Do you have under eye circles, shadows, or puffiness? Join the club! These are all very common eye concerns, affecting most of us at some point in our lives. Whether it’s hereditary under eye circles, shadows from tiredness or illness, puffiness from lack of sleep or too much salt in our food, one thing is clear, we’re all keen to present our complexions as bright eyed and looking our best.
Like many skin-related conditions, under eye circles are largely hereditary, so this means that despite our best efforts, we might still experience some discoloration. Other eye issues can be affected by our lifestyles, so the goal here should be on improving the health of our skin in any way we can, instead of simply trying to get rid those pesky concerns.
Discover this guide to help treat and conceal any unwanted discoloration, dehydration, and puffiness, safely and effectively.
Try working on getting more quality shut eye if you can, because that’s one thing you can control. Even if it means going to bed just a half hour earlier. This is easier said than done but a big cause of under eye circles and puffiness is lack of sleep. For adults over 26, the Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours each night. If you truly can’t extend your number of zzzs, make sure you’re using your time wisely. Limit screen time, alcohol, and salt before you hit the hay and use an additional pillow to prop your head up while you sleep. Make sure you’re turning your pillow over each night and change your pillowcases regularly to maintain skin hygiene.
Try adding an eye cream to your nightly ritual too. C-Shield Eye Restore Hydrator is a great choice to work overnight on delivering your eye area the nourishing actives it needs.
Every skincare guide will tell you to drink water. And for good reason. Dehydration can affect a number of skin conditions and under eye circles are no exception. Much like a lack of sleep, it’s likely you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day. Drinking 8 glasses of water per day is advised and can help treat your dark circles from the inside out. It will also help mitigate any salt intake from the day too which can be very dehydrating and can lead to extra puffiness the next day. If you’ve had a particularly salty snack or meal, add 2 extra glasses of water to your daily intake.
For an added boost, try using a chilled, under eye mask several times per week. There are tons of options available but we love the tried and true spa method, sliced cucumbers. The cool temperature will help blood vessels contract, making your dark circles appear lighter and reducing any puffiness. Be sure to leave them on for 10-20 minutes for best results. To bring down visible puffiness, you can also try moistened black or green tea bags too. The antioxidants, flavonoids, and tannins in the tea have anti-inflammatory properties. And you can make them cool or warm depending on your preference.
The best way to take care of your eyes is to use an eye cream designed specifically for this delicate and sensitive area. Although you may think your normal face moisturizer will suffice, it’s best to treat the thin eye area with extra care. Our go-to is C-Shield Eye Restore Hydrator because of its antioxidant-rich formula featuring skin-strengthening peptides and nourishing vitamins. These active ingredients work together to diminish dark circles, as well as fine lines and puffiness. For a richer, age-defying eye cream, try Phyto-Active Eye Cream.
If treatment isn’t enough, there’s always makeup, for that finishing touch. To expertly conceal any discoloration under the eyes, start with your favorite eye cream. Allow 5-10 minutes for the product to soak in and then apply a creamy concealer makeup formula. We love Under Eye Concealer because it allows you to color correct with the deeper shade, then brighten with the lighter. Following application, apply a setting powder like Loose Matte Finishing Powder or Perfecting Powder to keep your look crease-free.