Guide for Proper Care of the Skin Around the Eyes

Special care is needed for the skin around the eyes, as it is one of the thinnest and most sensitive areas of the body. It is also the first area where signs of aging appear, such as fine lines.

But why is it so sensitive? Medical research provides some answers, explains Dr. Markos Michelakis, Dermatologist-Aphrodisiologist (Aesthetic Dermatology-Dermatosurgery). In 2015, a study published in the medical journal Advanced Biomedical Research showed that the skin around the eyes has fewer sebaceous glands (which produce sebum or skin oil) and less collagen than the skin on the rest of the face and body. For this reason, it is prone to dryness, sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Another study published the same year in Clinical Anatomy demonstrated that areas of skin with fewer sebaceous glands are thinner and more prone to deep wrinkles. This finding explains why crow’s feet around the eyes are such a common issue.

Additionally, the tissues under the eyes naturally lack many of the structural components that strengthen the skin, according to Dr. Michelakis. “Body fat and muscle tissue are reduced, increasing the likelihood of hollows forming in the skin,” he explains.

There are also issues with puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, which may result from factors such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and stress.

The good news is that there are ways to protect the skin around your eyes, and the first step is proper care. Because this area is very sensitive, it requires separate care from the rest of the face. This means, first of all, that you should not rely on regular facial products to moisturize it.

“Face serums and moisturizers may contain active ingredients, such as retinoids, in concentrations that are too strong for the delicate skin around the eyes,” says the expert. “Eye creams are specifically formulated and sufficiently hydrating to meet the needs of this area.”

In fact, eye creams may contain the same active ingredients as facial creams, he continues. The difference lies in the concentration. For example, retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is found in many face and eye creams. However, in eye creams, it is present at lower concentrations and is combined with gentler moisturizing bases, such as hyaluronic acid. This combination provides intensive hydration with a reduced risk of irritation.

In any case, you can test a small amount of facial cream on a patch of skin around your eyes. If it causes stinging, redness, or watery eyes, the cream is not suitable for this area. The packaging may also indicate this, in which case you should not use it at all.

For an eye cream to have anti-aging effects, it should also contain additional ingredients. Studies have shown that peptides and vitamin C can stimulate collagen production, thereby reducing wrinkles. A dermatologist can assess your skin and recommend an eye cream that is appropriate for you.

Equally important is the way you apply eye cream. The best method is gentle tapping (patting) rather than rubbing. This way, you avoid stretching the skin and causing irritation.

Care should not be limited to the skin under the eyes—you should also apply cream to the upper eyelid. For best results, check product labels, as some differentiate between these two areas.

If the eye cream you need targets issues like fine lines or dark circles, make sure it contains the right ingredients. To address fine lines, you need ingredients that provide deep hydration and “fill” the wrinkles, such as retinoids, retinol, peptides, and growth factors. For dark circles caused by sun exposure (UV radiation), ingredients such as hydroquinone, vitamin C, vitamin B3, and soy can help.

If your eyes are puffy, the solution is to get more and better sleep and to drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. If you want a specialized eye cream, it should include ingredients such as caffeine, green tea polyphenols, coffee extracts, or dipeptides.

Antioxidants are also beneficial, as they help neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure, pollution, and smoking. Vitamins B3, C, and E, as well as green tea, are suitable antioxidant ingredients for the eye area.

It is also essential to carefully remove makeup from your face, including the eyes, every night. Apply a small amount of makeup remover to a cotton pad and gently clean the skin around your eyes without rubbing harshly.

To keep the skin around your eyes healthy, you must protect it from the sun. Apply a high-protection eye sunscreen daily, all year round. Do not forget the upper eyelid, which is often neglected. Eye sunscreen is necessary even if you wear sunglasses regularly.

Protect the skin around your eyes from cigarette smoke as well. Smoking accelerates natural aging by disrupting blood flow to the skin and impairing collagen and elastin production. This leads to premature wrinkles and the so-called “smoker’s face,” characterized by deep lines around the eyes and lips.

Additionally, aim for at least 6–7 hours of sleep per night and maintain a healthy diet. Avoid excessive alcohol, as it can cause puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Drink plenty of clean water daily, as dehydration contributes to dark circles, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Limit salt intake, as it can cause fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes.

“The skin around the eyes is drier and more sensitive than the rest of the face. Some issues, like puffiness, may have a hereditary component, but in general, we can protect it with proper care. Therefore, always give this area extra attention. And if certain problems do not improve with simple measures, consult your dermatologist for more specialized solutions, such as fillers and laser treatments,” concludes Dr. Michelakis.

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