Eye Serums & Creams, Anti-Age!

ANTI-AGE! THE SKIN AROUND YOUR EYES

 What does eye serum do?

Serums are a highly concentrated skincare product that contains a much higher percentage of active ingredients than creams. The skin around the eyes can be sensitive and easily damaged, the use of a serum is to achieve the following:

• Prevention and appearance of wrinkles
• Dark lines
• Puffiness
• Crow’s feet
• Helps plump the skin

Traditionally eye serums are lighter in texture and can penetrate deeper into the skin than an eye cream, this helps to target cells that are deeper down in the epidermis.

Rule of thumb: When it comes to skincare, earlier is better!! So many people only start using eye cream in their 30s, when they start noticing the first subtle crease on the outer corner of their eyes, but you can start as early as your 20s. That is because the best results come from prevention.

Eye serums contain anti-aging properties and the fact that our bodies regenerate and repair while we sleep, it would be vital to apply eye serum 15 minutes before sleeping. If you want to apply it in the morning, you can add some eye serum to the moisturiser and apply in the morning.

Do I really need a separate eye cream from my moisturiser?

The short answer YES!

Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye and are thicker and heavier due to their high concentration of oils and fats. Moisturising with eye creams in this area are beneficial for dehydrated skin. Studies indicate that certain anti-aging eye treatments can indeed help improve under eye smoothness and reduce the depth of larger wrinkles.

Why should you use an eye cream?

The eye area is the most delicate area of skin found on the body. The epidermis (or top layer of the skin) may be as thin as 0.05mm. Due to a thinner epidermis and dermis (the Layer underneath the epidermis), the support tissue around the eye area is not as dense compared to the cheeks or chin. The eye area can therefore show signs of ageing, such as thinning or dehydration faster when compared to the rest of the face. Whilst wrinkles and ageing can affect the skin all over the face, two conditions unique to the eye area include puffiness and dark circles.

• Puffiness occurs when fluid builds up around the eye area. Unsightly bags form as this fluid fills the under-eye area. The causes of puffiness include fluid retention, high sodium diets, allergies, fatigue and stretching of the skin.
• Dark circles appear when the tissue surrounding the eye area is naturally darker in colour. This is more common in darker skin tones or those of Mediterranean, South East Asia or Middle Eastern heritage. Dark circles can also appear when the tiny capillary network in the skin becomes congested creating a blue or grey undertone similarly to a bruise. 

When should I start using an eye cream?

You should start using an eye cream when you start moisturising your face. The eye area is easily neglected, it’s small and easily forgotten. Preventative skincare can be difficult because results are not easily seen but if you’re consistent, it is the most effective and rewarding phase for anti-ageing. Prevention is always easier than fighting to reverse the effects of ageing.

Your skin inherits a blueprint for how it ages, this is called “intrinsic ageing factor”. However, this does not have to be the end story! Skin is also affected by our lifestyle choices or “extrinsic ageing factors” this includes direct sunlight, pollution and inadequate nutrition are all factors that can enhance and increase the ageing process. To understand your ageing process, you should look at your blood relatives. When did your mother’s skin start to show fine lines? What about your fathers? What does your grandmother’s skin look like?.