13 Ways to Combat the Signs of Aging Around Your Eyes
When aging begins to show, the first visible signs are usually around the eye area. This is because the skin around the eyes is extremely delicate, being much thinner than other areas. Due to this thinness, the skin around the eyes is more susceptible to factors that can result in signs of aging. And, as if that wasn’t enough, as you age the skin around the eyes becomes even thinner.
Now, before we continue it is important to bear in mind that aging itself should not be considered a bad thing, in fact, it is a privilege that is denied to many. However, it must be said that delaying wrinkles and other signs of aging is not a bad thing either, just treat yourself with love and respect while you do it.
What are the First Signs of Aging that Show Around the Eyes?
While this can differ from person to person, usually the first signs are ‘crow’s feet’ and dark, puffy pockets underneath and around the eyes. Sometimes, however, the dark circles underneath the eyes are simply an indication of illness or tiredness. If this is the case, they can often make you look and feel much older than you are.
So, if you are looking into your reflection and wondering how to combat the signs of aging around the eyes, the first piece of advice is to stop berating yourself for ‘being old’ or getting wrinkles. Getting old is a natural process of life, and can be a beautiful one at that. Therefore, try to adjust your mindset. Learn to appreciate and love the cycles of life. Speak to yourself with kindness. Yes, no one really wants their lovely youth to fade but it is important to let the process happen with a certain element of grace. You will stave off many more wrinkles if you stop frowning about the fact that you are getting older.
That being said, take a look at these thirteen tips for helping your body to deal with the signs of aging around the eyes.
1.Ditch the Cosmetics
Okay, maybe not all of them, but certainly the ones that are offering false promises of removing darkened skin can often harbor ingredients that actually irritate the skin, promoting dark circles which are then accompanied by redness. So, then, what skin cosmetics should you use on the eye area? Research has shown that complex undereye cosmetics that contain soy and rice bran are surprisingly effective at reducing the darkened skin and inflammation underneath the eyes. Products that contain soy and rice bran have shown potential to assist in microcirculation and in reducing hyperpigmentation- a major cause of dark areas underneath the skin. You can read more about these benefits and the clinical trial conducted with these ingredients here.
2.Reduce your Exposure to Sun
It is no secret that exposure to the sun can cause your skin to age prematurely, resulting in wrinkles around the eye area. Therefore, if you want to combat the signs of aging around the eyes it is best to dramatically limit your exposure to the sun and the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Also, it can be beneficial to use sun protection with an SPF of at least 15. Remember to apply this protection at least thirty minutes prior to exposure to the sun. However, perhaps equally important is to remember to use a quality sunscreen that does not contain any harmful or potentially toxic ingredients- either to your skin or to the environment. When you are out and about in the sun, try to use a hat as often as possible.
3.Avoid Environmental Pollutants
City life can be a wonderful life for many, however, it is important to be aware of the pollutants that you can be exposed to. While not isolated to the city, many different environmental pollutants can make their way to your skin, further promoting the signs of aging. These can be in the forms of smoke, ozone, and even fumes from gasoline. These can all cause the skin to age prematurely. You can provide your skin an extra layer of protection by using products that, first of all, do not contain any hidden harmful substances, but do contain protection such as antioxidants that can prevent these harmful substances from causing your skin to age prematurely.
4.Better Late than Never
Starting an early skin care routine can be greatly beneficial in the long run. According to June Breiner, MD, consulting with a non-surgical skin care doctor can help you to locate a product that can help you to thicken your skin and thereby reduce wrinkles.
5.Stop Smoking
You have heard it all before; all the dangers that are hidden in your cigarette. Well, these days those dangers are no longer hidden. However, one of the biggest benefits is that you can help to prevent premature skin aging. This is because when you smoke, you are depriving your skin of essential oxygen and nutrients. Furthermore, when you smoke you are increasing the number of free radicals present in the cells within your body- one of the major causes of skin aging. According to Dr. Breiner, the number of cigarettes that you smoke are directly related to your risk of increased premature wrinkles.
6.Protect Your Eyes From The Sun
Using good quality sunglasses can help protect your eyes, and the delicate skin around your eyes, from harmful sunlight. UV radiation is a major cause of aging around the eyes and therefore you need no further reasons to use adequate protection like quality sunglasses.
7.Use a Good Quality Moisturizer
It’s no secret that if you take care of your skin, making sure that it lacks no nutrients, you can prevent premature signs of aging. It should come as no surprise then, that using a quality moisturizer on your face, especially around the eye area, can greatly help you to combat the signs of aging.
8.Exercise
Exercise and movement can help you to get your cardiovascular system working, according to Dr. Breiner. This is beneficial because it can help essential oxygen and nutrients be delivered to your skin.
9.Eat Quality Foods and Avoid Junk Food
If you eat a diet that is rich in antioxidants and nutrients, it can be greatly beneficial for your skin. In fact, when it comes to skincare, most people would be surprised to find out that, sometimes, what you put inside your body can be of greater benefits for your skin than what you put on top of the skin.
Water is one of the most important things. Drink plenty of water and eat a good amount of vegetables and fruits. Also, make sure that your diet is providing proper levels of omega 3 fatty acids. You can get this in the form of a supplement. What many people fail to recognize is that a healthy diet can greatly assist your body in the fight against aging. This is because, through healthy foods, your body gathers an arsenal of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help to stave off wrinkles and other signs of aging.
10.Stay Away From Sugar
If you do have a sweet tooth, try to satisfy that sweet tooth by indulging in natural sugars. This is because highly refined and processed sugars contain harmful chemicals and other ingredients that encourage premature aging in your skin.
11.Use Renova or Retin-A
You can visit your trusted healthcare practitioner to prescribe you Retin-A or another cream that has a solid track record in reducing wrinkles. These types of creams have been proven to actually thicken thin skin, thereby preventing wrinkles.
12.Stay Away From Stress
One of the number one causes of premature aging and aging, in general, is stress. While this may seem insignificant, stress can sneak up on you and begin showing up as fine lines on your skin. This is because when you are overly stressed, your body starts to release a hormone called cortisol into your bloodstream. Cortisol is a powerful hormone that is known to accelerate aging.
If you run a highly charged lifestyle, it can be difficult to avoid or reduce your stress. The fact is, nothing is worth chronic stress. No money in the world will buy back your health. You can start to reclaim your health and peace of mind by managing your stress. If this seems like an impossible task then you should consider things like yoga, meditation, and exercise. Get out into nature once a week and you will notice your stress levels decreasing.
13.Try a Different Approach
If you want to dramatically alter the effects of aging, you could try Blepharoplasty, alternatively known as eyelid surgery. YMD Eye & Face surgery can greatly reverse the signs of aging on both the lower and the upper eyelids.
Combating the signs of aging is important for many people, but remember that it is beneficial to do this with grace, as the saying ‘aging gracefully’ goes- and you can be beautiful no matter what age you embody.
