Gel eye mask: what is it for, how to use

The effectiveness of eye masks

Keep in mind! Masks from a cosmetics store are good, but it’s much better to use homemade ones based on natural raw materials.

They are more effective because they contain only natural ingredients.

However, the effect of such care will be noticeable only if the recipe is correctly selected.

Otherwise, there is a risk of an allergy to a particular product in the selected ingredients.

The effectiveness of home remedies will be determined by the presence of active components contained in the main ingredient .

It can be:

Cereals;
Vegetables and fruits;
Greenery;
Dairy products.

Note! In addition, fat-containing components are often included in home remedies for the skin around the eyes.

Among them are:

Essential oils;
Natural products with a high fat content (yolk, sour cream, avocado, etc.);
Glycerol.

So, what effect should you expect from an eye mask with the right composition? In general, the following changes will be noticeable:

Reduction and smoothing of microwrinkles;
Visibly hydrated skin;
Relieves inflammation around the eyes and reduces redness;
Lightening dark circles;
No edema or swelling.

Caring for the skin around the eyes will not bring good results if the facial muscles are constantly in a state of fatigue.

Therefore , before starting such a beauty course, cosmetologists advise reconsidering your lifestyle .

Gel eye masks: application

Why do you need a gel mask around the eyes?

Gel cooling eye mask with massage granules (gel in them)

Functions of such masks:

A cold gel eye mask gives refreshment, a feeling of vigor, and helps you wake up. A warm mask, on the contrary, relaxes and encourages sleep.
Can help with tension headaches, migraines, fever (for colds).
Relieves eye fatigue (for example, if a person works a lot at the computer or does minor work, reads a lot).
A slightly warmed mask relieves spasms from facial muscles and relaxes.
A chilled mask keeps the skin of the face and eyelids toned.
There is evidence that with regular use it prevents the progression of skin aging and the formation of facial wrinkles.

The action of the mask is based on the uniform effect of coolness or heat on the area around the eyes (sometimes cheeks and eyes). It is a mistaken belief that the mask releases some useful substances, vitamins or something else - it does not release anything , the gel is hermetically sealed inside the product! The presence of vitamins is stated in advertisements; for example, the reusable gel eye mask Eyes Cover . But the gel itself does not have any cosmetic benefits - you should not squeeze it out of the mask and apply it to the skin!

In essence, such a mask is an easy-to-use reusable compress . The “distant ancestors” of the gel eye mask can be considered chilled tea bags, heating pads with cold or warm water, cloths and cotton wool soaked in water at the desired temperature.

Rules of application

For your information! The correct use of home eye care products is no less important than the correct formulation.

The following tactics for using masks will give your skin the care it needs. So, cosmetologists recommend:

Do not apply a large amount of mask , since the skin of the eyelids and around the eyes is very sensitive and delicate. An excess of the product, even if prepared independently, can lead to disastrous results;
Do not use eye product before bed to avoid swelling due to the product not being completely washed off from the skin. It is necessary to leave at least an hour before bedtime, after everything has been washed off the face and moisturizer has been applied to the skin;
Use cotton pads to apply and remove the mask from the face . Apply the product and remove its residue from the face delicately to avoid eye irritation;
Combine store-bought products for the skin around the eyes with homemade ones to achieve better and long-lasting results.

It is worth noting! In addition to these nuances, technique is important when performing eye masks.

Its basis lies in the following points:

Cleansing the skin of the eyelids and the skin around the eyes before applying the appropriate care composition;
Carrying out the procedure in a lying position so that the product does not flow onto the mucous membrane;
Leave the product on the skin for no more than 15-20 minutes (depending on the ingredients);
Treat the skin after washing off the mask with a special eye cream.

The effect of use will be noticeable when the procedure is repeated every 3 days for a course of 1 month.

You should know! In case of poor quality results, it is recommended to change the ingredients.

Indications for use

Eye masks are recommended for all those who want to tone their skin and restore vibrant shine to their eyes .

also indicated in the presence of one or more problems from the list below:

Bags under the eyes are an indicator of excess fluid in the body;
Dark circles are the result of eternal lack of sleep and fatigue;
Microwrinkles are a problem associated with insufficient hydration of the skin around the eyes. Also, wrinkles of this kind serve as an indicator of dehydration of the body.
Depleted and inelastic skin around the eyes is the main problem after 50 years. The process of moisture loss is irreversible, but it can be slowed down with a course of home remedies.

Speaking about the indications of eye masks, we cannot remain silent about the opposite - about contraindications for use .

Know! They are associated with the characteristics of a person’s health and individual intolerance to some of the components included in the home remedy.

Gel eye mask at home

If you urgently need to get yourself in order and get rid of dark circles and bags under your eyes, there is nothing better and more effective than a gel eye mask. Its additional effect is also interesting - after using the gel eye mask, wrinkles are noticeably smoothed out, the face looks not just fresher, but also younger. This is a great help if you chronically do not get enough sleep, get tired, spend a lot of time in front of a computer monitor or television screen, and also read in insufficiently good lighting.

Gel eye mask application, indications and contraindications

Having carefully studied the gel mask, you will understand that it works on the principle of a compress made up of 2 layers, between which a gel filler is laid. Changing the temperature of the gel is easy - just place the mask in hot water or the refrigerator for just 10-15 minutes. After this, you can easily use the mask as a tonic or, conversely, a relaxing external remedy for the area around the eyes.

Cold gel mask is recommended for use in the following cases:

If there are “bags” or swelling under the eyes, in this case it is better to use the cold mask alternating it with a contrast wash.
If you have burst or dilated capillaries in the whites of your eyes, or have local redness associated with fatigue.
If you decide to fight age-related skin changes, namely wrinkles and fine lines cutting through the skin.
If you are thinking about preventing age-related changes in the delicate skin around the eyes.

It is recommended to use a hot gel mask in the following cases:

If you need to get rid of dark circles under the eyes that appear as a result of overwork, and not due to illness.
If there is pain caused by overwork of the eye muscles and strained vision.

Before use, you need to learn about contraindications. You cannot use a hot gel mask in the following cases:

If there are symptoms of the development of acute inflammation, which is a consequence of a viral or infectious lesion: conjunctivitis, blepharitis, etc.;
Increased pressure inside the eye;
Retinal detachment;
Recent eye surgery.

It is no secret that many people use folk remedies for the skin around the eyes the old-fashioned way, but using tea bags, lotions and rubbing with herbal decoctions and ice is much less convenient than using a gel mask. Among the obvious advantages of the product are the following:

Comfort and ease of use - you do not need to prepare decoctions and tinctures in advance, or look for materials for a compress; you just need to take a gel mask and start using it. Don't waste a single extra minute!
Reusable and easy to care for - in order for the gel mask to serve you well for a long time, you just need to rinse it with hot water and store it in proper conditions (for example, in the refrigerator).
Sanitation and hygiene - in the process of using a gel mask, there are no problems associated with the absorption of odors by the product and the formation of drips.
The economic factor is also important - the gel mask has a very affordable price that every interested buyer can pay.

When buying a gel eye mask, it is very important to understand that it can only solve cosmetic problems. In some cases, cosmetic defects in the skin around the eyes can be symptoms of various diseases associated with the cardiovascular system and kidneys, chronic lack of sleep that has become a habit, etc. In this case, it is better to first solve health problems, and therefore begin to correct cosmetic defects.

Types and recipes

There are many recipes for masks for the skin around the eyes and eyelids.

But, depending on the problem, the approach to choosing ingredients for preparing the product should be appropriate .

It is worth noting that the components for any recipe given below are available in any kitchen, and the cooking process itself is not particularly complicated.

From dark circles

Important! Dark circles are the terrible consequences of a sleepless night. When the concealer is no longer able to hide them, the following mask recipes will help you cope.

One of them contains plum, a fruit that has whitening properties, the other contains sour cream, which can restore elasticity to the skin.

For dark circles with plum

Ingredients:

Large plums – 2 pcs;
Kefir – 1 tbsp. l.

Component Preparation and Use:

Grind the plums into a paste and mix with the fermented milk product;
Apply the resulting mixture to cotton pads and apply to the eyelids;
Leave for 20 minutes;
Wash off the mask with a contrast shower, washing first with cold, then not too hot water.

Made from sour cream and white clay

Ingredients:

Sour cream – 1 tbsp. l;
White clay powder – 2 tsp;
Pomegranate seed oil – 3-5 drops.

Preparation of components and use :

Mix sour cream with white clay powder, add a few drops of pomegranate seed oil and mix everything well;
Gently apply the product with a brush to the skin of the eyelids and around the eyes;
Leave for 15 minutes;
After this time, wipe off the mask with cotton pads soaked in plenty of warm water.

To achieve a long-term effect from this product, it must be used in a course of 5-7 procedures.

Refreshing

Home remedies that include herbs will help tone and refresh your skin .

Stay up to date! The essential oils contained in parsley help rejuvenate the skin.

And a product like dill, rich in antioxidants, stimulates skin renewal.

With parsley

Ingredients:

A bunch of parsley;
Boiling water – 0.5 tbsp.

Preparation of components and use :

Finely chop the parsley, pour boiling water over it, keep in a water bath for 20 minutes and cool;
Soak cotton pads in the broth, place them on your eyelids and leave there for 10 minutes;
After this time, the lotions will have time to dry. They need to be moistened again in the broth and applied to closed eyes for another 10 minutes;
Wash with cool water.

With dill and sour cream

Ingredients:

Dill – 2 sprigs;
Sour cream – 2 tbsp. l.

Component preparation and use:

Chop the dill sprigs and mix with sour cream;
Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes;
After this time, apply the product to the eyelid area and around the eyes with light movements;
Leave for 15 minutes;
Wash with warm water.

Moisturizing

Nothing moisturizes especially sensitive skin around the eyes like natural oils and full-fat dairy products.

Reference! The first mixture contains olive oil, the benefits of which are invaluable in all areas, the second contains heavy cream that can saturate the skin with moisturizing components.

With egg yolk

Ingredients:

Egg yolk – 1 pc;
Olive oil – 2 tsp.

Component preparation and use:

Beat the yolk with olive oil;
Using a cotton pad, apply the resulting mixture to your eyelids;
Leave for 20 minutes;
Wipe off excess mask with a damp cotton pad, then wash with warm water.

With cucumber

Ingredients:

Cucumber (best overripe, with a yellow tint) – 1 piece;
Cream 20% (more is possible) – 2 tbsp. l.

Component preparation and use:

Peel the cucumber and grate it with a fine grater;
Add a couple of tablespoons of cream to the vegetable and stir;
Apply the finished mixture generously to cotton pads, apply to the eyelids and leave for 15 minutes;
Remove any remaining product from the skin with a damp cotton pad.

Anti-wrinkle

Keep in mind! Wrinkles are the most common problem.

The following recipes will help you get rid of existing ones, as well as protect yourself from premature ones.

Parsley mixture

Ingredients:

Parsley - 2 sprigs;
Apricot oil – 1 tsp.

Component preparation and use:

Chop the parsley and mix with apricot oil;
Mash the resulting mixture a little so that the greens release juice;
Apply to the skin around the eyes and leave for 15 minutes;
After the specified time, rinse with warm water.

From flaxseed

Ingredients:

Flax seeds – 3 tsp;
Boiling water – 0.5 tbsp.

Need to know! Rules for preparation of components and use:

Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder, add boiling water and simmer over low heat for at least 10 minutes;
Cool the mixture and apply to cotton pads;
Place on eyelids and hold for 20 minutes;
After this time, wash your face.

Anti-red eye

This problem can not only ruin the face in a photograph, but also in real life.

Red eyes occur for many reasons.

Fortunately, the recipes for masks given below will help you get rid of it no worse than Photoshop.

Flaxseed milk mask

Ingredients:

Flax seeds – 1 tbsp. l;
Milk – 0.5 tbsp.

Reference! Component preparation and use are as follows:

Pour milk over flax seeds and boil over low heat for 15 minutes;
Cool the prepared broth and soak cotton pads in it;
Keep the resulting compress on your eyelids for 20 minutes.

From raw potatoes

Ingredients:

Potatoes – 1 piece;
Curdled milk – 1 tsp.

Component preparation and use:

Pre-cool the potatoes in the refrigerator, then peel and grate on a fine grater. Squeeze excess liquid from potato pulp;
Mix the chopped vegetable with yogurt;
Place the resulting mixture in gauze bags and apply to the eyelids for 15 minutes;
After the time has passed, wash your face and apply a light cream to the skin around your eyes.