I look ten years older !!

DSmiffy

Due to a job change and some serious stress in my life (trouble with an old employer and a divorce) my eyes are now beginning to tell the story.....
I have bags under my eyes in the morning, my eyes water constantly, I have dark circles and the skin is very wrinkly.

Is there anything anyone can recommend to make an improvement on this? Any cream applications anyone has used which made any difference at all?

Before anyone jumps in, I know there is no "miracle cure" and that the beauty industry makes millions on the latest eye cream fad, but I thought someone out there might have used something which helps.

For the record, I don't smoke anymore, I drink plenty of water and I get sleep. The watering eyes is making it worse I feel. I just look so tired and old all the time and it has happened over a short period of time. I'm sure it's down to stress which I have now cut out of my life.

Any thoughts?

chrisyboy

I am in the same boat as you, I have been very stressed for the last 5+ years and physically its taken its toll. I have some facial lines developing and my hair is beginning to thin. I also have bags under my eyes, I have tried all sorts of creams over the years with little to no success, in fact I think the creams made my eyes worse as the vapour from the crèmes would make my eyes water so much so that I had to stop applying the cream


If there is a fix I would also love to know...

Fluff15

Do you moisturise currently? If not, a moisturiser will certainly help. I use Boots botanics eye cream - no it doesn't really stop fine lines but it does moisturise well and if your skin is dry the dryness exasperates the lines, so moisturising is good. I find this one nice and light, sinks in well and is fine under makeup.

A yellow based concealer will help with the blueness of the bags, but without knowing your skin tone it's hard to suggest a suitable one. The ladies on makeup desks are very useful and will often give you samples.

I'd get the constantly watery eyes checked out - could be a minor infection. It may be that the constant watering is what is making them puffy. Cucumber slices are a good astringent and may reduce the swelling slightly.

AbbieCadabra

not specifically for under eye bags but i've been using sbc collagen gel (QVC link for reviews) before my normal moisturisers for just over a month now & my skin definitely feels a little firmer & fine lines are less noticeable. biggest benefit has been my upper eyelids, skin elasticity is so much better & eyeshadow now goes on smoothly again.

DSmiffy

Hi thanks for the replies, I'm 49.
Yes I do moisturise at the moment but I don't use an eyecream.
The rest of the skin on my face is fine, no major change there, just around the eyes. I look shattered all the time

Topcat1982

Dark circles under eyes can be iron deficiency

starrystarry

DSmiffy wrote: »

Hi thanks for the replies, I'm 49.
Yes I do moisturise at the moment but I don't use an eyecream.
The rest of the skin on my face is fine, no major change there, just around the eyes. I look shattered all the time

I've always moisturised but never bothered with a specific eye cream until about six months or so ago when I noticed that my eyes were beginning to look a bit ropey. It has made a difference. I didn't notice much at first and its been very gradual but when I look ay my eyes now I can see the difference its made in the fine lines, droopiness etc. My undereye bags are better as well.

I think eye cream is formulated to be absorbed better around the eye area than regular moisturiser. I haven't been using high end stuff by the way, just high street stuff. Currently using Garnier Ultralift at night and a Boots Botanicals one in the morning.

GFN123

I wonder if more natural, really nourishing things would help more than chemically creams, which tend to be full of silicone etc that just 'mask over' the lines?

I switched to natural skincare due to problem, sensitive skin, but I have bad under eye wrinkles (smoker, sunbather ) and occasionally dull skin.

The best thing for under eyes I have found is simply coconut oil. It is incredibly cheap (big tubs from Amazon, or health food stores and now supermarkets stock it) but after just 2 weeks my eye area looks so much better.

If your skin is dry, you can use it as a moisturiser (overnight best), or consider some really great oils like jojoba (very close to skins own oils) or rosehip seed (for regenerating properties). Again, I got very good quality 100ml bottles of these from Amazon for around £6-8 each.

Facial oils are really popular now, but no need at all to buy the crazy expensive stuff, just buy the pure oils and the internet is your friend for finding blends or types suitable for your skin type.

As my skin is generally oily and acne prone, I can categorically state they do not make you more oily or break you out, in fact they help rebalance and nurture your skin.

Maybe worth looking into? Plenty of info online, or I can talk for hours about it! :rotfl:

lessonlearned

hi DSmiffy.

I found something similar happened to me.

I had always looked quite good for my age but when my husband became ill I became his carer. He was ill for 9 lomg years before dying last August. I went from being a fit and healtny 55 year old who could pass for someone in their early to mid 40s to looking like a 70 year old.

It was shocking now quickly I deteriorated and it was all down to prolonged and extreme stress. Stress can do terrible things to the body as well as the face.

At my worst I looked like a bag lady, stooped, lined and wrinkled beyond my years.

I decided I had to fight back so I started the Frump to Fab thread. There are lots of us on there, all on our own personal quest to fight the frump and reclaim our Fabulousity. lots of tips, ideas and moral support.

I'm not there yet, but my health and looks are Improving steadily. Be patient, and just stArt taking better care of yourself, healthy diet, sleep, rest, exercise, a good skincare routine and plenty of TLC. You soon start to see and feel the benefit. It does take a bit of effort and discipline but you will soon reap the rewards.and it neednt break the bank.

I agree look at natural healing and skin care, cheaper and better for you in the long run.

pattycake

With regard to the watery eyes, I have been suffering with this over the past couple of weeks. I think it is due to a high pollen count. The fact that it has been raining for a day or two has improved matters.

Good luck with your new regime.

cashewnut

I wouldn't trust collagen drinks as far as I can throw them! The collagen will be broken down by acids in your stomach ...

Op, have you read mellymoo's thread on facial peels? A very interesting read.