Tender touch: Elevating your eye skin care game

Your eyes and the skin surrounding them say a whole lot about your overall health. The appearance of eyebags, fine lines under the eyes, and puffiness can be one of the first signs of aging, dehydration, fatigue, and sun damage. It’s important to understand the signals our eye skin gives us so we can respond and adjust. Here’s a deeper look into the skin around our eyes, what it’s telling us, and how to address it through our lifestyle and eye skin care.

The skin in the eye area

The skin around our eyes goes through a lot. We blink between 14,400 to 19,200 times a day! On top of that, we continuously squint, frown, laugh, and maneuver our faces in all sorts of ways. All of these actions constantly stretch out and compress our eye area. These motions are only possible because our under eye area and eyelid skin have less collagen than the rest of our skin. This gives the skin its added flexibility, but it also means the skin is much thinner. As a result, the skin around our eyes is very sensitive to external factors such as pathogens and UV radiation.^[1]

These external factors can accelerate skin aging and make the surrounding and under eye area prone to the premature appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffy eyes.^[2]

Fine lines and wrinkles

Various factors contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. Let’s take a look at a few:

1. Collagen and elastin depletionCollagen and elastin depletion: Collagen and elastin are key to maintaining skin structure. Elastin gives the skin its elasticity, while collagen keeps the skin firm. Because the skin in the eye area contains less collagen and elastin fibers, the skin is structurally weaker; : Collagen and elastin are key to maintaining skin structure. Elastin gives the skin its elasticity, while collagen keeps the skin firm. Because the skin in the eye area contains less collagen and elastin fibers, the skin is structurally weaker; this leads to fine lines under eyes, fine lines surrounding the eyes, under eye wrinkles, and wrinkles surrounding the eyes.^[3]
2. Increased sun sensitivity:Increased sun sensitivity: Sun damage is one of the most common causes of wrinkling. Thinner skin is more prone to sun-induced damage due to a weakened protective barrier. Without a strong protective barrier, Sun damage is one of the most common causes of wrinkling. Thinner skin is more prone to sun-induced damage due to a weakened protective barrier. Without a strong protective barrier, the proteins within our eye skin, such as collagen and elastin, get damaged.^[4]
3. Increased wear and tear: Increased wear and tear: Our under eye area and eye skin experience constant movement from squinting, smiling, blinking, etc. As elastin depletes, the skin cannot bounce back from the extensive motion. Our under eye area and eye skin experience constant movement from squinting, smiling, blinking, etc. As elastin depletes, the skin cannot bounce back from the extensive motion. This can lead to smile lines or crow’s feet: fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes.^[5]
4. Dehydration:Dehydration: Since the skin around our eyes has less collagen, it has a weaker protective barrier. This impacts the skin’s ability to lock moisture in. This makes it very easy for the skin in the eye area to get dehydrated, Since the skin around our eyes has less collagen, it has a weaker protective barrier. This impacts the skin’s ability to lock moisture in. This makes it very easy for the skin in the eye area to get dehydrated, eventually leading to fine lines and wrinkles.^[6]

Dark circles and puffy eyes

When skin is thin, it’s easier to see what lies underneath. We’ve all occasionally seen dark circles in our under eye area. These are simply blood vessels that become visible when circulation is poor. Deoxygenated blood is darker than oxygenated blood. When the blood in the under eye vessels is deoxygenated, they will appear darker. Sleep deprivation and dehydration worsen circulation and make these vessels more visible. Thin skin is also more easily inflamed from external pathogens, which is why inflammation will also dilate blood vessels, leading to dark circles.^[7]

While dark circles are linked to blood vessels, puffy eyes are linked to water retention and fat accumulation. High salt intake and hormone imbalance cause water retentionand puffy eyes.^[8] Factors that increase inflammation, such as lack of sleep and stress, also cause water retention. ^[9]The worsening of collagen assembly can lead to fat accumulating in the lower eyelids; this also results in a puffy appearance.^[10]

6 tips to treat the eye area

We must take care of our fragile friend with different skincare and lifestyle practices! Here are some tips on how to keep your eye area strong and healthy.

#1 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

We all start to see that sunken look around our eyes after a few days of dehydration. Because the skin around our eye is so bad (no offense!) at locking in moisture, it gets dry very quickly. This makes hydration even more critical to the under eye care; make sure to support the region with a high-quality eye cream or serum that adds at least 40% hydration. And, of course, make sure you continue to drink plenty of water throughout the day!^[11]

#2 Opt for lightweight products

Lightweight formulations are optimal for the eye area. Heavy textures too close to the eyes can be too harsh on the skin and lead to puffiness. Lightweight products with comforting and plumping textures are ideal to gently revitalize the eye contour^[12]. Be sure to avoid any toxic or harsh products when making your selection!

#3 Avoid toxic ingredients

Many skincare products contain toxic ingredients such as parabens, silicons, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients can be harmful to your skin's long-term health and even promote skin conditions. Synthetic fragrances, in particular, are linked to increased skin sensitivity^[13] and disrupted skin barrier function.^[14] This can accelerate the aging process of the skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles.^[15] Because the skin around the eye is already so sensitive, it’s even more critical to avoid these toxic ingredients in your eye care products. (Read more about selecting products for sensitive skin here!)

#4 Throw on some shades

We must keep this delicate region of skin protected from harmful UV rays; that’s where UV-deflecting sunglasses come in! The skin around the eye is particularly vulnerable to sun damage, which can accelerate skin aging and lead to an undesirable skin appearance. Sunglasses are an easy way to minimize sun damage and maximize style!

#5 Get that beauty sleep!

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. The skin in the eye area will be one of your first indicators of sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep not only contributes to the formation of dark circles, it also results in fluid retention and puffiness. Establishing a consistent sleep routine and creating a conducive sleep environment can significantly enhance overall health and appearance as well as skin health and appearance.^[16]

#6 Gently massage and try cryotherapy

A gentle facial massage can carry several benefits and should be considered for your eye care routine. A facial massage increases circulation in the skin, stimulates collagen production, and promotes lymphatic drainage: flushing fluid-stored toxins to promote recirculation. This is especially useful to reduce water retention and puffiness in the skin. ^[17]Cryotherapy is also a great way to flush abnormal tissue, reduce inflammation, and decongest the eye area.^[18] The cold from cryotherapy also carries a string of benefits and can reduce the puffy appearance of the eyes.^[19]

Facial tools such as gua shas and cryo spoons can assist with these practices. With these devices, you can promote a healthy skin texture and revitalize the skin.^[20] Make sure to opt for an antimicrobial hygienic option, to prevent skin inflammation and acne!

Final thoughts

Our skin will be with us for our entire lives; it's important to understand and take care of it. The skin around the eye area may be unique and delicate, but with these 6 tips, you can improve eye skin appearance and health!

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