Journal/Guides
Which do I need?

Eye cream or eye serum?

They both go around your eyes, and they're not the same. Here's what each one does, which suits your skin and routine, when to use both, and when neither is the answer.

Elurelia EditorialUpdated 25 September 20265 min read4 references
Photo 01 · Hero · An eye cream pump bottle and a small eye serum bottle side by side on a warm neutral surface, soft side light, a few horse chestnuts and a sprig of Bidens Pilosa laid flat in front. No people. · 2400×1030 · 21:9
The short answer
1Most people need one, not both. Pick by what your eye area needs most. 2Choose an eye cream if your eye area feels dry or tight, or you want one simple step morning and evening. 3Choose an eye serum if you want a lighter texture or a targeted active, and you already have a moisturiser you use around the eyes. 4Use both if you want a layered routine: serum first, then cream. 5Neither fixes everything. Puffiness and dark circles often need sleep, SPF and concealer more than any product.

Eye creams and eye serums are often sold as if you need both. You rarely do. They do different jobs, and for most people one of them, used consistently morning and evening, is plenty.

01The difference, simply

An eye cream is an emulsion of water and oils. Its main job is to hydrate and cushion the thin, dry skin around the eyes, and it usually carries a few supporting actives. It's the eye-area equivalent of a moisturiser.

An eye serum is lighter, often water-based, and built around one or two targeted actives. It's the eye-area equivalent of a face serum: it goes on first, and it's usually followed by something that seals in hydration.

Eye cream Eye serum
Texture Silky cream Light, fluid
Main job Hydration and comfort Delivering a targeted active
Order After serum, before moisturiser First, on clean skin
Best for Dry, tight or crêpey-looking eye skin Oily skin, or adding an active to your routine
On its own? Yes, it's a complete step Often followed by a cream

02Our two eye products

Our Smoothing Eye Cream is a light, 100% natural-origin cream with horse chestnut extract, escin, two forms of hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA and plant lipids related to ceramides. It is built around hydration, which has the strongest evidence for the eye area, and horse chestnut, which has a small study around the eyes. It's lightly scented and certified COSMOS Natural.

Our Retinol Alternative Eye Serum carries 2% Bidens Pilosa extract, the plant retinol alternative, with hyaluronic acid, aloe and plant oils. Bidens Pilosa's evidence comes from the lab so far; we explain it in the research behind our serum.

The research behind each ingredient in the eye cream is in our full evidence guide.

03Choose the eye cream if

✓Your eye area feels dry, tight or looks crêpey by the afternoon.
✓You want one product that does the whole eye step, morning and evening.
✓You don't use a face moisturiser around your eyes, or yours feels too heavy there.
✓Retinol eye products have stung you before.

See the Smoothing Eye Cream

04Choose the eye serum if

✓Your skin is oily and creams feel heavy around your eyes.
✓You want a retinol alternative in your eye routine.
✓You already have a moisturiser you're happy to use around the eyes.
✓You like a very light layer under makeup.

See the Retinol Alternative Eye Serum

05Using both

They're designed to layer. Apply the serum first, let it settle for a minute, then tap in the eye cream. You get the serum's retinol alternative and the cream's hydration in one routine.

What we can't tell youWe haven't tested whether using both gives better results than using one, so we won't claim it does. If you use both, introduce them a week apart so you know which suits you.

06Three simple routines

Routine Morning Evening
Eye cream only Cleanse · eye cream · moisturiser · SPF Cleanse · eye cream · moisturiser
Eye serum only Cleanse · eye serum · moisturiser · SPF Cleanse · eye serum · moisturiser
Both Cleanse · eye serum · eye cream · moisturiser · SPF Cleanse · eye serum · eye cream · moisturiser

For the rest of your face, our Retinol Alternative Moisturiser pairs with either.

07What neither can do

No eye cream or eye serum removes puffiness or dark circles. Puffiness usually comes from fluid collecting overnight and eases through the day; sleep, less salt and alcohol, cold compresses and treating allergies help more. Dark circles come from pigment, visible blood vessels or shadows, and respond better to SPF and concealer than to any cream. Sudden swelling, itching or redness is a reason to see a pharmacist or doctor.

08Your questions, answered

Do I really need an eye cream?

Not always. If your face moisturiser is gentle and you're happy using it around your eyes, it may be enough. An eye cream is lighter, designed for thinner skin, and often better tolerated there.

Can I use my face serum around my eyes?

Some are fine, but strong actives such as retinoids or acids often sting the eye area. Eye products are formulated for it.

Which goes first, eye serum or eye cream?

Serum first, then cream: thinnest to thickest.

Does the 60-Day Promise cover eye products?

Yes, on your first order, conditions apply, up to two products.

Choose your eye step A hydrating eye cream, or a retinol-alternative eye serum. 60-Day Promise on your first order, conditions apply.

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Cosmetic product: all claims describe the appearance of skin.

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