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You can learn a lot about a woman by examining her eyes. They express love, joy, excitement. But at the same time, more than anywhere else on the body, the eyes show early signs of sun damage, stress, and illness.
"The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest you have," says holistic cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jeanette Jacknin, author of "Smart Medicine for Your Skin." Pair that fragility with a small pad of underlying fat that all but vanishes with age, and you're left with little to guard against wrinkles or disguise veins. As a result, the slightest damage readily becomes visible.
The best solution? Take a holistic approach. Natural and nature-inspired remedies supply you with a powerful arsenal.Restorative ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and essential oils extracted from herbs, teas, and other plants can help mend this vulnerable area.
Here, our experts offer simple lifestyle changes, quick fixes, and product suggestions to tackle puffy eyes, dark circles, crow's feet, crinkled lids -- and send those bags packing.
Beating Crow's Feet Sun exposure and aging diminish skin's elasticity; UV rays and pollution cause inflammation and cell damage. As a result, repeated expressions (smiling, squinting) form creases. Look for products containing evening primrose, jojoba, sesame oils to hydrate skin and maintain flexibility; aloe to speed healing; and antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E to help fight free radicals and sun damage.
The Cause
Sun exposure and aging diminish skin's elasticity; UV rays and pollution cause inflammation and cell damage. As a result, repeated expressions (smiling, squinting) form creases.
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Swissline Force Vitale Corrective Eye Moisturizer
Fighting Bags For a quick fix, place cucumber slices (for astringency) or chilled caffeinated tea bags (for tannins) on your eyes for 15 minutes to tighten skin and absorb fluid. But eat vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen production.Tap the eye area lightly while moisturizing to help dissipate excess fluid. To reduce water retention, drink water, limit alcohol, and get more rest.
The Cause
With age, cells produce more free radicals, which indirectly break down collagen and elastin, causing skin to lose elasticity and structure. A pad of fat, the eye's "shock absorber," bulges outward, while fat below the eye thins. Water retention amplifies the problem.
Essential Steps
Eat vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen production.Tap the eye area lightly while moisturiz-ing to help dissipate excess fluid, says Cox. To reduce water retention, drink water, limit alcohol, and get more rest.
Quick Fix
Place cucumber slices (for astringency) or chilled caffeinated tea bags (for tannins) on eyes for 15 minutes to tighten skin and absorb fluid.
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Swissline Force Vitale Anti-Pufiness Eye Awakener
Fixing Dark Circles
For immediate results, look for a concealer that is close to your natural complexion--lighter tones will make circles look gray.Or try plumping up thin skin with a fast-absorbing oil like jojoba. Try foods rich in vitamin K because it helps fortify blood-vessel walls, and use a daily topical treatment with vitamin K. Also aim for more downtime and sleep.
The Cause
Nasal congestion widens surrounding veins; related inflammation may lead to dark pigment deposits. Stress and poor diet can weaken blood vessels, which may break, creating a bruise-like undertone. Fatigue strains eyelid muscles, engorging blood vessels, and can produce a wan complexion, making circles appear darker by contrast. For some, dark circles are genetic.
Essential Steps
Eat foods rich in vitamin K, because it helps fortify blood-vessel walls. And use a daily topical treatment with vitamin K. Also aim for more downtime and sleep.
Quick Fix
Only cosmetics deliver instant results. Cox says to look for a concealer that's close to your natural complexion -- lighter tones will make circles look gray. Or try "plumping up" thin skin with a fast-absorbing oil like jojoba.
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Swissline CellShock Cellular Eye Care Against Dark Circles
To quickly prevent, use a cream eye shadow, or apply a hydrating primer underneath your usual powder to help retain natural moisture. Or use a light eye cream in the morning and a rich cream at night; tap the eye area lightly with your finger until the product is absorbed to stimulate circulation. Use a gentle, hydrating makeup remover or cleanser. Don't scrub harder to remove stubborn makeup; instead, gently wash the area again. Eliminate talc-based eye shadows, which sap moisture.
The Cause
Skin produces decreasing amounts of oil over time, so eyelids tend to become dry and fragile. Loss of elasticity and fat, plus thinning skin, compound the problem and contribute to small folds in the lids. Eye shadows and cleansers can dry, too. With diminishing protection, too much scrubbing and overly absorbent powders can make matters worse.
Essential Steps
Use a light eye cream in the morning and a rich cream at night; tap the eye area lightly with your finger until the product is absorbed to stimulate circulation, says Cox. Use a gentle, hydrating makeup remover or cleanser. Don't scrub harder to remove stubborn makeup; instead, gently wash the area again. Eliminate talc-based eye shadows, which sap moisture.
Quick Fix
Use a cream eye shadow, advises Cox, or apply a hydrating primer underneath your usual powder to help retain natural moisture.
OR Try
Swissline Ultimate Radiance Youthful Eye Contour Capsules
Swissline Force Vitale Corrective Eye Moisturizer
Swissline Ageless White Eye Gel-C
