GUIDE TO EYE CREAMS

Woman gently patting eye creams around her delicate eye area

Publish Date: January 20, 2026

Delicate, thin, and prone to dryness - the skin around our eyes has unique needs. While crow’s feet and eye bags are commonly associated with ageing and fatigue, they can also be exacerbated by dry, sensitive skin.

Choosing the right skincare, especially a dedicated eye cream, can make a visible difference to how this area looks and feels.

If you’ve ever wondered whether eye cream is really necessary - or if your usual moisturiser is enough - we’ve demystified the role of eye creams and how to use them effectively, especially if you're managing dryness or sensitive skin.

What causes dry skin around the eyes?

The skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to show signs of dryness. Unlike other areas of the face, this delicate region has fewer oil glands, which makes it less able to retain moisture.

As a result, it's more prone to dehydration, tightness and fine lines.

What does dry skin around the eyes look like?

Dryness around the eyes can appear subtly at first - a feeling of tightness after cleansing, or a slightly rough texture when applying makeup. Visibly, it may show up as flakiness, dullness, or fine lines that weren’t there before.

Because this area is so thin and delicate, even mild dehydration can accentuate crow’s feet and wrinkles, make eye bags more noticeable, or cause concealer to sit unevenly on the skin.

In some cases, dry skin may also feel itchy or appear red and irritated, particularly if the skin barrier is compromised.

Mature woman with radiant skin patting eye cream around her outer eye area

Common causes of dry skin around the eyes

  • Harsh cleansing or rubbing, especially during makeup removal
  • Environmental aggressors, such as wind, sun exposure, and central heating
  • Overuse of harsh active skincare products, like retinol or exfoliants
  • Natural ageing, which reduces the skin's ceramide levels and ability to retain moisture

Dry skin under the eyes can also make eye bags or crow’s feet look more pronounced, even if you're well-rested.

Why is the skin around the eyes unique?

The skin around the eyes is up to 10 times thinner than the rest of the face, making it more delicate and vulnerable to irritation. With reduced collagen and fewer sebaceous glands, this area is:

  • More prone to moisture loss
  • Less able to tolerate strong or abrasive ingredients in skincare
  • More likely to show signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles

This is why a dedicated, gentle, hydrating eye cream is often recommended – especially if your skin is dry, sensitive, or maturing.

How can eye cream help dry skin around the eyes?

A well-formulated eye cream can deeply hydrate and lock in moisture, soothe and calm dry, tight skin, and soften the appearance of fine lines caused by dryness for a firmer-looking eye area.

Hydrated skin around your eyes can also create a smoother surface for under-eye makeup such as concealers.

Curél Moisture Repair Eye Cream is specifically designed for dry, sensitive skin. Formulated with Biomimetic Ceramide Technology, its concentrated ceramide-rich formula strengthens and repairs the skin barrier while delivering long-lasting hydration.

This fast-absorbing cream also contains Ginger Root Extract, making it ideal for mature skin with visible signs of ageing.

Pot of Curel eye cream against a teal background

What do eye creams do?

Think of your eye cream as a targeted treatment. The Moisture Repair Eye Cream is designed to provide concentrated hydration to the delicate eye area, strengthen and restore the skin’s moisture barrier, and address common concerns like dryness, sensitivity and visible signs of ageing.

You may find that other eye creams typically contain ingredients such as Vitamin C or Caffeine, which are commonly used to target concerns like dark circles, eye puffiness, or tired-looking eyes. Whereas Curél takes a skin barrier-first approach, with carefully crafted formulas that harness the power of ceramides and are specifically designed to revitalise sensitive skin.

How to use eye creams

When applying your Curél Eye Cream, you should:
 
  • Apply after your essence and before your moisturiser
  • Use a pea-sized amount – a little goes a long way
  • Gently pat (don’t rub), using your ring finger for light pressure
  • Smooth outward from the inner corner of the eye
  • Use morning and night for best results
 
What to avoid:
 
  • Don’t rub or tug at the skin – it can lead to microtears, irritation, and more dryness, as well as accelerate the appearance of fine lines
  • Don’t use too much product, as excess cream can migrate into your eyes, may not fully absorb, and can leave skin feeling greasy or affect your makeup application.

Curel Deep Moisture Spray against a blue background

Do I need to use an eye cream?

If your skin is well-hydrated and you don’t experience dryness or visible signs of ageing, a separate eye cream might not be essential.

However, if you are experiencing dry, sensitive skin, tightness or irritation around your eyes or fine lines caused by dehydration, a targeted eye cream can make a meaningful difference. Not just in comfort, but in how your skin looks and feels, especially when paired with a complete skincare routine.

Can I use my usual moisturiser as an eye cream?

While your daily moisturiser will provide some nourishment, the delicate skin around your eyes has unique needs. Using a dedicated eye cream ensures this area receives targeted hydration and barrier support through a concentrated ceramide formula, while your regular moisturiser cares for the rest of your face and décolletage..

Our Moisture Repair Eye Cream is suitable to use on eczema-prone skin, fragrance-free, and dermatologist-tested for use around the eyes - providing deep hydration and skin barrier support where it’s most needed.

For full-face hydration, we recommend using it in combination with our Hydrating Water Essence – your pre-moisturising step to prep your skin, along with our Intensive Moisture Facial Cream, a rich yet lightweight moisturiser to lock in intense hydration and leave skin with a healthy glow.

Together, they create a gentle and effective double moisturising ritual, inspired by Japanese skincare tradition, to fully care for dry, sensitive skin.

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