Did you know that the skin around your eyes is ten times thinner than on the rest of your face? As a result, it becomes dehydrated much faster, losing elasticity and forming eye wrinkles aka crow’s feet.
But don’t worry. There are a number of things you can do to treat and prevent eye wrinkles and look after the skin around your eyes.
Here are our 8 expert skincare tips to help you:
1. Stay hydrated
Keeping your body and skin well hydrated is incredibly important. Drinking water is a long game but it will help your body remove toxins and applying hydrating skincare products will result in plumper, more radiant skin. Seek products that contain humectants (water-binding ingredients), such as glycerine or hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost.
PRO TIP: Gently pinch the skin under your eye. If it bounced back immediately your skin is well hydrated. If it takes a second or two, your skin is dehydrated.
2. Avoid drying and harsh ingredients
Avoid applying any drying or harsh ingredients around your eye area:
- acids incl. AHA, ascorbic acid (Vit. C), BHA (salicylic acid) - they are too harsh to use around your eyes, likely to cause irritation and dryness;
- benzoyl peroxide - often found in products for inflammatory acne, it is very aggressive on the skin;
- retinol - don’t apply retinoids to your eyes, they are too harsh; instead, use bakuchiol (sensitive skin-friendly alternative) to fight eye wrinkles ( find it in Deerieo Aurora oil serum)
3. Wear a mineral sunscreen
Use a mineral sunscreen designed for the face on your eyelids and around the eyes daily. Mineral sunscreen is well tolerated by sensitive skin and should not cause eye-stinging, unlike chemical sunscreens.
PRO TIP: Apply a thin layer of sunscreen to your eyelids and let it dry, then follow with a second thin layer of sunscreen. This will help to avoid the SPF getting into your eyes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember to wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to avoid squinting, which causes eye wrinkles too! The same applies to regular eyeglasses. If you find yourself squinting a lot because of your eyesight, it’s time to see the optician.
4. Pat it on
When cleansing, applying skincare or makeup, never pull or drag your skin, especially around the eyes. Don't rub your eyes either. This will help to avoid skin stretching damage and wrinkles.
Instead, gently pat in the products around your eyes until they fully absorb.
5. Moisturise twice a day
Truth be told, you don't need an eye cream to look after the skin around your eyes. What you do need is a good, sensitive skin-friendly and fragrance-free face moisturiser that will keep your skin healthy and well looked after. It’s very important that your face moisturiser is free of fragrance and other skin-sensitising ingredients to avoid eye irritation.
6. Never use expired makeup
Don’t use expired makeup and dirty makeup tools (no matter how tempting that 3 year old eye palette looks). Expired makeup, especially around the eyes, can cause a severe allergic reaction and even eyesight loss due to bacterial infection.
PRO TIP: Wash your makeup tools thoroughly once a week and always clean your hands before applying makeup.
7. Lifestyle matters
Your lifestyle is crucial for healthy skin:
- Make sure you sleep 8h/ night so that your body has the time to repair itself (I know, but at least try); use our Lavender & Flaxseed eye pillow to relax before sleep;
- Alcohol in moderation - alcohol strongly dehydrates your body and is a toxin, "one glass too many" will show on your skin instantly, making your skin look dull and wrinkles more visible (plus potentially break you out);
- Avoid a dry environment - aircon, hot baths, heating etc. will draw moisture out of your skin, leaving it dehydrated; invest in a good humidifier, let the fresh air in and take a short medium-warm shower;
8. See a dermatologist
If dryness around the eyes persists or you develop an irritation, allergy, dermatitis etc., see a dermatologist who will help you identify the root cause and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Don't do DIY treatments. The eye area is so sensitive, you may accidentally cause long-term, irreversible damage to your health.
Finally, the most important tip: ageing is both natural and beautiful, and so are you! Of course, self-care is important for our mental and physical wellbeing, but don’t worry about a wrinkle here and there.
Karolina from Deerieo x
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