Caring for the Skin Around The Eyes

They say that our eyes are the windows to our soul. When we look at someone's face, chances are that we are drawn to their eyes. In the previous months, while we have been focusing on tips for glowing skin, we need to include eye care as well.

The skin around the eyes is thinner and much more delicate in structure, with less support and less sebaceous glands than other parts of the face. Constant eye movements, blinking, computer eye strain and the sun cause the eye area to be susceptible to forming wrinkles. Fluid gathers under our eyes to form dark circles and puffiness. It is important to treat the eye area gently, to stimulate production of collagen and elastin and to keep the eye area hydrated.

• DARK CIRCLES around the eyes may be hereditary, a result of hyperpigmentation (sun damage), vascular issues (thin skin that pools blood/toxins and visible capillaries). lack of sleep, rubbing of the eyes, poor circulation, allergies or sluggish digestion.

solution:

1. massage the area with an eye cream that contains skin lightening (NOT bleaching) ingredients to boost circulation and hyaluronic acid to help plump the eye area.
2. Apply sun protection around the eyes and avoid rubbing the eye area.
3. Eat a diet rich in vitamin K, vitamin C and anti-inflammatory foods.

• PUFFINESS of the eye ares is caused by allergies, lack of sleep, water retention, toxin build-up and a diet rich in sodium.

solution:

1. massage the area with an eye cream that targets puffiness and stimulates circulation for drainage.
2. Keep your eye cream cool (even refrigerated).
3. Maintain a balanced diet, regular bowel movements, exercise and adequate sleep. Ongoing puffiness may possibly be a result of an underlying issue. 

• MILIA are hard little whitehead pimples under the skin, often around the eye area where there are no active oil glands. Sun damage around the eyes changes the skin's texture making it more difficult for dead cells to rise to the skin's surface and shed normally which can contribute to milia. The little yellowish bumps around your eyes and eyelids, may not be milia but may be a result of high cholesterol.

8 BASIC EYE SKIN CARE TIPS:

1. CLEANSE: Don't go to bed without cleansing your skin and removing all of your eye makeup. Cleanse daily am and pm. Avoid using a foaming cleanser that will dry the skin. 

2. MOISTURIZE: Hydrate your eye area with an eye cream, balm or serum (plant-based oil). The ingredients in eye products differ from regular moisturizers as they contain smaller molecules that penetrate deeper into the skin. Eye products that contain peptides protect + stimulate production of collagen and elastin, antioxidants protect against free-radicals and hyaluronic acid plumps the skin. Always apply counterclockwise starting under the eye and onto the lid with your ring or pinkie fingers.

3. EXFOLIATE the eye area weekly but avoid using a harsh exfoliant. A gentle AHA (applied no closer to the eye than the orbital bone) will stimulate circulation and cell turnover. Exfoliate the eye area gently with your pinkie finger using light pressure.

4. SPF: Protect the delicate skin around your eyes with proper sun protection that is reapplied every 2 hours.

5. SLEEP: Ensure that you get enough sleep - 7 to 8 hours/night.

6. MASSAGE around the eye area is extremely beneficial for dark circles, to brighten the eyes to stimulate circulation and drain puffiness around the eyes. 

7. PROFESSIONAL EYE TREATMENTS that include exfoliation, a hydrating and firming eye masque and massage are extremely effective in targeting eye puffiness and dark circles.

8. DIY EYE TREATMENTS can be done at home with ingredients found in your kitchen. Fresh papaya or tomato are natural enzymatic exfoliators while cucumbers prevent puffiness, dark circles and helps to tighten the skin. Green tea bags applied as compresses are beneficial for dark circles around the eyes. A warm compress will tighten and tone while alternating cold and warm compresses will dilate the blood vessels, increase blood flow and oxygenate the skin. Milk, which contains lactic acid, can also be used as a compress to exfoliate, brighten and hydrate the skin around the eyes.

 Let's get our eyes light and bright with a little eye TLC!