Dear Paula,

I have been trying to find the answer to this question for a couple years; however, the high-end stores and drugstores do not seem to know how to respond. All of the eye creams I come across always claim to address puffiness under the eyes, dark circles and crow's feet (wrinkles). However, I have yet to see a product that addresses the eyelids. Would you kindly advise of the most effective product in your line, or any other company's eye cream that is proven effective for addressing lifting or rejuvenating a women's eyelid? Help me end my search!

Kelly, via email

Dear Kelly,

The main reason you don't see eye creams for the eyelid is because most cosmetic companies are hesitant to recommend their products be applied to this area. The risk of them getting into the eye is too great, especially for products that contain fragrance, certain preservative blends, or plant extracts that may be problematic.

Second to that, and far more important for you to know, is that there are no products that can lift the eyelid once it has begun to sag or has lost elasticity. I would never make this claim for any Paula’s Choice moisturizer because the research isn’t there to support it. The only way to correct sagging, loose skin on the eyelid is with cosmetic surgery. An eye-lift (blepharoplasty) is a surefire way to correct excess skin on the eyelid, drooping lids, and age-related puffiness under the eyes, not to mention the formation of "hooded" eyelids as the fat pads beneath skin shift.

If excess skin isn't the issue, you can also consult a cosmetic dermatologist who's skilled with Botox. Injected in the right places near the eye, Botox can cause a slight lifting effect (I’ve noticed this after my Botox treatments). It is imperative to find a dermatologist skilled in using Botox near the eyes; done incorrectly, Botox injections near the eye can exaggerate drooping and possibly cause other eye-related issues. This problem is temporary but it pays to find a dermatologist who has a great track record with Botox.

Bottom line: don't waste your time or money looking for eye creams that purport to do any sort of lifting or re-contouring. Whether they're labeled for the eyelids or not, they do not (and in fact cannot) work to fix this problem.