Eye Cream Review

source:flickr by:darkmatter

Eye Cream Ingredients: Mineral Oil

Whether you know it as mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, it’s a skin care ingredient to avoid. Shockingly common in our everyday skin care products and eye creams, mineral oil and its derivatives can cause extreme damage to our skin and bodies. If it’s so dangerous, why is it used? The answer is sadly unsurprising; it’s incredibly cheap.

Contrary to its name, mineral oil, sometimes known as paraffin oil, is not sourced from minerals. Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Mineral oil is a clear, unscented liquid that will not spoil, and since it’s made in the process of distilling gasoline, it is extremely abundant. To get an idea of how cheap this beauty care ingredient is, remember this: it is more expensive to dispose of mineral oil than it is to purchase it. Mineral oil is used in many beauty and eye care products, including everything from moisturizers to eye creams to baby care products.

Petroleum jelly and petrolatum have very few differences. Both are jelly forms of mineral oil, making them better for use in things like lipstick and eye gels. They cause the skin care product to spread easily and coat the skin well, which are two very important things when it comes to skin care, especially eye wrinkle creams. However, petrolatum and petroleum jelly cause the same problems as mineral oil, making them all ingredients to avoid.

Even though there are many healthier alternatives to petroleum jelly, petrolatum and mineral oil, these ingredients are most often used because they’re cheaper for the manufacturer. In turn, the product is then cheaper for you, the customer; but at what cost to your health? Here’s a look at the dangers mineral oil and its derivatives pose to your skin and overall health:

• Clogs pores (comedogenic)
• Slows skin’s ability to eliminate toxins
• Dries the skin by stealing moisture
• Increases photo-sensitivity
• Likely to contain cancer-causing carcinogens
• Absorbs important vitamins, making them unavailable to the body
• Can cause lipid pneumonia, a potentially fatal disease

In addition, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and petrolatum increase the likelihood of your under eye cream traveling into your eyes. Because mineral oil does not absorb into the skin, it simply sits on the top of the dermis, making it extremely easy for your eye cream product and its active ingredients to enter the eye. This can cause everything from redness and puffiness to an extreme allergic reaction, especially if any of the ingredients are found in your night eye cream.

For any or all of the reasons listed above, it would certainly be a wise move to remove from your skin care regimen any eye care product containing mineral oil or its offspring. Be sure to also check your other skin care products, as well as your child’s skin care products, for these highly dangerous poisons.

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:Lakshmi Arvind

Eye Cream of the Month: Rodial Glamtox Eye Light SPF 15

Rodial’s Glamtox Eye Light SPF 15 is a true multi-tasking under eye cream that’s made to diminish puffiness and dark circles. The instantly illuminating formulation uses oligopeptides and pomegranate ellagic tannin to repair and smooth the delicate eye area, restoring a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Clinically proven to help shift dark under eye circles, Glamtox Eye Light will promote a bright, even skin tone. Plus, with an SPF of 15, this skin care eye cream protects the fragile skin of the eye area from UV damage. Rodial‘s pomegranate ellagic tannin promises to boost collagen production in order to minimize fine lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles, reduce sagging, and restore a younger look and feel to the skin. These actions are great for those experiencing premature signs of aging caused by environmental or skin care product-induced damages.

Upon application, Glamtox Eye Light feels silky, cooling and nourishing. The lightweight yet moisturizing texture sinks in quickly and completely, allowing you to get on with your daily beauty routine in mere moments. After the eye cream is fully absorbed, the resulting texture is smooth and soft, but not greasy, making it an ideal surface for concealer and eye makeup application.

Glamtox Eye Light is the perfect anti-aging eye cream for night owls, party animals and new moms due to its light-reflecting particles. These special brighteners immediately banish signs of fatigue while the formula’s nourishing ingredients get to work on your eye area’s deeper problems, such as dark circles and puffiness. As you recount your sleepless night to friends and co-workers, they’re sure to exclaim, “But, you look so rested!” — a compliment anyone would enjoy.

The cherry on top is the eye wrinkle cream’s antioxidant properties, which will help neutralize free radicals, one of the leading causes of skin damage and premature signs of aging. Coupled with the product’s SPF, these pomegranate-provided antioxidants will protect the delicate eye area, allowing it to remain healthy, comfortable and youthful-looking.

source:flickr by:~dezz~

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream Ingredients

People have been trying to turn back the hands of time for thousands of years. From Herodotus’ Fountain of Youth to today’s injections, cosmetic surgeries and anti-aging skin care products, everyone wishes to restore a youthful quality to their appearance.

One of the first areas of the body to show visible signs of aging is the eye area. Because the skin of the eye area is so thin and delicate, it is especially prone to the damage that causes fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and other undesired signs of wear and tear. To help reduce these signs of aging, many choose to apply an anti-aging eye cream as part of their skin care regimen.

Unsurprisingly, there are many, many under eye creams that all claim to be the best at restoring youthfulness to the eye area. How do you know which is truly the best? Turn the jar (or pump) around and take a peek at the ingredients. If you find any combination of the following ingredients listed on your eye cream‘s package, you’re holding a quality formulation in your hands!

Neuropeptides
Neuropeptides are strings of amino acids that occur naturally in the human body. Neuropeptides are one of the more expensive anti-aging ingredients due to their exceptional ability to reduce visible signs of aging. Dr. Perricone, a leading dermatologist and product formulator, says that neuropeptide benefits are “the most impressive I have seen in twenty years of research.”  Neuropeptides are able to improve radiance, reduce inflammation, boost collagen and elastin, improve skin resilience, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of capillaries, encourage maximum hydration, and improve firmness, tone, texture and blood circulation. Plus, neuropeptides are gentle on the dermis, making them a great choice for more sensitive skin types.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a favorite ingredient in all types of skin care and eye lift creams, from moisturizing formulations to anti-aging designs. Hyaluronic acid, or hyaluronan, is actually the body’s own moisturizer. It lubricates everything from your joints to your eyes, and is the main hydrator of your skin. This incredible ingredient is able to attract and bind water up to 1,000 times its own weight. This action plumps the skin to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles while creating a youthful suppleness and radiance.

Ceramides
Ceramides are lipid molecules comprised of sphingosine and a fatty acid. Ceramides are one of the main components of the skin’s barrier layer, the stratum corneum. Ceramides are used in skin care to seal in hydration and prevent water loss, thereby optimizing your formulation’s function and reaping long-term benefits from your skin care regimen products. The combination of hyaluronic acid and ceramides is especially beneficial, as the hyaluronic acid will draw moisture in from the environment while the ceramides lock the moisture in for lasting results.

Retinol
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is widely used in anti-aging products. It strengthens the skin, boosts cell turnover and encourages collagen production while diminishing the appearance of fine lines, sun spots and other visible signs of aging. Eye cream products formulated with retinol provide exceptional anti-aging results, making them a favorite of those with intense visible signs of aging in the eye area. Retinol is a particularly aggressive ingredient that isn’t for everyone. Before using a retinol product, consult your dermatologist or doctor, and remember to always follow your skin care product’s directions carefully. If your skin is too sensitive for a retinoic formulation, or if you have to stop using your retinol product during pregnancy, breastfeeding or medication use, try a peptide formulation instead. 

source:flickr by:NickPiggott

Best Hydrating Eye Cream Ingredients

One of the best ways to prevent and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet around the eyes is to keep the eye area well hydrated. In addition to drinking at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day, applying topical hydrating under eye cream can keep the delicate eye area moisturized, supple, radiant and youthful-looking. There are many hydrating eye cream ingredients from which to choose, which can lead to an over-abundance of choices when shopping for your anti aging eye cream. To simplify your search, here’s some information on three of the leading eye area hydrators.

Glycerin
Glycerin is able to hydrate and soften the skin due to its hygroscopic natural. This means that glycerin attracts water from the air and binds it to the area covered by your glycerin-infused anti wrinkle eye cream. Glycerin is a neutral, non-toxic liquid that is often used as a gentle base for skin care products because many ingredients dissolve into glycerin easier than water or alcohol. It is free of side effects and is so soothing that many use it to reduce the discomfort and itching associating with eczema and other easily irritated skin conditions. These properties make glycerin-based eye creams a great choice for those with sensitive eye areas.

Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an extremely gentle alpha hydroxy acid that’s been used for centuries to beautify the skin. Legend states that Cleopatra would bathe in baths filled with sour goat’s milk to maintain her youthful beauty. Today, we know that sour milk products, such as yogurt, truly do have skin care benefits due to their naturally high levels of lactic acid. This fabulous ingredient is used in eye wrinkle creams and other anti-aging skin care products to slough away dead skin cells and boost the production of new cells while supplying soothing hydration. Lactic acid, like glycerin, is able to work without causing irritation, allowing those with sensitive skin to experience its hydrating and rejuvenative qualities. Users of lactic acid will experience:

• Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduced age spots
• Reduced hyperpigmentation
• Smoother, softer skin texture
• Increased collagen production

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, also called hyaluronan, is the body’s natural moisturizer. It cushions and lubricates the body, including the joints, heart valves and eyes, and helps the skin maintain its youthful elasticity, smoothness, “plumpness” and radiance. As humans age, hyaluronic acid is destroyed by environmental aggressors, poor diet, smoking and other factors, causing visible signs of aging, as well as aging within the body. When used in skin care eye creams, hyaluronic acid works by attracting water up to 1,000 times its own weight and binding it to the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps keep hydration within the skin, allowing the water to re-plump and soften the skin while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

As you can see, any one of these three hydrating skin care ingredients would be a great addition to your eye cream products, as well as any of your other skin care regimen formulations.

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!

source: flickr by:jomak14

While searching for the best eye cream, it’s easy to forget about the eyelashes. Most people don’t realize that eyelashes need to be cared for just like our bodies, faces and hair. While there aren’t too many eyelash creams or conditioners on the market, it is possible to find a suitable formulation for enhancing the health and beauty of the eyelashes.

Eyelash creams, like under eye creams, are used to restore youthful appearance and function. They use ingredients like nettle, horse chestnut, witch hazel, milk protein, sodium hyaluronate and apple extract to hydrate, soften and heal the lashes while encouraging follicle growth for naturally longer lashes. Everyone can benefit from eyelash creams and conditioners, but they are especially beneficial for those who use harsh eyelash products like mascara.

Each time one applies mascara or removes their eye makeup, the eyelashes are damaged. This damage is what leads to brittle, short and lackluster lashes, which leaves the user in the midst of a catch-22. They want to apply more mascara to create the illusion of beautiful lashes, but the application and removal of mascara is what caused the damage to begin with! Some believe that their eye cream ingredients are enough to restore their eyelashes, but this simply isn’t the case. Eyelashes need the nutrients from certain ingredients, like those listed above, to successfully replenish the lash line.

Eyelash creams are made to be gentle enough for the delicate eye area, yet powerful enough to provide thorough rejuvenation. Many eyelash formulations contain natural ingredients that work synergistically to improve the health and appearance of each lash. In addition to reviving the eyelashes, eyelash cream and conditioners may also be used on the eyebrows. They’re perfect for those who use brow gels or coloring tools, or those who have naturally short, sparse or dull-looking brows.

Next time you apply your eye wrinkle cream, think about your lashes! Eyelash conditioners generally run from $30-$160 or more, depending on its benefits and ingredients. They are available in many different application deigns, including creams, mascara-like tubes and liquid eyeliner-like tubes.

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.

Eye Cream of the Month: Ole Henriksen Visual Truth Eye Creme

In order to bring you the latest and greatest news of new or newly rediscovered eye cream products, we’ll be featuring a different eye cream each month with an in-depth eye cream review. Find new favorites or learn more about old standbys every month at eyecreamreview.com.

This month’s featured under eye cream is Visual Truth Eye Creme by Ole Henriksen. This antioxidant-rich anti aging eye cream is formulated with an incredible blend of natural ingredients that work to reduce wrinkles, boost elasticity and protect against environmental and free radical damage. Here’s a quick look at this eye cream’s key ingredients:

• African red tea strengthens the skin while calming, soothing and preventing visible signs of aging

• Tumeric root nourishes while repairing damage

• Sodium hyaluronate seals in moisture

• Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper, Manganese Gluconate and Algisium C encourage collagen production, which is essential for youthful-looking skin

• Jojoba oil soothes, smoothes and boosts resiliency

• Polylysine improves tone and elasticity

In addition to these ingredients, Visual Truth Eye Creme offers benefits by not including Triclosan, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances, Sulfates, Phthalates, GMO or Petro-Chemicals. By leaving these potentially harmful ingredients out of the formulation, Ole Henriksen has created a gentle solution for visible signs of aging and other common eye area issues.

User reviews state that this under eye cream is richly hydrating yet lightweight, effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and instantly firming and softening. However, some comment that the formula can feel a bit thick before it finishes penetrating the skin, which is something to keep in mind if you prefer a whipped or gel texture. Visual Truth Eye Creme may be applied in the morning or before bed, although it is most effective when worn during they day do to its exceptional protection against environmental and free radical aggressors.

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.