When your blood vessels leak, the iron-rich hemoglobin collects in your eyelid tissue. Hemoglobin is responsible for the bruise-like reddish blue discoloration characteristic of dark under eye circles. Luckily, your body makes enzymes like uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UDGT) that can sequentially degrade hemoglobin into biliverdin (greenish), then to bilirubin (yellowish), then to hemosiderin (barely brown).  As UDGT degrades hemoglobin into hemosiderin, normal skin coloration returns!

Scientists have found that your UDGT can be activated with a small molecule found in passion flowers called chrysin. Products that contain chrysin therefore will significantly improve the ability of your own natural UDGT to degrade hemoglobin and return your eye lid to its natural shade!

2- Products that Thicken the Dermis

Products that actively increase the production of collagen and elastin and increase hydration in the dermis correct the thinning that occurs as your age and help you maintain a youthful, plump dermis that masks the dark color of your blood vessels.

2A- Matrix Building Ingredients: Click here for Matrix Building products! 

Soybean Extracts- Soybean extracts have been found to increase the synthesis of collagen from dermal skin cells (fibroblasts).

Retinol (Vitamin A)- Topical Vitamin A has been shown to increase collagen synthesis and encourage fibroblasts to multiply. Retinoic acid is the most active form of Vitamin A, so look for products that contain this form.  

Vitamin E- Topical vitamin E has been shown to correct collagen and elastin damage, and works even better when applied in conjunction with Vitamin C and/or Selenium!

Vitamin C- Topical vitamin C is very effective at reversing aging damage, as vitamin C stimulates fibroblasts to multiply and increase their production of collagen. Vitamin C is also essential for stabilizing existing collagen. High concentrations of vitamin C also can lighten over pigmented skin by supressing melanin formation. All of these effects lead to a significant reduction in the appearance of your dark under eye circles!

Matrikines- The main function of the small peptides called matrikines® are to stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and glucosaminoglycan--all essential builkding blocks critical to maintaining a plump dermis with youthful elasticity. Matrikines are one of the active ingredients in Matrixyl 3000 ®.   Click here for scientific proof that Vitamin C and Matrikines are effective!

2B - Hydrating Ingredients: Click here for products that contain each of these ingredients!

Panthenol (Vitamin B5)- This vitamin is a humectant in that it promotes hydration by increasing water absorption in the skin

Hyaluronic Acid- Used in topical applications, HA improves skin conditions, increasing its moisture content, providing a healthy appearance. In fact, HA can hold up to 5000 times its own weight in water!

 

Advanced Moisture Complex- A new scientific formulation that has ingredients your skin needs for a hydrated dermis, and has demonstrated a 95% increase in moisture 4 hours after application.  This patented blend of ingredients included polyquaternium-52 and trehalose and results in plumper skin that prevents water loss. It has been shown to be even more effective than topical HA.  Click here for scientific evidence that the advanced moisture complex is effective! 

Ceramide-2 - Increases skin moisture by repairing the skin barrier so that it is better able to maintain hydration and avoid dryness.