Our eyes are the most important cosmetic unit of our face, but also the key area to show the visible signs of ageing.
Ask any dermatologist or plastic surgeon what the most frequently performed rejuvenating procedure on the face is and in the top 3 will be an eye procedure, either a resurfacing, a blepharoplasty (removal of fat pads) or a chemical "lifting" procedure such as Botox (R). Knowing this, it is hardly surprising that ranges like Healthspan nurture include specialist eye products to help improve your skins appearance at this delicate site.
Anywhere between 5 and 10 years can be taken off your photo-aged facial appearance by improving the eyes and the surrounding - periorbital skin.
The good news is improvement can be achieved by simple, as well as interventional measures. Taking care of your periorbital skin involves a combination of:
Your eyes are the windows to your soul...
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... and it's never been easier to keep them looking beautiful
- good effective moisturisation
- environmental protection against ultraviolet light and cigarette smoke.
- daily renewal of the vitamins, especially Vitamin A and C, which counter the photodamage caused by sun exposure and which with regular nightly application, repair and resurface the skin.
The aim of all topical treatments is to return the photo-aged 'laxer' skin to a more taut, youthful skin. There are a variety of techniques available and nowadays non-ablative lasers are extending our knowledge of skin rejuvenation through their promotion of collagen synthesis, which very effectively and safely tightens skin. Whatever the technology used to bring about periorbital skin improvement, I always start off by treating my patients with an effective skin care regime.
Any moisturiser used over time will improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Obviously wrinkles are most noticeable when they appear at rest - eg "crow's feet" at the outer corner of the eye, rather than during motion.
To improve the eyelid skin in general, use the following regime
Any moisturiser used over time will improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Obviously wrinkles are most noticeable when they appear at rest - eg "crow's feet" at the outer corner of the eye, rather than during motion.
To improve the eyelid skin in general, use the following regime
- use a cream cleanser, alcohol-free moisturising wipes or simple Aqueous cream BP pre-applied to the skin before water touches it and remove to effectively cleanse
- use a night product with good vitamin penetration especially A, C, E and/or use an eye cream with firming qualities during the day
- avoid frequent direct contact of water on the eyelid skin as water dries skin
However, to more dramatically improve wrinkles at rest and prominent skin creases underneath the eyes, requires added technological assistance through the use of a delivery system that penetrates and releases Retinol (vitamin A) - the main wrinkle reducer, before it is degraded by light. Therefore I recommend an eye product containing pure retinol to my patients with these concerns.
Some people may be nervous about using vitamin A products around the eye area. They are concerned about redness and irritation with potential flaking of the skin. This can happen, as all vitamin A products are acidic. However, it does not mean you are allergic to them, just that your skin requires time to acclimatize to their regular daily use. Don't deny yourself the benefits of vitamin A for your skin, as it really is still the only proven major topical skin rejuvenator, it just takes time in some people for it to be regularly applied.
I recommend starting off with a small test site trial. Although you may experience a slight tingling or redness, this is normal for an acidic compound. Wait until it has settled down before reapplying the product. You may use a regular eye cream moisturiser in between applications. Once the redness and tingling has settled completely, reapply the retinol-containing product. Gradually the interval between applications will shorten and you will be using the product without problems every night.
Eyelid skin is prone to dryness and flaking anyway. The very thin nature of the skin in this area makes it prone to rashes - seborrhoeic eczema and atopic eczema in particular. However, interestingly real irritant or actual allergic reactions due to products are infrequent. The most common culprit is nail varnish resin. Rather than manifesting as an allergy on your finger, it can actually show up on your skin as a rash affecting the upper eyelids, face and sides of the neck!
As you can see the skin around your eyes and eyelids deserves and needs specialist attention and specialist products, to maintain its functional and cosmetic integrity and to really make the best of your "windows to the soul".
Some people may be nervous about using vitamin A products around the eye area. They are concerned about redness and irritation with potential flaking of the skin. This can happen, as all vitamin A products are acidic. However, it does not mean you are allergic to them, just that your skin requires time to acclimatize to their regular daily use. Don't deny yourself the benefits of vitamin A for your skin, as it really is still the only proven major topical skin rejuvenator, it just takes time in some people for it to be regularly applied.
I recommend starting off with a small test site trial. Although you may experience a slight tingling or redness, this is normal for an acidic compound. Wait until it has settled down before reapplying the product. You may use a regular eye cream moisturiser in between applications. Once the redness and tingling has settled completely, reapply the retinol-containing product. Gradually the interval between applications will shorten and you will be using the product without problems every night.
Eyelid skin is prone to dryness and flaking anyway. The very thin nature of the skin in this area makes it prone to rashes - seborrhoeic eczema and atopic eczema in particular. However, interestingly real irritant or actual allergic reactions due to products are infrequent. The most common culprit is nail varnish resin. Rather than manifesting as an allergy on your finger, it can actually show up on your skin as a rash affecting the upper eyelids, face and sides of the neck!
As you can see the skin around your eyes and eyelids deserves and needs specialist attention and specialist products, to maintain its functional and cosmetic integrity and to really make the best of your "windows to the soul".
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