Reader question: What are the best ways to prevent wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes? —@mktesta85 They say your undereyes are the first place to show signs of aging, yet so many of us neglect that area in our skincare routine. So it’s a very good thing that you’re already getting a head start—preventative skincare is the best approach to anti-aging. While having lines under your eyes is a normal, completely natural part of getting older, you can take steps to minimize them by incorporating anti-wrinkle eye creams into your skincare routine and by practicing preventive lifestyle methods.
Anti-aging skincare ingredients to look for
Retinol
When it comes to products that target the eye area, using the right ingredients is key. Your best best for preventing undereye wrinkles is retinol, which you’re probably familiar with because a) we’ve talked about it countless times before, and b) it’s the main active ingredient touted in the vast majority of anti-aging products. This undisputed anti-aging champion will boost your skin’s collagen production, making your overall complexion look firmer (read: younger).
Vitamin C
If dark circles are a concern, you want to look for an eye cream with vitamin C. Things like sunlight, blue light, and just life in general create oxidative stress, which plays a major role in aging and pigmentation. Antioxidants like vitamin C neutralize free radicals and aid in the skin’s natural rejuvenation cycle, brightening undereyes in the process.
SPF
And speaking of sunlight, always make sure to apply SPF before any sun exposure if you want to minimize signs of aging—yes, even to your undereyes. UV rays can burn the skin and reduce its elasticity, causing the skin to produce more melanin and leading to premature aging. You don’t necessarily need to get a separate sunscreen exclusively for your undereyes, but looking for one that includes it definitely doesn’t hurt. The good news: “You can absolutely use vitamin C, sunscreen, and retinol together!” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Retinol is focused on accelerating skin cell turnover and repairing signs of aging such as fine lines, while the combination of vitamin C and sunscreen improves skin protection from sun damage.” Once you’re equipped with the right arsenal, it’s time to think about technique. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about chronically dark circles because it’s largely genetic, although a dermatologist can prescribe cosmetic treatments like laser therapy or a skin-lightening cream with hydroquinone to help with the issue. The good news, however, is that there are methods for preventing wrinkles under your eyes without resorting to expensive or painful procedures. Keep reading to see what experts had to say.
Tips for preventing wrinkles under the eyes
For best results, look to facial exercises recommended by a qualified esthetician or skincare professional. If you aren’t sure what type of exercises to do, there are YouTube videos and apps that make it easy to follow along. For example, the Face Yoga app offers a targeted routine based on your skin type and concerns. Above all, remember to be consistent in your practice to reap the full extent of benefits. “You have to do this six days a week for 20 to 30 minutes to see results,” says Worden. The good part is, you can do it anywhere, at any time. “You must use a gentle exfoliant around the eye area to actually remove the dryness and crepiness so fresher, plumper cells come to the surface of the skin and your eye cream can give better results,” agrees esthetician Renee Rouleau. “The skin is much too delicate for the use of an exfoliating facial scrub so instead, I suggest you use a gentle exfoliator using lactic and glycolic acids. Make sure that you’re only applying in the outer eye area where lines and wrinkles (crow’s feet) are visible. You will not want to use this directly on the eyelids but you can use it under the brow bone.”
