Why you must pay attention to ageing around your eye

It starts slowly. A fine line, maybe a bit of an eye bag. 

Nothing too serious. 

Before you know it, you’re dealing with deep crow’s feet, heavy under eye bags and dark eye circles. This full-blown eye ageing crisis can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention, which is why we’re here to tell you exactly what to look out for, and what you can do to stop this from happening.

The ageing process of skin around the eyes

Ageing, an inherent part of the human condition, impacts all parts of the body, including the eyes. 

But did you know that due to how delicate and thin the skin is around our eyes, that area is often the first to reveal signs of ageing? It is also more susceptible to effects caused by age, lifestyle and our environment. 

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, both of which are critical proteins responsible for keeping skin elastic and firm. This decline in protein production causes skin around the eyes to lose its robustness, creating fine lines and wrinkles or the undesirable crow’s feet. 

At the same time, the pockets of fat that cushion our eyes begin to degrade and shift. This structural change often creates a hollow or sunken appearance, manifesting as ‘eye bags’. Complementing this, the process of bone resorption causes the bones around the eyes to recede, further contributing to the formation of wrinkles and bags.

Ageing also comes with decreased circulation around the eyes, which can lead to puffiness and dark circles. These changes often contribute to the “tired” look, code for “you look older”. 

These natural processes are accelerated by lifestyle factors including sun exposure, smoking, poor dietary choices, lack of quality sleep and squinting.

Preventive measures for maintaining youthful eyes

While we cannot reverse ageing, we can certainly stave off the worst of its effects, especially around the delicate eye area. 

• Wear sunscreen

Sun protection, including wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day and shielding your eyes with sunglasses, is critical in guarding against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. 

• Eat healthier

Dietary habits also play a significant role, with a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats providing essential nutrients for your skin. Especially, antioxidant-rich foods and those high in Omega-3 fatty acids can support skin health. Maintaining adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water can also fend off skin dryness and preserve its elasticity. 

• Get quality sleep 

Sleep, often overlooked, is crucial, as your body uses this rest period to repair and regenerate skin cells. 

• Make lifestyle changes 

Smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption and engaging in regular exercise are some of the things you can do in your fight against the ageing process. Smoking and alcohol limits blood flow and dehydrates your skin, while physical activity increases circulation, delivering nutrients and oxygen to your skin cells.

• Go for regular eye treatments 

As circulation decreases with age, consider going for procedures like bojin eye treatment, which uses a clever combination of TCM and specialised tools to encurage blood flow around the eye. At SkinLab, we include the use of ampoules and eye masks in our bojin eye treatments for extra anti-ageing effects. 

• Adopt a suitable skincare routine 

Adopting a suitable skincare routine, which includes daily cleansing and the application of a quality eye cream, can offer additional defence. When selecting products, look for potent anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. 

• Get your skin checked regularly 

Lastly, regular check-ups with a professional can ensure early detection of any potential skin issues and provide personalised advice based on your skin type and concerns. 

Incorporating these measures won’t halt ageing entirely but can significantly contribute to maintaining healthier and younger-looking skin.

Effective skin care routine for the eyes

The best preventative measure you can take is to make sure the skin around your eyes is well-loved. Here’s a simple and effective eye skincare routine you can follow:

1. Cleansing: Start your routine with a gentle facial cleanser to remove dirt and makeup. Avoid tugging or pulling on the skin, especially around the eyes.
2. Eye Makeup Remover: If you wear eye makeup, using a dedicated eye makeup remover can help eliminate stubborn makeup without irritating the eye area.
3. Eye Serum: After cleansing, you might want to apply an eye serum. Eye serums are lightweight and penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver active ingredients. Look for serums that contain ingredients like peptides (which boost collagen production), hyaluronic acid (for hydration), and antioxidants like vitamin C (which can brighten the skin and combat free radicals).
4. Eye Cream: Following your serum, apply a nourishing eye cream. Eye creams are generally thicker and creamier than serums and provide a protective barrier on the skin surface. They are designed to hydrate and plump up the skin. Ingredients to look for include retinol (which boosts cell turnover and collagen production), ceramides (which strengthen the skin barrier), and niacinamide (which improves skin tone and texture).

Professional eye treatment in Singapore

Crow’s feet and eye bags have no business showing up on your face. Let our team of experienced, well-trained help you with the much-vaunted bojin eye treatment. At SkinLab, Singapore’s largest medical spa chain, our team uses the best tools and treatment options in Singapore to give you the best bojin eye treatment experience possible, for more youthful, beautiful looking eyes.

Make an appointment with us now.