How to take care of your eye contour?

The eye contour area, being sensitive and particularly stressed, deserves specific attention. Indeed, the skin in this area is approximately four times thinner compared to the rest of the face. Moreover, the eyelids are poor in sebaceous glands, which means that the hydrolipidic film in this area is practically non-existent. Therefore, the eye contour is barely protected from external aggressions and dehydration.

It is also worth noting that the elastin and collagen fibres in the dermis are less abundant in this area. This is why the eye contour is prone to loss of elasticity and skin sagging. Lastly, it is important to emphasise that the blood and lymphatic microcirculations under the lower eyelid are easily disrupted. Indeed, when the drainage of toxins and blood pigments is slowed, these accumulate under the eyes and can cause dark circles and puffiness.

Taking care of one's eye contour primarily involves quality sleep. This allows the body to rest and the skin to regenerate. It is well known that a lack of sleep has detrimental effects, whether on concentration, behaviour, or the skin. Dark circles, bags, and other signs of fatigue form as a result of a poor night's sleep. That's why doctors recommend sleeping at least 8 hours per night. The needs of each individual may vary slightly, and this duration can differ from one person to another, but it remains a significant factor to consider.

A beautiful skin, and by extension a fresh look, require adequate hydration. While the necessary daily water intake can slightly vary from one individual to another, it is generally recommended to drink at least 1.5 L of water. This contributes to having plump and toned skin, and to preventing dehydration fine lines.

Gentle circular massages around the eye contour can stimulate slowed blood circulation and prevent blood stagnation. When performed regularly, these actions can reduce the appearance of fatigue signs and prevent their onset. Gently massaging this area also helps to smooth the skin and has a decongesting effect. To do this, start from the brow bone and make circles up to the temples, passing through the eye's orbital hollow. Then lightly pinch the skin in this area before tapping it.

For better decongestion of the eye contour, you can rely on cold, which stimulates blood circulation. To this end, wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth and gently massage the lower eyelid. You can also use a teaspoon, previously placed in the refrigerator.

To limit the appearance of dark circles and bags upon waking, it is important to thoroughly remove makeup in the evening. Skipping this step would further weaken this already sensitive area. Makeup particles can hinder nocturnal cellular regeneration and further dry out the skin by clogging pores and thus limiting the skin's natural self-hydration. The result: dehydration fine lines and crow's feet wrinkles set in.

In the morning, awaken your gaze with a floral water or a suitable toner. You could, for instance, use thecornflower hydrosol, a gentle treatment suitable for this sensitive area with its decongesting and soothing properties.

A recommendation?

At Typology, we offer you a biphasic makeup removere suitable for the eye contour. This treatment is formulated without surfactants to respect the pH of this area and containschamomile hydrosol (INCI: Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water), which has soothing properties. It also containssweet almond vegetable oil (INCI: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil) andrice bran oil (INCI: Oryza Sativa Bran Oil) to hydrate and nourish the eye contour.

The various issues that can affect the eye contour (dark circles, bags, fine lines...) call for the application of a specific treatment. The "eye contour" treatments allow for the care of this delicate area and, unlike most cosmetic products, have undergone ophthalmological tests on this area. Each treatment addresses a targeted concern.

• Hydrating the eye contour.

  In order to compensate for the near-absence of the hydrolipidic film in this area, it is crucial to hydrate the eye contour. Furthermore, this helps to maintain the suppleness and elasticity of the area, and to prevent the appearance of dehydration fine lines. To strengthen the skin's protective barrier, treatments based on nourishing active ingredients are recommended.

• Drain the area to prevent stagnations.

  Resulting from poor blood or lymphatic circulation, the appearance of vascular dark circles and bags can be reduced by using a treatment containing decongestant active ingredients. Indeed, these marks are due to an accumulation of blood pigments or toxins around the eye contour following a slowdown in microcirculation. To lessen them, rely on treatments based on caffeine, cornflower hydrosol or witch hazel hydrosol, ingredients possessing this property.

• Protect the eye contour from the sun's rays.

  The delicacy of the skin around the eyes makes it susceptible to UV radiation. Indeed, the sun's rays easily penetrate this area and can generate an excess of free radicals in the skin cells. These reactive species attack and damage DNA and cell membranes, sometimes causing genetic mutations or promoting the onset of skin disorders (hyperpigmentation, skin cancers...). To eliminate them, you can turn to eye contour treatments rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, ferulic acid, coenzyme Q10 or polyphenols. These molecules are capable of neutralising free radicals through an electron donation.

  The daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen and the wearing of sunglasses to protect the eyes are also recommended.

• Tone the area.

  As we age, the synthesis of collagen and elastin by fibroblasts decreases, which promotes the formation of wrinkles around the eye contour, an area where there are already few support fibres. To strengthen the area and prevent premature skin sagging, there are treatments based on firming and tightening active ingredients.

In order to care for your eye contour, you can also apply a mask, specifically formulated for this delicate area, once a week. This treatment will complement your usual eye contour routine and, depending on the active ingredients it contains, will hydrate, drain or tone the skin in this area.

Diet also has an impact on the eye contour. To take care of it, we must also pay attention to what is on our plate. It is advised to adopt a balanced and varied diet on a daily basis, incorporating fruits and vegetables, proteins, fibres, carbohydrates, dairy products... Nutritionists also recommend being light-handed when adding salt to our meals. In addition to increasing the risk of high blood pressure, salt has a detrimental effect on microcirculation and slows it down. This often results in water retention and symptoms of heavy legs, but also has an impact on the eye contour by promoting the appearance of bags.