Eye Cream Review

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If you’ve ever suffered from itchy eyes, you know how infuriating the condition can be. Uncomfortable and distracting, an itchy eye area can also be accompanied by burning, stinging, redness, swelling, and unattractive bumps. Rubbing itchy eyes may provide very temporary relief, but this action may lead to more symptoms, and even visible signs of aging.

To treat itchy eyelids or under-eye areas, you first have to deduce the cause of the itchiness. Depending on the underlying cause, the treatment varies drastically, so ensuring that you have the correct diagnosis is of the utmost importance. In order to confirm the cause of the itching, it’s best to visit a doctor or dermatologist to get a medical professional’s opinion.

For itchy dry eyes, a nourishing and moisturizing eye cream can provide relief from itching, stinging, flaking, and rough skin texture. Be sure the skin care product is free of drying ingredients such as alcohol, and potentially irritating ingredients such as artificial fragrance. For an extra soothing sensation, keep your eye cream in the refrigerator. The cool temperature will supply an instant dose of comfort, and also work to reduce puffiness or swelling. To boost the effects of your hydrating eye cream, you may want to switch to a moisturizing cleanser, and invest in an extra-rich night eye cream.

For eye itching and discomfort caused by allergy or sensitivity, immediately cease using all your current skin care products. Wash your face and eye area with cool water and a cleanser formulated especially for sensitive skin. Maintain this bare-bones regimen for at least a week, until the irritation is gone, or for as long as your dermatologist recommends. You should resume using your other skin care products and under eye cream only after your allergy or sensitivity is discovered, ensuring that your new skin regimen is free of the offending ingredients.

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Seeing the Difference Between Baggy and Puffy Eyes

Though the terms “puffy eyes” and “baggy eyes” are often used interchangeably, each is a unique eye area condition. The former is easily treated by under eye creams, while the latter may necessitate surgical intervention. Understanding the difference between puffy and baggy eyes is the key to choosing an effective treatment without wasting time, money, and stress on the wrong skin care eye creams or professional procedures.

The symptoms of puffy eyes include swelling, dryness, itching, and difficulty closing or opening the eye. Puffy eyes can be caused by any of the following:

• Hereditary factors
• Allergies or allergic reaction
• Lack of sleep
• Crying
• Stress
• Excessive sodium intake
• Sinus issues
• Irritation
• Alcohol consumption
• Toxin build-up
• Trauma
• Natural fluid fluctuation

Non-chronic eye area puffiness can usually be prevented. Most cases of puffy eyes may be avoided by drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day and sleeping for a minimum of 8 hours each night. In addition to these basic guidelines, it’s also important to keep stress levels low, remove contact lenses before going to sleep (or whenever possible), and reduce or eliminate sodium and alcohol intake. Choosing fragrance-free, hypoallergenic eye cream and skin care products will help eliminate irritation-related puffiness.

If eye area puffiness is unable to be avoided, the best eye cream for treating puffiness is one with soothing ingredients, such as cucumber, aloe, chamomile, or horse chestnut extract. Many anti aging eye creams contain “draining” or “smoothing” ingredients specifically for minimizing puffiness in the eye area, which makes finding a suitable eye product a relatively simple task.

Eye puffiness is considered serious if long-term swelling is experienced, if puffy eye symptoms are severe, if eyelids are swollen 2-3 times their normal size, or if swelling is so severe that you cannot close your eyelids all the way. Be sure to notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Baggy eyes develop gradually due to fat accumulation under or around the eye area. Bags under the eyes are fairly common, but don’t affect everyone. Some eye lift creams containing draining ingredients may help the appearance of baggy eyes, but surgery is almost always the best option. The surgery, called blepharoplasty, uses a laser to remove fat deposits and excess skin from the eye area. Blepharoplasty can be performed as a cosmetic or functional surgery, and can be targeted toward the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. Other non-surgical options for baggy eyes include chemical peels, dermal fillers, and other laser treatments.

Milia: An Overview

What It Is
Milia is the word for those pesky, white, non-acne bumps that usually appear on the cheeks, lips or under eye area; though, they can technically appear anywhere. Milia bumps form when dead skin cells and keratin becomes trapped under the skin instead of exfoliating naturally. Milia looks like little cysts, beads or pearls below the skin’s surface.

Milia doesn’t pop easily. In fact, it is not recommended to try to pop milia bumps as doing so can lead to discomfort, redness and even scarring. The only way to effectively treat milia at home is to boost exfoliation using specially formulated skin care or eye cream products.

Who’s At Risk
The number one cause of milia is the use of heavy, comedogenic skin care products. Face and eye creams that contain oil can inhibit the skin’s natural exfoliation process, resulting in white milia bumps. Hair care products, such as mousse or hairspray, can also contribute to milia if the formulation comes into contact with the complexion. Other causes of milia include:

• Genetic disposition
• Cumulative sun exposure
• Blistering disorders such as Porphyria Cutanea Tarda can make milia more likely to occur
• Young skin, such as that of a newborn baby

What To Do About It
Most cases of milia will clear up on their own in a couple days to a couple weeks. However, if you’re experiencing long-term or chronic milia, there are a few ways to treat it.

The first thing to do is read the labels of all your beauty care products. Replace anything that contains comedogenic ingredients, especially if you notice them having a heavy or greasy texture when applied. Common comedogenic ingredients include cocoa butter, coconut oil, sodium chloride and wheat germ oil. If your skin care formulation is labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic, it’s probably safe to continue using that product.

Formulations that often lead to milia include eye makeup remover, under eye cream, heavy moisturizers, products for chapped lips, and cream makeup for the eyes, cheeks or lips. If you often use these types of products and suffer from prolonged milia, a thorough overhaul of your daily beauty routine is highly suggested.

In addition to taking a look at your skin and eye cream products, try adding an exfoliation step to your daily regimen. Exfoliation does not necessarily mean scrubbing — many exfoliation products contain natural acids that gently yet thoroughly slough away dead skin cells. This action helps prevent milia by removing the dead skin cells that would otherwise become trapped under the skin. Plus, exfoliation helps reduce the appearance of acne, sun damage, visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and rough skin.

If you have taken the above steps and see little or no improvement in your case of milia, visit your dermatologist. He or she may be able to administer a more extreme exfoliation treatment, such as a glycolic acid peel, or physically remove the milia bumps.

Please note: never, ever try to exfoliate your baby’s skin. If you feel as if your newborn, baby or toddler is experiencing chronic milia, take your little one to the pediatrician. A baby’s skin is much too sensitive for adult skin care or exfoliation products.

source:flickr by: The Style PA

Skin Care Eye Cream vs. Skin Care Face Cream

Many people wonder why they can’t use their anti-aging moisturizer as their under eye cream. After all, skin care face creams contain many beneficial ingredients that work to nourish and protect the skin. Using a basic face cream as an eye cream seems like it may save time and money; however, the damage this would cause would end up costing way more time and money to correct than if you had chosen better products to begin with.

The eye area is thinner, more delicate and more sensitive than the rest of this complexion. These are the main characteristics that require a separate skin care eye cream. In order to care for the eye area without causing irritation, the products used there must be tested by an ophthalmologist. As you may have guessed, most anti-aging face creams are not ophthalmologist tested, making them more likely to cause unwanted side effects. In addition, skin care products formulated for the face contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, which may be too aggressive for the delicate eye area.

Common eye area concerns, such as puffiness and bags, can be exacerbated by face creams due to the high levels of hydrating ingredients. While the best under eye creams certainly contain hydrators, the levels used are specially measured in order to work without causing excess puffiness in the eye area. Along those same lines, face creams don’t often contain skin care ingredients that help with dark circles and other eye area issues, making them less effective.

Overall, the debate of eye cream vs. face cream for use on the eye area comes down to common sense. The best eye cream is just that — an eye cream! When putting together your skin care regimen, choose a face cream formulated for your skin type, and an eye cream product that’s made to treat your specific eye area concerns. By selecting two separate “made for you” products, you’ll be able to target your unique skin care issues with a decreased risk of side effects and irritation.

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How to Treat Under Eye Cream Reactions

It’s happened to the best of us: under eye cream irritation or reactions, also known as contact dermatitis. Sometimes when trying a new (or very old) eye cream, the delicate skin around the eye area experiences redness, peeling, inflammation or worse. This occurrence is not only uncomfortable and unattractive, it can be dangerous. Here’s a quick look at the difference between irritation and reactions, and what to do if you experience either one

Irritation Contact Dermatitis
Irritation is more common than a true allergic reaction. Skin care eye cream, or other forms of skin care for that matter, can be irritating to the skin due to ingredient concentration, application frequency or poor skin health. Dry or injured skin is less able to protect against irritation, making it more susceptible to irritation contact dermatitis. Symptoms of this type of irritation are redness, burning, stinging or itching.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis
A true allergic reaction occurs when the eye cream user is allergic to a specific ingredient. Symptoms of a reaction are similar to those of irritation contact dermatitis, though the symptoms will often be more severe and last longer. Symptoms include swelling, fluid-filled blisters, itching and redness. The condition of the skin does not matter when it comes to allergic contact dermatitis; the skin will react no matter what if you are allergic to an ingredient.

Treatment
Whether you are experiencing irritation or allergic contact dermatitis, the course of action is the same. First, discontinue use of the offending eye cream product and gently wash away any product residue from the eye area. To soothe discomfort and inflammation, apply a cold compress to the area. While some may suggest using a calming skin care product such as a witch hazel compress or chamomile lotion, it is best to leave the area alone until you are able to see your dermatologist. This includes makeup, which can make the redness, inflammation and discomfort even worse.

Your dermatologist or doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or oral medication if severe allergic contact dermatitis is diagnosed. Alternatively, he may suggest that you use an over-the-counter antihistamine until the reaction subsides. When you go in to see your dermatologist or doctor, be sure to bring the offending under eye cream with you in case she would like to inspect the ingredient list or application directions.

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How to Massage Puffy Eyes

Many people experience puffiness in the eye area, particularly in the morning. Puffiness can accentuate the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and bags, leading to a mature and fatigued-looking eye area. One of the best ways to combat eye area puffiness is to administer a gentle massage while applying your under eye cream, oil or gel.

While you may massage the eye area using any eye product, eye gels tend to help reduce puffiness more so than oils or skin care eye creams. If you are currently using a heavy anti aging eye cream and experiencing chronic puffiness in the eye area, you may want to consider switching to an eye gel.

Begin by cleansing the complexion with a gentle face wash formulated for your skin type. Be sure to cleanse the eye area as gently as possible to avoid causing premature signs of aging and irritation. After the face is cleansed, delicately apply your eye gel or eye cream using your ring fingers.

Beginning at the inside corners of the eyes, gently press down and hold for for about five seconds. Then, with your fingers still applying pressure, slowly and delicately slide the fingers under the eye toward the temples. Massage the temples in a slow circular motion two or three times, and repeat the entire process between seven and ten times depending on the severity of the puffiness. (You don’t have to re-apply your eye gel or eye cream product each time you repeat the massage steps.)

After this first step is completed, make complete circles around each eye. Be sure to continue using your ring fingers, as these fingers are the weakest and, therefore, the gentlest. Begin at the inside corners of the eyes, sweep up over the eyebrows, down under the lower lash line and back to the inner corners of the eye. Repeat this three to five times. Once you have finished, continue applying your skin care and makeup products as usual.

In addition to these simple and relaxing massage techniques, you may also reduce eye area puffiness by refrigerating your night eye cream or gel products or using a freezable eye mask before you begin your daily beauty regimen.

Bonus: What About Cucumbers?

One of the most well-known beauty spa visions is one of a woman wrapped in a robe, face mask working, while two slices of cucumber lay atop her closed eyelids. Many wonder if those cucumbers actually do anything other than force relaxation. Well, they do! Cucumbers are astringent, which means they’re able to constrict body tissues. Plus, most people store their cucumbers in the refrigerator, which creates a cold compress that will reduce inflammation, also known as puffiness. Cut two thick slices from a cold cuke and apply for 10-15 minutes for the best results.

source:flickr by: TC .

Eye Cream vs. Eye Gel

While trying to find the best eye cream, most people focus on promised benefits and active ingredients. One thing that is rarely considered is the product’s texture. Eye formulations come in both the form of an eye cream and eye gel textures. This added choice sometimes confuses people even further rather than simplifying the search. So, which is better? Read on to learn who should be using a gel, who should be using a cream, and when the choice is simply personal preference.

Creams
Under eye creams offer extra moisture, nourishment and comfort. They also generally contain more anti-aging ingredients, making them better at fighting against visible signs of aging such as fine lines and sagging skin. These attributes make anti aging eye creams a good choice for dry, mature or sensitive eye areas. However, those who may choose an eye gel for daytime use may prefer a night eye cream for aging prevention and extra rejuvenation.

Gels
Eye gels are known for their ability to cool and calm the skin while reducing puffiness. Gels are great for tired, fatigued eye areas, which makes them the perfect choice for daytime use. In addition, eye gels are great for younger eye areas as they don’t exhibit the heaviness associated with more nourishing eye lift creams. Eye gels leave less residue than eye wrinkle creams, making them perfect for use under eye makeup.

At first glance, it may seem like the choice is obvious — use an eye gel in the morning and a night eye cream while you rest. While this would make a great eye regimen for most people, it is important to remember that your comfort and desired regimen results come first. If you believe that an under eye cream will treat your eye area better than an eye gel, go for what you want, even if your eye area may fall under the eye gel category.

Application tip: if you suffer from excessively puffy eyes each morning, try refrigerating your eye gel. The extra cold texture will help reduce puffiness even faster, allowing you to get on with your day in less time and with less work!

The delicate eye area is prone to many conditions, including broken capillaries, also known as “spider veins”. Capillaries are part of microcirculation and enable the exchange of water, oxygen, waste chemicals and more. Capillaries break by narrowing and widening too quickly. When they break, blood is allowed to seep out, creating a slim, red line visible on the skin’s surface. Some broken capillaries must be treated by a dermatologist; however, most broken capillaries can be reduced using a specially formulated body cream, face cream or eye cream.

Broken capillaries tend to appear on the cheeks, nose and under eye area, as well as other areas of the body. Because the skin under and around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of our skin, it provides the least protection against capillary damage. Many under eye creams contain ingredients that help heal or prevent broken capillaries, including vitamin K, vitamin C and chamomile extract. These ingredients also treat other common eye area concerns, including dark circles, signs of fatigue, visible signs of aging and puffiness. For this reason, eye creams for dark circles or anti aging eye creams often make great treatments for broken capillaries.

In addition to topical treatment, broken capillaries can be helped by drinking chamomile tea or taking vitamin C and Lysine internally. As always, be sure to consult your doctor before adding new supplements to your diet to ensure safe and healthy use.

source:Flickr by:Ranoush

It’s never too early to start that battle against aging skin.  Whether you are in your early 20’s or ready for retirement, it is good to know what the best eye cream is for your unique needs.

The most commonly complained about issues involving the eye area are dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. In order make the right choice, you need to decide what problems you want to address and then seek out specific eye cream ingredients that help with those problems.

If your main concern is dark circles, chances are you are dealing with a hereditary ailment that your family has endured for generations. Though no cream will completely change the color of your under eye skin, there are some great ingredients that really do help brighten the area in question.  One of the reasons people get dark circles is from a lack of vitamin K, which is believed to constrict capillaries. This helps strengthen the delicate capillaries so they don’t break or swell and cause the skin to appear darker.

Usually going hand in hand with dark circles is puffy eyes. Besides the temporary effect we all experience from crying or allergies, some people are plagued with puffy eyes every day. Puffy eyes can be a result of anything; lack of sleep, sinus congestion, (the list goes on) but if you are plagued with these pesky bags on a daily basis, it could be from fluid retention due to weak capillaries. Peptides have proven very effective in draining under eye fluid buildup. Eyeliss is a triple peptide that helps dissolve and move the fluid away from the eye area.

The last under eye malady everyone seems to suffer from to a certain extent is fine lines and wrinkles. The most important thing to do is to use an SPF on your eye area to protect it from any further damage from the sun. But if you are past the prevention stage, and want to turn back the clock a bit, there are some quite promising ingredients that can assist in damage control. Hyaluronic acid is a component of connective tissues, whose main function is to cushion and lubricate. It draws in and holds a huge amount of moisture, causing the skin to appear plumped and youthful.

Vitamin A, which comes in many different forms, the strongest being retinol, has shown to strengthen skin, help build collagen, and speed cell turnover. All of which will lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even dark spots.

When looking for an eye cream, do your research and pick some qualities that you want to have, write them down, and go shopping. There are so many to choose from, you want to be sure you are getting a cream that applies to your specific needs.