Dark circles, heavy bags, puffiness and wrinkles; we’ve all battled with the struggle for a smooth, clean under-eye. And what causes these things, anyway? Where do they come from? How do we get rid of them? Fear not, your questions will be answered, and a solution will soon become apparent…
DARK CIRCLES & EYE BAGS
Likely to be the most common issue on our list, we’ve all headed into work after a long weekend, sporting the signature “I barely slept last night” look. And, more often than not, it is a lack of sleep that causes those dreaded dark circles and puffy bags beneath your eyes. It will come as no surprise when we say your body relies on a good night’s sleep, using this time to make repairs, and flush excess fluid out of your system. Not getting enough downtime prevents your body from doing this, meaning fluid gathers in the skin under your eyes, and as the blood vessels underneath your eyes dilate, they darken beneath the thin, delicate layer of skin.
There are other factors, however, that play a part in the appearance of dark circles and eye bags, like diet and lifestyle choices. Dehydration, for example, is often caused by a high amount of salt in your diet and a lack of water. Your body automatically begins to hold onto excess fluid when dehydrated, retaining what water it can, which in turn gathers under your eyes to create dark bags.
Smoking can be another culprit, as tobacco fumes break down the production of collagen in your body, and kill off healthy cells. This can also have a negative effect on your sleeping pattern, as smokers are affected by the nicotine withdrawal they experience throughout the night, and we all now know how a lack of sleep can take its toll!
Then, there are not removing your makeup properly on an evening. Makeup can cause irritation, and considering the current popularity of eye makeups like highlighters, eyeshadows and liners, failing to take these off at the end of the day can have long-lasting effects. You risk your skin’s ageing process accelerating, leading to wrinkles as well as tired-looking eyes. However, even those of us that do fully remove our makeup is at risk of causing damage, as excessive pulling on the skin can cause it to lose its elasticity.
WRINKLES
Often, your eyes are one of the first things to start showing your age as you get older, and the appearance of crow’s feet, or laughter lines, as we prefer, is something that comes to us all eventually. Caused primarily by the loss of fat, collagen and hyaluronic acid (a substance which helps your skin’s cells to retain as much water as possible), these fine lines seem inevitable, but there are factors that help to keep them at bay for a little while longer.
Sunglasses are crucial, for example, as excessive squinting can be a cause of fine lines. And, it’s not just the summer you need to worry about either; the sun can be just as strong in the colder seasons. Make sure you’ve always got a pair to hand, and if you find yourself squinting against the sky, put them on! Remembering to wear SPF goes alongside this, too. The sun has a great effect on your skin and its ageing process, breaking down the elastin and collagen which is responsible for keeping your skin plump and supple, and skipping the sun-cream will only serve to aggravate this.
Then, there’s the addition of the bad habit we’re all guilty of at one point or another – rubbing your eyes. It’s hard to resist when you’re feeling tired, or when your eyes are irritated, but rubbing excessively encourages the delicate skin beneath your eyes to wrinkle. The same can be said for cosmetic products like eyeliner, which have a tendency to tug at this skin. Your best bet is to ditch the eye-makeup, go au naturel, and keep your hands in your pockets, not on your face.
Fortunately, while they struggle with these issues is real, the solution for it is too. Our new Eye Repair is specifically formulated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eye, working to firm, lift and tone imperfections. Specifically formulated for this delicate skin with anti-inflammatories and OX2 technology, with visible results after just 15 minutes. And, what’s more, this treatment has a cumulative effect, meaning the more you use it, the better the results. So, whether it’s dark circles, bags or wrinkles you’re fighting, our Eye Repair is an essential new addition to your skincare routine.
