I’m a certified crybaby.
Good or bad, it doesn’t take much to send this sensitive soul over the edge.
From tearful Housewives reunions to golden buzzer auditions, you can always count on these tear ducts to pull their weight.
I could blame it on my Scorpio Moon sign (read: emotional AF), but honestly, I just have a lot of feelings.
You too? Welcome, this is a safe space.
While shedding tears can be cathartic, helping to regulate our emotions and release tension, unfortunately, it does no favours for our skin.
Especially if it’s the sensitive type or we’re really going through it.
As if we weren’t dealing with enough already, when the waterworks keep coming our skin basically has a temper tantrum, leaving us swollen, flushed, and blotchy – rude.
So, why does this happen?
Skin experts suggest that the excess tears can pool in the delicate tissues around the eyes, causing blood vessels to dilate and exacerbating redness and puffiness.
Additionally, the salt content in tears can disrupt the skin's natural balance, leading to dehydration, which is why we often feel parched and drained after a good cry.
Add to that the abrasive action of using tissues to dab away tears from our ultra-sensitive eye area, and it's clear that we need a game plan for salvaging our skin during particularly challenging times.
Thankfully, I have a bit of experience in this area.
Below, I’ve assembled soothing, de-puffing, redness-reducing products to care for skin post-cry.
Because even when life feels like a mess, there's no reason for our skin to be.
The Best Post-Cry Skincare Ingredients.
In the aftermath of a good cry, we need ingredients that soothe, hydrate and restore our skin’s vitality.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best ingredients to look out for:
Hydrators: moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene and ceramides help replenish lost moisture from tears and fortify the skin’s barrier.
Anti-inflammatories: ingredients like aloe vera, niacinamide and chamomile work wonders in calming redness and reducing swelling, providing much-needed relief to distressed skin.
Antioxidants: vitamin E, caffeine and green tea extract shield our skin from environmental stressors, promoting its natural healing process and resilience.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some products that contain these skin saviours.
1. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum.
What: La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum 15ml
Fast facts:
Specifically formulated for tired, puffy, and dehydrated under-eyes.
Refreshing water-gel formula that deeply hydrates and rejuvenates the skin.
Contains two types of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and a 10% dermatological eye complex with caffeine, niacinamide, and Hepes.
My mini La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum review:
Those of you who know how much I love Hyalu B5 probably won’t be surprised that the eye serum edition has made this list too.
Its thick, juicy texture is essentially identical to the facial serum, but what hooked me on the eye serum is its applicator: a metal rollerball that instantly cools and soothes.
Exactly what the doctor ordered.
You don’t need much product for it to get to work, hydrating and depuffing the eye contour.
AB customer Claire reviewed:
“Visibly tightens and smooths the under-eye. Soaks in quickly.”
