Eyes, Eyes, Baby
Photo by Dale Windham/Getty Images
Did you know that the skin around your eyes lacks natural oil glands to keep them moisturized? Neither did I until fairly recently, but this explains why the skin around your peepers tend to get dry and wrinkled with age, as well as account for the popularity of under-eye serums. (I admit to having bought one or two in my lifetime, because I’ve been genetically cursed with permanent dark rings I have to keep slathered with concealer so children and small animals don’t flee from me in complete terror. At least, for that particular reason.)
In this excessive heat and humidity, you probably should skip the moisturizing step of your skincare regimen unless you have inordinately dry skin. You shouldn’t neglect those baby blues (or browns), however. The searing sun can cause a fair amount of damage to those delicate membranes, so I’d recommend sunglasses or a hat. I have a baseball cap I wear when braving the natural elements, even when I’m wearing a summery frock. Yes, I may look like a fashioned-impaired doofus, but who’ll really be laughing when your skin resembles Lindsay Lohan’s reptilian leather after another night of binge-drinking (and just before she admits herself into the hospital for “exhaustion.”) P.S.: You ain’t fooling anyone, Linds.
Right now, I’m experimenting with an under-eye formula that’s one part jojoba oil and one part aloe vera gel. (If you can’t get the actual aloe plant, look for gel that is at least 99 percent pure because synthetics abound on the market.) To figure out which natural oil is best for your skin type, turn to Care2.com’s handy guide:
- Almond: A high protein oil that is lubricating and particularly good for dry skin.
- Apricot kernel: Rich, lubricating, soothing and emollient. Great for lip balm.
- Cocoa Butter: Water repellent, protective, helpful for dry skin, with some sun blocking qualities.
- Grapeseed Oil: One of the least greasy oils that is ideal for protective creams, such as sun screens and blocks, for those with oily skin.
- Lanolin: The fat from sheep (found in pharmacies as anhydrous lanolin). Lanolin is a very rich, water repellent, oily cream, best for older skin, or skin that is cracked and chapped.
- Peanut: A good oil for dry skin because it is nondrying, it is also nutritious and quite adequate for most skin types.
- Sesame: An oil with natural sunscreen qualities, it is rich and anti-inflammatory.
- Jojoba: Technically a liquid wax which will never go rancid, jojoba is a good lubricant for most skin types.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a slow dryer, and won’t go rancid for a long time. Olive oil is better for younger skin.
- Shea Butter: Used frequently in moisturizes as a natural sunscreen, it is also a great emollient and moisturizer. Ideal for older skin.
- Wheat Germ Oil: A very nutritious oil rich in vitamin E. The vitamin E provides preservative properties, and this oil is used for the reason in some products.
MakeYourOwnCosmetics.com has another natural dark-circle remover its contributor claims will show results in a week, but it sounds much too involved for someone without a juicer (or who is lazy, like me). If you’re made of tougher mettle, let me know if it works.
If you’re really lazy, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep site for natural around-eye creams with low hazard scores. (0.3 is the highest I’d go because the thin skin around your eyes will absorb any creams like a thirsty sponge on vacation in the Mojave, including any potential carcinogens.)
aleta said,
August 7, 2006 at 11:48 pm
I wonder why Care2 forgot to mention Coconut oil? I use it to de-frizz my hair, and lube up my skin after showering instead of lotioning - it absorbs really quickly and leaves my skin super soft.