suitable for day and night since I don’t want to spend too much on something with minimal effect.

    To tell the truth I don’t always believe what is listed on the package leaflet. They always claim that the cream does this and that, however, it sounds just too good to be true. I’ve yet to find out eye care products that really can reduce my dark circles.

  8. sesame says:

    I know what you mean…the claims are very subjective and the results will vary with individuals. In most instances, the claims are also exaggerated. So it’s good to read reviews and understand a little bit about the ingredients to find out if they might work for you.

    I have limited success with eye products – haven’t found one that really takes away the bags.

  9. Reena says:

    Quite an interesting blog post. Our bodies do tend to change during the day, so at night, it is best to use those that offer nutrients because we absorb them faster at night. As for day time, sun protection is always a priority. Thanks for the post. I really learned a lot.

  10. Amanda says:

    Well said. But there are also eye creams that don’t indicate whether they are for day or night. And upon application, I find some of them too oily to be used in the morning. However, when my eye area calls for more moisture, I would simply ignore what’s supposed to be right (or wrong) and use whatever that gives my eyes the most moisture. Though that means I will regret it afterward, because an oily surface certainly isn’t the best for lasting makeup.
    Amanda last post is: Can Healthy Diet Stops Aging?

  11. sesame says:

    Yeah, probably there are those that do not specify…I always prefer eye gels during the day. Can’t use eye creams in the day because my eyelids are a little oily and I’m concerned about milia seeds too – although some will say it is not contributed by what we apply.

  12. sesame says:

    Glad you found some of the info useful. ?

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