7 Tips to Reduce Signs of Aging Around the Eyes

Riversol's been developing advanced skincare for 20 years. From our experience, skin around the eye is one of the most challenging areas to treat. However, with a little care and with the right formulas, it can remain radiant and vibrant. 

The eye area has of the most delicate skin on your face. Unfortunately, that also means it will show signs of aging first, developing fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, laxity, dryness and uneven texture. Even if all these signs aren't apparent yet, a lot of the damage may already be done but just under the surface of the skin – for now.

Knowing all this, Dr. Rivers developed Eye Repair Treatment. It specifically addresses all these issues, designed to provide much-needed hydration to the delicate eye area and includes peptides to help reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. You can learn more about Riversol's eye cream here.

There are also a lot of other non-topical things we can do to minimize the aging effects in the eye area. Environmental stressors and lifestyle play a huge part in the aging process accelerating the rate of visible damage, according to the National Institute on Aging.

7 Tips to Reduce Signs of Aging Around the Eyes

1. Decrease Sun Exposure and Tanning

   The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that UVA rays accelerate the aging process by penetrating deep into the basal layer of the epidermis. This is especially true of the eye area where the skin is considerably thinner and more susceptible to UV-induced pigmentation (ie. hyperpigmentation, dark patches and age spots). Wearing sunglasses or prescription glasses with UVA and UVB protection may help to stave off the sun’s rays from the eye area.

2. Quit Smoking

   According to research in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, airborne toxins and particulate matter such as those found in urban pollution and cigarette smoke can cause inflammation and even trigger the malanocytes that lead to skin-darkening age spots. This leads to premature aging in the eye area, accelerated with smoking.

3. Use a Humidifier

   Skin's moisture barrier protects the underlying structure from dehydrating and from environmental stressors such as free radicals and inflammatory particulates. Consistent exposure to dry air can lead to a breakdown of this barrier, which can accelerate the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. No matter where you live in the world, there will be at least one season when your skin will be exposed to particularly dry air. Using a humidifier can help balance the deficit of moisture in the air. 

4. Be Gentle Around the Eye Area

   While most people are careful during the application of makeup, skincare and sunscreen, at the end of the day it's equally important to remove the makeup and sunscreen with equal care. Resist the urge to rub and scrub. Opt instead for slow, gentle sweeping motions. Consider the double cleansing method, starting with a gentle micellar lotion and soft cotton pad.

5. Decrease Stress Levels

   High stress levels result in an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol, which can lead to immune system damage, potentially leading to visible changes in skin. These changes can present as wrinkles, crow's feet and skin laxity, amplified in the fragile skin around the eyes. Triggers for stress and conversely, methods for de-escalation are incredibly personal. Take some time for self-care to learn what works for you. Not everybody loves yoga and bubble baths.

6. Hydrate and Eat Well

   Skin if your largest organ, so what you eat and drink can be reflected in the state of your skin. Alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate the body, contributing to dry skin and loss of plumpness around the eyes. While it's true that extra hydration doesn't equally correlate to extra, visible hydration in the skin, a minimum, healthy hydration level is necessary for proper skin barrier function. People generally underestimate the amount of water they drink in a day, so keep a water bottle of water with you throughout the day to reduce friction points. Additionally, opting for whole foods over processed foods provide more nutritionally dense fuel for your body, helping you feel full for longer and nourishing your body with vitamins and minerals instead of refined sugars and processed fats.

7. Use an Effective Eye Cream

   Using an advanced eye cream can help slow signs of aging around the eyes. Look for an eye cream with ingredients that will hydrate, brighten, firm, decrease puffiness and smooth texture. It's never too late to care for this delicate area.

Learn more about Riversol's Eye Repair Treatment here.

References

1. National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/skin-care-and-aging

2. Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb

3. Quit Smoking Support http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm

4. Infraorbital Dark Circles: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Evaluation and Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924417/

5. Infraorbital dark circles: definition, causes, and treatment options. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469797

6. Traffic-Related Air Pollution Contributes to Development of Facial Lentigines: Further Epidemiological Evidence from Caucasians and Asians https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(16)00453-X/abstract

7. Skin Aging and Dry Skin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492432

8. Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/