6 eye-care favorites - Beauty honored: as you are as you wish to be

Natural Health, April, 2004

When searching for over-the-counter eye creams, gels or serums, choose products specifically formulated for the eye area to avoid possible irritation. "Because the skin near the eye is so thin, it needs a lower concentration of active ingredients than other areas of the face," explains Steven J. Pearlman, M.D., a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City. As for ingredients to look for, try:

ANTIOXIDANTS prevent free-radical damage, which can disrupt normal cell functions and cause premature aging. Try the antioxidant-rich Neutrogena Radiance Boost Eye Cream with skin brighteners ($13; at drugstores).

PROTEINS help strengthen and increase the thickness of the skin, making it less prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Find them in Desert Essence Age Reversal Eye Cream ($25; desertessence.com) and Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum ($50; gloss.com).

GREEN TEA, CHAMOMILE, CUCUMBER and other anti-inflammatory ingredients can help reduce under-eye puffiness and inflammation. Find them in Tony & Tina Herbal Eye Serum with Blue Corn, which contains chamomile and cucumber ($38; tonytina.com), and Fresh Lotus Eye Gel with green tea and cucumber ($45; fresh.com).

LICORICE helps to lighten dark areas, caused by sun damage and/or hormonal shifts. Try it in Chanel Eye Tonic Dark Circle Corrector ($50; sephora.com).