Skin Care

The Procrastinator's Guide to Anti-Aging

If you've been putting off a proper anti-aging skin care regimen, help is here

by Marissa DeSantis | 7 COMMENTS

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Buh-Bye Racoon Eyes We're not talking about the kind that can be removed with a cotton ball soaked in makeup remover. As you get older, the delicate skin around the eyes gets thinner, making dark circles more and more noticeable. Dark circles under your eyes pack a double-whammy: They make you look tired and they age your appearance.

Quick fix:
A concealer with light-reflecting particles is your new best friend for hiding dark circles and fine lines around the eyes. Look for substances like mica, talc and titanium dioxide in the ingredients list. Words like "radiance" and "illuminating" on the packaging are also good indicators that the concealer covers and brightens dark circles. Makeup artist Blair Patterson recommends using a translucent powder to set concealer after applying.

And, of course, if you've got dark circles, it can be a sign you're not getting a good night's sleep. A consistent, truly restful sleep pattern is one of the most effective tools to combat dark circles and help the skin repair itself. It takes a few weeks to re-establish a healthy sleep pattern, and it starts with good sleep "hygiene." Tune your pre-bedtime hours to winding down. Avoid heavy meals, caffeine and alcohol two hours before bedtime, and turn off your cellphone, TV and other electronics -- all things that can disrupt your sleep cycle, says Elisa Zied, dietitian, nutritionist and author of "Younger Next Week." "Power down at least 30 minutes (ideally more) before you hit the sack," she suggests.

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