How to Use Eye Gel
The eyes are the window to the soul, so it has been said. But that area right around the eyes can be a wide open door that lets the light shine in and expose those early signs of aging. It’s often the first place that people begin to see a lack of elasticity and vibrancy. We often hear complaints about under eye bags, but if what you’re dealing with feels more like a whole new set of luggage, then maybe it’s time to take a load off. There are things that can be done to address these beauty bummers, including using a Viviane Woodard’s Water Based Moisturizer …but our eye gel would CLEARLY be a better choice.
That area right under our eyes reveals a lot about how much sleep we’re getting, if we are staying hydrated, and whether or not we’re sticking to a beauty regimen that works for us. Since our skin is especially sensitive in that area, it needs a little extra TLC. Eye creams and eye gels can help address under eye bags as well as dark circles, fine lines, and that crepe-like texture that comes with loss of firmness. Before we get to how to use eye gel, it’s important to spend a moment taking a look at what exactly is within these products that promise to help.
Fun fact (or rather, not-so-fun-fact): we don’t have oil glands in the area immediately around your eyes, which makes the skin more prone to puffiness and wrinkles. For that reason, we need to outsource that job to some serums or gels that can replenish the skin with moisture. A lot of effective eye gels contain humectants. Humectants, such as glycerine or propylene glycol have properties that allow them to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, thereby drawing water into the top layer of the skin where applied. Sometimes, since the water can be drawn away from deeper layers, many gels and creams also contain occlusives, like dimethicone, lanolin, and petrolatum, which limit water evaporation by creating a lipid or oil barrier on the skin.
We also need to equip the skin with other anti-aging agents so it can put up a fight against all the nefarious environmental elements out there. Similar to that old Saturday Night Live sketch with Hans and Franz, there are ingredients out there that just want to pump (insert clap) you up! Okay, so technically, they are more designed to plump – rather than pump – up the skin, but didn’t we all enjoy that SNL flashback? To achieve the plumped up effect, products often count on ingredients that stimulate collagen production, like retinol and peptides. Collagen is a protein that functions like building blocks in your body, providing structure and enabling elasticity. Since our body produces less and less collagen as we age, we have to do what we can to replace and replenish it.
Humectants, occlusives, collagen-stimulating agents and other ingredients all work together to improve the look and feel of the skin under your eyes. Now that you know a little bit about how they work and why they’re important, let’s take a break from the science and theory, and get down to application (pun intended!). Here are eight great helpful hints on how to use eye gel to get the best results and awaken those amazing eyes of yours.
See Related: How To Use Vitamin C Serum
1. Just a pea-sized amount, Princess!
When you’re wondering how much eye gel to apply, remember the tale of the princess and the pea, and how even something small can make a big difference. Be sure to let your daintier side take the lead when you’re dabbing it on. As with other concentrated formulas, a little dab’ll do ya just fine. The idea is to spread a small amount around your eye area, just along the orbital bone (which is technically seven bones that make up the structure around the eye). If you use more, you’ll end up running out of it sooner. And since it’s likely a pricier product in the first place, you won’t want it to go to waste, or end up wiping it off on a washcloth or your clothes.
2. Around the eye, not in it
It may seem strange how so many products for the eye talk about avoiding the eye, but we all know there’s a difference between the eyeball and the skin around it. What’s good for the skin is not usually good for your eye. Eye gels should be applied on that area underneath the eye and all along the top of the cheekbone, and can also be spread across the area under the brow. The product will seep into the tiny cracks and crevices and begin to work its magic. As you are applying it, be sure not to get it too close to the lash line, because creams and gels have a way of creeping, and you’ll want to avoid getting the gel into the eye itself.
3. An early morning eye opener
Eye gels work wonders in the am to wake and refresh dull and tired skin. While some creams can lead to a clumping up of concealers, the light texture of an eye gel is more conducive to an even application of most makeup. The thicker texture of eye creams are best left for night, when you don’t plan to put much else on your skin, except those soft sheets when you tuck yourself in. Eye gels can also be applied in the evening, and twice a day is not too much by any measure. So feel free to start and end your day with it. Remember that it’s best to apply the eye gel on a freshly cleaned and exfoliated face. This helps preps your skin for maximum absorption of whatever nourishing ingredients follow.
See Related: How To Make Homemade Makeup Primer
4. Let it dry
Let it dry, let it dry, before you put makeup on (if you want to sing this to the tune of “Let It Go,” no one here will stop you, that’s for sure!). But if you don’t feel like belting it out, just be sure you don’t forget these words of wisdom. It’s a good idea to let your eye gel dry before you move on to the next step of your morning beauty routine. Five minutes or so should be enough time for that small amount to melt into your skin and feel dry to the touch. Then, you can move on to tone, moisturize, apply your sunscreen, and layer on the makeup products that you normally would.
Watch this video if you’d like to hear some of the suggestions from the list above reiterated once again. It never hurts to have a reminder! Also, in case there was any confusion about where exactly the orbital area is, this instructional video clears it up.
5. Share it with those smile lines
Okay, so it’s true that the skin around your eyes is different, for reasons already mentioned above, but that doesn’t mean you can’t share some of the benefits of a good eye gel with other areas of your face that fight those same struggles with early aging and loss of elasticity. If you ever overshoot your pea-sized portion that was suggested above, you can spread the extra eye gel right on your smile lines. If you’re like a majority of women out there who have to do some sort of hair removal right above the lip line, you’ll know that this can sometimes cause dryness. Since this skin around the mouth can often be a little sensitive and dry, a little extra love in the form of eye gel is allowed. I mean, don’t use up all your eye gel on your non-eye areas, but a little sharing is caring!
6. Ring finger: You ARE the weakest link!
Your ring finger is ideal for application of eye gel, because it uses the least amount of pressure. In other words, it’s the weakest finger – and in this case that’s a good thing! It’s not like you’re going to poke an eye out with your unwieldy super-powered pointer finger if you forget this tip. However, your index, middle, and even your pinky are able to apply more pressure, and sometimes if you don’t intentionally pull back, you can press too hard. It’s just one more way to remind yourself to be gentle when applying creams or make-up to sensitive areas of your skin. In other words, if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring…finger on it. Ok, I’ll scold myself for that one. No one can improve upon those lyrics. But if you’re reading this, Beyoncé, just remember that imitation is the highest form of flattery.
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7. Give your skin a mid-day drink of moisture
Just like you can start to feel a little drowsy after half a day of working away, your skin might also start to look and feel tired. The great thing about so many people working from home in this day and age is that it allows you to give your skin a second wind, a re-do, a do-over, or whatever you might want to call it. You may decide to take a mid-afternoon shower and re-set the clock completely. But even if you just spritz yourself with a refreshing face spray, you can add back a tiny bit of eye gel that allows for another moment of magic again. Especially if you’re dealing with a case of the pm puffiness, and need a little pick-me-up. As I alluded to before, a little plump can pump you up. And while you’re taking a moment to refresh your face, why don’t you down a nice drink of water as well? Moisture attack!
8. Wear Sunscreen
Granted, this isn’t directly related to how you should use eye gel, and yet…somehow it is. You may not remember that spoken-word song of the late 90s, but among various words of wisdom given (such as “don’t worry about the future” or “don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts…don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours”), the pieces of advice the artist reiterates and offers up as critical are “but trust me on the sunscreen.” And it appears that expert after expert agrees. Applying sunscreen before you go out (and reapplying it once you’re out there) is critical for the prevention of certain skin cancers, and can reduce the outward signs of aging. This includes the puffiness, dark circles, and loss of elasticity under the eyes. If you’re going to spend time and money addressing the effects of sun damage around your eyes, you might as well dedicate some time to preventing it.
We often remember during the summer months or during the hottest times of the day, but up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can make it through to you and your skin on cloudy days even when you may think you’re in the clear. Even around (again, not in!) your eyes, it’s important to apply sunscreen. In addition, it’s extra clever to cover up. A good pair of sunglasses and a hat are great investments, not to mention fun fashion statements. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to make skin care fun?
So, That’s How To Properly Use Eye Gel!
Well, that about does it for the ins and outs and hows and whys of eye gel. I hope you found some sound advice here about how to get the most out of the eye gel that you use, or are in the market for.
Before you bid adieu to this blog post, there’s one more thing to mention. All of the aforementioned benefits and beauty boosts of an eye gel can be achieved with regular application of the rejuvenating and refreshing EyeRenue Complex Eye Gel, from Vivianne Woodard. This gel contains critical humectants like glycerine, aloe vera, and cucumber extract – all great ingredients to maximize moisture. This complex stimulates collagen production and brings back a little bounce to the skin by harnessing the help of sodium hyaluronic. And as if that wasn’t already enough, it goes above and beyond to soften the skin by using butcher’s broom and horse chestnut extract. It sort of sounds like the perfect potion to put on your skin, and it pretty much is.
For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for water-based skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts and more.