Ageing is a natural process that comes to us all and the skin around our eyes is often the first place to show it. This skin is among the thinnest on our bodies, with no sebaceous glands to help hydration. As we get older, our collagen production slows down and the blood vessels under the surface become more visible. And so, unfortunately, do those dark circles and crows’ feet. Using a good eye cream is one of the best anti-ageing tips to help minimise the visible effects and care for your skin at the same time.
Why should I use an eye cream?
Did you know there are 22 muscles working under the skin around our eyes, which also blink around 10,000 times each day? That’s an awful lot going on under some very fragile skin! So using effective anti-ageing eye creams as early as possible, ideally from your twenties onwards, can only help.
Whatever you use though, the key is in the application. You don’t want to drag or damage the delicate skin around your eyes. When I trained as a Beauty Specialist, I learned you should use your ring finger to gently pat a pea-sized amount all around your orbital bone or eye socket. Patting rather than rubbing will stimulate blood circulation and also help to reduce fluid retention. You should apply it morning and before bed every day to protect, nourish and maintain hydration.
What type of eye cream do I need?
A lot will depend on your skin type but in the main, you want to look for a product that has hyaluronic acid, arnica, Vitamin K, retinol, and plant enzymes or extracts. Many of the top eye creams contain some or all of these ingredients. Although I’ve yet to try it myself, one such product that’s been garnering some rave reviews is Solvaderm Skincare’s multi-action anti-ageing Eyevage * which has been formulated and developed by both scientists and dermatologists.
Eyevage contains healing antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to soothe and protect skin from environmental damage and oxidative stress. Ultra-conditioning moisturisers provide intensive hydration to make the skin appear visibly brighter. Eyevage is also paraben and perfume free, and dispensed via a hygienic pump, so you only use what you need. As some ingredients can “go off” once the jar or tube is opened, I think this is a much better form of packaging. And, as with all new creams, I’d advise testing on the inside of your elbow or underarm for any allergic reaction first.
Also, I can’t remember where I read this (sorry!) but as eye creams tend to have a higher concentration of active ingredients, you can use them on other wrinkle-prone areas too. If you look in the mirror and frown, you’ll see some “11” lines between your eyebrows, and you can pat them around your lip line as well.
Healthy living
Eye creams can only do so much to help though. We all know by now how important it is to drink plenty of water and eat healthily (less sugar, salt and processed food). Exercising regularly promotes increased oxygenated blood flow, which in turn stimulates cell renewal. It should go without saying that smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs, it has a dreadful impact on your skin too.
Sunglasses and sleep
Sunglasses aren’t just for wearing on your head, along with regular eye tests, they can help you avoid squinting unnecessarily. And wearing a sunscreen every day is also a must to prevent UVA and UVB damage.
The really good news is that sleep can help massively. I know that your skin cells regenerate and produce two vital proteins, collagen and elastin while you sleep. So when you don’t get enough sleep, your skin cells have less time to recuperate. Time for an early night, anyone?
Make up
Applying an under-eye concealer (after your eye cream) that is one shade lighter than your skin tone can help reduce the appearance of dark shadows. (My YSL Elegant Touch has become a makeup bag staple). And only using eyeliner and mascara on the upper lids and lashes will help to draw attention away from dark circles. You could also try using lighter eyeshadows with a creamy texture to brighten the eye area.
Our eyelashes tend to become less full over time so why not consider an LVL lash treatment or even some subtle eyelash extensions? And semi-permanent make up such as microblading for your eyebrows can help to make your eyes stand out too.
Quick pick me up tips
Have you ever tried the old wives trick of cold tea bags or cucumber on your closed eyes? Caffeine restricts the blood vessels so is a great way to reduce puffiness and swelling under the eye area. And a couple of chilled slices of cucumber will help you feel more refreshed. Whichever option you choose, leave them in place for about five minutes for maximum effect.
I hope I’ve given you some reasons why you should incorporate an effective eye cream into your skincare regime if you haven’t done so already, as well as a few other ideas. Lastly, I’d like to leave you with one of my favourite tips from my mother: beauty is literally only skin deep, the best anti-ageing tip is to wear a smile.
* This is a sponsored post.
That’s amazing to think we blink around 10,000 times each day! These are great tips Lisa, I’ve never heard of the cold tea bag trick but that’s a good one for a quick pick me up! Reading this makes me even more glad I quit smoking in my early twenties, it’s so so bad for your skin! Also love your mother’s anti-aging tip to always wear a smile, such great advice 🙂 Happy people always look younger! Thank you for sharing, this is such a detailed and useful post <3 xx
I was quite shocked when I found this fact out too! TBH, I haven’t tried cold tea (as I don’t fancy it dribbling down the side of my face) but I can attest to the efficacy of chilled cucumber slices, they are a brilliant de-puffer. My mother’s advice is one I try very hard to follow at all times so thank so much for your lovely comment 🙂 xx
Wow, what an amazing post with so much amazing information! It’s pretty incredible to think we blink around 10,000 times everyday, and to also think there’s 22 muscles around our eyes! I had no idea! Such great tips too, will definitely be trying some of these out – I had heard of the little trick with the cold tea bags or cucumbers but hadn’t actually tried it before. I’ll have to give it a go next time I have a pamper evening 😀 thank you for sharing!
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
Honestly, the more I researched things the more amazed I was – 22 muscles! I’m so glad this post was helpful, let me know which you prefer, tea bags or cucumber! X
My eyes get tired so this is a great post! <3
Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂
That’s incredible, the fact about blinking. I save up my tea bags, pop them in the fridge, and then do an eye mask with them 🙂
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Isn’t it just? I was so shocked! I prefer cucumber but anything that depuffs is good as far as I’m concerned! X
great post! it’s so important to take care of our skin. i always say that our makeup will only look as good as the skin under it. I’ll have to try this eye cream since i’m still on the search for the best one! I also love taking eye patches and putting them in the fridge, it’s so refreshing! I actually put most of my sheet masks in the fridge for a refreshing treat to my skin! im so glad you touched on this because people overlook the importance of taking care of your skin! lots of love xx
Mich | simplymich.com
Oh, I’m so glad this was helpful. And that’s a great tip about putting face masks fridge, thank you. Let me know what you think if you try Eyevage, I think it seems like a good one! X
This was so informative and well researched!
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it! X
This was very informative! I started using an under eye cream last year and get regular eye tests as a glasses wearer, but it’s great to have more tips!
Jas xx
You’re welcome – eye tests are very important, for eye health as well as the skin around our eyes 🙂 x
I have really dry under eyes so a good eye cream is an absolute must for me. I love the really thick ones usually. Caffeine is an ingredient I really enjoy for a morning eye cream to make me look more alive! Loved this post! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I have a little Garnier roll-on with caffeine in it and it really does work on my dark shadow, albeit only temporarily. Thank you so much for your comment, I found this post really interesting to write and I found out lots of information I didn’t know when I was researching it 🙂 xx
I really enjoyed the tips you’ve shared 🙂 I personally like the cold spoon trick for puffy eyes in the morning. I’d put two metal spoons in a fridge or freezer over night and just hold it under my eyes for a minute or two the next morning. It’s very refreshing and helps you to wake up 😉
Thank you – and that’s a great tip, I haven’t heard of that one before, I’ll definitely have to try the spoons! x
Great informative post! I’ve been wanting to learn more about skincare, and I really do need to look into an eye cream.
Jennifer
I’ve never been too concerned about an eye cream but what I found out when I was researching it has really opened my eyes (no pun intended!) x
Wow, 22 muscles under our eyes, I never thought of that. Products like this is extremely important most specially to women. This is a nice product to have and keep.
It’s quite amazing, isn’t it? And, yes, I agree, us ladies especially need to take care of our skin! x