Age, stress, exhaustion… These are all things the modern woman deals with daily, none of which are kind to the delicate skin around our eyes. Fine lines (okay, okay, wrinkles), dark circles and puffy eye bags can feel like an unavoidable curse, especially if you’re glued to a computer screen all day for work. Try these four product-free health hacks to help increase blood flow, and decrease tension and tiredness, in this area. Your eyes will thank you .
UP CIRCULATION
Facial therapists refer to this technique as “waking up the lymph” for good reason: it increases blood flow to the eye area, and more blood means more oxygen, which is a key factor in combatting fatigued skin.
How do I do it? Once you’ve cleansed your skin as per normal, use the tips of your fingers to lightly tap around your eyes. Follow the shape of the eye by tapping from the inner corner of your eyebrow (near your nose), up under the brow towards the temple, then make your way down, moving along the bone beneath the eye. Do three to four rounds of tapping clockwise on your right eye; and anticlockwise on your left.
DOWNPLAY PUFFINESS
Facial reflexologists say that dark circles and puffy eye bags caused by dehydration or blocked fluids can be softened by the facial acupressure spot that stimulates the kidney meridian, encouraging the free flow of fluids to this area.
How do I do it? Look straight in the mirror and place your index finger on top of your cheek, making sure it is in line with your iris and just below the undereye bone. Press down gently and hold for a few seconds or use your fingertip to make small circles. This technique is also helpful for reducing puffiness caused by congested sinuses.
REVIVE
A trick that Jeannie swears by, especially on days when she is being photographed or filmed early, is to ice the eye area. This constricts the blood vessels below the thin eye area skin, reducing puffiness, under-eye bags and inflammation, and giving you a more ‘wide awake’ look.
How do I do it? Gently run an ice cube around the eye area before cleansing. You can also wrap it in a tea towel and rest on eyes as a cold compress. Still too freezing for you? Ease yourself into it by rinsing off your cleanser with cold water to reap some of the energising benefits.
SOOTHE
Face yoga experts say that this instantly relaxing technique drains excess fluid from the eye area, and immediately reduces facial tension which causes fine lines and forehead wrinkles.
How do I do it? Simply close your eyes, then turn them upwards as though you’re trying to look up towards your forehead. Hold for for 20-30 seconds, then release and open your eyes. Feel free to do as many rounds as you need and incorporate a few deep breathes to increase the feeling of calm.
