Aside from acne, hyperpigmentation, and oiliness, eye bags are a primary concern in the aspect of beauty. Although common in most people, it’s a complicated phenomenon that most individuals tend to cure with certain remedies–one of which is eye cream. If you’re on the same page as these people, get to know all about undereye circles and eye creams as we go along. In this article, we will answer frequently asked questions with insights from Dr. Vaishnavi Gopal, a long-time expert in the area of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology.
FURTHER READING: Know When to Throw Out Skincare Products
What are eye bags and how do they form?
Sleeping late isn’t the culprit. According to Dr. Vaishnavi, “There could be a couple of anatomical and pathological reasons as to why under eye bags develop. Bone resorption, inflexibility of retaining facial ligaments, prolapse of under eye fat pads, thin eyelid skin which show through of underlying blood vessels, soft tissue volume loss and water retention that could be due to local factors or secondary to underlying issues such as renal disease are some of the factors that cause under eye bags.” These causes backed up by science show how our under eye circles mostly have something to do with genetics. Otherwise, it shows how there could be something wrong inside our bodies.
What are the basic things people should know about eye creams?
After getting a clear depiction of what causes eye bag formation, we move onto a product specific to possibly address this need—eye creams.
What works for some issues won’t work for other ones. “Eye creams are worthwhile for certain indications. Superficial pigmentation, superficial fine lines and dry skin are some of the conditions that under eye creams could benefit. However, underlying volume loss, shadows from vertical light and deeper dynamic lines would require cosmetic dermatology or plastic surgery intervention,” explains Dr. Gopal.
Are eye creams a necessity?
Depending on one’s concern, Dr. Vaishnavi believes it to be unnecessary for most cases. “The undereye area is a common region of concern as often perceptions regarding a person’s age and level of fatigue are judged based on this area,” she explains.
She reminds us that the under eye region should be well-taken care of in order to avoid unwanted eye bags. Even without a separate eye cream, you can do this by lathering a thin amount of moisturizer onto your under eyes.
Which ingredients should you look for in an eye cream?
While it isn’t a need, it’s still nice to have. Eye creams are usually packed with anti-aging ingredients to target fine lines and wrinkles. Listed below are a few dermatologist-approved ingredients when looking for eye creams:
- Eye creams containing retinoids help with diminishing fine lines and superficial pigmentation, improves collagen synthesis and skin quality with consistent use.
- Caffeine gels have vasoconstrictive benefits and could help reduce the appearance of underlying vessels. Cooling effects could even help reduce puffiness due to leaky blood vessels.
- Hyaluronic acid helps temporarily plump the skin and prevent dehydration when used consistently. Remember dry and dehydrated skin are prone to fine lines so moisturizing is key.
- Topical vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and other derivatives) is an antioxidant that also helps with collagen production.
- Peptides promote collagen and elastin production as per some studies. Certain types of peptides help deliver copper and manganese that help in healing and regeneration of skin following solar damage.
- Other ingredients to look for are arbutin, kojic acid, and azelaic acid that help reduce pigmentation.
The bottomline
Whether you opt for an eye cream or go for your trusty moisturizer, it’s best to remember that consistency helps with the results. To know more about which products suit your skin needs, you can message us for a free consultation.
About the contributor
Dr Vaishnavi Gopal MD is a dermatologist based out of Chennai, India and has been practicing in the field of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology for over 7 years. She is also an International Fellow and Member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and qualified for the MRCP (UK) Dermatology Speciality Certificate Examinations. In addition, she has published many articles in indexed medical journals and won academic laurels in the field of Dermatologic Research. Visit her Instagram page for more information on skin health and tips @dermdrvaish.
Socials:
Facebook page – Dr Vaishnavi Gopal MD
Website – www.theskinadvocatederm.com