The eyes are the window to the soul, so who wouldn’t want to maintain a bright and youthful appearance for the skin surrounding the eye area? This skin is a lot thinner than the rest of the face which allows the blood beneath the surface to shine through. It can get dark if the blood flowing through is lacking oxygen due to dehydration. How severe under-eye circles are is determined by hydration levels in the liver and body. Puffiness around this delicate area (which can fluctuate as elevations of toxins go up and down in our body) can also lead to sagging over time from stretching the skin.

So what can we do to take care of the skin around our eyes?

1) HYDRATE

Topically
For delicate skin, this area sure goes through a lot of wear and tear throughout the day, and even while we sleep. Keeping the skin hydrated with a protective moisture barrier will help support the skin, plump up dehydration lines and fight signs of dull tired looking eyes.

Internally:
Hydrating the body on a cellular level with water rich fruits, along with drinking plenty of water and prioritizing the intake of trace mineral salts found in leafy greens can defend the body against dehydration and puffiness that contribute to dark under eye circles.

2) PEPTIDES
Peptides are amino acids that are the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin. Using a serum or moisturizer that contains peptides can lead to firmer looking skin

Tetrapeptide-3 Skin Benefits

Tetrapeptide-3 helps to stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin to strengthen the skin structure. As we age, the epidermis (the outside layer of skin that we see) and the dermis (the layer that holds our collagen and elastin) begin to separate, which can give the appearance of thinner skin and more pronounced dark circles, lines and sagging. Tetrapeptide 3 works to strengthen the connection between these two layers to slow ageing. 

Tetrapeptide 3 is one of the most effective peptides for skin that can be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions or concerns. It has been proven to treat a range of issues including ageing and wrinkles and can be found in Osmosis MD’s Illuminate Eye Serum:

3) GUA SHA & FACIAL MASSAGE
Stimulating lymph flow with the right facial massage techniques or gua sha can help release built-up fluid retention and muscle tension, alleviating the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and loose skin. The Jade Gua Sha Stone is one of my favorite ritual tools for massaging and practicing gua sha around the eyes because of the “U shape” that is easy to maneuver around the contours of the eye. It is soft and feels cool to the touch and features a “teeth” edge to help smooth out tension and lines.