Some of the first things most people notice with age are fine lines around the eyes, along with dark circles and bags. The fragile skin around the eye is the thinnest on the body and does not renew as quickly as we age, which causes a variety of visible symptoms.
Can you do anything about it? Yes—and here’s what, according to experts.
Eye swear by
Violaine Bargues, product development manager at Good Ventures, an ethical product development company with a focus on organic personal care, says, “The skin around the eyes requires the use of lighter products with less butter and oils than on the rest of the face.”
You also need to think about how you’re applying the product itself, she continues. “It’s important not to add too much pressure on the area; we normally recommend applying products with the ring finger.”
The key to combatting aging, Bargues suggests, is to increase the density and firmness of the skin by using active ingredients to increase cell regeneration. “Skin around theeyes becomes even thinner with age, so it’s important that cells get renewed to replace dead ones and improve skin resistance.”
Ingredients with a naturally high eye-q
Hyaluronic acid
“Hyaluronic acid acts as a ‘water reservoir’ for the skin,” says Bargues. “It has the ability to retain 1,000 times its weight in water.” According to Bargues, this mega-hydration factor means hyaluronic acid has a plumping quality, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Tuberose
“Tuberose extract has had some amazing results,” says Bargues, “including on all the different concerns surrounding the eye area: eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles.”
Cucumber extract
Cucumber extract, often used in eye serums, helps to hydrate the skin, combat inflammation, and reduce dark circles thanks to its high levels of vitamin K. (No wonder we all love to slap a couple of cucumber slices over our eyes on spa day!)
At-home techniques to def-eye aging
Dry brushing
You’ve probably dabbled in dry brushing your body, but how about your face? Benefits include increased blood flow, lymphatic system drainage, and gentle exfoliation. All of these can brighten the complexion and relieve puffy under-eye skin.
Starting with freshly cleansed skin, very lightly and gently brush from the chin up to your hairline until you have covered the whole face, then do the same from your chest to your neck.
Facial massage
A gorgeous ritual to build into your skincare regimen, facial massage is a great way to combat aging. According to A-list facialist Abigail James, it stimulates circulation, encourages detoxification by getting your lymphatic system moving, and firms and lifts your facial muscles. All of this potentially helps to fight against aging’s gravitational pull!
You can turn your daily eye product application into a self-care ritual with this facial massage technique from Bargues.
- Using a rollerball or your ring finger, lightly trace around your eyes 6 times in a figure eight pattern.
- Circle each eye 3 times.
- Apply eye serum in 3 pulses under each eye, starting at the center and following the lash line.
- Starting near the inner corner of each eye, apply 3 pulses of serum down either side of your nose.
- Apply 3 pulses of serum just underneath the brow line, above each eye, working outward.
- Use a light figure eight movement to help skin absorb the serum.
- Apply pressure at the temples with your fingertips, and then slowly release.
The teabag trick
Not just an old wives’ tale, the “cold tea bags on the eyes” thing has some merit. Why? It may be a combo of caffeine and the cold compress effect, which have both been shown to reduce puffiness by having a shrinking effect on blood vessels.
Simply steep two teabags (black, green, or white will all work) in hot water for 10 minutes, squeeze out excess water, and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Place one tea bag on each eye and relax for 20 to 30 minutes.
