Want to look younger? Start taking care of the skin around your eyes.
“It’s very thin, so fine lines and other signs of ageing tend to show up there long before anywhere else,” says Linda Franks, a dermatology professor at New York University Medical Centre.
Most women think their regular skincare and make-up practices are enough, but you really do need a separate eyecare routine and specialised products to target this delicate area. After all, you want your eyes to be the focus of your face in a good way. For the most vital steps, read on…
Diminish dark circles
Blame those panda eyes on hyper-pigmentation (higher than normal levels of melanin caused by heredity, sun exposure and hormones, among other factors) or a collection of blood vessels under your eyes. “Blood vessels show through delicate skin, making it look dark,” explains dermatologist Kenneth Beer.
It’s difficult to make dark circles disappear completely, but you can certainly diminish them:
- Wear sunscreen religiously. Choose one with a physical block, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which is less irritating on the eyes.
- Use creams containing caffeine. “It’s a vasoconstrictor, meaning it tightens dilated capillaries so skin above them appears less dark,” says Franks.
- Research shows that vitamin K cream helps lighten dark circles. It helps heal the broken capillaries which cause under-eye darkness.
De-puff your eyes
Eye tissue can retain fluid and trigger temporary puffiness. It’s often brought on by too many margaritas, salty snacks or seasonal allergies, but some of us are genetically predisposed to accumulating fat here, resulting in permanent bags. Either way, there are ways to remedy that tired look:
- Drink plenty of water. It helps reduce fluid build-up by promoting blood flow through the kidneys, thus flushing out excess sodium.
- Treat your allergy. Stop the sneezing and watery eyes that cause puffiness with an over-the-counter antihistamine.
- Usually used to minimise wrinkles on the entire face, Thermage — a device that emits radio waves to heat and contract collagen below the skin’s surface — can also make baggy eyes look less prominent.
Smooth dry skin
Because the area under the eyes has fewer oil glands than the rest of your face, even normal and oily skin types are prone to dryness here. Dehydration can exaggerate fine lines, so softening your skin is one way to improve your appearance.
- Moisturise: Choose fragrance-free creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, honey and vitamin E to keep skin supple and camouflage fine lines.
- If the skin around your eyes is red or scaly, you might have dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin. This can be cleared up in just a week with a topical steroid cream from your doctor.
Minimise fine lines
Repetitive facial movements create those little wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, commonly referred to as crow’s feet. Spend some time in the sun and they’ll sink in deeper, becoming more defined as the sun’s UV rays cause damage by breaking down skin-firming collagen. Many of the lines around the eyes are also self-inflicted due to rubbing, pulling and daily application of an unsuitable product.
- Wear sunglasses. Your best bet: a pair with polarised lenses, treated with a protective film that filters out glare from reflective surfaces like sand and water. They’ll curb your squinting and protect skin from UV light.
- Soften laughter lines with vitamin A. Keep smiling — but be sure to use a product containing retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative. It “fills in” wrinkles by pushing new cells to the skin’s surface and increasing collagen production.
- If your lines are faint (but one look at your mom’s makes you fear what’s to come) Botox injections are one preventive measure. If you relax frowning and squinting muscles with Botox for about a year, the body is able to make new collagen to fill in the dents.
Lift sagging
Think it’s only an issue for old ladies
Sun exposure, fair skin, and high alitude determine how fast eyelid skin sags. Make your skin more resilient now to avoid taking drastic measures later.
- Dab on antioxidant serum. Before you apply any other products, pat a drop of serum with vitamins C and E around your eyes. These antioxidants fight free radicals and keep collagen from wearing thin.
Where to apply eye cream
Never apply eye cream right up to the lashes. Gently dab the cream, gel or lotion onto the bone below the hollow under the eye, and the bony bit just below the eyebrows. The reason for this is that the product automatically spreads and covers the delicate area of skin around the eyes.
Comments