At the beginning of January I posted the questions below and said when I had given people a chance to respond I would update the post with people's comments. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. It was interesting to see the range of opinions but have I now come up with a decision about what I plan to do?

The original blog post

Do you use an eye cream as part of your daily skincare regime? I've read some articles when people suggest that if you're not too sensitive you can use your normal moisturiser and don't actually need a separate eye cream. Is it a must-have or is it something that beauty companies just want you to spend your hard-earned cash on.

Before or after moisturiser?

If you do use a separate  face moisturiser and product specifically for the eye area, do you apply it before or after your moisturiser? I've always applied mine after my moisturiser but then it occurred to me that maybe my face cream was acting as a barrier preventing the eye cream ingredients from getting to my skin.

What do you think?

I really want to know what other people think so please post your comments below and don't forget any green, natural and organic eye product recommendations too. Thanks a lot!

The verdict

 

Some girls do

Green People, the award-winning beauty organic beauty brand say:

If you have no skin concerns around the eyes then our moisturisers are gentle & effective enough to be used round the eyes! Though if you're looking to firm/lift or banish fine lines then we would recommend our Eye Gel/Cream! It doesn't matter which way round you use it as you wont need to apply moisturiser round the eye area if using eye cream!

 I asked them where is the line where moisturiser stops and eye cream starts and they said “we would say within the eye socket area!” This surprised me as I had always just gone up to where the eye socket bone is at it's most prominent and never applied eye cream into the area where the bone started sloping into the eye socket.

NYR Organic – Lynn ‏@skinorganics who sells Neal's Yard Remedies skincare: “Eyes need special care as skin much thinner, absorbs more and can become congested. General rec use before moisturiser.

Sarah Brown from Pai Skincare: I'd recommend using a separate product as the skin around the eyes is thinner w/ specific needs, before Moisturiser is best.

Lucy Stevens of OV Naturals

Eye cream is preferable as area under eyes has very thin skin & needs special care. Then facial oil next. Some people like to put this under eyes & enjoy great results but personally I like to use facial oil up to top of cheekbones, from there it can ‘bleed’ upwards without overloading or going into eyes. Then moisturiser. Done! A variety of answers so as usual I’d say stick to what suits your skin x

@LiveNative1 We developed both – our moisturisers are so pure they can be used round eyes, but specific Eye Balm has enhanced formula

Lisa Johnson of LJ Natural said “always before, and aloe gel good round eyes as moisturising but not too heavy.”

The official Spiezia Organics tweeters replied with “We recommend application before sleep as this is when skin replenishes the most and eyecream first is usual method. Hugs x”

White Lilac Bodycare I think it's best to apply before 🙂 I put my Neroli Eye Serum around my eyes then my Rose cream on my face! X

REN Skincare: Our eye products are treatments specifically formulated to provide a benefit to the eye area, e.g anti-aging/firmingwe would also recommend under moisturiser (however don't go right up to eye area with moisturiser).

Roseisle Skincare

If you decide to use a facial moisturiser and separate eye cream, it makes sense to apply the cream before the moisturiser as it is should be lighter and absorbed more quickly. Applying a cream over a moisturiser which hasn’t been completely absorbed will not be effective. You should usually avoid the eye area when applying your moisturiser any way.

You may like to consider the use of a light blend of oil (even if you have oily skin) which is not diluted with water and a list of other ingredients and therefore much more effective than a cream, whilst being absorbed quickly.

If your complexion allows you to use a light moisturiser you can use one which is mildly astringent to help remove the fine lines around your eyes and elsewhere.
Take a look at our moisturiser section for some ideas. http://bit.ly/Koud81

Greenwood Organics in Yorkshire: Eye cream before; moisturiser may prevent absorption.Eye creams generally contain lighter oils and dif active ingredients.But I think its a personal preference whether to use one and depends on your skin type.x

Balance Me Beauty: “We apply after our moisturiser and before any foundation/concealer. Be extra gentle & tap the product on. We recommend you use a separate product – such as our wonder eye cream – as they need to be super gentle for eye area.”

RedHead Beauty Diaries tweeted “I've always used one since teens (39 now) & always after oil/serum but always before moisturiser xxx”

saritacoren

Great question that I’m sure confounds many others! I use this rule of thumb: the thinner the consistency of the product always goes on first, then thicker ones go on top of that. During the day, my last product contains SPF, as that’s the one I use to shield my skin. I use a separate eye serum and/or eye cream before my face creams but after any face serum that can be used all over, if it’s gentle enough. Eye products use more gentle ingredients targeted to nourish the sensitive skin around the eye area. Hope this helps! XO

Bare Faced Chic “before!! Always before.”

Some girls don't

Blue Labelle who creates natural botanical skincare on the Isle of Wight in Hampshire responded with:

Great questions! I would recommend using pure cold-pressed oil blends on the face rather than creams as they are absorbed easier by the skin & should contain a higher proportion of active and natural ingredients. A good facial oil will provide the nutrients you need to reduce eye puffiness or fine lines, or you could use an intensive oil blend for the eyes, and because the skin absorbs more at night- apply it before bed. Ensuring you drink enough water daily will also really help keep the skin around the eyes in good shape.

Opulentia Organics

Ali Mac of Ali Mac Skincare, based in Inverness, Scotland and County Dublin, Ireland, replied:

Before – however, I use AliMacskincare Serum followed by my Organic facial Balm. Chamomile or Rose suit my sensitive skin. I don't have one in my range! I believe good facial massage assists the look of this area keeping a healthy circulation.

 

With some girls it depends

Amanda Barlow, MD of Cornish organic skincare company, Spiezia tweeted “My personal view is you don't always need separate product. Depends on life, weather and how you feel! Xx”

Via Twitter Circaroma wrote “b wary of using eye creams, they can cause build up of milia. We rec eye socket massage https://circaroma.com/product/skin-gentle-under-eye-balm-white-tea-calendula-flower-12g/ …

My thoughts

It was fascinating to hear the differing opinions and it's obvious that there is no definitive answer. Most people do seem to use a special product for their eyes and so do I… at the moment. But after reading some of these comments, and having suffered with milia around the eyes, I'm thinking about just using a facial oil for a while and seeing how that goes. Facial oils are my must-have product so I think if any multi-tasker can do it, it will be an oil. I'll be 41 in a few months and do have laughter lines showing around my eyes so I'll also be looking into massage to see if that can improve things. If anyone has any massage tips, articles or videos to share, please post them below.

I'd love to hear what you think after reading all these views. Has it changed the way you think about products designed specifically for the eye area?

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion. Without you it wouldn't have been half as interesting!