under the eyes

The orbital region (located around the eyes) is the source of the most questions and complaints for many people. The skin in this region is thinner and quite delicate, and therefore is one of the first to shows signs of aging. There are three main areas of concern for most people:

1) fine lines: Wrinkles are a fact of life, no less inevitable than death and taxes. When these start to appear, which can occur in the mid- to late 30's, hydration is very helpful in reducing their appearance. Use a light cream which can be readily absorbed.

2) puffiness: Fullness under the eyes can be due to a number of factors. If there is excess fluid in the body, as may occur with high salt intake, then this may manifest with puffiness beneath the eyes. A reduction of the inciting cause will result in resolution of this swelling. Our bodies tend to retain water late in the day and overnight, and this is the time when this fullness is generally most noticeable. For a quick fix, the old remedy of cold tea bags placed under the eyes is actually helpful. The combination of cold and caffeine constricts the tissues to reduce swelling. Finally, as we age, the natural fat pads which rest beneath the eyes may prolapse, or move outwards, as the restraining tissues weaken. Treatment requires surgical correction to remove or reduce the prolapsed fat. 

3) dark circles: This is the most frequent complaint about the orbital region. The causes of dark circles are varied, and thus their treatment is multifactorial. Those with chronic sinus congestion often have dark circles under the eyes. Once the congestion has been cleared (find an excellent allergist to help you!), the darkness will typically resolve as well. In some cases, a person will appear to have dark circles secondary to an anatomical "tear trough", which is a natural depression beneath the eyes. This becomes apparent when a strong overhead light casts shadows in this area. To minimize the effect, tear troughs can be filled with a material such as hyaluronic acid. 

anokha®'s Mango Butter Eye Treatment addresses all three of these complaints. Fine wrinkles are hydrated deeply with mango butter, which softens the skin and prevents water loss. Squalane, sodium hyaluronate, grapeseed oil, camellia oil, rice bran oil, soybean extract, ubiquinone, and sandalwood are additional moisturizers. Caffeine helps to reduce puffiness, while ashwagandha, licorice root, and mica extract help to reduce the appearance of dark circles.