Eye Care 101: Five things we can do right now to improve our eye area
Even before the pandemic hit, most of us were already using our gadgets consistently. From our smartphones to our laptop computers, not to mention the seemingly endless Netflix binge, our eyes are constantly in use. This brings on what we call digital strain, which then causes on further issues like dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck and shoulder pain. Add to that the stress of working from home and some sleepless nights, it is no wonder we feel not just our beauty but our health taking a hit.
This holds especially true in my case as I type this on my laptop while simultaneously checking my tablet and phone from time to time. I also did not get enough sleep last night. So, before our eye bags deepen and darken any further, let’s go through several eye care tips that may be helpful in this digital age.
Tip #1: You may want to start using Eye Cream
There is some debate on whether you need eye cream or not but as with all skincare, YMMV. Personally, I have been on the eye cream train since college, which is admittedly a significant time ago, but I believe that this consistency has reduced the fine lines that I could have had by now. The extra attention and moisture to the sensitive undereye area has helped keep the dryness at bay. I do have dark under eye circles though and I haven’t found the eye cream solution for that yet.
Tip #2: DE-PUFF THE EYE AREA BY MASSAGING IT
Puffy under eyes is not a good look especially if you have to wake up to several Zoom meetings after a night of The Queen’s Gambit. A quick DIY fix – Coffee Cubes! Caffeine is one of those common ingredients in skincare hat helps us in this aspect. But if you don’t have the time to prep the cubes, you might want to invest in a massage roller like the popular jade Rollers. Put one in the refrigerator before use as the cold can help to bring down swelling.
My personal favorite though is a quick facial massage such as Shiseido’s which includes the eye area. All I need are my hands and a cream or oil and I’m good to go.
Tip #3: Intensify treatment with an Eye Mask
This next one is nice to implement but not necessarily a must do as it adds up to the cost significantly. Eye masks are masks specifically designed to target the eye area intensively, like what sheet masks do to the face. I’m a fan of the Laneige White Dew Intensive Eye Mask but the Celeteque Line Reducing Mask is a similar alternative. I like to use an eye mask when I want my under eye to brighten almost instantly.
Tip #4: Take it easy on the Digital Devices
Now this is probably the hardest to implement but even just following the 20-20-20 rule can help ease the eye strain – “Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.” You can also use eye drops to alleviate any dryness from staring into the screen too long (don’t forget to blink!) or use anti-blue light glasses. Use the blue light filter in your gadgets too! Most devices now come with this built-in, you just need to turn it on in the settings.
Tip #5: Try to get as much Sleep as you can
Lack of sleep has many implications health-wise. When it comes to the eyes, the effect can range from cosmetic to serious. Getting enough sleep is easier said than done as there are a lot of factors that make up the recipe for a sleepless night. But do try to make sleeping as comfortable as possible with the use of blackout curtains to eliminate outside light, establishing good temperature, and using a sleeping mask for that extra comfort. You can even use silk sleeping masks to level up your nighttime routine.
These are just some of the basic tips that we can implement but should you have any specific eye concern, consulting your trusted ophthalmologist is still the best way to go.
How have you been taking care of your eyes?
