Which is better – under eye creams, eye gels or eye masks? Beauty expert answers

It is said that where words are limited, our eyes speak volumes and it is especially true during these Covid-19 times, when masks cover our faces, allowing our eyes to express themselves more freely but do we really take care of them as we look after our skin? We exfoliate, moisturise and apply sunscreen to keep our skin healthy, we tend to miss the most vital part – the eyes where dryness, wrinkles, fine lines and puffiness under the eyes can cause nightmares to anyone.

Beauty experts assert that the skin around our eyes is very sensitive, requiring extra care and it is also the first part of the body that shows the early signs of ageing, starting with dark circles and puffy under eyes. The reasons are wide and varied and this is mostly brought about by a lack of proper care.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Anjula Masurkar, Clinical Director at ENTOD Pharmaceuticals, shared, “It may come as a surprise but the eyes do a lot of work all along the day from blinking to expressing your emotions which contributes to premature ageing. Also, the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other areas. The other contributing factors include genetics, exposure to ultraviolet rays and most importantly, lifestyle choices.”

Changing lifestyles and resorting to natural cures are the best solutions but it is not always that those can be effective immediately and with the market overflowing with eye creams, gels, serums and masks it is pretty difficult to choose what best suits your needs. Helping to sort our beauty woes, Anjula Masurkar elaborated:

1. Under-eye creams – From reducing dark circles to keeping the skin hydrated and supple, under-eye creams are gaining prominence for a reason. They help reduce dark circles and keep the skin hydrated and graceful. In this day and age of stress and inconsistent lifestyle, under-eye creams are a must for anybody’s skincare regime.

2. Eye gels – Another widely used eye-care product is gel. The main difference between an under-eye cream and a gel is the texture. While under-eye creams are thicker and richer, gels are light, refreshing and silky. Both contain nearly the same anti-ageing elements such as anti-oxidants, skin-restoring and skin-replenishing ingredients.

So, how to choose between the two? Eye gels work wonders in the morning refreshing the skin around the eyes and helping reduce morning puffiness. It also works well under makeup. On the other hand, eye creams should be used if you prefer a creamy texture and the skin near the eyes is drier than the rest.

3. Eye masks – Yet another solution for puffy eyes is a mask. Not to be confused with the piece of cloth that we wear to ward off Covid. This mask helps reduce tiredness in the eyes and dark circles. This again has to be chosen depending on the skin type. If a dark circle is what bothering you then your eye mask must have a host of ingredients such as niacinamide, idebenone, glycolic, vitamin C, and black pearl extract. For tired-looking eyes, the mask must have hydrating agents such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, green tea and collagen.

Anjula Masurkar highlighted, “There is a misconception that using a good eye mask for a week or two can work wonders on eye bags and dark circles. However, that is not the case. Eye masks are a good homecare option but that is not an alternative to in-clinic treatment. So, If you want a dramatic difference, then you have to visit a skin doctor and find out which treatment suits best for you such as laser lightening and mesotherapy, etc for dark circles and ultrasound or plasma for skin tightening and reduction of eye bags. This, however, must be complemented with homecare products and a set skincare routine that has been working well for you.”