The oh-so-delicate eye area
One of the first places many people notices changes in their appearance is in the skin around the eyes. The skin around the eye area is delicate and thin so it is this area that shows the ravages of time first. As collagen production falls and elastic fibers weaken, the periocular skin no longer retains its form. Environmental pollutants, stress, photo damage, heredity and aging all contribute to this problem. Damage around the eye areas usually manifests itself as wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles or puffiness.
This delicate eye area deserves special attention. Fine lines, dark circles, "crepe" appearance are all problems that find their solution with our targeted selection of eye care products. This area has a few attributes that should be considered prior to deciding what eye cream is best for you.
The first is of course that the skin is thin in this area. Therefore moisturizing is extremely important. Products in this area should be applied gently with a patting technique and not rubbed in.
The second thing to keep in mind is because the skin is so thin, the underlying vascularity readily shows thru. This is one component of the dark rings patients often complain about. Another factor to consider is that this is the area that responds with fluid retention and puffiness depending on what is happening in your daily life. Not enough sleep?? This is where it will show. Too much alcohol? This is where you will be puffy. Therefore a good eye cream should contain something that hydrates, acts as an antioxidant, increases cell turnover, decreases vascularity and decreases puffiness. It should do all of this while at the same time it is non irritating and non inflammatory.
In order for an eye cream to be non irritating and non inflammatory it should NOT contain certain products. Check the label to make sure there is no alcohol or preservatives that may sensitize this delicate eye area. It should not have too strong of an acid to cause inflammation.
What your eye cream should contain:
- Antioxidants (idebenone, green tea, vitamin C, coffeeberry and others). All of these will act prophylactically to protect this delicate area from environmental and UV damage. A moisturizer, such as hyaluronic acid, is an absolute must. We like Hyalogy Eye Treatment pads, Jan Marini Age Intervention Eye Cream and Eye Concentrate Serum, Vivelif High Potency Serum, and La Roche Posay Hydraphase Eyes.
- A growth factor to increase cell turnover (Lumiere, Skinmedica TNS Illuminating Eye Cream).
- An agent that decreases vascularity as well as puffiness such as caffeine which is found in Lumiere buy Neocutis and Skin Medica’s illuminating Eye Cream. It should contain an antioxidant such as Vitamin C with a lighter percentage than what is used on your face (C-Esta Eye Serum by Jan Marini).
My picks are as follows:
For hydration by far the most effective are the Hyalogy Eye pads but these are for once or twice a week or before a big event. While beauty serums can be used in the gentle eye area, the pads are a perfect complement to this. These sheets refresh and rejuvenate while smoothing the fine lines around the eyes.
For everyday use try La Roche Posay Hydraphase Eyes, this product offers just the right amount of moisture to the eye area.
For actual improvement with skin tone and texture as well as all around eye care I love Neocutis Lumiere. This product contains 30% more of the growth factor than is in their face cream. It is also filled with antioxidants and caffeine so it is active, preventative and therapeutic. This product reduces dark circles, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, reduces puffiness and refreshes fragile skin.
I also love Skin Medica illuminating Eye Cream that combines the power of Nouri-cell MD with peptide technology to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness and brighten the skin around the eyes.
Finally Jan Marini has come out with a highly effective C-Esta Eye Repair Serum and Cream and Mesoestetic has Radiance Eyelift. Please check out all of our favorites and see which one bests suits your needs.
