The eyes are the windows to the soul…we have all heard this expression at some point in our lives and is a way of expressing that it is the eyes that give the most profound insight into a person’s inner being and emotions. It means most people can see through someone with just 7 seconds of eye contact, and you can begin to see a person’s true colors. With so much in-depth communication is happening with our eyes. It is a significant part of our daily skincare that needs extraordinary attention…

Considering how much nonverbal communication happens through our eyes, along with harsh polluted environments, UV exposure, allergies, and overall neglect our eyes take a virtual “beating” every day.  Eyecare is a significant part of our daily skincare routine that needs very special attention. If you add to this your overall genetics, gravity, stress, and years of squinting and smiling – what you get are crow’s feet, dark circles, crepey skin, and under-eye bags. Yikes! Factors that instantly add years to your appearance. That being said, these aren’t the only things that are aging your eyes – some of our everyday beauty habits are partly to blame.

The Issues

Dark Circles vs. Eye Bags – 

Sometimes, people confuse these terms, but they’re two different things. The darkening around the eye area characterizes dark circles. Eye bags, on the other hand, are a result of the swelling that occurs around the eyes. Even though this blog is more directed to dark circles, most of the solutions offered can solve both issues.

With time and age, the ligaments underneath your eyes begin to weaken. The aging process causes fatty tissue behind the ligaments to fall forward, giving the area under your eyes a sagging, baggy, or bulging appearance. While heredity certainly plays a role here, lack of sleep and added stress are also core contributors. Circulation is a real issue, and lymphatic fluid can build up and become stagnant in the face, and excess fluid collects beneath the eyes.

So Why Do We Have Dark Circles?

Dark circles can be related to genetic or environmental factors. One can be an excess of pigmentation, which can be hereditary or a result of sun damage or hormonal changes. This type of dark circles has more of a brownish color. However, your dark circles look more like a reddish-purple color is probably due to a vascular problem. Several causes like lack of sleep, allergies, kidney issues, or dietary difficulties can make the veins under your eyes dilate, causing a darker appearance.

Unexpected Offenders

Lack of sleep isn’t the only offender. Staring at a computer all day and backlit mobile screen by night could be straining your eyes significantly. Long term exposure to concentrated blue light energy can cause skin damage, color changes, inflammation, and weakening of skin elasticity. Oh dear, in addition to eye problems, blue light eye strain can lead to squinting and, therefore, under-eye wrinkling and puffiness. Creating a healthy nighttime skin detox ritual should always include proper makeup removal. While waking up with perfect eyeliner sounds appealing, removing your eye-makeup is just as important as cleansing your face before bed. Hitting the hay with mascara and the like can make your eyes water and lead to morning-after puffiness. Repeatedly sleeping in eye makeup can also clog the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids—resulting in bacteria buildup and inflammation.

Prevention is Key

To encourage healthy circulation and reduce bag-causing fluid buildup, aim for eight hours of sleep each night. Sleeping with your head elevated helps the cause, as well. Avoid puffiness-inducing food and drinks such as alcohol and salt. Tasty as they may be, these foods encourage fluid retention, which in turn invites under-eye bags. Similarly, cut back on the vices of smoking and rubbing your eyes, if you want a smoother under-eye area.

The Solution:

Oxygen! This life-giving element is nature’s “ignition” for cellular metabolism and is needed for optimum cellular turnover to preserve youthful skin. As we age, our skin’s ability to capture oxygen from blood circulation diminishes, and capillaries begin to deteriorate, limiting the flow of oxygen-loaded hemoglobin and vital skin nutrients. Moreover, sluggish circulation interferes with the body’s elimination of toxins leading to skin aging symptoms, including wrinkles, age spots, and loss of tone and moisture. Our skin’s thirst for oxygen is vital in the production of collagen. Sunshine Botanicals have harnessed the intense power of pure liquid oxygen and blended it with our stable form of vitamin C. This formula has powerful skin brightening properties to treat environmental aging and is 50 times more effective than ascorbic acid. This formula also includes retinol, hyaluronic acid, Omega 3’s, and probiotics. When combined with our triple algae gel to strengthen and tighten the skin, this formula makes a powerhouse eye treatment for all skin types – and sensitive skins LOVE it! Sunshine Botanicals Liquid O2 Extreme Eye Repair instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 15%. Our stable form of vitamin C is 50 times more effective than ascorbic acid and has powerful skin brightening properties to treat environmental aging. Liquid O2 Extreme Eye Repair is all you need to transform your eyes dramatically.

Food for Thought:

*At age 30, the loss of oxygen levels in the skin drops by 25%
*At age 50, the loss of oxygen levels in the skin drops by up to 50%

Ingredient of the Week:

O– Oxygen

Oxygen is Nature’s “ignition” for cellular metabolism necessary for cell turnover and preservation of youthful skin.

Features and Benefits:

  • Oxygen Dramatically Reduces the Appearance of Lines and Wrinkles
  • Oxygen Improves  Blood Circulation – Decreasing Dark Circles
  • Oxygen Promotes Collagen Production for Younger Looking Skin