And Say Goodbye to Under-Eye Bags For Good!
The skin around our eyes is delicate and needs special care, especially as we age. Unfortunately, choosing an eye cream isn’t always simple, and it’s hard to tell the difference between a product that works and a product that’s just repackaged (and repriced) run-of-the-mill moisturizer. In order to pick the best eye cream for you, you’ll need to know the causes of our biggest eye complaints, which ingredients work, which don’t, and what your skin type needs most of all.
The Causes of Under-Eye Bags, Dark Circles, and More
They say the eyes are the gateway to the soul, so nobody wants eyes that reveal how little sleep your soul (and body) has gotten lately. Under-eye bags, dark circles, sagging and lines will affect all of us eventually, and the natural aging process only makes these problems more apparent.
With age, our skin loses natural oils and sweat glands, making it drier and more prone to sun damage, as well as giving it a crepe-y texture. Fat, elastin, and collagen start to dwindle as well. These components are key to our skin’s structure, so with their loss comes irregular skin texture and an overall more sunken appearance. We notice these changes first by the tell-tale crow’s feet at the corners of our eyes.
Many people of all ages experience under-eye bags due to inflammation, swelling, genetics, or a mix of all three. Aging can also create under-eye bags, as well as make existing bags worse than before. The fat that was evenly distributed in the skin around our eyes starts to sink to the lower lids, causing under-eye puffiness and sagging. Additionally, our eyes may appear deeper-set and darker than they did in our youth.
As we lose collagen and elastin, our skin loses density and becomes thinner. The already-thin and fragile skin around our eyes becomes thin enough to reveal the underlying blood vessels, which are responsible for the dark circles we all dread seeing in the morning.
If this sounds like a horror movie to you, don’t worry, billions of people are right there with you. We all experience the effects of aging at some point, and we’ve gotten very good at fighting those effects. With the right skin care techniques and products, you can easily delay the signs of aging.
Read about how to combat under-eye bags.
What to Look for in an Eye Product
Not all eye creams and serums are created equal, so it’s important to do some research before committing to a certain brand or product, even if “for eyes” is written on the label. When shopping for an eye serum, look for these key qualities:
- Antioxidants: Good for you inside and out, antioxidants provide essential protection to your skin from cell damage. This means they can help your skin look vibrant and healthy as well as help prevent environmental damage from sources like the sun and air pollution. Effective eye creams and serums will have concentrated amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ferulic acid.
- Peptides: An important aspect for improving the texture and density of your under-eye skin is replenishing lost collagen. Unfortunately, unlike antioxidants, the skin cannot readily absorb topically-applied collagen. The collagen molecules are too large and sit uselessly on the surface of the skin. So instead of using an eye serum that boasts collagen as an ingredient, look for one that has peptides. Peptides are protein fragments that are small enough for the skin to absorb and are the building blocks for collagen and elastin. You can give your skin the right ingredients to produce its own collagen and elastin again. Plus, some peptides have the added bonus of creating similar effects as Botox (minus the scary needle!).
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Vitamin A or Retinol: Retinol, a type of Vitamin A, is a popular ingredient in many anti-aging products, especially eye serums, thanks to its powerful collagen-boosting effects. However, too much retinol can irritate and damage the skin and make it sensitive to sunlight. This ingredient should be used at low dosages (0.5% to 1% concentration) and at most a few times a week. Those with sensitive skin should test retinol products first before applying them to the eye area. Additionally, retinol products are often more expensive than similar products.
With that said, other, less-intense forms of Vitamin A are great additions to your skin care routine. Did you know that the fruit açai is high in Vitamin A? This explains why açai face masks are so popular. - Clinically Dosed Active Ingredients: Be sure that the actives in your eye serum are dosed appropriately. That means they should make up a significant percentage of the cream that has been proven in a clinical setting to be both safe and effective. Too little of an ingredient can render it useless, while too much can actually have adverse effects on your skin.
What to Avoid in a Skincare Product for the Eye
Just as there are certain ingredients you will want to see if your ideal eye product, there are also things you definitely will want to avoid. These things can include:
- Abrasive Ingredients: The skin around the eyes is very delicate, so abrasive scrubs and ingredients are best reserved for other areas of your face and body.
- Fragrances and Preservatives: Fragrances and preservatives can irritate and dry out your skin. If you find your skin is reacting poorly to many skin care products and cosmetics, added fragrances and preservatives may be the cause.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is another drying ingredient that can exacerbate existing eye area concerns. In particular, the alcohol propylene glycol is a common ingredient in skin conditioners and is known to cause hives and dermatitis.
- Anything That Irritates Your Eyes: It should go without saying, but anything that makes the skin around your eyes red, itchy, or burn should be immediately discontinued. The skin around your eyes is extra sensitive, so even if your usual facial moisturizer works great for the rest of your face, you should not use it under your eyes if it causes any discomfort.
Morning vs. Evening Eye Creams and Serums
When searching for the best eye cream, you may be wondering “is there a difference between morning eye creams and evening eye creams?” The answer is actually yes! While strictly speaking either type of eye cream can be used at any time of day, morning eye creams are typically formulated to protect the skin, while evening eye creams are formulated to repair the skin.
A morning eye creams will usually have SPF and hydrating ingredients. They will also have brightening ingredients such as Vitamin C, since most of us want to cure dark circles in the morning. If you struggle with puffy eyes in the morning, try to find an eye serum with anti-inflammatory and tightening ingredients to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags.
Evening eye creams are intended to be restorative and may be heavier than most morning and daytime eye products. Expect heavy moisturizers, peptides and antioxidants. Most retinol and Vitamin A products are also best used at night, since these ingredients can make your skin burn more easily in the sun. Many sleep masks that seal in their active ingredients with a breathable film, such as the Açai Triple Stem Cell Complex Sleep Mask, are also great for revitalizing the skin under your eyes so that you wake up looking refreshed.
Is There a Quick Fix to Under-Eye Bags and Fine Lines?
When you want to look your best, you can’t always wait for even the best eye cream to work its magic. Luckily, there is a quick fix for under-eye bags and fine lines that doesn’t involve seeing a dermatologist or dubious home remedies. That quick fix is Bratoxinsta.
As the name implies, Bratoxinsta is a serum that works nearly instantly to tighten and plump the skin and reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and fine lines. In an 8-week clinical study, 97% of participants saw visibly tighter skin in less than 60 seconds after applying Bratoxinsta. 70% of participants saw a noticeable decrease in the appearance of under-eye bags.
Designed to be used on-the-go and as-needed, the Bratoxinsta serum’s star ingredient is Jambu or acmella oleracea, a flowering plant found in the Amazon Rainforest. Key components in this plant acts as a muscle relaxant that temporarily relaxes the muscles under the skin, making it look smoother and significantly reducing dynamic wrinkles.
Bratoxinsta combines acmella oleracea extract with a powerful peptide complex that works cumulatively to strengthen and restore the skin. When used on the skin around the eyes, it has both the revitalizing effects of a morning eye cream and the restorative effects of an evening eye cream in a single, lightweight serum. Best of all, Bratoxinsta is also effective when used for wrinkles and lines on the rest of the face and even the neck.
Eye Products for Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, focus on finding an eye cream that will deliver the amount of hydration you need. Evening eye creams are usually great for healing dry skin and are complemented well by a daytime moisturizer that contains SPF. Additionally, dry under-eye skin can benefit from comprehensive hydration in addition to spot-treatments. Try a full-face, night-time mask serum that you can use daily.
Eye Creams and Serums for Puffiness
For puffy, dark circles under your eyes, use a brightening daytime eye serum. Creams and serums that contain Vitamin C, tightening agents, or caffeine will all reduce puffy under-eyes and brighten the appearance of the skin. You can also smooth the fine lines that accentuate puffiness with a product like Bratoxinsta that contains magnesium aluminum silicate or another smoothing agent.
Eye Creams and Serums for Prevention
Even if you don’t have any eye area concerns yet, you may still want to begin preventative care for your under-eye skin. When working preventatively, use a product that addresses a combination of skin concerns and focuses on delivering proper nutrition and hydration. You should also work on crafting a comprehensive skin care routine that cares for all of your skin, not just your eyes!
When Nature and Science Come Together
The best solution for under-eye bags and fine lines is one that combines the power of science and the natural world. Carefully researched by leading skin care experts and formulated with clinically dosed ingredients, the Brazilian Facelift collection addresses and reverses the signs of aging skin in as little as 8 weeks. Put tired eyes to rest with this complete, 3-step regimen.
