Switching Out Your Eye Cream Could Make Your Lash Lift Last Longer (And Prevent Eyelash Loss)

For many, lash lifts are the low maintenance lifesavers to an everyday makeup routine. Unlike lash extensions that stick to your lashes, these treatments leave your eyelashes looking longer and darker without making a huge dent in your bank account. Eyelash extensions can cost up to $350, and that's without adding in the financial burden of fill-in lash appointments. Lash lifts still come with a cost, but depending on the salon, they can end up being much more affordable than extensions, typically costing around $100 for each session.

A lash lift involves a chemical solution that allows for your lashes to curl upward without using an eyelash curler everyday. But this solution only lasts for so long. For sure, there are certain things you should and shouldn't do after getting a lash lift. Skincare practices around your eyes – like using just this finger to apply eye cream and being super gentle with your under-eye area – play a big role in keeping your lash lift as popping as possible. One secret culprit that could be shortening the lift of your lash lift and even causing your eyelashes from falling out could be your eye cream.

Here are some tips for keeping your eyelashes looking as long as possible for, well, as long as possible. 

Eye creams are moisturizing formulas that "nourish, hydrate and improve the overall appearance of the skin around the eyes," said New York dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshik, per Skincare. While eye creams can definitely have noticeable benefits for some, their cons – especially when it comes to those who have lash lifts – may outweigh the pros. For those looking to extend the life of the lash lifts or extensions, switching your eye cream for an eye serum could be a strategy. Eye creams are thicker than light-weight serums, making your lashes more vulnerable to being weighed down.

In addition to being more lightweight, eye serums could even be more effective that eye creams. "Because eye serums are lighter in consistency, they are often able to absorb quickly and penetrate deeper and may be more potent than eye creams, depending on the specific ingredients incorporated, such as antioxidants, retinol, humectants, peptides and growth factors," said Garshik.

You can apply eye or lash serums to lash-lifted eyes, but you should wait at least 24 hours after applying any eye or lash serum after getting a lash lift.

While eye serums definitely have their benefits, some dermatologists recommend using both an eye cream and an eye serum since they could target specific skin issues. "Individuals should be using both an eye serum and an eye cream since they each address different eye area skin concerns," said Dr. Harold Lancer, a celebrity dermatologist according to The Zoe Report.

However, Dr. Marisa Garshik characterized eye creams and eye serums as both generally used to "help prevent signs of aging around the eyes and reduce puffiness and dark circles," she told Skincare.com. Depending on how many active ingredients you prefer, the texture you like best, and how much you prioritize the longevity of your lash lift, you may end up preferring one over the other.

"Eye cream is mainly for moisture, so it may help with crepiness and texture," said dermatologist Dr. Tess Maurico, according to The Zoe Report. "However, it may not be as effective for dark circles and anti-aging, although more advanced eye creams now incorporate ingredients to help with crow's feet and dark circles." With more active ingredients focused on anti-aging and lighter consistencies that are easier on your lashes, eye serums may be the way to go if moisture isn't an issue for you.

If you do use an eye cream but want to preserve your lash lift, remember that less is more. When applying creams, moisturizers, or makeup removers, always be careful around your eyes. Harsh rubbing of the eye area is a typical culprit for those suffering from eyelashes frequently falling out. "Over rubbing can lead to inflammation, which may interfere with optimal functioning of follicles ... It can even sometimes pull eyelashes right out," said New York dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, according to Skincare.

Be gentle when applying eye creams or eye serums. The perming effect of a lash lift or the extra lashes of an eyelash extension cannot make your lash follicles immune from rough treatment. While we want lashes to look as long and as curled as possible, we also want them to be as healthy as they can be. And if you want to make your lash lift or extension last longer, be sure to use gentle techniques and consider opting for an eye serum instead of an eye cream.