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Prevent under-eye bags and dark circles

The past year has been anything but relaxing, and if you’re like us, you may find that under-eye puffiness and dark circles have become all the more noticeable. But fear not, because we’ve gathered everything you need to know for prevention…and camouflage, if necessary. Why Me?

While genetics has a lot to do with under-eye circles and bags, other factors can also make us look tired, including the obvious, lack of sleep, but also allergies, dehydrated skin and thinning or loss of elasticity due to aging.

With dark circles, the skin beneath the eye may appear to be a different colour from the rest of the face due to variation in pigmentation or thin tissue that makes the blood vessels more visible. Fatigue plays a role, as does dehydration, which can make the skin appear dull and exacerbate those circles.

Puffiness or under-eye bags are usually the result of water or fat deposits that create a shadow beneath the eyes. Fluid retention may be linked to a lack of sleep or a diet high in salt. Fat deposits are usually caused by natural sagging of the skin and weakening of facial muscles due to aging.

Preventive Action

What can be done to minimize puffiness and dark circles?

• Try to get enough sleep and avoid caffeine at least

six hours before bedtime.

• Drink plenty of water and reduce alcohol intake

for optimal hydration.

• Decrease salt intake, which can cause puffiness.

• Avoid tugging or stretching the skin around the

eyes when applying or removing makeup.

• Apply cream by tapping the eye area gently with your ring finger, and opt for a formula that has brightening and corrective properties—look for ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinol and vitamin C. Using a face roller or product with a ball tip applicator feels refreshing and can help reduce swelling.

• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine if you have allergies, or arm yourself with eye drops to reduce itching and curb the urge to rub your eyes.

• Wear sunscreen daily to minimize the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for firmness in the skin.

Under Cover

Dark circles tend to look blue-grey or brown, so you’ll want to apply a thin layer of corrective product in the opposite colour on the colour wheel to counteract the hue. Depending on your skin tone, this might be a shade of yellow, peach or orange. Next, add a light-reflecting concealer with medium to full coverage, and focus on the inner corners of the eyes. Tap the product gently onto the skin using your ring finger, and set with a light dusting of translucent powder.

To target under-eye bags, first de-puff using a cold compress or cooling eye cream. Then apply your concealer, focusing on illuminating the shaded area just below the crease of the bags—you don’t need a ton of product. Blend downward, patting gently, and avoid highlighting the swollen area.