Life throws stress at every one of us, and the first place it shows up is around the eyes. So if dark circles, under-eye bags or wrinkles are keeping you awake at night, we may have found the answer to your concerns. We've done the hard work rounding up top class eye creams available at Life Pharmacy - along with the dos and don'ts on how to apply them.
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ESTÉE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE CONCENTRATE MATRIX, $140.
It's been around for years, but it's back on our radar because it's just had a facelift of sorts. Don't panic. It's the same delicious, hydrating texture, thanks to the blend of 'visco-elastic polymer' and 'multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid," which together act as a shock absorber for those signs of fatigue. But it’s the new custom-designed cryo-stainless steel wand that waves a magical cooling massage across that thin, fragile skin that we rate. But there's the kicker - it's not only reserved for your eyes. You can use it on those '11' lines between brows or forehead lines and on and around the lines on your lips. Best results come when you use it am and pm.
DO
Always apply eye cream before your daily moisturiser or night cream. Pat, press or tap eye cream onto the skin using your ring finger, this has the least amount of pressure - and the most gentle technique.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Line Erasing Eye Cream, $125.
Retinol (vitamin A) is a game-changer for ageing skin. Over time it smooths lines and helps to fade pigmentation. Essentially, it tricks your skin into acting young again. Together, these ingredients have an anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory action, encapsulated with ceramides, peptides (proteins) and niacinamide (vitamin B3). They help reduce the risk of any reaction while helping to smooth fine lines, blur dark circles and correct puffiness. It's ideal for anyone who wants to brighten and hydrate tired-looking eyes. Finally, the innovative airless pump with one press dispenses enough gel-like cream for both eyes quickly and helps protect the product's potency to the very last drop.
Don’t
Applying too much seeps into your eyes, especially while you sleep, which could be the reason you wake up with puffy eyes in the mornings. So instead, use a pea-sized amount, pat it on and around the brow bone, and about half an inch underneath each eye.
CLARINS V SHAPING FACIAL LIFT TIGHTENING & ANTI-PUFFINESS EYE CONCENTRATE, $106.
Clarin's are famous for their soothing, cult cornflower blue Eye Contour Gel; now, a new generation hybrid gel-cream does it all. This natural wonder is packed with skin-loving horse chestnut, ginger, oat, red algae, Irish moss and Guarana extracts. Together these ingredients help reduce puffiness, and brighten the look of dark circles, while it tightens and lifts the delicate skin around an ageing eye area - so far, we're impressed.
DO
Brighten dark circles with a combination of eye cream, creamy highlighter, and concealer. A tiny amount of each mixed on the back of your hand and applied to the eye area will illuminate and hydrate under your eyes, give the illusion of a lifted brow bone, and give your entire face that wide-awake look.