How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Lines & Wrinkles
Because the skin under and around your eyes is so thin, signs of damage like age spots, fine lines and wrinkles are especially common. This can make you look and feel older than you really are. Over-the-counter and at-home skincare remedies and lifestyle changes can help you smooth up and firm away lines and wrinkles. With the right care, you can help rejuvenate your face and create a more youthful complexion.
Stop destructive lifestyle practices. Certain aspects of your lifestyle can cause wrinkles around your eyes and make existing facial lines and wrinkles even worse, says the American Academy of Dermatology 23. Common examples, the academy says, include frowning and other facial expressions that crinkle the skin around your eyes; smoking, which releases free radicals that damage your skin cells; tanning; and sleeping with the side of your face pressed against your pillow.
Types of Skin Problems Under the Eyes
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Protect the skin around your eyes from the sun, recommends anti-aging skincare tester Paula Begoun, author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me." The ultraviolet light in sunlight damages your skin cells and causes hyperpigmentation and wrinkling 1. Before you go outdoors, smooth on sunscreen -- Begoun recommends a minimum SPF of 15 -- and put on a pair of sunglasses.
Moisturize your skin every morning with a moisturizing facial cream or eye cream 4. A basic lotion or moisturizer fills your skin with water to decrease the severity of wrinkles and fine lines, resulting in a "brighter and younger" complexion, reports the American Academy of Dermatology 23.
Using Retinol to Reduce Under-Eye Puffiness
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Smooth on an anti-aging wrinkle cream every evening before bed. Although there are dozens of eye creams on the market designed to combat lines and wrinkles, not all are made alike. For the best results, advises Emily Hebert on Elle.com, look for an anti-aging eye cream that contains effective ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, antioxidant vitamins E and C, or neuropeptides 4.
Warnings
Some anti-aging creams contain ingredients, such as retinol, that make your skin more susceptible to the sun. To be safe, you may wish to restrict your anti-aging cream usage to the evening and use a basic moisturizer during the day.
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References
- "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me"; Paula Begoun; 2008
- American Academy of Dermatology: Causes of Aging Skin
- American Academy of Dermatology: Age Fighting Topicals
- Elle: Best Eye Cream
- Zhang S, Duan E. Fighting against skin aging: The way from bench to bedside. Cell Transplant. 2018;27(5):729-738. doi:10.1177/0963689717725755
- Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Apr 1; 5(2): 264–270. doi:10.4161/derm.23872
- Zhang S, Duan E. Fighting against skin aging: The way from bench to bedside. Cell Transplant. 2018;27(5):729-738. doi:10.1177/0963689717725755
Writer Bio
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.