The delicate under-eye skin is one of the first areas to show visible signs of stress and aging, so it is key to take good care of it. These visible signs can include dark circles, puffiness, milia, under eye bumps or a lack of firmness. Constructing a targeted routine that works for your skin is essential, focusing on ingredients and formulations that aim to alleviate these concerns.
So we're diving into everything from the potential causes of these concerns to how to treat them and the eye care products to look out for.
Under Eye Bumps
Products that are too thick for your skin and even allergies can cause a variety of symptoms. A common concern is ‘milia’, often nicknamed ‘chicken skin’, where clusters of small, keratin-filled white bumps develop beneath the skin’s surface. Often mistaken for whiteheads, these bumps can be surrounded by irritated, inflamed skin. Also known as ‘milk spots’, milia is more common in babies and children, but can also appear in adults. Milia mostly appears as under eye bumps but can crop up anywhere on the skin.
How to Treat Under Eye Bumps
Milia most commonly occurs when impurities and dead skin cells are left on the skin, causing the pores to clog and build up. In adults, they can be extracted or otherwise removed. Making changes to your skincare routine can help remove them faster and prevent more from forming.
How to Help Speed Up the Healing Process and Prevent More Milia from Forming:
- Do not irritate the affected area by picking and squeezing the milia. Attempting to remove it yourself could lead to infection
- Use a cleanser twice a day to remove makeup, dirt and impurities
- Try a gentle exfoliator to help rid your skin of irritants that may cause milia
- Retinol is useful for both helping and preventing milia. It assists with skin cell turnover and allows the milia to surface, while also preventing the build-up of dead cells
Under Eye Wrinkles
The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive on the body, meaning it is one of the first areas to show visible signs of aging. As we age, the production of collagen, natural oils and elastin starts to decline, leaving the skin more dehydrated, delicate and less resilient. This results in a loss of firmness and elasticity, making fine lines and wrinkles more visible. Another contributing factor is overexposure to the sun or free radicals through pollution.
How to Treat Under Eye Wrinkles
There are many skin care products that can help to diminish the appearance of under-eye wrinkles and fine lines such as high performance, antioxidant-rich eye creams. Ingredients including peptides and ceramides help to support collagen production and improve moisture retention for plumper-looking skin. Niacinamide seeks to brighten and hydrate, while hyaluronic acid attracts water to promote long-lasting hydration and visible elasticity.
Further Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines:
- Always wear SPF - it is the most essential step in your daily skin care routine
- Get a recommended eight hours of sleep a night
- Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Try to reduce stress levels
Dark Circles
Whether they are a result of sleep deprivation or a stressful week, dark circles can appear for many reasons. Hyperpigmentation is one of the main causes of dark circles, due to environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking and poor sleep. In addition, a depletion in collagen production as we age can lead to a deep-set look and thinner skin under the eyes. Using an eye brightening cream can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles for a well-rested and radiant look.
How to Treat Dark Circles:
- Try to get a full night’s sleep
- Keep hydrated
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
- Opt for ingredients with brightening properties, such as vitamin C, caffeine and retinol
- Incorporate cooling and de-puffing skin care treatments and ingredients into your routine
- Wear SPF
Our Recommended Products
We've tried just about every kind of eye care product to visibly smooth, plump and brighten the eye area, as well as those promising to help reduce the appearance of under eye bumps and wrinkles. Here are a few of our favorites that we keep coming back to again and again.
Related Articles
