One of the first places to show aging is under our eyes. Wrinkles, lines, discoloration and puffiness are giveaways. And while nothing (including surgery!) will give us 20-something skin again, there are ways to minimize the impact and renew the vibrancy under our eyes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to start treating under eye issues. There are solutions right in your cupboard:
TEA – Caffeinated teas can constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, while chamomile tea can soothe redness and inflammation. Soak two tea bags of your choice of tea in hot water for a few minutes. Let cool until the bags are slightly warm. Lie down, close your eyes, place a tea bag over each eye and relax for 10 minutes or so. You can also refrigerate the bags after you’ve steeped them, which is especially refreshing when you need a pick-me-up.
SPOONS – Cold teaspoons can help reduce morning swelling and puffiness. Place two spoons in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, lie down, close your eyes, and place the back of a spoon on each eye.
CUCUMBERS – Cucumbers are a fantastic way to refresh and calm puffy eyes. A chilled slice on each eye will feel cool and soothing and the astringent properties can help constrict blood vessels.
If you’re ready to amp up your battle against under eye aging, there are lots of products on the market to address your particular concerns. The first thing you need to do is figure out what you’re fighting.
DARK CIRCLES: Over time, skin loses collagen and thins out so veins under your eyes are more obvious. Sunbathing speeds up this process by breaking down collagen and mottling skin color. Look for eye creams that contain caffeine, which helps shrink blood vessels and make the darkness less noticeable. Creams with light-deflecting properties will also help mask the darkness. The other trick is a really good concealer. Talk to a makeup artist at your favorite cosmetics counter and ask for a thick formula one to two shades lighter than your natural skin color. The key to good coverage is patting – not rubbing – the concealer into the dark area.
PUFFINESS: A major culprit of under eye puffiness is fluid retention. If you struggle with it, watch your salt intake and sleep with your head elevated to keep fluid from collecting and making puffiness worse. Under eye gels are helpful for tightening and compressing the skin – look for one with a rollerball applicator that cools and helps shrink puffiness.
LINES AND WRINKLES: Probably the toughest concern to deal with, lines and wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process. Heredity plays a big role – if your mom and/or dad have prominent wrinkles around their eyes, you likely will, too. Other culprits are sun exposure, squinting, lack of sleep, and smoking. Fortunately, there are treatment products with ingredients that actually work. You may need to do a little trial and error before you find the formula and combination of ingredients that works but it’s worth it to find the right one.
- · Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are natural fruit acids that exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, which help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes.
- · The only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles is tretinoin, known commercially as Retin A. Available only by prescription, tretinoin creams reduce fine lines and large wrinkles, and repair sun damage. Retinol, a natural form of vitamin A, can be found in many over-the-counter products and in high concentrations, may be as effective as Retin A.
- · Recent studies have found that topical vitamin C can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems and improve inflammatory skin conditions.
And of course, there are more advanced medical treatment options. Botox and other fillers are an intermediate step if creams aren’t working.
The last and most effective solution is surgery but keep in mind it requires significant recovery and won’t give you perfect results. A consultation with your dermatologist will help you determine the best options for your particular issues.
Whatever option you choose, remember that a regular routine will yield the best result. Faithfully applying sunscreen and eye cream, exercise, getting enough rest, eating well and staying hydrated are your best weapons against under eye aging.