Body & beauty

Jo Fairley: The best beauty for your eyes

Our columnist reveals her favourite natural potions for your peepers

For many of us, mid-life is a time when eyes become a problem area, cosmetically. (Never mind the constant search for your spectacles.) My top lifestyle tip, perennially, is to make sure you’re getting enough fluid; ironically, dehydration can lead to under-eye swelling. But over and above that, there are brilliant products to tackle tired-looking eyes. The one essential piece of advice to follow? You have to use them day in, day out, night in, night out. Make it as much of a habit as cleansing, toning, moisturising and then you’ll see results – if not in the blink of a (formerly tired-looking) eye, then soon enough…

Jane Scrivner Ultra Hydrating Eye Masque

First off: this isn’t really a mask, more of a serum, tackling tired eyes with a complex that includes oatmeal, eyebright, white birch, aloe vera and shea butter. Jane Scrivner believes we should ‘feed our skin healthy’ – and this is the equivalent of eye zone yumminess.

Romilly Wilde Eye Believe Eye Serum

Some of the most effective eye treatments I’ve tried come with a built-in metal dispenser wand – like this, from the British luxury naturals skincare brand. When smoothed across the eye zone, it only distributes the product – which features Schisandra, green tea and sea chamomile, along with potent antioxidants – but has a brilliantly cooling, soothing, fluid-dispersing action.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This eye treat has been around for years and years – which tells you all you need to know about how effective it is at reducing dark circles and brightening the under-eye zone. Powered by coffee beans, ginseng and magnolia extract, GinZing also features optical brighteners which instantly make eyes look more wide-awake.

Evolve Hyaluronic Eye Complex

If under-eye skin looks papery and dry, reach for this; the hyaluronic acid – famed for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water – offers an instant, plumping drink. At the same time, the cooling serum-like product features tuberose flower plant stem cells (which also smell fab), which work to tackle under-eye baggage and fine lines.

Temple Spa Eye Therapist

Not a cream or a serum; these little drumsticks can be used with any eye treatment (though of course Temple Spa would prefer you used it with theirs!) The point is: the cool metal, stroked in an outward direction or tapped onto skin, de-puffs the eye zone while pressing your chosen eye product into skin. I promise: it’s amazing how life-changing something so teeny can be. (Just don’t lose them!)