As Phoebe Buffay from Friends humorously remarked, “You need to do something about your eyes … there’s too much wisdom in there.” While we might not be aiming to appear decades younger, it’s undeniable that our eyes tend to reveal our age.
Embracing the wisdom, but worrying about the rest
It’s unfortunate, but as we age, the first signs we tend to notice are fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness around the eyes. The skin in this area is incredibly delicate, being the thinnest on our bodies, and it doesn’t regenerate as efficiently over time, leading to various visible effects.
Violaine Bargues, product development manager at Good Ventures—an ethical company dedicated to organic personal care—notes, “The skin around the eyes needs gentler products that have lower concentrations of butter and oils compared to those used for the rest of the face.”
Application techniques also matter, she adds. “Applying with the ring finger is recommended as it exerts the least pressure on this sensitive area.”
Bargues emphasizes that to fight signs of aging, it is crucial to enhance the skin’s density and firmness by using active ingredients that promote cell regeneration. “As the skin surrounding the eyes thins over time, it’s vital to refresh cells to replace the dead ones and bolster skin resilience.”
Powerful ingredients for eye care
Hyaluronic acid
“Hyaluronic acid functions as a ‘water reservoir’ for our skin,” explains Bargues. “It can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water.” This remarkable hydrating ability contributes a plumping effect, minimizing the visibility of fine lines.
Tuberose
Tuberose extract has shown significant effects, according to Bargues, “addressing various concerns such as under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles.”
Cucumber extract
More than just a refreshing eye mask, cucumber extract—frequently featured in eye serums—offers hydration, reduces inflammation, and helps diminish dark circles due to its rich vitamin K content.
Fun fact!
Belonging to the same family as melons like watermelon and cantaloupe, cucumbers are up to 95 percent water and are low in calories, packed with lignans, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and trace minerals.
Home remedies to minimize eye aging
Dry brushing
You might have experimented with dry brushing your body, but have you considered doing it for your face? This practice can enhance blood circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and provide mild exfoliation, all of which can brighten your complexion and decrease under-eye puffiness.
How to do it
After cleansing your skin, lightly brush upwards from your chin to your hairline until your entire face is covered, then repeat the same motion from your chest to your neck.
Facial massage
Integrating a facial massage into your skincare routine is an excellent method to counteract aging. A-list esthetician Abigail James explains that it boosts circulation, activates detoxification by stimulating the lymphatic system, and tightens facial muscles. All these benefits can help resist the effects of aging!
How to perform it
- Begin with a clean face and gently apply 1 tsp (5 mL) of plant-based facial oil across your face and neck.
- Stimulate lymphatic drainage in your neck using firm circular motions, then with your thumbs beneath the chin, move towards the ears with a “pinching” action along the jawline.
- Use large, circular upward motions to work on the cheeks and around the mouth.
- Push the skin towards your cheekbones using your knuckles, hold briefly, and then draw out to the ears.
- Gently stroke outward under the eyes with your fingertips, then lift the brows and hold for a few seconds before circling around the eyes.
- For crow’s feet, alternate between single finger strokes going up and down, one side at a time.
- Continue this crossing motion across the brow.
- Lightly massage along the hairline.
- Conclude by reversing the larger strokes down across the face, neck, and décolletage.
The power of tea bags
Not merely an old wives’ tale, using cold tea bags on your eyes carries some truth. This method leverages the combined effects of caffeine and cold compresses, which can help reduce puffiness by constricting blood vessels.
Application method
Steep two tea bags (black, green, or white) in hot water for 10 minutes, drain excess liquid, and place them in the fridge for 15 minutes. Place one tea bag on each eye and relax for 20 to 30 minutes.
This article was first published in the March 2020 issue of Thewindowsclubs Canada.
