The Eye Area

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