Eye care: when does it make sense?

What is different about the eye area

The skin on your eyelids is especially thin. According to Altmeyers Enzyklopädie, the thickness of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, ranges from 0.04 mm on the eyelids to 1.5 mm on the palms and soles. The Apotheken Umschau, a German health information service, puts it this way: nowhere else on the body is skin thinner than at the eye.

That is why the eye area is often treated as a case of its own. It does not follow that you need a separate product. What matters most is to be gentle, rub as little as possible and watch how your skin reacts.

What an eye cream can and cannot do

On dry skin, a cream can feel pleasant; the Apotheken Umschau names moisturising care for the eye area.

The German consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) states that no cosmetic product makes visible wrinkles disappear for good, and that advertising often promises more than the product delivers. An older test by Stiftung Warentest from 2007 with twelve eye creams concluded that an effect against wrinkles was measurable but only rarely visible. The test is old and serves here only for context. Claims such as "firms" or "makes you look younger" therefore do not belong to serious eye care.

How to choose a product

Whether a jar says "eye cream" tells you little. These points help more:

• Fragrance, colourants, preservatives: According to the Apotheken Umschau, these can trigger a contact allergy on the eyelids. For eyelids that are already irritated, it suggests a moisturiser with little or no fragrance and preservative. It names hyaluronic acid as an example.
• The ingredient list: On the pack, ingredients appear under the heading "Ingredients", in descending order by weight. The Verbraucherzentrale points out that most fragrances may be grouped under terms such as "Parfum".
• Packaging claims: If you go by what the label promises, you often get more promise than product, as the Verbraucherzentrale puts it.
• Face cream or separate product: A face cream may suit your eyelids or irritate them; you cannot tell in advance.

Try new products one at a time rather than several together, so you can tell which one does not suit you. Gesundheitsinformation.de, the patient information site of the German institute IQWiG, explains that a contact allergy usually shows up only one to three days after contact, and that it develops over time with repeated contact. If you suspect a reaction, stop using the product and have the cause checked by a doctor.

Sun protection belongs here too

The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz) recommends protecting uncovered skin outdoors with sunscreen, and protecting your eyes effectively from UV radiation. The details are on its website.

When to see a doctor

Eye care is cosmetics, not treatment. Have your eyelids examined by a doctor if:

• they stay red or swollen for more than a day (a dermatologist's practice, according to the Apotheken Umschau),
• you have pain: then the Apotheken Umschau advises seeing a doctor the same day.

Swollen eyelids can also have causes other than cosmetics, such as infections or illnesses of other organs, according to the Apotheken Umschau. Only a doctor can tell. The German Dermatological Society offers a dermatologist search on its patient page.

Questions and answers

At what age do I need an eye cream? There is no set age. What counts is the condition of your skin and how it tolerates the care.

Is my face cream enough for the eye area? Often yes. If it irritates the eyelids, a product with little or no fragrance and preservative helps. If the irritation lasts, it belongs in a doctor's hands.

Can an eye cream remove wrinkles? No. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, no cosmetic product makes visible wrinkles disappear for good.

May I wear make-up on irritated eyelids? According to the Apotheken Umschau, better not. If you do, choose light, moisturising products rather than greasy or powdery ones.

What should I do if my eyes burn after using a product? Stop using it and do not rub the area. If the irritation lasts, see a doctor. The Verbraucherzentrale advises keeping the product and taking it to the appointment.

Keep reading

More on facial care is in the section Skincare and cosmetics. A German version of this article is available under Augenpflege: Ab wann ist sie sinnvoll?.