Eye creams

Many of my clients ask about eye creams. Seems like everyone feels like they should be using some kind of eye cream but unsure about which kind to use. Hopefully this will answer some questions for y'all.
First of all, we have been taught to be very, very gentle around the eyes. Only pat with your 3rd finger and NEVER ever rub the area. Contrary to popular belief, we NEED to massage the eye area! Yes, you can! and not be afraid to create more wrinkles. The lack of circulation will cause toxins to pool and decrease oxygen levels. Let your blood do the work. Remember, the blood provides oxygen to feed tissues and carries away waste products. If you are using an eye friendly cleanser(not glycolic or salicylic ), wash your eye area thoroughly. Massage and move that pooled up fluid out of there. Don't tug or pull at the skin but massage. By massaging we also increase tone in the muscles. This is a good thing. By incorporating this step into your cleansing regimen, you will see a big difference.

Which eye cream to use? Here's the breakdown:

Dark circles, puffiness: use a serum or a cream that has anti inflammatory ingredients.
I like Skinceuticals eye cream. Use it in the morning. It will help to move the fluid away from the area to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Drink lots of water. According to Chinese Medicine, the eyes correspond to the kidneys. I'm not saying you have a kidney disease but when we are dehydrated the kidneys work harder so drink your water. Some folks have thin skin or deep set eyes. In this case, you will have a harder time reducing the darkness.
Jurlique just came out with a new eye cream with eyebright and arnica. Both help with circulation.

Fine lines: When there is a buildup of dead skin, ridges can start to form making our creases deeper. By exfoliating we soften the appearance of these little ridges. Remember that exfoliation allows the skin to accept moisture and stimulates cell growth. Inventive Organics dermabrasion scrub helps. It also has all the MSM to reduce inflammation. For a chemical exfoliation I like Skinceuticals eye renewal gel. It has a 5% AHA to gently soften the cellular buildup. Use it at night.

Deep lines, wrinkles: Oil is our friend. It lubricates the skin. It's our built in moisturizer. If we are lacking oil, we need to use more emollient products. Dr. Hauschka's eye balm is soothing and really seals in the moisture. If you already have oily skin you may find that these products can clog your pores. Use these eye creams or "balms" if you are "oil dry".

Speaking of moisture, try massaging a hydrating toner like Inventive Organics Elemental Mineral Splash or Rosewater around the eye area before an eye cream. You'll see a big difference in how your eye cream works.

Hope this info helps. Have an awesome weekend and remember to wear your sunscreen!!!!