Despite allegedly being “windows to the soul”, our eyes seem to take quite a fair amount of flack on a daily basis. Not getting enough sleep, dehydration and wearing contact lenses for far longer than we should (not to mention aggressively rubbing eye makeup off when we’re desperate to fall into bed) certainly takes its toll. Add to this the fact that skin is more fragile around the eye area, it’s safe to say it needs quite a bit of TLC now and again, being most vulnerable to fine lines and loss of elasticity.
Renowned skin cosmetician OLEHENRIKSEN agrees, “The skin around the eyes is very thin and lacks oil glands meaning our eye region is under a lot of stress and is prone to many textural imperfections like milia (white heads and bumps under the eyes). I created my Truth Is In The Eyes, Eye Peel Concentrate (£39, Selfridges) to specially address the problems of dark circles, puffiness and textural imperfections that I was treating in my spa. The key extract within my peel is Regu-Age, which is a blend of purified soy and rice bran, this enhances micro circulation under the eyes, reducing dark circles and puffiness, whilst also strengthening the under eye tissue.”
SKYN Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
Massaging around the eyes is also essential for de-puffing and brightening this area. Celebrity facialist Su Man (famed for her skilful toxin-draining massage techniques) has this advice, “Once a day, tap around the eye sockets with your fingertips, using the natural weight of the fingers. Do not tap too hard, or tap around the eyelids – they are too delicate and this can damage the eyes. Six times above the eye socket and six times below is sufficient. This stimulates the bones of the eye socket, brightens the eyes and reduces any swelling above or below the eyes. To finish off this exercise you continue tapping all over the face. But you only need to do this a few times.” Su Man’s Awakening Eye Uplift (£55, qvcuk.com) from her recently launched skincare range contains advanced peptide complex, dragon’s blood extract to reduce fine lines and firm the skin. A rice-sized amount for each application is all that’s needed.
And if your eyes are desperately need of some care and attention, a rejuvenating eye-facial wouldn’t go amiss. Those who are London-based can head down to Brentford to visit the palatial Kallima Club and Spa at Hilton London Syon Park to indulge in their Eye Supreme Anti Aging Ritual (£48 for 45mins). A treatment which is both relaxing and results-driven, it uses products by scientific Italian spa brand Comfort Zone – including a collagen mask, gels and creams to plump out fine lines and rejuvenate the eye area (finished off with a soothing scalp massage). Located in the edge of the 200 acre Syon House Estate, it’s almost worth going along simply to spend time in the spa’s grandiose surroundings, the spacious, softly lit treatment rooms and Sultan’s boudoir-esque relaxation areas alone. Safe to say, you’ll leave feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Eye products: New or of Note …
SKYN Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (£25 Marks and Spencer)
A hangover essential, not only do they feel divine straight from the fridge, they also imbue eyes with a hefty dose of actives including acetyl hexapeptide which has a mild “botox” effect by calming the muscles under the skin.
Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Contouring Eye Lift (£100 Harrods)
The Re-Nutriv range has turned our heads in the past – not least for delivering a noticeable difference after a few applications. This latest addition is no different, with a cooling ceramic tip, it contains a potent concoction of skin-firming ingredients to firm, lift and de-puff the eye area. It’s ideal for mature skin types.
Glam Glow Bright Mud Eye Treatment (£44.99, cultbeauty.co.uk)
A mini mud-mask for the under-eye area which gives your eyes some much needed “zing” when you’re not feeling too awake. It contains patented peptides for some heavy duty anti-ageing and nitroffeine for lymphatic stimulation to pep up tired peepers.
Glam Glow Bright Mud Eye Treatment
Shiffa Dubai Rejuvinating Eye Remedy (£50, uk.spacenk.com)
Twice award-winning with over 22 active ingredients, this heavy duty eye remedy helps increase microcirculation with weeping cypress, as well as boost collagen with borage and bladder wrack algae.
HealGel Eye (£32, healgel.co.uk)
Ideal for those suffering with irritated eyes during hayfever season, it contains light diffusers and a dual-hyaluronic acid complex to brighten and soothe around the eye area.
By Terry Touche Veloutée (£35, uk.spacenk.com)
One of the few under eye products which claims to disguise dark circles and actually does what it says. Its light, gentle formula blends easily into the eye area too.
Terry Touche Veloutée
Zelens Triple Action Advanced Eye Cream (£75, cultbeauty.co.uk)
Winner of a Glass 2014 Skincare Award, it has a potent cocktail of active anti-aging ingredients. Plus, clinical trials revealed it to reduce wrinkle depth by 45 per cent in four weeks.
OLEHENRIKSEN total truthTM Eye Crème SPF 15 – (£41, Selfridges)
As well as the eye peel, as mentioned above, Henrikson also makes a cracking good SPF to protect the eye area, which includes tripeptide 5 to stimulate collagen.
OLE Ultimate Lift Eye Creme
by Viola Levy