Due to its intricate structure and the sheer act of living, the face is one of the most complex parts of the human body. A combination of genetics, environmental factors, and the ways we pass our days influence its appearance and condition, making each face a unique blend of elements. And, I think we can all agree that among all facial features, the eyes stand out as the most expressive and telling aspect.
Like it or not, the skin around your eyes is one part of your body that can show the earliest signs of premature ageing — especially if not cared for properly.
In this article, I want to take a little time to explain why that’s the case, how to care for this part of your face, and which products you should choose to make sure you look your best self.
The anatomy of the eye area
With skin that is thinner than the rest of the face, the periorbital region is a site of particular fragility. Because it has fewer sebaceous glands, this area produces less oil, rendering it susceptible to dehydration and dryness. Additionally, the constant movement from blinking and facial expressions can lead to wrinkles and fine lines. Blood vessels are also more visible through this thin skin, which contributes to dark circles and puffiness.
Factors like the continual, natural loss of moisture from the skin, ultraviolet (UV) rays, genetics, lifestyle or seasonal allergies serve as a great reason why the skin around the eyes requires a heightened degree of care.
Caring for such a sensitive area requires gentle daily cleansing and the application of replenishing formulations. Eye care products must also accommodate another common attribute of this zone – its greater propensity for skin reactivity and aggravation. Therefore, it’s best to look for formulations that will provide targeted support to the skin around the eyes without perturbing it.
The No 1 rule – Moisturize
Moisturizing is one of those underrated steps that often seems like the least important. But imagine our skin as a grape. When it loses water, it starts to shrink and wrinkle. Which is unfortunately an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to knock at your door earlier than you’d expect.
By putting that water back in the metaphorical grape that is our skin, we can help plump up and potentially reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The same applies for our eye area. Especially since they lack oil glands, they can be more prone to dryness.
One of the most frequently asked questions about moisturizing is whether you can use your face moisturizer for the skin around the eyes. Yes, as long as it doesn’t irritate your eyes and provides a sufficient amount of moisture.
Our Dejour cream is the perfect one. It can be used for the face as well as for the eyes, so you don’t spend time & money on two different products.
Check the ingredients
When looking for the right eye cream, you should know which ingredients to look out for based on what you’re trying to treat. Below, I’ve named some ingredients for specific concerns.
For fine lines – Use Our ELIXIR SERUM
Aside from hydrating humectants, you’ll want to look for ingredients that provide an immediate “plump up” effect. Those could be more potent ingredients that have been linked to stimulating collagen production. For example:
· retinoid
· retinol
· vitamin A derivative
· peptides
· hyaluronic acid
For dark circles – Use DE NUIT CREAM or Everyday Elegance Under Eye Serum
To combat dark circles caused by the sun’s UV rays, you’ll want to look for the following ingredients:
· arbutin
· kojic acid
· vitamin C
· soy
· niacinamide
· azelaic acid
For puffiness – Use PURE FRESHNESS GEL
Often enough, the remedy for puffy eyes can be as simple as getting enough sleep or drinking enough water. However, when it comes to skincare ingredients, you can look for the following:
· caffeine
· green tea and coffee berry polyphenols
· dipeptide-2
· willow herb
· aloe vera
If your concerns are more general, then you can look for antioxidants – vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, vitamin B-3 (niacinamide). These will help remove free radicals in the skin that are triggered by UV radiation, smoking, and other pollutants. Furthermore, they will help slow the ageing process.
More tips for taking care of your eyes
First and foremost, always remember to be gentle. Whether it’s removing your eye makeup or applying skincare products onto the skin, or even spending time in the sun. Like I mentioned already before – the skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive. Because of this, extra pressure from your daily activities has the potential to contribute to extra damage and fine lines.
When applying skincare products around the eyes, use your little finger, as it can cause the least amount of pressure to the area.
When in the sun, don’t forget to apply sunscreen. You can also protect your eyes by wearing a hat, which provides shade to the area, or sunglasses.
Treat yourself to a lymphatic massage from time to time – this can help drain excess fluids around the area and reduce puffiness.
Consider making improvements to your lifestyle, which would result in getting more sleep, exercise and having a healthier diet. When it comes to food, try including more potassium in your diet, like bananas, as well as drinking enough water.
In case you’re smoking, remember that smoking can speed up the normal ageing process. So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your skin, as well as your health, you should consider quitting nicotine. There are many different steps you can take towards a healthier and more youthful-looking skin. By implementing at least a couple of these into your daily beauty routine, I believe you can already help improve the skin around your eyes.