Bags under the eyes, along with dark circles and bruises, can quickly reveal things about our age, sleep, genetics, anatomy, physiology, and lifestyle. And unfortunately, they also have an unappealing appearance.
What Happens to the Skin Around the Eyes?
Leading dermatologist Christina Psomadakis of London, known in the blogging world as “Dr. Soma,” is an expert on skin health and aging. She firmly believes that it is possible to eliminate bags under the eyes, but it requires patience.
In addition to the factors already mentioned, Dr. Psomadakis points to other causes: skin pigmentation and problems with the vascular and lymphatic systems. So, the reasons for these issues are often beyond our control.
The skin reflects light well, which gives it a radiant appearance. However, over time, because of the loss of collagen and hydration, the skin under the eyes becomes dull and lifeless, the Daily Mail reports.
In recent years, our skin has faced new enemies, such as high-energy visible light (HEV) from smartphones and computer screens. Environmental pollutants can also lead to hyperpigmentation in the eye area.
How to Combat This?
Experts say that with proper care and treatment, you can see significant improvement in the skin around your eyes.
Dr. Shah-Desai primarily advises her patients to avoid caffeine and alcohol; both are stressors that cause dehydration and can contribute to wrinkle formation. Smoking also harms the skin around the eyes — it depletes the body of antioxidants, leaving the skin dry and dull.
Sleep is crucial for the body’s recovery. Aim for six to eight hours of sleep regularly.
Christina Psomadakis also recommends preventing skin dehydration and thoroughly removing all makeup. “You’d be surprised how often skin looks worse simply because mascara or eyeliner wasn’t properly removed,” she says.
Dr. Soma has a simple trick for morning puffiness: sleep with your head slightly elevated using an extra pillow.
Avoid excessive fluid and salt intake, since salt causes the body to retain water and can increase puffiness.
What Should Eye Care Products Be Like?
The first rule of skincare is to use products with a high SPF year-round, not just in summer. This is especially important for protecting the area around the eyes, Dr. Shah-Desai says.
Christina Psomadakis recommends a mix of ingredients that target the main causes of bags and dark circles. First, look for moisturizers such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and triglycerides. These help the skin appear smoother and firmer.
Choose creams, gels, or serums that address hyperpigmentation through tyrosinase inhibitors, and consider products with light-reflecting particles to add instant brightness.
Daily products that contain caffeine to boost microcirculation and retinoids to reduce wrinkles can also be helpful.
Keep a quality concealer in your makeup bag to make any skin imperfections less noticeable.
Home Remedies for Bags and Dark Circles Under the Eyes:
- Tea bags: Place cooled tea bags over closed eyes for 15 minutes.
- Ice cubes: Gently rub ice cubes around the eye area.
- Cold spoon: Apply a chilled spoon to areas of darkness or puffiness.
- Baking soda compresses: Hold cotton pads soaked in a light baking soda solution on closed eyes for 10 minutes.
- Slices of cucumber or potato: Leave chilled slices on the skin around the eyes for about 15 minutes.
- Milk compresses: Place cotton pads soaked in cold milk on the eyes for 15 minutes.
