• Why is it important to use SPF in eye cream?
• How does SPF in eye cream differ from SPF in regular sunscreen?
• What level of SPF is appropriate for eye cream?
• Can using SPF in eye cream cause any irritation or sensitivity around the eyes?
• Can using eye cream with SPF help prevent wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes?
• Are there any particular ingredients in eye cream with SPF that are particularly effective for anti-aging?

There is growing interest in eye creams in the world of skincare. Men are especially keen on eye creams as they can help prevent fine lines and ageing around the eyes. 

We explore why there are more eye creams today that have SPF in them and why that is important.

Why is it important to use SPF in eye cream?

The importance of applying sunscreen to our face and body to protect our skin from the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays is commonly known.

However, many of us may neglect to apply sunscreen to the delicate skin around our eyes. This is where eye creams with SPF come in.

The skin around our eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of our face, which makes it more susceptible to sun damage. Sun damage can lead to premature ageing, including wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles. In severe cases, it can even lead to skin cancer, so it's important to pay attention to the appearance of new moles and flag them with your GP or dermatologist.

Using an eye cream with SPF can help protect this delicate area from the sun's harmful rays. This is particularly important if you spend a lot of time outdoors, live in a sunny climate, or have fair skin that burns easily. But honestly, if you can see outside without the use of natural light, you're on the receiving end of a heap of UV damage.

But not all eye creams are created equal. It's important to look for an eye cream that specifically contains SPF. Regular facial moisturisers may not provide adequate protection for the sensitive skin around your eyes, and some may even irritate your eyes, congesting the skin and even causing subdermal deposits. (Source: American Academy of Dermatology Association)

How does SPF in eye cream differ from SPF in regular sunscreen?

SPF in eye creams is formulated to be gentle and non-irritating to the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as lightweight and less greasy than regular sunscreen.

The skin around the eyes tends to be thinner, more sensitive, and produce less oil than the rest of the face, which can make it more susceptible to irritation and breakouts from heavy or greasy products.

It's important to note therefore, that the SPF level in eye cream may be lower than the SPF level in regular sunscreen. This is because the skin around the eyes is more sensitive and may not tolerate high levels of SPF.

However, it's still important to choose an eye cream with at least SPF 30 to ensure adequate protection from the sun's UV rays.

Overall, SPF in eye cream is specially formulated to provide gentle, lightweight, and effective protection for the delicate skin around the eyes.

What level of SPF is appropriate for eye cream?

Choosing an eye cream with SPF is important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays.

But what level of SPF is appropriate for eye cream?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, an eye cream with SPF 30 is sufficient for protecting the skin around the eyes.

This level of SPF blocks 97% of UVB rays, which are responsible for causing sunburn and skin cancer. (Source - American Academy of Dermatology Association)

It's also important to reapply eye cream with SPF throughout the day, every 3 hours ideally, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or in direct sunlight. Sweat, water, and rubbing can cause the eye cream to wear off, reducing its effectiveness in protecting your skin.

Can using SPF in eye cream cause any irritation or sensitivity around the eyes?

While using an eye cream with SPF is important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, it's possible for it to cause irritation or sensitivity for some people.

This area of the skin is very prone to irritation and sensitivity, which is why many moisturisers used for the rest of the face are just too active for your eyes.

Certain chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, can cause stinging or burning around the eyes, particularly for those with sensitive skin.

All products on Humanery.com are listed with their full ingredients so check against them if you’re concerned.

In these cases, it's best to avoid eye creams with these ingredients and look for mineral-based sunscreens, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are less likely to cause irritation. (Source: AAD, BAoD)

It's also important to note that some people may be sensitive to the other ingredients in the eye cream, such as fragrances or preservatives. If you experience redness, itching, or swelling after using an eye cream with SPF, it's best to stop using it and consult with a dermatologist.

Overall, using an eye cream with SPF should not cause irritation or sensitivity if the product is formulated with gentle, non-irritating ingredients. It's important to choose a product that is specifically formulated for use around the eyes and is labeled as "ophthalmologist-tested" or "safe for use around the eyes".

If you do feel a reaction to an eye cream, stop using it immediately. If you bought it from Humanery.com, get in touch with us.

Can using eye cream with SPF help prevent wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes?

As the skin around the eyes is far finer and more delicate and prone to damage than the rest of the face. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging around the eyes.

Wrinkles around the eyes are some of the first to show as we age.

So using an eye cream with SPF can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes by protecting the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. UV rays can cause damage to the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, leading to sagging and wrinkles.

It's important to note that while using an eye cream with SPF can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines, it's not a substitute for other anti-aging measures, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Also if you have wrinkles, using an eye cream without an SPF can soften and hydrate them, reducing their appearance, but skincare is unlikely to significantly reverse this.

Are there any particular ingredients in eye cream with SPF that are particularly effective for anti-ageing?

In addition to providing protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, some eye creams with SPF also contain ingredients that can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes.

Retinoids, such as retinol and retinyl palmitate, are commonly used in anti-aging skincare products, including eye creams. Retinoids can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production and increasing cell turnover.

However, it's important to note that retinoids can be irritating to the skin, particularly around the eyes, and may cause dryness or peeling so do your research and consider with caution.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, are also commonly found in anti-aging eye creams with SPF. Antioxidants can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can accelerate aging.

Vitamin C, in particular, has been shown to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. (Source: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology) 

Peptides, such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, are another ingredient commonly found in anti-aging eye creams with SPF. Peptides can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammation.

Finally, using your eye cream regularly as part of a well-considered skincare routine and listening to your skin is incredibly important.