Product watch: Cures for dark or puffy eyes
Shielding your eye area from the sun is important for both dark circle and puff prevention. UV damage is the primary cause of skin aging. Sun-damaged under-eyes are prone to puffiness as it is quicker to lose elasticity, which in turn allows more fluid to accumulate in the area. An extensive 2012 study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences shows that sun exposure risks the overproduction of melanin, which can worsen dark circles.
Eye creams rarely contain sun protection, so feel free to use a broad spectrum SPF day cream around your eyes, provided zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are the active sunscreen ingredients (other such actives can cause irritation). Clinique Superdefense SPF20 Eye Cream, €39, is a great eye-specific option.
Sunglasses are a chic and convenient way to keep your eyes and the surrounding skin safe. For maximum protection, look for UV400 lenses by brands like Oakley, Tom Ford and Cutler and Gross.
Makeup or skincare products that contain irritants of any kind can cause inflammation, which almost certainly results in puffy eyes. Non-fatty alcohols, menthol, detergent cleansers, harsh scrub particles, camphor and fragrance or fragrant plant oils should be avoided. Treat your eye area to antioxidant-rich, irritant-free formulas, like Olay Regenerist Luminous Dark Circle Correcting Swirl, €38.39.
Allergies can be a major cause of dark circles, redness or puffy eyes, even if itchiness and sneezing pass you by. Try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine before bed.
Some people are genetically predisposed to dark under-eyes, particularly if eyes are deep-set or naturally hooded. These eye shapes can be very beautiful, and shadows well-hidden by a matte-finish concealer (these last longest and don’t crease), such as bareMinerals SPF20 Correcting Concealer, €24.
There are several cosmetic dermatology treatment options for lightening dark circles, such as dermal injections, lasers, light treatments and chemical peels. The Q-switched ruby laser (the kind used for tattoo removal!) is a popular choice.
Puffy eyes can also be genetic, resulting from very large fat pads around the eyes or fat pads that, over time, have pouched through facial muscles and sagged. In such cases, cosmetic procedures are the only effective solution.
Sleeping with your head laid flat can cause fluid to collect in the tissue around your eyes. Sticking a few pillows underneath (making sure your neck is properly supported) can help this retention. A gentle fingertip massage around the eye area when you get up can help relieve this kind of swelling.
Alcohol and salt consumption risks water retention and puffiness around the eyes. Swap booze, sodium, and processed foods for anti-inflammatory eats (e.g., fruits, vegetables, oily fish); and water or green tea.
Sleeping in makeup is a well-known cardinal beauty sin but improper removal is also another easy way to cause puffy eyes. Be meticulous in your cleansing and use a gentle, fragrance-free product like The Body Shop Chamomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, €13.50.
A build-up of dry, damaged skin cells around the eyes can cause light to reflect poorly, darkening the area. NeoStrata Brightening Bionic Eye Cream, €47.90, is an irritant-free alpha hydroxy acid moisturiser that gently exfoliates these cells. If your eye area is prone to dryness, use very emollient creams at night. During the day, a very rich moisturiser around the eye can make foundation slip into and highlight lines.
Nude nails have a subtle leg-lengthening effect. Choose a shimmer-free polish that matches your skin tone or is a shade lighter. Try the Nails Inc Perfect Nude Collection, €17 each.
Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Body, €19.95, is an instant-tint, natural bronze that lets you see exactly where the product is going, so you won’t mistakenly colour the same area twice. Available from June 1.
A massage stimulates the drainage of fluid from soft tissue, where it can build up and cause swollen ankles, knees, and waistline. If your job involves long seated periods, you may experience this around the midsection as vessels that go from the abdomen to the legs get constricted.
Those white, fleshy bumps on the backs of your arms make it difficult to go strappy but don’t attack them with body scrub! Treat them with a fragrance-free body lotion with salicylic acid or urea, such as La Roche-Posay Iso Urea Lait, €14.75.
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