Under eye circles, wrinkles and puffiness…VERY common concerns! The area around the eye is much thinner than anywhere else on the body, and therefore one of the first places we show aging. Let’s look at each concern, and how to treat it.
Dark circles can often be hereditary. The sun is often to blame since it can cause veins/capillaries around the eye to “leak”. Since skin here is thin, this “leaking” becomes very visible. Lack of sleep is sometimes to blame (but if you alwys have dark circles, the problem is probably not related to sleepiness). Dry, dull skin can make dark circles look worse.
Hide dark circles with a good eye cream. Find one with an SPF to help prevent future damage. Some have “light diffusers”, which bounce light off the eye (making circles much less apparent). Anything with a light red/pink tint can help cancel out darkness.
Puffiness can be caused by things light water retention, heredity, allergies, leaving make-up on overnight, smoke, etc. Severe pads under the eyes are usally hereditary (and best treated by blepharoplasty).
Treating puffiness requires calming ingredients. Hydrocotyl Extract is an anti-inflammatory that calms skin. Vitamin E, Spiraea, Bisabolol and Allantoin are also smoothing and calming.
Fine lines are very common around the eye, and are bound to happen at some point. The sun, however, makes wrinkles SO much worse!
Treat fine lines with Lactic Acid, which smoothes tissue and retexturizes the area. Hyaluronic Acid helps “plump” skin and is super-moisturizing. Sodium PCA is a “humectant” (which just means it drawsmoisture to the skin), which helps fill in lines. Also be sure to wear SPF every day around the eyes…it helps prevent problems from getting worse!
More tips:
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No smoking!
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Get a good night’s sleep
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Take an antihistamine if you are prone to allergies (helps decrease puffiness)
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Use a cold mask or cucumbers before applying make-up
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Wear sunglasses! (They can help block some of the sun’s rays)
I love, love, love this product to treat the eye area:
Dermalogica’s Total Eye Care SPF 15 My life saver! 
