Bags are common for both genders and for various ages, however it is one of the most sought out beauty treatments, as so many suffer with it. To truly tackle this frustrating issue, we must first take a step back, to understand what we are dealing with.
Why Do We Have Bags Under Our Eyes?
The sad truth is genetics plays a huge part in this. If you suffer with bags under your eyes when in early childhood, then this can be a sign you have simply inherited it and the reality is there is only a certain amount you can do to tackle the issue.
However, the good news is it can be solved/prevented if related to a host of other issues. Some can suffer from bags under the eyes if they are hit by the powerful rays of the sun, causing an overproduction of melanin, which creates colour in your skin. We might all want a nice tan, but this can create havoc for your under eye area.
Another factor, the most well known one, you could be suffering from fatigue, due to lack of sleep or pushing yourself too hard. The reason why is the lack of sleep results in the skin looking more pale, which in turn leads to the blood vessels and dark tissue underneath being more visible on the skin.
If you find yourself staring at a screen all day then you could be your own worst enemy, as this can cause eye strain, something that has the same effect on the under-eyes as a lack of sleep.
If your body is dehydrated then you could be preventing it getting the water it requires for your skin, while a simple allergy could also be causing the issue. It could also be a build-up of fluid in the area, causing it to be more noticeable. But finally, the ageing process will enhance the appearance of bags under eyes.
How Do I Treat Bags Under The Eyes
Use an extra pillow – I wanted to highlight this tip first as it made a world of difference to me! When you lie on your front when you sleep, or don’t elevate your head high enough, you can increase puffiness and create a build-up of fluid under the eyes. I always slept on my front without a pillow and had terrible bags, I changed to on my back and added two pillows and it has removed the bags by about 70%!
A Cold Compress – you will hear a dozen ideas on the best ones, whether it be cucumbers placed over the eyes for 10-20 minutes, or simply a wet flannel, I’d recommend trying and experimenting to see what works best for you. If you’re using one of our hydrating sheet masks then simply placing some cucumber slices can help to add to the pamper feel.
Applying an eye cream has been proven in a number of cases to show visible results. We’d recommend doing some research into the required ingredients and the best brands around, as you will be spoilt for choice. An added tip would be to store your eye cream in the fridge, as this will offer an added short term benefit. Just make sure to check your fridge isn’t set too cold, as the last thing you want to do is damage the quality of the cream.
We previously mentioned allergies, well it might be time to take an allergy test and see what is flaring you up so bad. It could be you’re allergic to the pet cat or the dust in your house, or maybe a new beauty treatment you are trying. It’s always worth testing your body for allergies and intolerances in order to work out what could be causing an irritation, flare-up or reaction in any way.
Make sure to take off your make-up before you go to bed. If you’re guilty of keeping it on, then it could be causing an increased amount of puffiness under the eyes in the morning, making the bags more noticeable.
It’s time for an early night. We all have crazy schedules, but we also have to admit it is normally Netflix which is our downfall at the end of the night, so set yourself a bed time and make sure you are giving yourself enough sleep to recover properly.
It’s not just the amount of sleep you are having, it’s also the quality. Make sure you are removing any blue light from your room, try to consume plenty of magnesium (even if taken in supplement form), start a sleeping pattern, plus avoid naps over 20 minutes.
Avoid cigarettes. They will make it onto pretty much every beauty and health list, as they cause havoc all over the body, well this is just another for the collection.
It could be something as simple as consuming too much salt in a day. Make a food journal for a couple of days and monitor how much salt you are eating. By reducing salt, you could prevent fluid retention which can be an issue.
We mentioned dehydration as a common reason for these symptoms, well one guess what the solution will be. It’s quite possible you’re not drinking enough water a day, so try to work out when you are slacking, such as on the transport to work or by not keeping a bottle on your work desk. Whenever it is, try to make sure you have a bottle on you. You can even set reminders for yourself to have a sip, it might sound crazy, but it will get you in the pattern of drinking water more regularly.
While you should be careful to avoid the eyes, you might want to add an SPF to your daily routine. The sun is the biggest factor in skin damage, however a decent sun tan lotion can be added each day (yes, this includes in the winter) while it can significantly help to reduce any damage from the sun. This tactic is adopted in Korea and has become a well known part of the 10 step Korean skin care routine, however it should be only done in the morning and during the day, not in the evening.
Well, if you have tried all these tactics and you’re still tearing your hair out, then turning to a great concealer could be the final solution. This can be quickly dabbed over the bags, while you could opt for a subtle flesh-toned concealer. Make sure to keep it on you, so you can top up as the day goes on.
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.
