Combating Puffiness and Under-Eye Circles

We’ve all experienced them: Whether you spent the evening in front of a computer screen scrambling to meet a deadline or enjoyed a long night out with the girls, puffiness around the eyes can strike, making you appear older, tired and worn out. Not only are under-eye circles common among women, but you might be surprised to learn that there are numerous factors besides lack of sleep that contribute to your under-eye dilemma. Luckily, treatment is fairly simple; all you need is a little knowledge and a few remedies.

How do you get them?

Lack of sleep: You might assume lack of sleep causes under-eye circles, but this is only part of the story. Lack of sleep affects blood flow around the eyes, which can cause swelling and dark circles. So, just get more sleep and problem solved? Surprisingly, getting enough sleep might influence dark under-eye circles, too. Because we lay down when sleeping, fluids can pool under the bottom eyelid due to gravity, causing puffiness and dark circles.

Genetics: You might have inherited your dark under-eye circles from your family. Try Hylexin For Dark Circles, an excellent product that doesn’t mask the problem but actually treats under-eye circles.

Other factors: A host of other sources can cause puffy eyes, including stress, high blood pressure, crying, increased salt intake, too much alcohol and even chronic skin disorders like atopic eczema.
Menstruation and pregnancy can result in skin looking pale, which only enhances the under-eye area, drawing more attention to puffy dark circles. Sun exposure is another culprit. Being outside in the sun affects our skin pigmentation and can deepen our skin tone, especially under our eyes.
Also, blame your allergy symptoms, like itchy eyes and nasal congestion. As you itch or rub around your eyes, the skin under the eyes can darken. Nasal congestion can cause the eyes’ veins to become larger and darker, because congestion prevents fluid in these veins from draining down to the nose.

How do you get rid of them?
Dark under-eye circles can be treated in a variety of ways. Follow these simple steps to keep your eyes beautifully bright and puffy-free.

Lifestyle changes: The first thing you should pay attention to is your diet and sleeping habits. Get around eight hours of sleep per night. When life intrudes and early days call, reach for an eye cream with antioxidants and caffeine, which will protect the skin and kick-start your circulation, helping to ease any puffiness around the eyes.
When it comes to diet, watch your salt intake. Consume at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day. If heading out for a night on the town, limit your alcohol intake; just one night of overdoing it with wine or cocktails can cause water retention.
Also, always apply sunscreen around the eyes to prevent skin pigment from darkening. Before going to bed, remove your eye makeup with a gentle, oil-free eye makeup remover.

Control your allergies: Because allergy symptoms can also affect dark under-eye circles, it’s important to treat these symptoms. Don’t rub or scratch your eyes, as this can cause irritation. Treat any nasal congestion to allow fluid from under the eyes to drain down to the nose. For reducing mild under-eye puffiness, the Mayo Clinic suggests raising the head of your mattress or adding an extra pillow, which prevents fluids from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep.

Home remedies: If your eyes become swollen, you can try a number of at-home remedies. Chilled cucumber slices or even potato slices, both natural astringents, are known to reduce swelling. Also for swelling, try tea bags. Rich in tannins, tea helps to tone the eye area and improve circulation. While cool tea bags are most commonly used, experts are now saying that warm tea bags will also do the trick. Whichever you choose, keep the bags on your eyes for about 10 minutes.

Product picks: Don’t have time to cut cucumber or potato slices? According to the Mayo Clinic, products that contain vitamins C or K, alpha hydroxy acid or kinetin can keep bags at bay. Combination products that target dark under-eye circles as well as fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes are also great.
For reducing dark circles and puffiness, reach for Revision SkinCare Teamine Eye Complex. For age-related wrinkles and circles around the eye area, try SkinCeuticals Eye Balm, a multi-tasking eye cream that contains an advanced combination of phytochemicals to stimulate collagen production and protect against free radical damage.

Special considerations: In more extreme cases, puffiness or swelling under the eyes and dark circles might be a sign of kidney or thyroid problems. If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with swelling in other parts of your body (fingers, toes, ankles) visit your doctor immediately.
Remember, taking care of yourself on the inside is just as important as the products you use to protect your skin on the outside. Strive to get enough sleep, take time out for yourself to relieve stress, keep hydrated, baby those peepers and you’ll be dropping your eye-baggage in no time.

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Beauty experts’ favorites, from budget to splurge

Beauty products are personal: What works for one oily-skinned woman with brown eyes and thin hair might not work for her dry-skinned friend with blue eyes and thick, color-processed hair.

But some products have better batting averages. The editorial staffs of many magazines, their readers and an industry group called Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) try to navigate through the slew of new beauty products with awards and best-of lists.

Many of CEW’s winning products this year are multi-tasking, says the group’s president, Carlotta Jacobson.

The other undeniable movement in the beauty industry is all things green, Jacobson says.

Women’s Health magazine editor in chief Tina Johnson and beauty editor Liesa Goins say readers ask about the environment along with sensitive skin and acne. Goins notes that many of the products Women’s Health highlighted, with help from a panel of experts that included salon owners, makeup artists and dermatologists, were inexpensive standbys.

“I’m always surprised how many products you can find at the drugstore. We’re conditioned to think you have to spend a lot of money to get effective products,” she says.

Count Johnson as one of those drugstore fans: She has been a longtime user of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and also is a fan of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 45 and RoC Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream.

Jacobson is interested in the “buzz” products DiorShow Blackout Mascara and two-sided L’Oreal Infallible Lips. A potential breakout product with consumers is Clinique’s men’s concealer, she says.

“It’s taking the first step that says men can have their own products — they have been using women’s products. Like everyone else, men can have blemishes and dark circles, plus they can have shaving nicks.”

Here are winners from CEW, Women’s Health and Allure magazine:

Cosmetic Executive Women

Body treatment: Olay Thermal Pedicure in the mass market and Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub in the prestige market.

Hair: Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray and Frederic Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm.

Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara and Dior’s DiorShow Blackout Mascara.

Fragrance: Marc Jacobs Fragrances’ Daisy for women and Bond No. 9 New York

Andy Warhol Silver Factory for men.

Women’s Health

Facial skin care: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Pads for blackhead treatment; Clarisonic Skin Care System for exfoliating; SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel for oily-skin moisturizer; and RevaleSkin Night Cream with coffeeberry as the best new product.

Hair: Aveda Hair Detoxifier for clarifying; Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care for dandruff treatment; Tresemme Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner for thickening; and L’Oreal Professional Absolut Repair Mask for repair.

Nails: Nailtiques Nail Protein Formula 2 Treatment for strengthening; Creative Nail Design SolarOil for cuticles; and Opi ChipSkip as a chip-resistant base coat.

Allure

Lip gloss: CoverGirl WetSlicks Fruit Spritzers in Guava Splash and MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam V.

Eyeshadow: Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Coffee Bean and MAC Eye Shadow in Shroom.

Body scrub: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub and Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish.

Self-tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer and Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel.

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Do You Know What You’re Putting on Your Skin?

Bath and Body Trends Go Green and Clean

Bath and beauty products do more than just keep us clean, they make us look and feel our best. And in a 24/7 society where busy is the norm, a simple bath or great skin treatment can be a relaxing personal moment in an otherwise hectic day. Now more than ever, people are using bath products that are made organically through green processes because it’s not only good for them, but also good for the environment.

“Going green is more than just an environmental concept, it’s something that can have a dramatic impact on personal health,” says Justin Gomolka at Best Bath Store, a company that makes 100 percent natural bath and body, skin care and hair care products. “We’re seeing more interest in natural products that respect human life, animal life, and the environment we live in — something our entire line supports. We do not test on animals or use harmful synthetic preservatives or additives such as sodium laurel sulfate or parabens. One must be on the lookout for greenwashing, where companies claim to be natural and /or safe for the environment, but use harmful synthetic ingredients.”

These are the top bath and beauty trends of 2008:

Trend 1) Organic Soaps

When you’re washing your skin, are you using something that contains harsh chemicals? Don’t forget, your skin is your body’s largest organ and the first line of defense against disease and infections. If you look at the ingredients of your common everyday soap, you might find it difficult to pronounce the list. Animal fats and synthetic ingredients help make soaps cheap for large companies, but wreak havoc on your skin and overall health! For this reason, organic soap made from all-natural ingredients is a top beauty trend. For example, handmade soap from Best Bath Store  uses luxurious quality ingredients that include organic extracts, essential oils, and cleansing particles harvested from the earth. Because of the use of organic ingredients, this soap is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.

Trend 2) Safe Cosmetics / Cruelty Free / Environmentally Friendly

Traditional cosmetics and bath products can contain unhealthy ingredients. Exposure to one of these chemicals is unlikely to cause health problems, but repeated exposure can be linked to serious health issues like cancer and birth defects. More people are seeking safe cosmetics that they know won’t be causing them, their families, or any animals harm. You can do three things to help buy healthier products. First, look for products that do not test on animals or companies that are PETA business friends. Second, visit www.SafeCostmetics.org to find a list of companies that have pledged to keep their products safe from unhealthy compounds. Lastly, find out how a company packages their products and ships them. Do they use Styrofoam or corn starch peanuts?

Trend 3) Aromatherapy

Different scents have the power to trigger sensations in the brain such as relaxation, calmness, alertness and more. Lavender is a popular ingredient used in bath products that is believed to have the power to promote relaxation and relieve stress, important for today’s constantly hectic lifestyle. Lavender has been used as a natural medicine to help relieve headaches, migraines and insomnia for centuries. Other scents and herbs have properties that help keep the body balanced and healthy. More people are now looking for these ingredients in their favorite soaps and lotions.

Trend 4) Real Results

People want a luxurious, natural product, but they also want results from their beauty regimen. From wrinkles to acne, natural ingredients just might be the cure you’ve been seeking. For example, acne medicines made from all natural ingredients treat problem skin gently, great for sensitive skin types. Additionally, some natural ingredients may work better because the body isn’t able to build up a tolerance to its effectiveness like it often does with chemical treatment options. Natural, green ingredients also can make a difference for other beauty concerns such as wrinkles and skin tone.

Trend 5) Not Just for Ladies

Bath and beauty isn’t just for females any more. Products are being made specifically for the needs of children and men too. Fun, natural products make bath time enjoyable for kids of all ages, helping them stay clean and healthy. And men are realizing that looking their best today and in the future requires more effort than a simple daily shower. An increasing number of men are seeking out all-natural soaps, shampoos and shaving creams because these products give them better results and are better for their body.

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