The area around the eyes is where your skin is at its thinnest and most delicate. Add to that the fact that you have no oil producing glands around your eyes and you can see why it’s the first place you start to notice those fine lines and wrinkles. That dreaded tired look comes from the breakdown of collagen and elastin and skin irritations from the sun, wind, allergies and even airline travel. And while makeup can help disguise the problem, it’s your underlying skincare routine that can make the difference.

So how can you jumpstart your skincare regimen? Here are four key steps to revive those tired eyes:

Moisturizer

After cleansing the skin around the eyes with a pH balanced oil-free eye makeup remover and a gentle face wash, a good moisturizer is the best place to start. Properly hydrated skin is not only healthier, but it can also more readily absorb other skincare treatments and nutrients. Moisturize the area around your eyes as part of your morning and evening routine.

Tip: Look for moisturizers with anti-aging botanicals and vitamin C to add a boost to your routine. Moisturizers with SPF 15 can also help protect your skin against harmful UV-induced collagen breakdown.

Soothing Eye Gels

Add a soothing eye gel to both your morning and evening routines to cool, refresh and infuse the skin around your eyes with immediate moisture. Dehydrated skin pulls and increases the appearance of wrinkles. Along with the effects of allergies, dehydrated skin can cause itching and irritation. In addition to a variety of botanicals and synthetic ingredients to re-hydrate tired eyes, many soothing gels also include anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce puffiness, redness and the effects of allergies.

Tip: Look for products that contain witch hazel, an effective astringent and anti-inflammatory that cools while helping your skin retain moisture.

Firming Creams

Nothing says tired eyes like dark circles. Firming creams help protect and preserve your current levels of collagen and elastin while also brightening and hydrating the area around your eyes. As the name suggests, firming creams tighten the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.   Use firming creams twice daily with your morning and evening routine.

Tip: Look for products with mineral oils and natural non-toxic ingredients that include chamomile, ginseng, saw palmetto, green tea and grape seed extract.

Age-Fighting Creams

Too good to be true? Crows feet may soon become a myth because today’s age-fighters are making the cut. Collagen-enhancing peptides and antioxidant-rich ingredients are combating tired looking eyes with restorative botanicals that smooth and soften skin while they reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For the best results, use an age-fighting cream twice daily with your morning and evening regimen.

Tip: Look for products that nourish and protect with vitamins E and A and include mineral oil for superior moisture retention. Also look for products that contain antioxidant vitamins and those that promote non-irritating natural cell turnover (much like alpha hydroxyl acid treatments).  

Some firming and age-fighting creams offer intense treatments. Be sure to introduce new products to your skin one at a time and allow plenty of time for your skin to respond.

Choose products that offer both immediate and long-term effects that will continue to improve your skin’s appearance and health with extended use.

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