Aloe vera gel has been used for years to moisturize, heal and protect our skin. Extracted from the aloe plant, it has 18 amino acids that work collectively to heal and soothe dry, irritated skin. It is often used under the eyes as a remedy for dryness and wrinkles, and it contains essential vitamins and minerals that help to fight off free radicals that may cause wrinkling.
What are eye bags and what causes them?
A look at using aloe vera for eye skincare
Bags under the eyes, which can be mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes, are common as you age. With age, the tissues surrounding your eyes, including some of the muscular tissue supporting your eyelids, weakens. Normal fat that supports the eyes can then shift into the lower eyelids, making the lids to appear puffy. Fluids may accumulate in the space below your eyes, worsening the swelling.
Eye bags are usually a cosmetic concern and are rarely a sign of a grave underlying medical condition. Home remedies, like cool compresses, can help enhance the look of bags under eyes. For persistent or bothersome under-eye puffiness, surgery may be an option.
Differences between eye bags, puffy eyes dark circles
Though you might hear the word eye bags used interchangeably with dark circles or puffy eyes, these are distinct under-eye pouches markedly different from each other.
Dark Circles
Dark circles have a genetic predisposition. In persons who have them, the skin under the eyes is so thin and translucent that you can see the underlying veins and therefore the skin looks purple or bluish, especially in fair-skinned people. Additionally, lack of enough sleep increases venous obstruction making the dark circles look even darker. On the other side, people with darker skin tones produce extra pigment around the eye area, which can cause a general darkening of the skin under the eyes.
Topical retinoids can help lighten the dark circles. Using the retinoid can help thicken the skin and increase the cell turnover, which will make the underlying darkness less visible. Creams and skin serums with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides can hydrate and stimulate collagen and elastin production by plumping up the skin and shifting it away from the pooled blood spots. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E can help lighten the dark under-eye circles.
Puffy Eyes
Puffy eyes appear as a result of temporary swelling caused by seasonal allergies, excessive use of salt and alcohol, sleep deprivation, etc. So, it is recommended to prioritize good sleep to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes, as well as drinking enough water to keep fluid moving through the veins.Products with caffeine can reduce eye puffiness, and cooling products can help lessen inflammation and improve blood flow. Eye creams and serums with anti-oxidants and hyaluronic acid can reduce the puffiness and plump skin away from pooled blood, while also cooling the inflammation.
Under Eye Bags
Bags are markedly different from the two above. These under-eye pouches are caused by a combination of fat herniation and skin laxity. They are genetic, and a normal sign of aging and can appear as early as the late-20s or 30s. As you age, the tissue structure and muscles supporting your eyelids droop. The skin may begin to sag, and fat that is normally restricted to the area around the eye (orbit) can pass into the area below your eyes. Also, fluid can gather in the space below your eyes, making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen. Several factors cause or worsen these three conditions, like:
- Fluid retention, especially when waking up or after having a salty meal
- Lack of sufficient sleep
- Allergies
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Sunburns
Why use aloe vera?
Aloe Vera has moisturizing qualities
Aloe vera is said to provide moisture to the skin under the eyes. The sensitive skin under the eyes can become dry and irritated from cleansing the skin, sunbathing, dehydration and medications. Aloe vera gel may help return moisture into the skin because of its humectant capabilities, and the gel is said to help keep the skin supple and smooth while providing anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease those puffy under-eye bags.
Aloe Vera has healing properties
The gel is known to act as a healing agent for dryness, burns, scrapes, blisters, frostbite, insect bites, skin dermatitis, and acne. It contains anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial qualities that help heal the skin, fight infection and soothe the inflamed area. Aloe vera gel’s powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties protect against a wide range of harmful microbes. Sunburned skin, including that under the eyes, is the most common malady that aloe vera gel is used for. Aloe can soothe sunburned skin while preventing peeling and dryness.
Aloe Vera has anti-aging attributes
It can be used to prevent crow’s feet and dryness. The aloe gel contains vitamins and antioxidants that battle the free radicals and help inhibit skin aging. Aloe vera has vitamins B1, B3, B6, C, niacinamide, choline, and 18 amino acids. These vitamins and amino acids help moisturize, brighten and tone the skin. This can result in firmer, hydrated skin, and a reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet.
Benefits of using Aloe vera for under eye skincare
The gel has beneficial ingredients that are good for the eyes. Aloe vera gel is rich in nutrients that contain vitamins such as vitamins A, C, B12 and vitamin E. It also has minerals such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, proteins and amino acids. All these help the eye areas recover its youthful looks.
The Aloe Vera gel helps lessen fine wrinkles around the eye areas. Its anti-aging properties help support collagen production in the skin. The gel also helps stimulate collagen generation to help restore the suppleness of the skin around your eyes.
The gel is also a good moisturizer and emollient for the eyes. As we age, our eyes are one of the prominent body parts that exhibit signs of aging. The skin around the eye area begins to thin and become sensitive. Applying the gel would help diminish these problems since it helps to hydrate the skin and reduce infection. The aloe gel has anti-bacterial properties that protect the eyes from virus and help prevent further spreading of infection to the eyes.
Another perk of aloe vera gel is that it can heal wounds, bruises or burns near the eye area. Its a soothing relief for these problem areas. It also reduces inflammation and helps boost blood circulation to the injured part of the eye area.
How to use aloe vera for eye bags?
Aloe vera eye mask
Aloe vera decreases the dark pigmentation under the eyes by guarding the skin from damages. It has moisturizing qualities that hydrate the skin under the eyes which is essential to prevent further irritation of dark circles and wrinkles. The gel is rich in many essential vitamins and minerals which aid in proper blood circulation and promotes cell renewal for reducing dark circles.To make an aloe vera eye mask, you will need cotton balls or tissue papers, pure aloe gel and rosehip oil. Place the gel in a bowl and add very little water just to liquefy the gel. Add in a few drops of rosehip oil and blend them well. Make sure there are no lumps. Dip the cotton balls in the solution. If you are using tissue papers, grab a bunch and fold it; cut it out in a circle and dip in the solution. Place the soaked cotton ball or tissue paper on the eyes and let it sit for 15 minutes. Repeat this at least 3 times a week.
Applying Aloe Vera gel directly on the eye bags
Apply a generous dollop of aloe vera gel on your eyes. Aloe gel is an anti-inflammatory agent that soothes puffy and irritated eyes. The powerful antioxidant properties of aloe vera are highly effective in reducing puffiness around the eyes. Gently apply gel under your eyes to improve circulation to flush out the fluids and reduce swelling.
Bonus: aloe helps with the appearance of wrinkles too. The antioxidants and vitamin E in aloe vera are useful in reducing puffiness around the eyes and keeps wrinkles and fine lines at bay. Using aloe vera gel on the area under your eyes will promote blood circulation and flush out the fluids around the eyes, thus subduing swelling.
When applying the aloe gel, you must be very careful that it does get into your eyes. If you do not have pure gel, you can use any skin care products that have aloe vera gel or extracts. You will need some fresh aloe vera gel. Carefully apply the gel under your eyes and let it dry for eight to 10 minutes then rinse it off with cool water. You can use it twice a day. This works because aloe vera contains essential vitamins and antioxidants. It not only reduces the puffiness under the eyes but also tones the skin and has anti-aging effects.
Aloe vera face packs
Collect some fresh Aloe Vera pulp from the leaves. Clean the under eye area with a moist cotton swab and apply the fresh Aloe Vera pulp onto the area. Massage it lightly with two fingers and then let it sit for 15 minutes. You can remove the pulp with a moist cotton ball, no need to wash off unless the skin feels sticky. Take this treatment at least twice a day, including once at night before going to bed and once during the day.
Tips that can help you lessen or eliminate eye bags
Use a cool compress for fast relief. Wet a clean washcloth with some cool water. While sitting up, place the damp washcloth to the skin around your eyes for a few minutes with mild pressure. Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime and decrease salt in your diet. This will lessen the fluid retention that can cause bags under eyes. Don’t smoke and if you do try and stop. Smoking can aggravate eye bags under your eyes.
Make sure you get enough sleep. For most grown-ups, seven to nine hours is sufficient. Sleep with your head slightly raised. It can help to add an extra pillow, prop up the head of your mattress, or raise the entire head of the bed a few inches. This helps prevent fluid from gathering around your eyes when you sleep. Dark circles resulting from fluid retention in your lower eyelids usually go away when you get up.
Aloe vera reduces allergy symptoms. Avoid allergens whenever possible and try OTC allergy medications. Consult your doctor about prevention methods if you develop under-eye reactions because of hair dyes, soaps, cosmetics or other allergens. Use cosmetics if you prefer to mask your under-eye circles by using makeup.
