Is it possible to make skin more dry with eye cream?

Can eye cream make skin more dry? This is a great question and an opportunity to discuss important concepts in skincare. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. An eye product can leave your skin feeling dry. Not just eye creams. Moisturizers and serums are also here. It all depends on two factors. It depends on the climate and the ingredients of the product.

Does climate affect moisture levels in your skin?

When it is very dry, humidity is low. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. Humidity is a measure of how quickly water evaporates from skin to the atmosphere. Water moves from an area with a higher concentration (of hydrocarbons) to one that has a lower concentration (of hydrocarbons). The epidermis is literally sucking water out of dry air.

Aren’t water-binding ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid supposed help to keep the skin hydrated longer? Yes. Let’s find out when it doesn’t. A humectant, or another hydrating ingredient, is applied topically on the skin to attract and bind water. Water comes from two sources.

Water is found in the epidermis, which is the lowest layer of your skin. The dermis, the layer below the epidermis, is where this water come from. Your bloodstream is responsible for the water found in your dermis. The water in your bloodstream is derived from your rest of the body. This means that the water you drink is what makes up your bloodstream. This is how your skin gets its water. It’s why it’s important to drink water throughout the day. The Stratum Corneum, the outermost layer of epidermis, is where humectants are applied to skin. They then travel down. These humectants draw up water from the epidermis’ lower layers. This water is kept in the lipid bilayers, which are the “glue” that holds skin cells together.

Water from the atmosphere. The Stratum Corneum attracts water from the atmosphere if it is humid enough. The water is drawn into the Stratum Corneum and trapped in the lipid bilayers. On the other hand, if it is humid outside and it is very dry, the water moves in the opposite direction. Water escapes from the skin and enters the atmosphere. This is why:

• The humectants located in the upper epidermis draw water from the lower epidermis.
• The low humidity air pulls all the water from the upper epidermis. Low humidity can overwhelm the water-binding capabilities of the humectants.
• The epidermis has less water left than it started with, which leaves skin feeling dehydrated and dry.

In dry climates, moisturizers and serums that are humectant rich can make skin more dry. Dry skin can be caused by “hydrating” products. This is why it is important to use occlusive products or lipid-rich products as the last layer of your skincare routine. It is essential to prevent dry weather dehydration by occluding your skin to maintain the barrier function.

Next, consider the ingredients in the product. Gels are lightweight and suitable for those with oilier skin or hot humid conditions. Water-based gels tend to contain the type of alcohol that is drying to skin. This is because it helps reduce excess oil and humidity. This type of alcohol draws moisture out of the skin more quickly. Low molecular weight humectants such as propylene or butylene glycol draw water out of the epidermis.

A reaction to an ingredient in the product can also be a problem. You may be able to see inflammation if any of the ingredients are irritating your skin. Although low levels of inflammation are not easily visible, they can still cause skin damage. Dryness is often associated with inflammation, as it reduces the barrier.

These tips can help prevent dry skin under eyes:

1. Use an occlusive cream if you live in a dry area. Dry climates are those where humidity is low. First of all, an occlusive cream is a cream or balm. Not a gel (specifically, a water-based gel). It is different with silicone-based gels. Cream is a cream that is solid rather than liquid. It shouldn’t move so much. If you apply cream to your finger, and then turn it upside down or hold the cream vertically, it won’t slide down like a serum or lotion. Balms are thick creams, solidified oils that melt into liquid oil when they come in contact with skin or waxy solids. Creams and balms will contain more occlusive components than water-based gels. Occlusive substances seal the skin and slow down water loss. They create a temporary layer on top of the skin. These ingredients are usually rich in lipids but can also include silicone ingredients. Occlusive products contain a lot of silicone ingredients. 

2. Do not use a hydrating serum or toner around your eyes. Apply a cream to it. To slow down water loss, you need to seal the skin with occlusive substances. This applies to all parts of the skin, but it is especially important for the eye area, which has fewer sebaceous glands, and thus less oil production. Water loss is also faster around the eyes because of their thin skin. Eye skin wrinkles and dehydrates quickly due to a lack of oil production as well as the thinness of its skin. Good news is that most eye creams, oils, and moisturizers contain occlusive substances. You don’t have to look for them. You just need to try different creams until you find the one that suits you best.

3. Use sunscreen on the eye area. Skin that is exposed to heat or UV radiation will dry out. Sunscreens reduce heat damage to the skin. It also provides additional moisturization and an occlusive barrier. You should choose a sunscreen that won’t irritate the eyes. Avoid sunscreens containing Avobenzone as it can cause irritation to the eyes. Mineral sunscreen ingredients, such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, are not reactive so they don’t cause irritation or other adverse reactions (unless you have an allergy to one). Some mineral sunscreens can dry the eyes. This problem can be mitigated by applying an eye cream before the sunscreen.

4. Apply another layer of cream if your eyes feel dry after an hour. Your skin may not respond to the eye cream you have applied. Apply more or a different type of eye cream later. This is because most eye creams we use are not emollient or long-lasting enough to be good for skin. At the same time, you should be careful about how much eye cream you apply. Start out with a small amount and increase the amount as you need. Sometimes, white bumps called milia can form around the eyes from too much or too rich products.

5. Apply the cream to your skin by pressing. The cream will penetrate deeper into the skin if you press it. Your finger pressing down on the skin will warm it up, increasing its penetration. By pressing, we mean hold your finger over skin for 2-3 seconds. Next, move to another area and then hold the finger there for 2-3 seconds. Continue working your way around the eye socket.

6. Consider using an eye mask once a week if your budget permits. This does not mean a sheet mask. A cream you apply to the eye, then leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, then wipe off any excess. You can also apply the cream to your skin while you sleep.