Eye Care

The area surrounding the eyes is very sensitive and requires special care. It is imperative to be diligent regarding makeup removal, wrinkle prevention, dark

circles, and puffy eyelids.

Proper hygiene and cleanliness are crucial when preparing eye products. Sanitize

your utensils, bottles, droppers, and jars (in the dishwasher on the high-heat

cycle), then rinse them with rubbing alcohol and allow it to evaporate. Always

clean your work area with rubbing alcohol.

Prepare small amounts, use the products within the indicated time range

when given, and discard any remainder after that time, as it may no longer be

safe to apply around the eye area.

Eye Makeup Remover

This formula is much more than a simple makeup remover. This blend of oils rich in antioxidants and vitamin E will remove stubborn makeup while nourishing the delicate skin around the eyes and preventing wrinkles. Castor oil, which can be used alone with a Q-tip to remove eyeliner, will promote healthier and longer eyelashes. It has, however, a thick texture, and blending it with dry oils will soften the final consistency. Wheat germ oil is rich

in antioxidants and helps prevent wrinkles.

Because this product will be in close contact with the eyes, make sure you

maintain a high hygiene level while working, to prevent contamination with

germs. This formulation is kept fragrance-free to minimize irritation.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon castor oil

1 tablespoon wheat germ oil

1 tablespoon grape seed oil

10 drops (0.5 ml) vitamin E.

Note: Although wheat germ oil is preferred, you can substitute almond oil if

it’s unavailable.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk the top three oils together; then add the vitamin E and transfer the

mixture to a sanitized amber bottle with a dropper. Put the top on tightly and

shake well.

2. To use, pour a few drops on a cotton ball and wipe off your makeup. Repeat if

necessary. Wipe your eyelids gently without pulling the skin.

3. Follow with a toner or a rinse if you do not like the after-feel.

Puffy Eyelids Tea Bags

This title says it all. Black tea is astringent and contains tannins, which help

reduce eyelid puffiness.

INGREDIENTS

2 black tea bags

1 cup hot water

1 tablespoon cucumber juice, refrigerated

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Drop the black tea bags into the hot water. Remove after five minutes and let

the excess water drain in a bowl while you wait for the bags to cool enough to

become comfortable to the touch.

2. Close your eyes and place a tea bag on each eyelid. Relax for 10–15 minutes,

flipping the tea bags over every few minutes. Repeat if desired.

3. Finish by gently wiping the eyelids with the cool cucumber juice. Then follow

with your usual eye cream.

Blue Cornflower Water

This beautiful blue flower (known as bleuet in French) has long been used to make a natural mild astringent and eye antiseptic water. Steam distillation is generally used to make this simple alcohol-free, natural eye toner, but a homemade cornflower infusion will also bring you wonderful results.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup distilled water 

1 heaping tablespoon roughly chopped blue cornflower

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Boil the water and pour it over the chopped cornflower into a small bowl.

Cover the bowl and wait for 15 minutes, then strain twice through a sanitized

cotton cloth or cheesecloth.

2. Transfer the infusion to a sanitized bottle, and close with a lid when it has

reached room temperature.

3. To use, pour onto a cotton ball and gently wipe the eyelids, daily after eye

makeup removal.

4. Keep refrigerated for up to a week and do not purposely introduce into the

eye.

Combo Tea Eye Toner

The eyes quickly reveal symptoms of erratic sleep, too much time in front of the computer, or even a poor diet. Prepare this easy tea and herb blend, keep it handy, and use it to gently wipe tired eyelids twice a day for a fresher look.

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley leaves 1 chamomile tea bag

1 black tea bag

1 cup hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the herbs and tea bag in a mug or small bowl, pour the water over them,

cover, and allow 10 minutes steeping time.

2. Strain the liquid and transfer it to a bottle with a narrow opening. Close with a

lid when the infusion has reached room temperature.

3. To use, soak a cotton ball, squeeze out excess liquid, and gently wipe (without

pulling) tired eyelids twice a day. 

4. Avoid getting any liquid in your eyes. Rinse with warm water if you like and

pat dry.

5. Refrigerate any remainder and discard in a week.

Puffy Eyelids Compress

Sometimes the eyes need a little break. Plan a 15-minute time-out for

your eyes once or twice a week, or whenever you feel that your tired puffy

eyelids are begging for it. Potatoes have a skin-brightening effect and are rich in

minerals (such as potassium) and enzymes (catecholase, in particular) that help reduce the puffiness of eyelids. Adding cucumber and black tea improves the results. Prepare this compress right before using it.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons grated raw potato

2 tablespoons pureed cucumber

1 tablespoon black tea infusion (freshly prepared and cooled) 2 small

organza bags

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, mix the ingredients well with a fork.

2. Pour half of the mixture into each organza bag. Let the excess liquid drain into the bowl before putting the bags on your eyelids.

3. Avoid getting any liquid in the eyes. Sit back and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse the eyes with warm water afterward and pat dry.

Anti-Aging Eye Cream

The very thin skin around the eyes is often the first to show signs of aging. This fragrance-free formula acts as a moisturizer and prevents premature signs of aging. While licorice extract has a skin-brightening effect that helps reduce the appearance of dark circles, evening primrose and wheat germ oils are sources of antioxidants and powerful anti-aging ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon shea butter

1 teaspoon wheat germ oil

1 teaspoon evening primrose oil

1 teaspoon vegetable-derived emulsifier, such as glyceryl stearate 5 drops

vitamin E

1 ounce (30 ml) rose water

2 drops rosemary oil extract

10 drops (0.5 ml) licorice extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the shea butter in a double boiler over low heat, and then add the wheat

germ and evening primrose oils and heat until the temperature reaches 170°F.

Measure this using a candy thermometer. Add the emulsifier and whisk until

completely dissolved. Add the vitamin E drops.

2. Simultaneously, gently heat the rose water in another double boiler, covering

it with a lid to prevent evaporation. When both phases reach 170°F, turn off

the heat and pour the oil phase, in a thin stream, into the water phase, whisking vigorously.

3. Keep on whisking until the creamy mixture is slightly warm (around 100°F).

4. Add the rosemary oil extract and the licorice extract, and keep whisking until

completely blended.

5. Transfer the cream to a sanitized jar with a narrow opening and do not seal the

lid until the mixture is no longer warm to the touch.

6. To use, dab small amounts of cream around the eye area morning and

evening.

Anti-Aging Eye Balm

This formula is simple yet extremely nourishing; using it at bedtime brings antioxidants and moisture to the delicate wrinkleprone skin of the eye area. Shea butter is a great moisturizer and can help

transport other anti-aging oils such as sesame oil and cranberry oil. The addition

of vitamin E will protect the oils from rancidity and increase its presence within

the skin.

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce (30 ml) shea butter

1 teaspoon cranberry seed oil

1 teaspoon sesame oil

10 drops (0.5 ml) vitamin E oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a double boiler, melt the shea butter over low heat without overheating.

Whisk gently while adding the cranberry oil and sesame oil.

2. Add the vitamin E drops, then turn off the heat and continue whisking as you

pour the mixture into a small tin box or glass jar.

3. Set aside to cool, and seal the lid when completely cool.

4. Apply in the evening by dabbing carefully around the eyes.

5. Store away from heat, light, and moisture.