The skin around your eye is one of the most delicate areas on your face and like your hands; they often show the first signs of aging. Hence, regularly using an eye cream should be an essential part of your grooming regime.

If however you find slapping on eye creams and slowing tapping them around the eye area tedious and frustrating; you will find this eye serum from Biotherm quite refreshing.

The roll-on applicator is a god-send to those of you who don't want the hassle of dealing with clumsy finger application.

I threw this in the fridge and used it twice a day and I would recommend doing the same. The easily absorbed gel-texture of this serum cools and refreshes your eyes on contact and by the second week, I could see a reduction in my dark circles. The skin around my eyes looked brighter and healthier - great for those post-party days when you still have to meet datelines and deal with bullshit.

Because of its easy application, you can throw this in your bag or keep one in your work desk and roll on whenever you feel like your eyes need some freshing up. Hands free!

Get this Biotherm Homme High Recharge Yeux Anti-Fatigue Cold Eye Serum 10ml for US$39.50 at Strawberrynet.com.

Part 1 of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide covered cleansing, exfoliation and toning. Part 2 will cover eye care and serums.

Eyes take the hit of late nights, stress and the lack of sleep. As such, it's always better late than never to start taking care of the skin around your eyes.

Eye-Care:

Your eyes show the first signs of aging and tiredness. The delicate eye area is thin and fragile hence it does help to take extra care of this specific area. Dark eye circles are caused by various factors like heredity, allergies, age and fatigue.

Dark circles are an inherited trait - when blood passes through the veins under the eye area, a dark tint is produced and the transparency of the skin around your eye determines how visible the dark tint appears.

Constant rubbing and scratching your eyes will cause dilation of blood vessels and will lead to more visible dark circles. So refrain from rubbing your eyes just like you would refrain from touching your face or popping your zits.

Although there aren't any permanent solution to reducing and removing dark circles, there are products that will help improve the appearance of dark eye circles.caused by burst blood vessels and thin, worn out skin. Fine lines are caused by various factors like dehydration and sun exposure. Using a eye cream/gel twice a day will help reduce fine lines, puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.

I like Patricia Wexler's Instant De-Puff Eye Gel (0.5oz/ US$19.50). This works best cold so I store this in the fridge for a hit of refreshment. This reduces puffiness visibly while reducing the appearance of fine lines.

I like SK II Signs Eye Cream 15g/0.5oz US$99 at Strawberrynet.com. This rich cream works to combat the signs of aging - lines, wrinkles and bags. Its rich formula ensures optimal hydration throughout the day; great for winter vacations. The area around my eyes look brighter, softer and healthier. I take this whenever I travel.

I like Nuxe Contour des Yeux Prodigieux Anti-Aging Eye Cream (US$27). This anti-aging eye cream provides optimal moisturization and works to reduce puffiness and signs of aging. I like how this easily absorbs to soothe and protect the delicate eye area. 

 

I also like Lancome Blanc Expert NeuroWhite X3 Anti-Dark Circle Eye Treatment 15ml/0.5oz US$60.50 at Strawberrynet.com. This rich yet lightweight whitening treatment works deep to lighten eye bags and dark circles while promoting hydration and soothing the thin skin around your eyes. The lightening effect can be seen in 2 weeks of usage and a smoother, healthier eye area is your outcome.

I like Kiehls' Abyssine Eye Cream (0.5oz/14ml) (US$32). This marine extract eye cream helps to reduce fine lines and prevent the signs of aging. I like how easy this goes into my skin to hydrate and encourage healthier, fresher looking eyes.  

  


Serums:

Serums pack a higher dose of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins as compared to day/night moisturizers. Hence, serums are skin-savers that work effectively to regenerate skin cells, promote healthy skin growth, even out skin tone, banish zits and blackheads, intensively hydrate and prevent signs of aging. They go after your toner and before your moisturizer. 

Ingredients such as stabilized Vitamin C work to prevent and combat free radical damage. Salicylic Acid works deep into pores to prevent breakouts and blackheads. Potent exfoliators like Glycolic Acid work to reveal fresh, radiant skin while you sleep.

 

I like DERMAdoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Intensive Medicated Blackhead Treatment(1oz/30ml) (US$42). This serum penetrates the pores to remove clogging blackheads, kills bacteria and trapped dirt all while minimizing the appearance of pores. Blackheads appeared less frequently and my skin looked cleared and my pores more refined. I also like how this keeps zits at bay. 

 

I like Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer 30ml/1oz US$54 from Straweberrynet.com. This time-released serum works to gently exfoliate and speeds up the cell renewal process revealing a brighter, fresher complexion with an even glow. I like how radiant my skin looks after this and how it evens out my complexion to remove traces of dullness.

I like Patricia Wexler's MMPi.20™ Skin Regenerating Serum (3.4oz/150ml) (US$150). This pink gel instantly hydrates while soothing fine lines and reversing the signs of aging to give you a healthy, glowing complexion. This also helps tame unruly brows so if you have them, just sweep a little over your brows and this serum will work like hair gel to keep your brows in place.

 

I like Clarins Double Serum Generation 6 Extra-Firming Botanical Intensive Care 2x15ml US$92 from Strawberrynet.com. This plant based serum is chock full of botanical benefits. The unique formula contains an oil and a water based serum that works together to bind essential moisture to hydrate and repair skin. Fine lines, wrinkles and dullness are erased. With regular use, my skin became softer, firmer and looked healthier. I take this to beach vacations where I slater this on twice daily after time spent in the sun. I know it sounds a tad passive-aggressive but this does help.

I also like Lancome High Resolution Collaser-48 Deep Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum 30ml/1oz US$45 from Strawberrynet.com. This rich anti-aging serum works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while plumping up skin to reveal younger, fuller looking skin. By stimulating collagen synthesis, this serum actively repairs and restores firmness and tone. I like how this instantly smoothes and hydrates, giving a healthy sheen. With regular use, my skin is firmer and healthier with reduction in lines.

I like Biotherm Line Peel Crystalescent Bio-Cellular Serum 30ml/1oz US$59 at Strawberrynet.com. This serum works to gently peel off surface layers of skin, promoting renewal and an even, healthier slate without fine lines and wrinkles. I like the glow I get from using this and the overall freshness and radiance this leaves me. 

 

Keep checking back for the next installment of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide where we'll dive into moisturizers.  

Your skin is the largest living organ you have so taking good care of it isn't so much about vanity but more of ensuring you have a better quality of life. You take care of your heart, your joints, your lungs so why shouldn't you take care of your skin?

Adopting a basic skin care regimen should be a prerequisite for every modern man. The old soap and water habit just doesn't cut it anymore so if you're stuck and wonder how to go about keeping your skin in prime condition, look no further. Here is Style Flavors' guide to putting your best face forward. 


Cleansing:

The first step to great skin is to ensure you start with a clean, fresh slate twice a day. Using a facial cleanser suited to your particular skin type is essential to removing daily grime, oil and cellular debris.

Individuals with pimple-prone, oily skin will benefit from skin clearing ingredients like Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is essential a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which works as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and pore-clogging debris. It reaches into the follicle to shed dead skin cells; keeping pores clear and hence, reducing breakouts.

I like Patricia Wexler's Dual Forming Cleanser (US$16, 5.1oz/150ml). Its dual effect keeps pores clear, reducing the frequency of breakouts while fighting the signs over aging. This foaming cleanser goes a long way and I like how it visibly reduces the size of my pores and keep zits at bay while helping to reverse signs of prolong sun exposure. 

For skin prone to breakouts, I like SkinCeuticals Clarifying Cleanser US$29 from Beauty.com. With Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid, this cleanser works to remove dead skin cells gently daily while promoting clearer pores and an even complexion. I like how this quickly clears up my skin. I remember once having a zit on my chin and after 3 washes, the zit was reduced in size. Gives me a clean feeling without all the uncomfortable tightness.

For a clean, fresh feeling without any hints of tightness, I like Lab Series Multi-Action Face Wash (US$16). Cleans and soothes all in one wash. I like how it gives me a clean slate while maintaining softness. 


Exfoliation:

Exfoliation is key to even-toned, softer and clearer skin. There are a multide of products on the market today cater to every exfoliation needs. Ingredients such as rice grains, polyethene beads and acids - Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) and Glycolic Acids, work to slog off dead skin cells, speed up cellular renewal and pave the way for a smoother shave. You have a bunch of options when it comes to exfoliators. There are daily exfoliators and weekly exfoliators that can be easily incorporated into your routine.

Daily exfoliators come in various forms. There are cleanser/exfoliator options (so you only have to use on product) and exfoliator pads that work to both tone and exfoliate (so again, you only have to use one product). 

I like St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Renew & Firm (US$3.99). It is cheap, effective and gentle enough to be used everyday. With AHA & BHA, this scrub works daily to remove signs of fine lines and sun damage. I use this in between my weekly exfoliators and like how it helps fine lines and uneven skin tone.

Another favorite product of mine is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control, Power-Clear Scrub (US$7.99). This creamy scrub not only smells good, it clears breakouts from the source while providing daily exfoliation minus the irritation and dryness. The fresh cucumber scent relaxes me while my skin looks cleaner and healthier after every use. 

I like Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths. They work great after a shower to tone and exfoliate or for in-between face washes and quick face pick-ups on the go (after the gym, meeting, etc) all while improving skin texture, radiance and signs of aging.

Weekly exfoliators provide optimal results when used twice or thrice weekly. Exfoliating before a shave also helps soften facial hair and make way for a closer, smoother shave.

I like Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion 125ml/4oz (US$36.50). Using skin refining rice starch, this creamy exfoliator gently removes dead skin cells, brightens skin tone and refines pores without irritation or dryness. The light citrus scent is fresh while the warming effect of the rice grains feels good on your skin. Use this 2-3 times a week for best results.

I like Lab Series Skincare for Men Treat - Skin Refinisher (US$30). The thermal action heats up your skin to gently but effectively remove grime, oil, dirt and dead skin cells, paving the way for clearer, smoother skin. I like the warming action and how clean my skin feels after each use.

I also like Shiseido Men Deep Cleansing Scrub 125ml/4.2oz US$30 from Strawberrynet.com. This creamy scrub works hard to remove dead skin cells, blackheads and grime. My skin is left feeling squeaky clean without any tightness and the refreshing hit of freshness from the Menthol makes this a good pick-me-up in the mornings. 

Do avoid the delicate eye area when you're exfoliating and be gentle because rubbing too hard and being too aggressive will only damage your skin and cause redness.


Toning:

Toning is the often skipped step in the everyday skincare regimen. So much so that skincare companies forgo toners when creating product lines targeted at men. However, I recommend incorporating a toner into your routine. Toning after cleansing helps to remove traces of cleanser, oil and dirt that occasionally stay on the skin. It also helps to remove dead skin cells, soothe and calm skin after shaving.

I like Kiehl's Alcohol Free Herbal Toner (US$19). Chock full of skin healing herbs that work to soothe and calm irritated, inflamed skin, this toner cools and refreshes your skin. I like how this calms my skin after every shave and the fresh menthol gives a cool feeling that works as a good pick-me-up.

I also like Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner, Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Formula (US$7.99). I know people who swear by this. This AHA & BHA toner sweeps off dead skin cells to refine skin tone, clear pores and speed up cell renewal.

I like Clinique Skin Supplies For Men: Scruffing Lotion 2-1/2 200ml/6.7oz US$20 from Strawberrynet.com. This toner works hard to unclog pores while promoting skin renewal. I like how it gives my skin a clean slate while removing traces of cleanser and dead skin cells.

I also like Biotherm Biopur SOS Normalizer Normalizing Exfoliating Lotion 200ml/6.76oz US$30 at Strawberrynet.com. This toner works to gently exfoliate while purifying your skin to prevent future breakouts and help clear existing ones. I like how it clarifies my skin leaving it clean and shine-free while reducing the appearance of my pores.