Women of the world have been searching for centuries to find the best way to maintain and pamper the skin in those delicate eye areas that tend to age faster than the rest of the face. Most medical professionals agree that the number one course of action needs to be hydrating the body. But experience shows us that sometimes those little lines around the eyes need more than a good drink. While ancient civilizations used essential oils (still a hallmark of natural eye creams today), modern eye creams feature great combinations of plant-based ingredients and age-defying technology that can do wonders for anyone’s eyes.
Though many skin experts confess eye cream is often unnecessary if a person is already using an anti-aging moisturizer with sunscreen, there comes a time to get some extra help. How do you know when it’s time to add eye cream to your skin care regimen? A tight feeling around the eyes may signal excessive dryness, which is often followed by deeper lines and wrinkles, and then the “raccoon” puffiness and darkness. Applying an eye cream morning and night can help restore moisture and firmness to the eye area, explains Rachel Rowen, of the Center for Beauty and Advanced Esthetics in California. And to help you on your quest to finding the perfect eye cream for you, here’s a list of 10 “eye cream all-stars” from the experts at Alternative Medicine.
Hyaluronic Acid, a.k.a. Sodium Hyaluronate – This naturally-derived protein attracts 1,000 times its weight in water and plumps up fine lines.
Vitamin E/Tocotrienol – Palm oil-derived vitamin E is more potent than the regular form, though all Vitamin E protects eyes from sun damage, heals redness and stops flaking in very dry skin.
Peptides – These essential proteins promote the production of elastin and collagen, giving a firming effect.
Coenzyme Q10 – This antioxidant is in every cell of the body. It counteracts free radical damage, increases tissue oxygenation and fights skin damage.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids – Derived from sugars in plants like grapes and citrus fruits, these acids are naturally occurring and slough off dead skin cells, thus helping plump up fine lines.
Chamomile – This natural flower has anti-irritant and antioxidative properties for the mind and skin, helping to alleviate redness and smooth fine lines.
Retinoids/Vitamin A – These vitamin A derivatives penetrate the skin, helping to exfoliate damaged cells and produce new ones. Use sunscreen with them, as they increase sun sensitivity.
Green Tea a.k.a. Camellia Sinensis – The young tea leaves are packed with anti-oxidants and are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that repair and strengthen skin.
Essential Fatty Acids – EFAs are derived from plant and animal lipids and are also found in the outer layer of the skin. They protect skin from sun damage.
Vitamin C-Ester a.k.a. Ascorbyl Palmitate – This non-acidic combination of vitamin C, bioactive metabolites, and minerals reduces puffiness and stimulates collagen synthesis.