Although it is true that you probably do not want it to be this way, the reality is that the skin around the eyes is usually a part of the body that tends to show the first signs of premature aging, especially if we do not try to take care of the eye contour. daily. And why does this happen?
What are the causes of premature aging around the eyes?
It usually happens because the skin around the eyes tends to be much thinner and more delicate compared to the skin we find on other parts of our body. And also because the eyes tend to “work” a lot throughout the day (from expressing their emotions to blinking), this only ends up causing premature aging.
Nor can we forget about genetic factors, which, as with many other things that happen in our body, can have an indirect influence. In addition to other related causes, such as external stressors, the lifestyle we follow every day or the negative action -especially if it is excessive- of ultraviolet (UV) rays. All this, ultimately, ends up producing something that we fear: causing premature aging around our eyes.
On the other hand, there are a number of common problems that usually arise especially in the area around the eyes. And which are they? Especially the appearance of dark circles, puffiness (including the typical bags under the eyes), and fine lines.
However, no matter how old we are, it’s never too early or too late to give our eyes the care and love they’ve always deserved. Since, as they say, when it comes to health care, it’s never too late.
Useful tips to take care of the eye contour
Moisturize the skin
You may think that moisturizing the skin is not really that important, but the reality is quite different. It becomes, in short, one of those steps underestimated by many of us who often tend not to pay the attention we should.
In fact, to realize its importance, we could imagine our skin in the same way as if it were a grape. When it loses water, it begins to shrink and wrinkles begin to appear. Until it ends up like a raisin, especially when it is also left to dry in the sun. However, when that lost water is replenished, it can help increase and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The same, therefore, could be applied to the area of skin around our eyes. And it is that by lacking sebaceous glands (which could be considered as the natural moisturizing action cream that our own skin has), it makes this area more prone to dryness.
But now we come to an essential question: is it appropriate to put moisturizing cream on the skin around the eyes? The answer is obviously yes, as long as, of course, they provide a sufficient amount of moisture and do not irritate the eyes. And, in addition, it is possible to make your own homemade eye contour easily and without too much complication.
However, we must take into account something equally fundamental: since the skin in this area is much thinner, we may tend to be more sensitive to normal face cream.
Therefore, if after applying it we begin to feel red or watery eyes, or an uncomfortable and stinging sensation, the most appropriate thing is to replace the facial cream with a cream specially developed for use around the eyes, as it is much more respectful in this sense, since in most cases they are formulated with active ingredients useful for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but less likely to have an adverse effect on the eyes.
Improve our lifestyle
Believe it or not, our skin tends to be greatly affected depending on the lifestyle we are following. If we drink alcohol, if we smoke daily, if we follow an unbalanced diet rich in saturated fats and sugars. What appears on the outside reflects what happens inside, and our habits and lifestyle greatly influence the skin?
As most experts believe in this regard, it is best to sleep at least 7 hours every night, useful to rest properly and get away from the stress and anxiety caused by lack of sleep.
It is also essential to do physical exercise regularly, if possible daily. Why? Very simple: it helps improve blood circulation, so that if we do not practice it or if we do it little, the skin around the eyes will end up becoming darker, swollen and appear “unhealthy”.
The diet we follow is also essential. The best? Follow a balanced and healthy diet, opting for natural foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. In this sense, foods rich in potassium such as bananas can be ideal, in addition to properly hydrating us (drinking enough water daily is essential, at least 8 glasses a day).
Sun protection is vitally important
Exposure to the sun, especially when we do it without proper protection, or excessively over time, usually plays a very important role in the body’s natural aging process, and among other aspects, can cause the skin located under the eyes to become darker, and at the same time it can influence the appearance of a greater number of wrinkles.
Therefore, the most appropriate thing is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, essential not only to take care of our eye contour, but practically our entire body. And it must become, in fact, one more routine within our own skin care, and must be applied daily even when we are not going to sunbathe on the beach or in the pool. In short, we must always protect the skin of the face, daily, even when it is cloudy, or we are in autumn or winter, or even when we go out for a few hours to the street.
But not just any sunscreen will do. It is advisable to choose a sunscreen that has at least 40 SPF and is perfectly capable of blocking both UVA and UVB rays. If you have doubts when buying it, you can consult the seller or read the product label, where you will find very valuable information about what its sun photoprotection index really is, and also if it can -or not- block UVB and UVA rays.
oh! Nor should we forget to apply sunscreen to an area of the face that is tremendously forgotten by most: the upper eyelid.
On the other hand, it is also convenient to take into account some basic tips, such as applying it throughout the day, regardless of whether you are not going to sunbathe in the pool or on the beach.
Stay hydrated and drink water
In addition to hydrating our skin with moisturizers and moisturizers, it is also vitally important to hydrate ourselves internally. What does this mean? Very simple: the skin contains 72 percent water, so it is essential to stay properly hydrated, since adequate hydration will be extremely useful when it comes to enjoying younger, brighter, more elastic and brighter skin.
What is the most appropriate in this regard? You may think that it is best to drink at least 7 to 8 glasses of water, but as many nutritionists defend, it is not entirely appropriate to follow a basic rule. The key is to combine the consumption of water with other liquids, such as natural fruit juices, teas and infusions.
Of course, if you don’t tend to drink water very often, you can also follow some basic guidelines and tips that will help you achieve it, such as trying to always have a bottle of fresh water visible (which will help you feel like drinking every time you see it), and above all, don’t wait until you’re thirsty, since thirst is actually a symptom that our body is already dehydrated.