By Shammi Mondal
Why use an eye cream?
The skin under your eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of your body, so naturally it is sensitive and vulnerable to stress, sun exposure, lack of sleep and poor hydration. Therefore, the area around your eyes is where you find the first signs of ageing.
Also, there are very few sebaceous glands present around the eyes, which adds to the shortage of hydration in the area, exactly where an eye cream can be of help.
To make your search for an effective eye cream easier, we recommend you look for these two powerful ingredients that will get rid of under-eye bags.
Caffeine: The depuffing specialist
Waking up to puffy eyes every morning? Whether caused by binge-watching tear-jerkers or an excessive salt intake, we have a solution.
After years of caffeine shaming, turns out caffeine isn’t all bad, especially for puffy under eyes. Since it is naturally rich in antioxidants (substances that prevent cell damage) and has anti-inflammatory properties, it can soothe your skin and under eye.
The ingredient is also a vasoconstrictor, which means it has a shrinking effect on the blood vessels surrounding the eye area that instantly reduce swelling and puffiness.
It penetrates your skin and increases the microcirculation of blood in the area, which decreases any discoloration.
So, pick up a caffeine-based under-eye cream and apply it under your eyes twice a day.
Peptides: The anti-wrinkle experts
If you’re worried about fine lines and the under-eye wrinkles, look for an eye cream that has peptides.
Peptides are chains of amino acids that hold collagen fibres together. Collagen, the protein that gives our skin its elasticity, reduces as we age. But peptides act as glue and help collagen fibres stick together, making it a powerful anti-aging ingredient that reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Since the skin under your eye is thin and sensitive, using an active or harsh ingredient can make it more vulnerable. Unlike retinol, peptides are mild; they gently moisturise and rejuvenate your undereye.
Peptides are often marketed by different names like neuropeptides, acetyl-hexapeptide-8 and palmitoyl oligopeptide.
Choose an under-eye cream with either of these ingredients and say goodbye to your dark circles.