Eye bags are common in both sexes and across all ages, but they are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments because so many people suffer from them. To truly address this frustrating issue, we must first take a step back and understand what we are dealing with.
Why do we get bags under our eyes?
The sad truth is that genetics plays a huge role in this. If you suffer from eye bags during childhood, this could be a sign that you simply inherited them and there is really nothing you can do about the problem.
However, the good news is that it is fixable/preventable if it is associated with a number of other issues. Some people may develop eye bags when exposed to strong sunlight, which can lead to an overproduction of melanin, which gives the skin its colour. We may all want a beautiful tan, but this can have a devastating effect on your eye area.
Another of the most well-known factors is probably fatigue due to lack of sleep or overwork. This is because lack of sleep can make the skin appear paler, which in turn causes blood vessels and the dark tissue beneath them to be more visible on the skin.
If you stare at a screen all day, you could be your own worst enemy as it can cause eye fatigue, which is the same effect that lack of sleep has on the eye area.
If your body is dehydrated, your skin may not get the moisture it needs, and simple allergies can also contribute to the problem. There may also be fluid buildup in the area, making it more noticeable. But ultimately, the aging process can increase the appearance of eye bags.
How to treat eye bags?
Use an extra pillow – I wanted to highlight this tip first because it made a huge difference for me! Sleeping on your stomach or not lifting your head high enough can increase swelling and cause fluid to build up under your eyes. I always slept on my stomach without a pillow, and I had terrible eye bags. I switched to my back and added two pillows, and my eye bags were gone by about 70%!
Cold compress – You’ll hear dozens of suggestions on the best method, whether it’s placing cucumbers on your eyes for 10 to 20 minutes or simply applying a damp washcloth. I recommend experimenting and trying to find what works best for you. If you’re using one of our hydrating masks, adding a few cucumber slices can add a touch of pampering.
In many cases, using an eye cream has been shown to produce noticeable results. We recommend researching the ingredients needed and the best brands because you’ll be overwhelmed by the choices. Another tip is to store your eye cream in the fridge because this can provide additional short-term benefits. Just make sure your fridge isn’t too cold, as the last thing you want is to affect the quality of your cream.
We’ve already mentioned allergies. Now it might be time to get an allergy test to see what’s got you so spooked. Maybe you’re allergic to your pet cat, the dust in your home, or that new beauty treatment you’re trying. It’s always worth testing your body for allergies and intolerances to find out what might be causing the irritation, rash, or reaction.
Always remove your makeup before bed. Not removing it can lead to increased puffiness under your eyes in the morning, making bags more noticeable.
It’s time to go to bed earlier. We all have crazy schedules, but we also have to admit that it’s usually Netflix late at night that gets us down. So set a bedtime and make sure you get enough sleep to recover properly.
It’s not just the amount of sleep that’s important, but also the quality of it. Make sure to eliminate all blue light in the room, try to get enough magnesium (including supplements), set a sleep schedule, and avoid naps longer than 20 minutes.
Avoid smoking. They appear on almost every beauty and health list, and this is just another piece in the series because they wreak havoc on the entire body.
It could be as simple as consuming too much salt in a day. Keep a food diary for a few days and monitor how much salt you eat. Eating less salt can prevent fluid retention, which can be a problem.
We already mentioned that dehydration is a common cause of these symptoms, and guess what the solution is. It’s entirely possible that you don’t drink enough water every day, so try to find out when you’re being lazy, such as when you’re sleeping. B. Don’t have a bottle on your way to work or at your desk. Whenever this happens, try to make sure you have a bottle with you. You can even set a reminder to drink water. It may sound crazy, but it will get you into the habit of drinking water more often.
While you should make sure to avoid your eyes, you may want to add SPF to your daily routine. The sun is the biggest contributor to skin damage, but you can help reduce sun damage significantly by applying a good sunscreen every day (yes, including in the winter). This strategy is used in Korea and has become a well-known part of the Korean Ten Steps to Skin Care, but it should only be done in the morning and during the day, not at night.
If you’ve tried all of these strategies and are still losing hair, a good concealer may be the ultimate solution. It can be quickly applied to the eye bags, while you can also choose a concealer that’s light on your skin tone. Be sure to carry it with you so you can look fresh throughout the day.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
