The gaze is a seductive asset par excellence. It’s the first thing we notice when we interact with someone. With beautiful eyes, we appear more energetic, alert and awake. But to preserve these healthy, naturally attractive eyes, we need to take good care of them. Lifestyle, diet, skincare… In this article, discover the best tips for take care of your eyes and achieve results that are visible to the naked eye.
Why take care of your eyes?
Taking care of your eyes is important for a number of reasons. Here are some of the essential aspects that should encourage you to cherish and maintain your eyes on a daily basis.
Eye health
The first reason why it’s crucial to look after your eyes is directly linked to their health. Our eyes are exposed to a variety of stresses on a daily basis, such as pollution, screens, dust and UV rays. These factors can lead to eye problems such as dryness, infections, eyestrain and even long-term vision problems. By taking care of your eyes, you can help to maintain their health and prevent these problems.
Aesthetics
Eyes are an essential part of our appearance and personal expression. It is often seen as a reflection of our soul and can reveal a great deal about our personality, emotions and state of mind. Bright, expressive eyes can give the impression of someone who is healthy, dynamic and full of life. Conversely, dull, tired eyes or dark circles can give the impression of sadness, stress or ageing. By taking care of your eyes, you can improve your appearance and enhance the expression of your personality.
Non-verbal communication
Eyes also play a major role in non-verbal communication. Our eyes can express a multitude of emotions without uttering a single word. They can create a bond with the other person, express empathy, interest or disapproval. Well-maintained eye contact promotes effective communication and can strengthen relationships with others.
Self-confidence
Taking care of our looks can also have a positive impact on our psychological well-being and self-confidence. When we feel good about ourselves and are satisfied with our appearance, we tend to feel more fulfilled and have higher self-esteem. An attractive, sparkling look can help us feel more confident in our social and professional interactions, which in turn can improve our quality of life.
How much sleep do you need to look after your eyes?
It’s not news that lack of sleep can have a significant impact on the appearance and expression of the eyes. When you don’t get enough sleep, bags of dark skin, also known as dark circles, form under the eyes. In addition, sleepless nights can cause eye inflammation, leading to red, puffy eyes. Added to this a reduction in skin firmness contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. The result? Our eyes are tired, irritated and even tend to look old and saggy.
So getting 8 hours’ sleep a day is the first step to looking after your eyes! Have you been unable to get a decent quality of sleep following a particular event(stress or temporary tiredness )? There are beauty food supplements to visibly reduce the volume of puffiness and the colour of dark circles.
As well as having a visible impact on the look of your eyes, sleep plays an essential role in your overall health, including that of your eyes. Inserm research shows that the quality and quantity of sleep we get influences our physical and mental health, our metabolism and even our immune system. So getting enough good quality sleep is crucial to maintaining good eye health. (2)
What is the link between diet and beautiful eyes?
It’s not often said, but eye health also depends on a healthy, balanced diet. To take good care of your eyes, it’s vital to include fruit, vegetables and good sources of protein in your diet. Remember to include antioxidant foods such as ginger, apples and almonds in your shopping list on a regular basis. You should also include foods packed with vitamins A, C and trace elements such as papaya, peppers, oily fish, etc. All these foods are ideal for regenerating your cells and maintaining the elasticity of your skin (including the skin around your eyelids).
According to experts at the National Eye Institute in the United States, certain foods such as salmon and kale are particularly beneficial for eye health and aesthetics. These foods, rich in essential nutrients, can contribute to brighter, healthier-looking eyes. (3)
Should you protect your eyes from the sun?
UV rays and other pollutants attack and dry out skin tissue, and this is particularly noticeable around your eyeballs. To avoid this, remember to wear large sunglasses with a good sun protection factor of category 2 to 3. Also remember to protect the area around your eyes by using a cream with a a high sun protection factor. You should also be aware that the sun is one of the main causes of premature skin ageing. To prevent this, remember to regularly apply an eye contour cream to keep your eyes looking their best at all times.
According to a study by the World Health Organisation, UVA and UVB rays have distinct effects on the eyes. UVA rays can penetrate as far as the lens, while UVB rays are absorbed by the cornea. This radiation can cause inflammation such as photokeratitis and increase the risk of cataracts, a major cause of blindness worldwide (1)
Is water an effective anti-dark circle agent?
Good hydration is certainly the best key to looking after your eyes. Here, we’re not just talking aboutapplying moisturisers specially formulated for the eye contour area. We also recommendhydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking water regularly (1.5 to 2 litres a day). Water is a natural detoxifier, as it cleanses the body by effectively filtering out impurities. It also brings oxygen into the body, allowing the skin to breathe properly. Finally, moisturising your skin with this natural beverage helps to soften and regenerate skin tissue, particularly around the eyes.
In addition, to maintain good eye hydration, it is advisable to avoid tobacco and alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can affect eye health and dry out the eyes. In addition, there are food supplements that help tohydrate the skin from the inside out. Discover them in the dedicated section of our online Organic Pharmacy.
Recent studies on active ingredients to improve the eye contour area
| Active ingredients | Type of study | Results Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine (3%) and Vitamin K (1%) | Eye pad | Reduction in fine lines and dark circles. Improves the appearance and elasticity of the skin around the eyes. |
| Melatonin, Shea Butter, Tetrapeptide, Hyaluronic Acid | 2-month clinical trial on an eye balm | Significant reduction in fine lines around the eyes. Excellent skin tolerance. |
| Palmitoyl Peptides, Milk Thistle Oil, Vitamin E | Anti-ageing cream test | Improved skin texture, increased elasticity and skin density, improved complexion. Reduction in fine lines after 4 weeks’ use. |
| Products targeting the Dermo-Epidermal Junction | Study on moisturising cream and eye cream | Significant improvements in parameters linked to skin ageing, well tolerated by users. |
The latest research highlights a range of active ingredients that are beneficial for eye contour care. Components such as caffeine and vitamin K have been shown to be effective in reducing fine lines and dark circles (4), promoting younger, brighter-looking eyes. Other ingredients such as melatonin, shea butter, tetrapeptides and hyaluronic acid have been shown to help reduce the signs of ageing and improve skin tolerance (5). Palmitoyl peptides, milk thistle seed oil and vitamin E have also been shown to improve skin texture, elasticity and tone (6), significantly reducing fine lines after regular use. By targeting the dermal-epidermal junction, some products offer innovative solutions to combat ageing around the eyes (7). These advances suggest a range of options for those who aspire to a younger, more attractive eye contour.
FAQ
- What foods are good for eye health? Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for eye health. Think colourful fruit and vegetables, oily fish, nuts and seeds.
- How can I prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes? Use specific moisturising and anti-ageing creams for the eye area and protect your eyes from the sun with suitable sunglasses.
- What are the benefits of massaging the eye area? Massages encourage blood and lymph circulation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the skin’s appearance
- How do I choose the right sunglasses to protect my eyes? Choose sunglasses with 100% UV protection and a protection factor suited to your environment (mountains, beach, city…).
- When should I consult a professional for eye treatment? If you are concerned about wrinkles, persistent dark circles, pigment spots or vision problems, it is advisable to consult a professional for a personalised diagnosis and appropriate advice.
References
- https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/the-known-health-effects-of-uv
- https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/sommeil/
- https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25625116/
- https://www.longdom.org/open-access/antiwrinkle-efficacy-of-a-melatoninbased-eye-contour-balm-an-antera-3d-prospective-2month-pilot-trial-57908.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27446338/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34898162/
