The
eye area differs significantly from facial skin. It is much thinner, more delicate,
and easily penetrated with fewer hair follicles, oil glands, and sweat glands.
It is therefore much more prone to puffiness and irritation when products are
over applied.
The dermis and underlying tissue lacks the natural shock absorber cutaneous
fat. The collagen, elastin, and blood vessel networks are finer and fewer. The
thinness of the eyelid and eye area results in a membrane that is susceptible
to stretching and wrinkling.
What
causes fines lines, wrinkles and sagging skin?
The eye area, especially the eyelids, has the greatest excess of skin per
unit area in the body. It is known that eye area skin responds to every movement
of the facial muscles, resulting in the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Physical or chemical injury, excessive rubbing of the thin skin of the eye area,
depletion of orbital fat and loss of elasticity due to chronic sun exposure
can accentuate the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Wrinkled
skin areas show a reduction in collagen and glycosaminoglycans, particularly
hyaluronic acid. Elastic tissue is often sparse, fragmented and disorganized
which leads to a "crepe-like" appearance. There is also a decrease in sebaceous
gland secretions contributing to skin surface dryness. Decrease in muscle tone,
genetic factors, aging and smoking can also contribute to the formation of wrinkles.
What can help minimize fine lines, wrinkles and sagging
skin?
Ingredients that stimulate collagen production, moisturize and fight free
radicals are needed to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Accelerated repair and
reduction of fine lines can also be achieved more readily using a mild strength
of alpha hydroxy acids. Collagen-stimulating ingredients include Vitamin C,
Vitamin A (Retinol) and Beta Glucan. Moisturizing ingredients of Hyaluronic
Acid, Collagen and Sodium PCA combined with barrier protectors of Evening Primrose
Oil, Hybrid Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin E will provide vital moisture. Antioxidants
include Grape Seed, Pine Bark, Passionflower, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Licorice
and Green Tea.
What causes puffy eyes?
Puffy eyes are usually caused by edema, which is the presence of excess fluid
in the subcutaneous spaces around the eye. It accumulates usually when one is
lying down during sleep and slowly disappears upon waking when the head is higher
than the rest of the body. The rate and ease of reducing puffiness depends on
how quickly the accumulated fluid is removed. The problem of eye area puffiness
is often associated with a mild irritation. Irritation of the eye area can lead
to the release of inflammatory mediators. These mediators contribute to the
formation of edema. Puffiness of the eye area is also caused by allergies (chemical
or environmental) or poor blood circulation, which may involve increased capillary
pressure and permeability.
What can help puffy eyes?
Ingredients with anti-inflammatory, decongesting and micro-stimulating properties
should be used to treat puffiness. Chamomile, Panthenol, Eyebright Extract,
Willowherb and Bisabolol are some of the botanical extracts with anti-inflammatory
properties. Decongesting and micro-stimulating ingredients include Ivy, Arnica,
Cucumber and Kola Nut.
What causes dark under-eye circles?
There are several factors that contribute to dark circles. Skin color is
due to melanin, blood and other plasma constituents. Temperature influences
skin color. When it's hot the skin appears red, when it's cold, blood flow is
sluggish causing the skin to have a bluish color. These color differences are
exaggerated in the eye area because of the thinness of the skin. Allergy resulting
in edema (excess fluid with swelling) contributes to darkening of the eye area.
Recurrent swelling around the eyes causes the tissue to become even darker in
appearance. Regular exposure to sunlight produces melanin pigmentation or a
darkening of skin in the eye area. All of these factors contribute to weakening
of the blood vessel network causing leakage of blood and darkening the eye area.
What can help dark under-eye circles?
Ingredients that help strengthen capillaries, lighten pigmentation, decongest
and stimulate micro-circulation should be used to treat dark circles. Vitamin
K, Vitamin C, Rose Hips, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Green Tea, Pine Bark and Grape
Seed help strengthen capillaries. Pigment lightening ingredients include Vitamin
C, Licorice, Mulberry, Burnet and Scutellaria. Chamomile, Panthenol, Eyebright
Extract, Willowherb and Bisabolol are anti-inflammatory ingredients. Decongesting
and micro-stimulating ingredients include Ivy, Arnica, Cucumber and Kola Nut.
Tips for Eye Care
• It is very important to use products specifically designed for the
eye area.
• Always apply with a light touch from the temple downward under the eye
toward the nose.
• Always use light patting movements, never rubbing.
• Remove eye makeup with an oil-free eye makeup remover to prevent puffy
eyes.
• Eye products should be applied regularly and consistently, never in large
or heavy quantities.
• Wear sunglasses with UVR protection whenever outside.
