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.

source:flickr by:♥ unlimited

The When, How and Where of Applying Eye Cream

When it comes to under eye creams, there are a lot of “simple” questions that are rarely addressed. Many people don’t know when to start applying eye cream, where to apply it, or how much to use. The answers to these basic beauty cosmetic questions are key to optimizing the performance of your eye cream! Here’s the rundown of the top three eye cream questions for your personal makeup knowledge arsenal.

When Should I Start Using an Eye Cream?

Most professional sources suggest choosing a moisturizing eye cream with antioxidants around the time you turn 20. This type of formula will help prevent visible signs of aging by nourishing, moisturizing, and protecting the eye area against free radicals and other sources of damage.

As far as anti aging eye creams or serums are concerned, you don’t need to worry about those until you start to see visible signs of aging in the eye area, or you hit 35 – whichever comes first.

How Much Eye Cream Should I Use?

This answer is almost certain to surprise and please you! You only need to apply a pea-sized amount of your skin care eye cream to each eye area. This means that the tiny eye cream tube that looks more like a travel version than a full size product really does hold enough product to keep your eye area looking great for weeks or even months to come.

What happens if you use too much or too little? Too little eye wrinkle cream will provide little to no results. Too much may cause your eye area to become puffy or irritated. Using a pea-sized amount will ensure optimized use while decreasing your chances of experiencing side effects.

Where Should I Apply My Eye Cream?

Your eye lift cream should be applied to the orbital bone area. Not sure where that is? Simply place the tips of your index fingers just below the corners of your eyes and apply gentle pressure. You’ll feel the edge of your orbital bones beneath your fingertips.

When applying your eye cream product, follow the natural curvature of the bone along the bottom of your eyes to the outer corners, allowing the last bit of eye cream to be placed just below the outer end of your eyebrows. You should gently tap the eye cream into the skin with your ring finger, rather than using a rubbing or pulling motion. While applying, be sure to avoid getting any cream into the eyes.

Don’t apply any eye cream to your eyelids unless the product is specifically made for use on the eyelids. The eyelids are far too thin and delicate to handle active eye cream ingredients.

With these basic tips under your belt, you’re ready to perfectly apply your day or night eye cream without causing damage, wasting product, or using an eye cream that’s not made for your age group.

Eye Cream of the Month: DDF Protective Eye Cream SPF 15

Protective Eye Cream by DDF (short for Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula) is the perfect eye cream for summer. Lightweight, nourishing and formulated with an SPF of 15, this truly protective anti aging eye cream will help keep the eye area bright, smooth and healthy while you enjoy the heat.

Featuring botanicals, humectants and EFAs (essential fatty acids), Protective Eye Cream SPF 15 is able to heal and prevent damage while simultaneously working to diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. It also targets fine lines and wrinkles to promote a more youthful look. While this under eye cream is hydrating and soothing, its lightweight texture may not be enough to moisturize extremely dry skin types. However, the product’s airy disposition make it a great choice for layering over a hydrating eye serum, allowing very dry skin types to reap the benefits of Protective Eye Cream’s nourishing ingredients and SPF.

Broad-spectrum sun protection is provided by avobenzone and octinoxate, two proven sunscreens that shield the delicate eye area from UVA and UVB rays. This comprehensive blend prevents both sunburn and visible signs of aging from occurring. Squalane offers a luxuriously emollient texture while CoQ10 and lutein encourage optimal skin health and beauty. Protective Eye Cream SPF 15 is created with a very faint, pleasant aroma that won’t offend even the most sensitive of olfactory systems, making it a favorite of those who dislike heavily scented skin care products.

User reviews state that Protective Eye Cream SPF 15 is perfect for use under makeup, and will actually prevent cosmetics from settling into fine lines. Users have also mentioned their eyes appearing brighter or more well-rested, making it a great choice for use after late summer nights. Some customers with sensitive skin and eyes rave about Protective Eye Cream’s ability to work without causing irritation, while others mention mild discomfort. While users who experienced an adverse reaction are most likely just allergic to one of the eye lift cream‘s ingredients, it’s best to check with your dermatologist before use, especially if you have sensitive skin or eyes.



source:flickr by:Menage a Moi

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.

source:flickr by:_overanalyzer

How to Remove Eye Cosmetics

Removing your eye makeup and day eye cream is as important as applying them! Leaving your makeup up overnight can cause acne, milia, irritation and premature signs of aging. Therefore, one of the best things you can do for your skin is thoroughly purify it before applying your nightly skin care products. However, due to the delicate nature of the eye area, it is vital that you use the proper skin care products and techniques in order to minimize damage, discomfort, and side effects.

There are many eye makeup removers from which to choose, including eye creams, liquid formulations, oil-based products, and even wipes. Some removers are better than others for taking off water-resistant or caked-on makeup. If you apply your eye makeup heavily or use long-lasting products, try an oil-based formulation. If you prefer a natural eye makeup look, any remover will suffice. In addition, many common household staples can be used as eye makeup remover, including:

• Olive oil
• Vaseline
• Tear-free baby shampoo
• Alcohol-free baby wipes
• Baby oil

To remove beauty products from around the eye area, soak a cotton pad, cotton ball or cotton swab in your formulation of choice. Apply liberally to the eye area, making sure to saturate every area covered with makeup. Then, gently wipe away the eye makeup remover and makeup with a clean cloth or tissue. Alternatively, you may wash your entire face after applying your makeup removing formulation, taking the day’s makeup, debris and impurities off your face and sending them down the drain. If any eye makeup is left on your face, re-apply your remover with a clean application tool until the face is perfectly cleansed.

After removing your makeup and cleansing your face, apply your night eye cream and moisturizer to lock in hydration and provide your skin with nighttime nourishment and rejuvenation. By removing your makeup each night, you’ll help your skin stay healthy, comfortable and youthful-looking.

Eye Cream of the Month: PCA Skin EyeXcellence

EyeXcellence is brought to you by PCA Skin, a leading clinical skin care company that supplies chirally correct products. PCA Skin claims to be the first cosmeceutical company to create scientifically researched daily skin care products, and is recognized in medical textbooks as the company behind blended chemical peel treatments. PCA Skin’s entire range is free of synthetic fragrances, alcohols, comedogenic oils, color additives and other sensitizers, allowing them to be used by all skin types. In addition, PCA products are available only through licensed medical professionals, making them an exclusive and trusted brand.

PCA’s EyeXcellence under eye cream is designed to treat the three most common eye area concerns: puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. Formulated with three peptides (Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3/Matrixyl®), EyeXcellence is able to increase collagen production, circulation and capillary function. These three actions encourage a smooth skin texture, an even skin tone, and a youthful brightness.

In addition to these peptides, EyeXcellence uses grape seed extract, aloe and vitamin E to deeply moisturize and nourish the eye area while supplying exceptional antioxidant protection against free radicals. By using antioxidants to protect the delicate eye area, signs of damage such as wrinkles and discoloration are less likely to occur. Finally, ingredients like licorice root extract and panax ginseng extract work overtime to diminish puffiness and dark circles, restoring a healthy and young-looking vibrancy to the entire eye area.

This truly excellent skin care eye cream may be used twice daily without increased risk of irritation or adverse effects. Customer reviews state that a little bit of this product goes a long way, which maximizes the life of your tube. Customers also say that EyeXcellence is the best eye cream for those who enjoy a rich yet light texture that absorbs quickly and completely, leaving a reside-free finish that feels fresh and soft.

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:Maschinenraum

Under Eye Cream Packaging Tips

Sometimes our favorite eye cream products are available in pot, pump, tube or wand packaging. While double-packaging may seem silly, it’s actually a great way for skin care companies to cater to the wants of their consumers. Each under eye cream package type offers unique pros and cons that are designed to help simplify your daily beauty care regimen.

Pot
The traditional pot packaging allows you to access your anti-aging eye cream with ease. With a simple dip of your finger or a cotton swab, you’re able to get the perfect amount of product and apply it to the eye area without missing a beat. However, if you do use your fingers to remove product from the pot, the bacteria from your hands will be transferred to the eye lift cream, which increases your risk of irritation and disease.

Pump
Airless or traditional pumps keep your skin care eye cream fresh and bacteria-free. The downside to pumps is that it’s difficult to control the amount of product removed from the package, which leaves you wasting excess product. Plus, if you apply too much product to the delicate eye area, it can cause puffiness and even irritation. Pumps are very travel-friendly, and are great for those who don’t like messing with lids.

Tube
Tubes, like pumps, keep your eye cream product from becoming infested with bacteria. However, they are not as efficient at this as pumps, simply due to the fact that the fingertips come into contact with the tip of the tube, and may even transfer bacteria to unwanted product before it’s “sucked” back into the tube. Pumps are also superior when it comes to releasing the eye anti aging cream, as tubes have to be rolled, squeezed and re-rolled, while pumps simply push the product out with built-in mechanisms.

Wand
The eye cream wand is the ultimate in convenient eye cream packaging. Sadly, not many under eye creams are offered in wand applicators. The wand houses the eye cream formulation, and generally features a brush or doe foot applicator tip that allows you to apply directly to the eye area. While the application tip should be washed often to avoid bacterial transference, the wand is still great for on-the-go use, making it ideal for travelers or those who like to reapply their anti wrinkle eye cream while out and about.

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.