Master The Skin Sealing Technique For Ultimate Under-Eye Hydration
Do you often wake up to flaky, itchy under-eyes? If you answered yes, you are not alone, and you have probably already tried lots of different serums, gels, and creams that promise to make you appear well-rested. The skin around our eyes is thin and delicate compared to the rest of the face, so giving it that extra care and love, especially during the cold winter months, is a must. Thankfully though, there is a technique designed to hydrate your under-eye area that is making waves on TikTok.
In her stitch to makeup artist Mikayla Nogueira's solution for dry under-eyes, dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idris shared an easy hack that works to hydrate dry, itchy under-eyes. Using a simple combination of the moisturizing cream of your choice and everyday plastic wrap, this DIY hack is absolutely worth a try, especially if you are on a budget. Plus, you likely already have what you need right there in your home!
So, what is the skin-sealing technique anyway?
The game-changing technique refers to hydrating the area under your eyes, and it was actually born from a treatment developed specifically for psoriasis patients known as occlusion therapy. According to Medical News Today, this form of therapy is known to be effective in treating psoriasis plaques. How it works is that topical medication is applied directly to the skin of psoriasis patients, followed by plastic wrap or a waterproof bandage placed over the region. It is believed to increase the skin's absorption of the therapy and therefore maximize its efficacy.
In a nutshell, the under-eye hydration hack you're seeing all over the place mimics the process behind this treatment. What you will want to do is apply your favorite cream directly underneath your eyes and then cover it with a small piece of plastic wrap in order to seal in all that goodness.
How the skin-sealing technique works
The magic in the skin-sealing technique is that the plastic wrap can help you get the best out of a product you're already using.
Covering an area of skin after applying a moisturizing cream or gel is called occlusion, according to Medical News Today, which is a big part of the skin sealing technique. The method works to trap heat and lock in moisture inside the area, resulting in skin that instantly looks and feels more hydrated. Because the technique increases the amount of product that is absorbed into your skin, it becomes easier for that product to deliver its maximal benefits. Essentially, you are hydrating your under-eyes from within while getting the most from your product.
This technique not only increases plumpness and hydration, but it will also make your skin feel softer in that area over time, making it more than just another quick fix.
How to do the skin-sealing technique properly
If you're curious to try out the technique for yourself, all you need is your favorite cream or moisturizer and some plastic wrap.
Start by applying a generous amount of your go-to product directly under your eyes. Then, cut a rectangular piece of plastic wrap that's just large enough to completely cover the area. Once you have covered it with the plastic wrap, gently press it onto your skin to make sure that it is fused on and completely seals in all those skin-loving ingredients.
The only caveat is that you'll want to let it do its thing for at least 15 minutes, and after you have carefully peeled it off, feel free to take an extra minute to massage in any excess product, and you're good to go! Not only is this method easy and cost-effective, but you can also pull out this genius hack whenever you feel like the skin under your eyes could use a boost of hydration.