The skin around the eye is a deceptively fascinating body part, as it’s one of the most fragile parts of your body, and is ten times thinner then the skin on the rest of your face. Indeed, blinking alone produces 10,000 eye movements a day. As we grow older, our natural collagen levels decrease, affecting the skin’s elasticity and leading to wrinkles. These signs of premature aging are also amplified by factors such as smoking, sun exposure, and your skincare regime. Therefore, looking after your skin is of paramount importance to keep your eyes healthy.

Regiment your regime

Good skincare can leave the skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and clear. To find out what works best for you, work out your skin type first: is it oily, dry, or acne prone? Fitness magazine have a good online quiz which helps you determine your skin type, and suggests a regime specifically tailored for you. If possible, then, use creams that are specifically for eye application. Eye creams are especially formulated to contain more emollients, which swell the skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles. They also tend to be thicker, to better stay on the thin, changeable skin. When looking for an eye cream, ensure it is rich in antioxidants like Vitamins A, E and C, which strengthen capillary walls and minimise dark circles and puffiness.

Sunscreen is your best friend

You can minimize premature signs of aging such as crow’s feet and wrinkles through regular application of sunscreen. UV rays are responsible for up to 90% of aging, and can directly affect your skin’s elasticity. Overexposure to the sun causes pigment-producing cells to mature abnormally, and results in uneven skin, age spots and wrinkles. The majority of good quality foundation and skin creams contain a certain level of SPF (sun protection factor), but regular sunscreen should be applied when you are exposed to direct sunlight.

Keep your contacts, intact

If you wear contact lenses, try and avoid products containing oil. Oil tends to stick to lenses, causing blurred vision; in the worst case, it can also lead to permanent discoloration. Even if you’re not a contact lens wearer, using oil can also clog the glands around your eyes, leading to styes and other ocular problems. Optical experts advise avoiding products that require “dipping” fingers into a jar to mininizalise the potential for contamination. If you require optical help, be sure to regularly visit your optician to ensure your prescription is up to date, and always seek their help if you have doubts. Online contact lens retailers such as Lenstore offer free optical advice from their in-house clinical team.

Eat, sleep and drink

Whilst a good skincare regime can work wonders, it is futile if your health is not up to scratch. The whites of your eyes are one of the most obvious indicators of an unhealthy lifestyle. Indeed, a recent studypublished in the journal Ethology concluded that people with bloodshot and discolored eyes are generally found to be unhealthier, sadder and less attractive compared to their white-eyed counterparts. To keep your eyes healthy, try and avoid overindulging on alcohol and fatty foods, which cause the skin to retain fluids and aggravate dark circles under the eyes. Drinking plenty of water, eating natural foods and getting the suggested 8 hours of sleep also help maximize eye brightness.

About Author : By Sarah Sheridan, a keen beauty blogger hailing from London town.
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