In South Korea, when bowing to greet or say goodbye, you must lean forward by about 20 degrees, your eyes directed downwards. A gesture of respect. Knowing this, we should all – at least in our thoughts – lean forward a few degrees more… in respect for a Korean research team that, about 20 years ago, gave us a first-aid tool for our eye health: the eye pad.
The nasty surprise in the morning
Who hasn't experienced this: The night was long, waking up the next morning was difficult. And the glance in the mirror only made it worse. Dark circles under the eyes. Bluish to blackish in appearance, accompanied by visibly puffy bags. Yes, there are definitely more attractive options. Nobody wants to start the day like that. Unfortunately, there are numerous reasons why a normally radiant gaze might look rather foggy. Alcohol, of course, is once again at the top of the list of beauty stressors. But fatty and highly salted foods (especially in the evening) also become visible the next morning. Add to that emotional setbacks, meaning psychological stress, overwork, poor sleep – and, as you might have guessed, the natural aging of the skin. The list is only complete, however, by mentioning various illnesses: Because problems with the heart, kidneys, and liver often alter the oxygen content of the blood, dark circles also frequently appear in the thinnest area of skin we humans have: the tissue under the eyes.
The many reasons for eye shadows
And with that, the culprit has been identified. If this layer weren't so thin, we'd all probably only know the term "dark circles" as a possible sunglasses trend. But the facts are unfortunately different – and medicine has some good explanations for this. The dark areas develop u.a. This is caused by impaired lymphatic drainage. The reasons mentioned above lead to congestion, especially under the eyes. As a consequence, the (bluish) blood vessels dilate and become visible through the thin skin. Other causes include poor sleep or excessive computer work. Both strain the eye muscles, leading to increased blood flow and, consequently, the see-through effect.
So let's return to the Korean scientists. Without wanting to diminish their achievement… but essentially, they simply combined what belongs together. They adopted the beneficial effects of face masks, based the application area on the shape of the eyes, and added aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Admittedly, this is a very simplified explanation, but it's enough to grasp the principle.
Say yes to eye pads… always!
Today, eye pads are a standard part of dermatological and cosmetic products. Unlike ordinary creams and serums, these mini-masks also offer a cooling effect (especially if you put them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before use). In short, they help relax the eye muscles, moisturize the often dry under-eye skin, and thus provide an anti-aging boost. So it's not just dark circles, but also the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that can be combated with these pads. Even if many in their twenties don't want to hear about it yet: those who take care of their eyes early on will have less work to do later.
Seven (plus 1) tips for beautiful eyes
Here we describe in a few simple steps how to use the eye pads:
1) To achieve 100% effectiveness, thorough cleansing of the eye area is essential. Ideally, use a gentle foam or cleansing milk. This step is important even if you weren't wearing makeup beforehand, as the skin will still be burdened with sebum, cream residue, or sweat.
2) Take the pad out of the packaging and carefully place it under one eye. The position is very important: Ideally, it should be close to the lower rim of the eye, without touching it.
3) Gently press both pads onto the skin. This prevents them from slipping unintentionally.
4) Eye pads should remain on the skin for 10 to 20 minutes. This allows them to release their active ingredients into the skin. Please do not leave them on longer, as dry pads can actually contribute to wrinkle formation.
5) After removing the pads, a dense layer of active ingredients remains on the skin. Do not wipe it away! Instead, massage it into the tissue using gentle, circular motions.
6) Once the first 5 points have been fulfilled, apply a moisturizing cream to the eye area. This will help combat dark circles even more effectively.
7) To achieve a lasting effect, more than one application per week is needed. However, the manufacturer's recommendations should be carefully followed.
- 8) Eye pads don't just work under the eyes. Professionals also use them on unwanted forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, or laugh lines around the mouth.
A few more tips
In addition, we have some more tips that will make your eyes sparkle again:
- Relaxation is the solution! It's certainly no secret that rest and breaks have a positive effect on the body. Especially during stressful times, whether at work or in private life, breaks are essential. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, listen to your body – and not just for a moment. Those who regularly press the pause button will always look fresher and younger.
- Exercise – just do it! Regular exercise, even strenuous activity, leads to healthier lives. Improved blood circulation results in better oxygenation of the tissues. A simple anti-aging program that doesn't have to cost anything.
- Say no…! To alcohol, fast food, and cigarettes! In your younger years, these temptations might be acceptable in moderation (but never wise). But from your late twenties onward, these indulgences trigger premature skin aging. And that includes dark circles under your eyes. It's simply not worth it.
When health is the problem
Finally, a few words about health. Dark circles under the eyes are, in most cases, purely a cosmetic issue and can be corrected with relatively simple means. If you don't have chilled eye pads on hand, you can also use a spoon from the refrigerator or cucumber slices. Grandma's favorite tip still works, too: place two cooled tea bags on the eye area for 10 minutes.
However, there are also shadows that foreshadow trouble. Aside from the aforementioned oxygen deficiency in the blood, there are inflammatory skin diseases that lead to visible pigment and color changes under the eyes. The same applies to eye diseases, which are then accompanied not only by shadows but also by swollen bags under the eyes.If the problems don't subside after a short time, the next step isn't to reach for the refrigerator (with the eye pads), but directly to the doctor. In this case, clarification is needed. And usually, more is at stake than just the beauty of one's gaze.
