How to Visibly Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles Around Your Eyes

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As far as aging goes, wrinkles are one of the top skin concerns. Sure, some gals embrace their fine lines, but the majority would go the extra mile to make them less noticeable. And it’s no surprise why. Wrinkly skin is an unofficial farewell to our youth and one of the first places these lines usually creep up is around our peepers. So, what can you do? As it turns out, quite a few things. Ahead, we share useful tips to help reduce the appearance of under-eye wrinkles and crow’s feet.

ANTI-AGING TIP #1: USE ANTI-WRINKLE EYE CREAMS

There’s no shortage of anti-wrinkle eye creams on the market, but not all are made alike. Some can certainly be effective, but it’ll take consistent use over time for you to see results. Look for formulas with powerful, skin-benefitting ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Antioxidants like vitamin C can also help protect the skin from free radicals  and improve signs of early skin aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Eye creams formulated with retinol—an anti-aging powerplayer—may also be beneficial, so long as your skin can tolerate the ingredient’s potency.

Individual ingredients aside, be sure to choose a formula that suits your specific skin type. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests reaching for a gentle formulation for sensitive skin or an oil-free or non-comedogenic option for oily and/or acne-prone skin types. When you have your favorite anti-aging eye cream in tow, smooth it on every evening before hitting the sack, and each morning before heading out the door. 

Need a rec? If you’re on a budget but still looking to target under-eye wrinkles, Garnier SkinActive Ultra Lifit Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream should be your go-to. Formulated with pro-retinol, caffeine and rice peptides, it provides a deep hydration while also working to brighten and smooth the look of your under-eye area. We’re also huge fans of Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. This creamy under-eye treatment is infused hydrating ingredients such as avocado oil, vitamins A, D, and E, and shea butter. It works to restore hydration without causing any excess irritation to your eyes. If you’re unsure of which eye cream is exactly right for you, don’t fret. We complied the ultimate guide to finding the perfect eye cream for your skin, here!

ANTI-AGING TIP #2: AVOID REPEATED FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Do you have a habit of furrowing your brow, frowning, or pursing your lips? You may want to consider curbing the bad habit. Extreme and frequent use of facial muscles can cause exaggerated expression lines to appear on a complexion. More bad news: As we age, these grooves are less likely to bounce back into place and can thus be deemed permanent. As a result, these grooves are less likely to bounce back into place and can thus be deemed permanent. We’re not suggesting you swear off smiling for the rest of your life, but doing your best to avoid repeated contract of the same muscles may be helpful!

ANTI-AGING TIP #3: APPLY SPF

By now you already know the risks involved with sun damage. But just for good measure, it’s worth mentioning that wrinkles and premature skin aging are certainly part of the equation. Before heading outdoors, apply broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher onto exposed areas of skin and reapply at least every two hours. Wear sunglasses to help shield your eyes against harmful UV rays. Also, sunglasses can help keep the sun out of your eyes and, in turn, avoid unnecessary squinting.

Tip: Reach for Broad Spectrum sunscreen formulated for the delicate eye area. We recommend SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50. 

ANTI-AGING TIP #4: AVOID INDOOR TANNING

Exposing your skin to harmful UV rays—whether that be from the natural sunlight or indoor tanning—is never beneficial. The AAD claims that tanning beds have been proven to accelerate signs of aging. If you want to keep your under-eye area looking youthful and perky, it’s best to avoid tanning beds and lamps altogether. If you’re yearning for a bronzed glow (without the skin damage), reach for a self-tanner. We rounded up some of our favorite self-tanners to help give you a faux glow, here!

ANTI-AGING TIP #5: HYDRATE WITH AN EYE MASK OR EYE PAD

Fact: Dry skin can exaggerate the appearance of wrinkles. To help lessen the appearance of your wrinkles and fine lines, plump your eye contour area with moisture by applying your favorite moisturizer or cream a few times daily. To up the hydration ante, reach for an invigorating eye mask. or pad. We consider Lancôme’s Absolue L’Extrait Ultimate Eye Patch a godsend to help restore radiance to your under-eye area. After leaving the patch on for 10 minutes and removing, you can see a visible difference. Not looking to splurge on an eye mask Lucky for you, we share step-by-step instructions for an under-eye sheet mask you can make at home!

ANTI-AGING TIP #6: QUIT SMOKING

Smoking is bad for your health—we all know that. But did you know that it’s bad for your skin, too? In addition to causing a dull, sallow, and dry-looking complexion, smoking can damage your skin’s natural collagen and elastin, which can result in loose, sagging skin with accelerated signs of skin aging. In other words? The potential for more obvious wrinkles and fine lines over time. Not to mention, facial expressions made while smoking—pursed lips and squinting eyes—can contribute to wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, as well. Not cute, not cute at all.

If you’re a smoker, we hate to break it to you but the only way to help yourself (and your skin) is to quit—plain and simple. Your body, and your skin, will thank you!

ANTI-AGING TIP #7: GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Getting enough sleep every night is not just important for mental clarity, but can actually help improve the appearance of the complexion. During deep sleep, your skin undergoes natural self-repair. If you continuously strip that time away—think: late nights and all-nighters—your skin may look less radiant and dull. Needless to say, your skin (and wrinkles!) won’t be better off without the recommended amount of shut-eye per night.

Do you have trouble getting a good night’s rest? Don’t fret. We share expert-approved tips on how to sleep well, here!

ANTI-AGING TIP #8: STAY HYDRATED

Applying moisturizers, serums, and creams day in and day out can help with achieving a fresh-looking (not to mention radiant!) complexion. In addition to supplying your skin with hydration on the outside, be sure to stay hydrated on the inside as well by drinking the recommended amount of water each day. If plain water doesn’t excite you, there are plenty of ways to spice up your H2O. Try one of our spa-inspired water recipes, here!

ANTI-AGING TIP #9: CLEANSE YOUR SKIN REGULARLY

We all know cleansing is a vital part of caring for your skin. Particularly if you’re an avid makeup wearer, it’s important to completely eliminate all traces of makeup and dirt from around your eye area. If you’re not keeping your under-eye area clean, you may risk worsening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend using a gentle cleanser formulated for makeup removal around your eyes such as Lancôme’s Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover. This gentle formula will remove any impurities and makeup from your eye area without irritating this delicate area.

(Originally posted by Skincare.com)