This dream eye cream corrects dark circles

Dear Rissa, 

Please recommend an eye cream that keeps the skin hydrated. My under eye area tends to get dry quickly. I also deal with puffy eyes and dark circles in the morning. I hope you can suggest one that is safe for sensitive skin.

Michelle P.

Our skin in the eye area has very few oil glands so it can dry out very quickly. The skin here is the thinnest and most delicate. So never attempt to use just any moisturizing product — even your regular face cream could be full of ingredients that could irritate this area. It’s always best to choose products that are formulated specially for the eyes. Since you have sensitive skin, eye products free from preservatives, fragrances, and irritants are a must!

Have you tried the brand Malin + Goetz (available only at Adora Greenbelt 5, Makati)? It’s the holy grail for those with sensitive skin (women and men alike!). The founders of the brand, Andrew Goetz and Matthew Malin (who have worked with beauty and retail heavyweights like Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Kiehl’s, L’Oreal, Prada, Helmut Lang Parfums, and P&G), have sensitive skin themselves which is why Malin + Goetz products are never harsh or irritating. They are created to be the most effective yet least irritating to sensitive skin. Their products are free from chemical preservatives, parabens, colorants, dyes, synthetic perfumes, and all potential irritants. They personally develop each natural based treatment with a trusted chemist. Their philosophy? “Malin + Goetz makes skincare easy, starting with sensitive skin.”

I’ve recently been using the Malin + Goetz Rice Bran Eye Moisturizer (P2,350, available only at Adora Greenbelt 5, Makati. Contact 09228451359). It’s fantastic! This is a residue-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free eye moisturizer that keeps the under eye area hydrated throughout the day and night. Because of the cooler weather, I’ve been waking up to dry tight skin under my eyes (and sometimes even dry tired eyes). I love the way this is easily absorbed by the skin — it doubles as a great under eye primer. It dries up without any residue and never causes makeup to “pill” (no tiny balls of fluff or clumps when makeup is applied over it). It stays put without running or migrating into the eyes, causing teary-eyes — perfect for those with sensitive peepers. The combination of rice bran and soy amino acid proteins promotes capillary circulation; this specifically addresses puffiness and dark circles. This eye cream not only corrects dry under eye skin, puffiness, and dark circles, it also prevents them when used long term.

What I do with my eye cream is leave it on my side table at night so it gets cooled from the air-conditioned room come morning (or you can place it in the ref). The cool eye cream not only feels refreshing when applied but also helps calm puffiness. Also remember to use your ring finger (which is the weakest, thus lightest to the touch) when applying eye products. Always use products sparingly under the eye area by dabbing it with your fingertip.

Rissa

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Spotting A Cure For Freckles

Dear Ms. Tingting,

I’m seeing liver spots beginning on my skin. What can I apply to stop its spread and make them disappear?

Jing Maceda

One of the classic signs of old age is the appearance of brown, freckle-like spots on the skin. This pigment is called lipofuscin. It is also known as aging spots or liver spots. It is a sign of free-radical deterioration of the lipids in our skin, thus the name lipofuscin.

Let me quote author Dr. Bruce Fife, an advocate of coconut oil: “Because cells cannot dispose of the lipofuscin pigment, it gradually accumulates within many cells of the body as we age.  Once lipofuscin pigment develops, it tends to stick around for life, but you can prevent further oxidation and perhaps even reduce the spots you already have by using the right kind of oils in your diet and on your skin.”

The ideal lotion is one that not only softens the skin, but also protects it against damage, promotes healing, and gives it a more youthful, healthy appearance. Coconut oil fits that description. Pure coconut oil is the best natural skin lotion available. It prevents and protects against destructive free-radical formation. It can help prevent the skin from developing liver spots and other blemishes caused by aging and overexposure to sunlight.  It helps to keep connective tissues strong and supple so that the skin doesn’t sag and wrinkle.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to Tingting Cojuangco at tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com. E-mail Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Mananquil at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.