DIOPTI a new generation of eye care products

The eye contour area is characterized by a particular physiopathology. Its specific problems call for strict formulation constraints.

The eyelids: extreme fragility due to their particular anatomical structure

• An atypical structure

  The eyelids form a “cutaneous mucous” whole (the outer side being covered with skin and the inner side with a mucous membrane, the palpebral conjunctiva), whose role is to protect the eyeballs. The rigid pseudo cartilaginous structure is mainly fibrous in nature (collagen and elastin), which helps keep the eyelid taut.

• Reduced skin thickness

  The skin of the eyelids and around the eyes is very thin; in fact, the epidermis in this area is thinner than anywhere else on the body: 0.04 mm thick (compared to 1 mm for the face and 1.6 mm for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet). The dermis is also thinner, measuring 0.5 mm (compared to 1 to 4 mm on the rest of the body).

• Insufficient subcutaneous resistance

  The subdermal tissue of the eyelid is also very different from the usual hypodermis, as it does not contain adipose cells.

• An area in perpetual movement

  Although lacking collagen and elastin fibers, as well as fat cells, the skin around the eyes contains many muscles (22 different muscles), 14 of which are responsible for the blinking of the eyelids. Skin around the eyes is used almost constantly: the eyelids move with each of our expressions and blink about 10,000 times a day to keep the cornea continuously hydrated by distributing on its surface the liquid which is secreted by the lachrymal glands.

• Mobility that leads to great fragility

  To allow for this extreme mobility, the connective tissue around the eyes is very elastic and looser than in any other area of the body. This specific slackness of the eyelids and eye contours explains why the area is so fragile and less able to resist both external assaults (gravity, sun, irritating products) and internal factors (lymphatic effusions, deficiencies of the subcutaneous microcirculation).

The lashes: protective "appendages"

• Eternally youthfulness

  Lashes are silky hairs that are generally more rigid than those of the eyebrows. Generally the same color as the hair, they have the specific feature of not turning gray. Their growth is rapid and their life cycle is much shorter than that of the hair. They show variable geometry: lashes grow in three or four unevenly-arranged rows, set from 1.5 mm from the lachrymal orifice to about 2 mm from the outer corner of the eye. They vary greatly in number depending on the individual: there can be 70 to 160 lashes on the upper eyelid and 70 to 80 on the lower eyelid. Lashes measure about 8 to 12 mm in length and are concave on top and bottom in order to prevent tangling when the eyelids are completely closed.

Alterations of the eye contour area

Skin in the eye area may suffer from four major types of damage:

• Wrinkles
• Undereye puffiness (“bags”)
• Dark circles
• Red eyelids

Signs of aging

Skin around the eyes which reflects the youthfulness of the face is particularly fragile:

• Age 30 to 40

  Under the effect of repeated movements, skin on the upper eyelid distends and expression lines appear at the outer corners of the eyes.

• 40 to 50

  The lower eyelids are also subject to damage. Excess skin has built up, often associated with a more or less important accumulation of fat cells.

• 50 to 60

  Wrinkles deepen even more, the upper eyelids become “heavier” and the end of the eyebrow droops. Under the eyes, pockets of fat increase in size and the drooping of soft tissue at the top of the cheekbones accentuates dark circles.