Eye Conditions


An Eye Cream Review

Your eyes reveal a lot about you: your attitude, your age, and some say—your soul. It is for these reasons that eye creams are a top priority for those interested in maintaining their beauty. The best eye creams are those that have been specially formulated for use around the sensitive eye area. They generally don’t contain fragrance and are more emollient than regular moisturizers. Unlike general face creams, an eye cream targets specific issues like puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles.

Puffy Eyes and Bags

For the most part, puffy eyes are easily corrected—unless of course, you have a serious allergies or a medical condition. Puffiness is caused when fluid gets trapped under the eye and is usually most severe in the mornings. Gels are a great solution due to their cooling effect. There a few good creams too, but beware, as many of them contain added moisturizers, which only add to the puffiness issue. Look for products that contain botanical extracts to release trapped fluids as they smooth and firm the sensitive skin around your eyes. While there are many “quick fix” remedies, most eye creams need to be used for at least 30 days before noticeable improvement is visible.

Dark Circles

Unlike puffy eyes and bags, dark circles are notoriously challenging. That’s because they can be hereditary, caused by allergies, or simply a result of getting older. The skin under the eye tends to get thinner as we age, causing the veins under the eye to become more visible. This may also be worsened with sun exposure, lack of sleep and even menopause. If you have deeply pigmented skin due to heredity, you might consider a prescription strength lightening cream.

Some eye creams contain optical diffusers in their formulations. Although they don’t actually treat dark circles, these can certainly help minimize their appearance. Some of the most popular and effective eye cream ingredients for battling dark circles are vitamin K, vitamin C, and the ever-popular Coenzyme Q-10. Vitamin K, which aids in the body’s natural clotting process, has been acknowledged in several dermatologic studies as one of the best treatments for dark circles. You might also seek out eye creams that contain an SPF over 15, to prevent any further pigmentation.

Crow’s Feet, Fine Lines And Wrinkles

We’ve all seen them, but none of us really want them: those fine lines and wrinkles that appear at the corner and under the eye area. What causes them? It’s a combination of genetics, aging, environmental factors, and of course daily abuse. There are fewer oil glands in this area of the face and the skin is also thinner. Years of pulling and tugging with makeup remover, smiling, squinting, and many other factors all contribute.

Fortunately, dermatologic advances over the past two decades have been incredible. Look for formulations that include powerful antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E. Even more popular these days are the use of retinoids, or vitamin A, which encourages new cell renewal, and can actually smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol has been shown to increase collagen production as well as strengthen the skin. Age spots are also something that can be treated with retinoid formulations.

Serious Dark Circles

Dark circles and puffiness under the eye area is a common problem. Women spend a lot of time and money in an attempt to cover up the circles and hide the puffiness. This only offers a temporary solution, but little has been available to cure the problem. Hylexin is a breakthrough product for chronic dark circles and puffy eyes that actually addresses the cause of the circles.

The discoloration is often blamed on a lack of sleep. This is not usually the case. The dark color is actually the result of oxidation of the blood in the capillaries under the skin. This occurs when the veins are carrying deoxygenated blood back toward the heart. The blood in the veins can be seen through the thin skin of the under eye area. This blood appears blue due to the lack of oxygen.

People often have a genetic predisposition to dark circles. If several family members have dark circles, you are more likely to have them as well. The circles are more noticeable in people with a light complexion. The discoloration stands out more against pale skin.

Dark circles under the eyes can also be an indication of allergies, especially food allergies. Ask your doctor for help if you suspect you have food allergies. It can be difficult to pinpoint the allergen, and finding the culprit may require an elimination diet. Several common food allergens, such as milk, wheat, and eggs, are removed from the diet for a period of two weeks. Gradually, one food item at a time is added back into the diet. This is done slowly to see if a reaction occurs and to determine which food is causing the reaction. Balancing your diet can also help improve circulation under the eyes. Eat a healthy diet and include a multivitamin. Drink plenty of water to keep the skin well hydrated and help with circulation.

Other common allergens that contribute to dark circles include dust mites, pollen and pet dander. Pet dander is probably the easiest allergen to control in your environment. If you are allergic, it’s best not to have a pet. For those who just can’t part with a loved pet or crave animal companionship, reactions can often be controlled by having the sleeping area off limits to pets. This gives you a clean, allergen-free space for resting, and results in more restorative sleep.

Allergies to pollen can be helped in a variety of ways. The pollen count is sometimes given on the weather forecast of the evening news. Pay attention to this and make plans accordingly. If the pollen count is high, it may not be the best day for a picnic in the park. Be sure to close the windows to keep the pollen out of your house.

Filters for home heating and air conditioning systems are made to trap allergens. For filtering smaller particles from the air, you may want an air purifier system. HEPA filtration systems are best for pollen allergies. These are great in the bedroom if you have dust mite allergies. They can even be moved from room to room, if needed. When purchasing a HEPA filter, be sure it is large enough for the room in which it will be used.

Your lifestyle can contribute to your dark circles. Although a lack of rest isn’t usually the sole cause of dark circles, being tired can accentuate the problem. This is why some women really notice dark circles for the first time after a baby is born. The only cure for this problem is to get more rest, if possible. Getting to bed earlier, sleeping in a bit later in the morning or taking a short nap in the afternoon just might help lighten up the eyes.

Most remedies for dark circles involve the use of makeup to hide the dark circles. This method has varying levels of success. This doesn’t actually address the problem of dark circles. Covering the circles can become tedious and inconvenient and there are times when you may not want to wear makeup at all.

Hylexin helps improve circulation and prevent the blood from pooling in the under eye area, which addresses the root of the problem. Rather than covering up the circles day after day, it will treat the problem. It also works to strengthen the capillary muscles. This prevents and treats the dark circles at the same time.

What makes Hylexin unique is that it treats the underlying cause and increases circulation under the eye area. By promoting enzyme activity, the build up of blood in the under eye tissue is reduced. This results in less dark coloring and puffy skin. Because Hylexin is concentrated, you don’t need very much. Apply using a light, circular motion until the cream is absorbed into the skin. If you have very dark circles, you can use the product up to three times each day.

General Tips

It’s all about the moisturizing. When your skin is dry, wrinkles and fine lines are only exaggerated. A good eye cream will leave the skin looking supple and should decrease the appearance of fine lines. When identifying a general eye cream for daily upkeep, you want something light that can be worn under makeup. You also want something that not only hydrates the skin, but that creates a moisture barrier to seal it in. Also, antioxidants are a good idea, as they will soften fine lines over time. If the maze of products seems too daunting, you might also try a multi-tasking eye cream that can treat a combination of things (fine lines, puffiness, dry skin, etc).

There is a common misconception that the more you use, the better the product works. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. You should use the directed amount, as the active ingredients have been taken into account when the directions were designed.

If you’re using an eye tightening cream, make sure it’s the last product you apply (even over makeup), because the ingredients of the other products may break down the active ingredients.

Lastly, remember that the application of your eye cream is critical, no matter what issue you’re addressing. Over stimulation and/or abuse of this sensitive area will actually be counterproductive to what you’re trying to accomplish. Always gently tap the eye area with your ring finger. Never pull, rub or tug.