They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, and whether or not that is true, the skin around your eyes is certainly an indicator about many other things going on in your body. The skin in your eye area can be very sensitive for many, and it is one of the first parts of the body to show signs of ageing, and can have many different issues in relation to appearance.
Do you ever wonder why that is?
Well, the skin around your eyes is quite thin and delicate compared to the rest of your face, and your body. In addition, the eyes are hard working organs. They are constantly moving, blinking, and expressing your emotions, so this puts a lot of strain on the skin surrounding them. Over time, the elasticity in the skin starts to wear out. Then there are other things that affect the appearance of eye skin, like genetics, exposure to UV rays from the sun, external factors like stress, and lifestyle choices like drinking and smoking. All these things create a potent cocktail that can lead to loads of common issues for the skin in the eye area.
The most common eye area issues include:
- Dark circles.
- Fine or heavy lines.
- Puffiness.
- Bags.
The good news is, no matter your age, it's not too late (or too early) to start giving your eyes special treatment they deserve, thus improving your skin's appearance. You can check out some easy to follow tips below.
Hydration is key
Like the skin on the rest of the body, moisture is key to skin appearance around the eyes. If you think of your skin like a piece of fruit, when it loses water, it starts to dry out and shrivel. This is when wrinkles appear. Because the skin around the eyes is thinner than other parts of the body, here wrinkling happens more quickly. However, you can put water back in to your skin to help it get plumper, and to reduce the appearance of already existing lines. There are no oil glands in the eye area, so the skin here won't naturally moisturise itself. That means you should use a high quality natural moisturiser especially for eyes. The skin around your eyes is often too sensitive for normal face cream, so avoid redness and pain by using an eye cream that contains the right active ingredients and won't cause irritation.
Check what's inside
On that note, you need to make sure you always check the ingredients of your eye cream to make sure it is right for you. We always recommend using natural, organic skincare that is free from nasties. For the reduction of fine lines you will want a product that contains one or more of: retinoid, retinol, vitamin A, and peptides. For dark circles you will want something that has one or more of: arbutin, kojic acid, vitamin C, soy, vitamin B3, azelaic acid, or hydroquinone. For puffiness and bags you should make sure you're drinking enough water, and can also use a skin cream that has caffeine, green tea, willow herb, or dipeptide-2. For generally healthy skin around the eyes you should use a cream that is high in antioxidants – these are the magical naturally occurring ingredients that decrease the signs of ageing by combating free radicals in the skin. These include vitamin C, E, B3, and green tea.
Be gentle with the skin around your eye area
When treating the skin around your eyes, always be gentle. This includes when you are taking off your eye makeup. Due to the fact that this skin is very thin, any extra pressure can cause skin damage and cause more lines to appear. When taking off makeup always use a gentle cotton pad. In addition, whether you are removing makeup or applying products, always use slow, circular motions. Lastly, remember to apply products to the upper lids as well as the lower eyelids, as this part of the skin is often neglected.
Sun protection
Reducing sun exposure, and protecting your skin when you are in the sun, are vital parts of caring for your skin. Too much sun can make the skin around your eyes darken. A broad spectrum sunscreen is an irreplaceable part of every skin care routine and should be applied every day. Remember, even when it's cloudy, UV rays still cause damage. A good pair of sunglasses will also offer extra UV protection.
Treat yourself
Treating yourself well is a great way to improve the appearance of the skin around your eyes. Stress is directly related to the appearance of our skin, so finding ways to stress less in your daily life can go a long way for skin health. If you notice your eyes are puffy, then you might like to treat yourself to a massage, or a yoga class. Some people find incorporating breathing practices and meditation into their daily routine really helps with overall health and wellbeing. Also make sure you are getting enough sleep, as lack of sleep is a sure fire way to get bags and dark circles under the eyes. Gently massaging the skin around your eyes can help to improve circulation, and the pressure helps to get rid of excess fluid. Following a healthy diet and drinking enough water every day will also give your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs for natural skin repair and rejuvenation. Lastly, a good exercise routine will ensure your bodies metabolic processes are functioning well. Bottom line, a healthy you equals healthy skin everywhere on your body.
There are many different factors that contribute to the way the skin around your eyes looks and feels. There are also many ways that you can improve the appearance of this skin. Even if you just choose a few of these things, you will notice a big difference quickly. For example, if you aren't moisturising daily, getting enough sleep, or eating well, implementing these things will be absolute game changers. Even if you just do one thing at a time, your skin will thank you, not only now, but for many years to come.
