Eye Spy: Expert Tips for Youthful Skin Around Your Eyes

“The face is a picture of the mind with the eyes as its interpreter.”

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

Treating the skin around your eyes with a proper skincare routine is a great way to restore a youthful look to your face. Believe it or not, if you are entering your late twenties, the fear of getting under-eye bags, wrinkles, and crow’s feet starts to kick in. Though some might be lucky enough to avoid these inevitable signs of aging,  for many of us, crow’s feet and fine lines start to set in at an early age.

Hence, it should come as no surprise that the sooner you customize your skincare according to what the skin around your eyes needs, the better.

Once lines form in the undereye region, they can be incredibly stubborn! These problems worsen if you have an expressive face, as these lines will accompany you whenever you smile or frown. To counter these issues, make sure you follow a simple eyecare routine and incorporate products with specific ingredients.

The undereye area is delicate and requires special care different from the care you give your skin on the rest of your face. Without the correct treatment, these problems can be pretty difficult to get rid of and leave us disappointed if we don’t see the changes we want to see in our skin. 

But not to worry. This article includes some management options that can help you cope with signs of aging in the undereye region.  Read on for our favorite tips to revitalize your skin today.

Here are some factors that make the skin around your eyes different from the rest of your face:

• The eye area lacks oil glands that aid in keeping this skin area moist. As the area lacks moisture and hydration naturally, it is quick to react to any changes in the weather and humidity.
• The skin in this area is up to 10 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. This means this area is more vulnerable and at risk of showing signs of aging much more quickly.
• The skin around the eyes is being constantly used; in fact, every time you change your facial expression, you’re using this skin over and over again. Over time this causes us to develop small wrinkles or crow’s feet.
• There are a large number of capillaries around your eyes which lead to puffiness caused by fluid buildup. Allergies and sinus issues can exacerbate this problem, and the thin skin around your eyes makes this even more prominent.
• As you age, the loss of collagen and elastin makes this skin area grow thinner and even more vulnerable.

Collagen is a substance responsible for ensuring the firmness of the skin and its youthful and healthy appearance. Studies have found that, after age 25, collagen production by the body declines by approximately 1% per year.

In addition to natural loss, other factors contribute to accelerating the process such as, pollution, stress, smoking, excessive consumption of sugar or alcohol, low hormone levels, and exposure to the sun.

What Problems Might I Encounter In This Particular Area?

There is a myriad of conditions that might affect the skin around the eyes and eyelids. Let’s find out what these problems are and how these skin conditions can be treated.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can develop anywhere on the body, but it’s more likely to occur around your eyes as the skin in this area is thinner and more delicate than elsewhere on the body. Our skin needs hydration and oils to help ensure that it remains naturally soft, supple, and stretchy.

Typical symptoms include:

• Patches of itchy or scaly skin
• Flaky skin
• Rough skin
• Stinging or burning
• Peeling
• Itching

Dark Circles

Dark circles are usually associated with lack of sleep or genetics. Other reasons you might encounter dark circles include allergies, contact dermatitis, pigmentation irregularities, scratching or rubbing eyes, and sun exposure. These are hard to eliminate and, once they take root, it’s more complicated to get rid of them completely.

Puffy Bags

Do you wake up and find puffiness around your eyes? Puffy eyes are often caused by fluid accumulation under your eyes while you sleep. Puffy eyes can also be a common symptom of allergies, inflammation, and physical irritation.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Having lines under your eyes is a typical part of getting vintage (LOL) as the collagen and elastin start degrading, and your skin loses its integrity and firmness. Although the most common reason for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes is simply aging, other common contributing factors also play a part.  Such factors include:

• UV radiation (Collagen and elastin fibers are broken down by ultraviolet light)
• Repetitive movements and expressions (This is definitely my case, I make faces even though I’m alone just thinking!)
• Environmental factors, such as air pollution, smoking, stress, nutritional factors, excessive consumption of sugar or alcohol, low hormone levels, skincare and cosmetic products and, above all, exposure to the sun.
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for a long time among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are little lines spreading out from the corners of your eyes and are a cause of immense concern for many. They develop gradually as we age because of tiny muscle contractions that happen every time you change your facial expression.

Though aging is inevitable, if someone in your family shows signs of aging more quickly, it may be caused by genetics as crow’s feet have a direct genetic component!

What Are The Ingredients We Must Avoid For The Skin Around The Eyes?

Try and use products specifically formulated for use around your eyes as the skin in this area is more delicate and sensitive than the skin on the rest of your face. This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people would just use their regular facial moisturizer around their eyes, even though some of these products contain irritating ingredients for this sensitive area.

The skin around the eyes is extremely sensitive and delicate. Therefore, it’s necessary to be mindful of the ingredients you apply on this area. Applying harsh ingredients can irritate your skin and might lead to allergies and nasty infections.

How Can We Maintain Healthy Skin Around The Eyes?

Treating the skin around the eyes is a delicate process. Some extra care needs to be taken when choosing a skincare product for this area. Products containing gentle, natural, non-irritating compounds, a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, and skin-plumping substances are great choices. 

When choosing a product, it is important that it be non-comedogenic to reduce the chance of causing clogged glands around the eyes, which might lead to additional problems. 

• Antioxidant vitamins, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and beta-Carotene, are excellent at providing protection against free radical damage. Antioxidants have the power to reverse extensive harm done to skin, as well as the destruction done to normal cells. Pollution, smoking, UV light, large quantities of alcohol, and daily stress trigger the production of free radicals. 

• Herbal Extracts like bisabolol in chamomile, and lecithin decrease redness, puffiness and nourish, rejuvenate and revitalize the skin.          

• Moisturizers help to reduce fine lines caused by dehydration. 

Some Home Tips For Keeping The Skin Around The Eyes Healthy

In addition to choosing the proper skincare product, some other actions are also important in maintaining healthy skin around the eyes.  These include:

• Water plays a crucial role in maintaining the elasticity of the skin, so drink plenty of water.
• Nicotine constricts blood vessels in the face and under the eyes, which makes it hard for nutrients to be well absorbed, leading to a breakdown of collagen. For healthier skin, avoid smoking (not just for your beautiful eyes, right?!).
• Protect yourself against UV exposure. Overexposure causes, among other things, melanocytes to mature abnormally, which results in pigmentation and age spots.
• Use sunglasses so you can avoid squinting. Those who squint more have deeper crow’s feet and consequently look older, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
• Fatigue can cause the skin to look gaunt and tired, especially around the eyes. So take a rest ( talk is cheap! 😄)      
• Limit alcohol intake as excessive drinking causes dehydration and can be particularly problematic for the skin around the eyes.
• Use cotton balls while removing makeup or gentle finger movements and avoid unnecessary rough handling of the delicate tissue.
• Use high-quality skincare products for the area around your eyes.

What Can Be Done To Manage Fine Lines?

Using hydrating humectants to reduce the loss of moisture can be very helpful in restoring the health of the skin.

You should also look for ingredients that provide an immediate “plump up” effect. Opt for potent ingredients that have been shown to stimulate collagen production, such as Vitamin A derivatives ( it’s possible to find good vegan retinol products on the market too.)

Dark Circles

What Else Can Help Reduce Puffiness Around The Eyes?

Puffy eyes can be managed easily by cold compresses, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water. But talking about natural skincare ingredients, the following may help reduce puffiness as well:

• Caffeine ( DIY – Caffeine to reduce Dark Circles and puffiness – Click Here )
• Green tea and coffee berry polyphenols
• Willowherb

We will talk more about it! But before we do, always remember to…

Be Gentle

Whether removing your eye makeup or applying products onto the skin around your eyes, it is crucial to be gentle.

As mentioned above, the skin under your eyes is fragile, so too much pressure from daily cleansing and skincare routines can potentially contribute to extra fine lines.

The following are a few ways to be gentler during your skincare routine:

• When you remove your makeup use a cotton pad
• Press the pad gently onto your skin and slowly drag it in an outward motion.
• Repeat this motion until your makeup is fully removed.

While you apply your products (just a small amount), dab them slowly and gently around the eyes using your ring finger to circle your eye area. Don’t forget to apply the product to the upper eyelid as well. Repeat the motion until the product is fully absorbed into the skin.

Treat Yourself To a Massage

If your puffy eyes tend to come and go but look more obvious when you’re tired or haven’t been sleeping well, a simple massage might be your friend.

Massaging your eyes can help improve the circulation around them. The gentle pressure from the massage helps drain excess fluid around this area and aids in reducing puffiness.

Putting chilled wet tea bags on your closed eyes can be very helpful in reducing puffiness. Studies suggest that green tea contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in improving the appearance of the skin around the eyes.

A couple of cucumber slices also help reduce swelling and puffiness. In fact, the action of the cucumber slices actually works by generating vasoconstriction due to the cold temperature.  This means that if the cucumber is not cold, it will not bring much benefit to your skin.

Sleep, Eat, Exercise, And Repeat

When it comes to lifestyle changes and protecting the skin around your eyes, I’m a big advocate for what goes on inside reflects what’s on the outside. So: more sleep, more exercise and follow a healthy diet as much as possible.

Diet And Nutritional Supplements

Taking certain kinds of dietary supplements also helps. A 2017 study showed that ingesting a hyaluronic supplement seems to help increase moisture in the skin of participants with dry skin.

Another clinical trial from 2005 showed that using evening primrose oil consistently for 12 weeks significantly improves skin appearance, including firmness, elasticity, and moisture.

What Are Some Treatment Options You Can Use To Restore The Damage Done To Skin Around Eyes?

If the appearance of the skin under your eyes worries you, here are a number of treatment options. However, some give more satisfactory results than others so it’s always a good idea to speak with a dermatologist about the best options for your skin.

Micro-Needling

Tiny fine needles are rolled over the skin to help stimulate the growth of elastin and collagen, which ultimately helps skin cells repair themselves and improves the appearance of the skin. It also seems to carry less risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation involving the epidermis according to a 2014 research article.

Cosmetic Products

Cosmetic products contain a variety of ingredients that are curated to help improve the look of the under-eye skin, like caffeine, which can help reduce puffiness, and vitamin K, which reduces the appearance of superficial blood vessels.

According to a study published in 2015, applying a cosmetic pad that contains vitamin K and caffeine in an emulsified oil base could potentially lighten dark circles and improve the depth of wrinkles.

Laser Resurfacing Treatment

Laser skin resurfacing involves using lasers to help improve skin texture. People who received carbon dioxide laser resurfacing on photo-aged skin experienced improvement in the appearance of their skin. But obviously this is not considered a natural / green treatment. 

Other more invasive options include:

• Intense pulsed light therapy
• Chemical peels
• Sclerotherapy
• Under-eye lift surgery (Blepharoplasty is the procedure)

Conclusion

From moisturizing your skin with the proper products, to avoiding unnecessary stressors, such as sun exposure, eat too much sugar and nicotine consumption, there are many ways to give much-needed love to the delicate skin around your eyes. 
By combining proper nutrition, self-care and the right products, you can revamp your beauty routine, help to discourage signs of aging and even, with the right game-changing tactics, reverse existing signs of aging around your eyes for a more uplifted and revitalized appearance. 

Resources :

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/reduce-premature-aging-skin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871318/#:~:text=%20Ingestion%20of%20an%20Oral%20Hyaluronan%20Solution%20Improves,a%20HA%20of%20biotechnological%20origin%20%28NUTRIHYL%29…%20More%20

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4300604/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945721005761

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965206X22000031

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8305919/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8544385/

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sun-damage-skin/wrinkles-sun-damage-can-be-treated