How to prevent fine lines under your eyes

SKIN care and lifestyle changes may help reduce the fine lines under your eyes.

Are you noticing lines in the skin around your eyes?

As you age, your skin loses some of its elasticity. Environmental factors like sun exposure and genetics play a role in how early wrinkles and fine lines start to appear on a person’s face.

The skin around your eyes is an area that’s likely to show earlier signs of aging, because the area under your eyeball (the periorbital hollow) has thin skin with blood vessels.

Having lines under your eyes is a typical part of getting older. However, if unwanted, you can address them through several preventive methods and home remedies. Causes of under-eye lines and wrinkles The most common cause of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes is simply aging. But other common contributing factors may be possible to avoid, like:

◆ UV radiation

◆ smoking

◆ repetitive movements and expressions ◆ environmental factors

Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays break down the collagen in your skin. Collagen is the main protein in your skin tissue, and it’s key to your facial structure holding up over time.

Ultraviolet rays can come from unprotected sun exposure and sunless tanning beds. Unprotected exposure to UV rays leads to an earlier appearance of leathery skin and wrinkles.

Smoking

Smoking exposes your skin to extra oxidative stress, damaging its collagen and elastin. This leads to wrinkles.

Smoking also constricts the blood vessels in your face, obstructing circulation to your blood vessels and depriving your skin of Vitamin A.

Facial expressions like smiling, frowning, and furrowing your brow can cause fine lines to develop on your face.

Even your sleeping habits can cause fine lines if the same facial muscles are being pushed up against a pillow during sleep each night. Your skin loses its ability to bounce back to its original place as you grow older.

Research indicates that sleeping with your face buried in your pillow can contribute to lines under your eyes.

Environmental factors such as dry weather, wind, and pollution can also contribute to lines and wrinkles under the eyes.

Certain home remedies, lifestyle choices, and skin care products may be able to help reduce the appearance of fine lines under your eyes.

Some lifestyle options include:

◆ trying facial exercises

◆ treating allergies

◆ eating a balanced diet

◆ avoiding sun exposure ◆ reducing or quitting smoking

◆ getting enough sleep

◆ switching to silk or satin pillowcases ◆ exfoliating

◆ moisturising

◆ avoiding harsh products

◆ massaging and using face rollers Try facial exercises to tighten skin Certain facial exercises have been shown anecdotally to be effective at tightening the skin under your eyes.

There’s no reason to believe that these exercises are harmful, but the research available about “face yoga,” as some call it, is still extremely limited.

You can also add in facial massage and experiment with gua sha and face rollers.

Allergies often cause inflammation around your eyes. They can also make your eyes watery. Rubbing or scratching your eyes due to allergy symptoms can contribute to red eyes and make your skin feel dry.

Treating allergy symptoms can give your face a more relaxed appearance, and it can also protect the skin under your eyes in the long run.

You can gently exfoliate dry skin that forms under your eyes to promote new cell growth. Only use products that are specifically made to exfoliate and massage into the area underneath your eyes.

Protect your eyes, too

Your eyes are extremely sensitive to harsh chemicals. Don’t risk blurring your vision or damaging your eyes by using products not meant for use in that area.

Lack of moisture can increase the appearance of fine lines around your eyes. Look for moisturisers that are rich in ingredients shown to promote circulation and new cell growth.

Under-eye products in the form of cooling gels and serums might work best to fight fine lines.

Keep in mind that applying the same moisturiser that you use on your face under your eyes could irritate your eyes.

Creams that you use on the rest of your body tend to be too thick to be absorbed by the skin under your eyes, which is prone to irritation.

You can help prevent fine lines from forming by protecting your skin from UV rays. Always wear an SPF of at least 30 when you’re venturing outside, even if it’s not sunny.

When you’re in direct sunlight for several hours at a time, consider shielding your eyes with a hat and sunglasses. Brimmed hats, visors, and sunglasses serve an added benefit for your eyes: They keep you from squinting, an expression which can create wrinkles when it’s repeated often enough.

Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E are all frequently used in skin care products. By incorporating foods rich in these vitamins into your diet, you’ll help your skin (and the rest of your body) form healthy new cells. -