Two Ways To Care For The Skin Underneath The Eyes

One specific area on the face that might need some more attention is the area underneath the eyes. There are actually two basic skin care must do for the skin under your eyes. Here's a brief discussion.

1. Moisturizing. The skin around the eyes is not like the rest of the facial skin because this area lacks sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are the ones that secrete oil or sebum in order to keep the skin moisturized or hydrated. Without these glands that particular area can become really dry which is the case of the skin surrounding your eyes.

Since this area is prone to dryness, it is only natural for you to find ways to keep it hydrated. Indeed, keeping the skin around the eyes hydrated is a must. It is ideal to use a long lasting moisturizing lotion as this can provide protection and moisturizes for 24 hours thus keeping you from reapplying it during the day.

However, not all moisturizers work. Despite the fact that moisturizers are widely available and that it contains chemical ingredients, studies have shown that only a few of these ingredients are effective at trapping moisture and are skin friendly at the same time. This is probably the reason why body moisturizing lotions should not be used for the face.

Some of the ingredients that are known for trapping moisture very well are colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA. In case additional hydration is needed, you can opt to use night creams specially made for the eyes. Unlike regular facial moisturizers, this cream tends to be heavier and usually leaves a visible residue once applied. This is the reason why this cream should be applied only at bedtime so you can wash it off in the morning and then apply a regular facial moisturizer which is less visible. For moisturizing to really work, you might have to do some lifestyle adjustments too.

2. Toning and Firming. The skin underneath the eyes is unusually thin compared to the skin on the face and the body. This characteristic is the very reason why this skin tends to sag easily which can lead to women complaining about eye bags. Remember that sagging eye bags are hard to treat so the best way to deal with sagging skin is to prevent it.

The options in firming the skin underneath the eyes can be rather limited. It is really not a good idea to rely on commercial firming products. The effects may be immediate but it is only temporary. This product works by pulling the skin's surface giving it an instant lift but then again there is no positive effect on the skin itself thus this effect will not last long.

Reducing puffiness can help tone the eyes. To reduce puffiness all you have to do is to put a cold item like a bag of frozen pies or cold cucumbers atop the area. Other than that, you will have to do some lifestyle modifications such as getting enough sleep and exercise, avoiding smoking and drinking and of course reducing stress.