Taking Care of Delicate Eye Skin

The skin around your eyes is some of the most fragile and delicate on your entire body. It's also an area with high visibility, so you want it to look and feel as good as possible. Not taking care of the skin around your eyes can result in crow's feet, puffy eyes and dark circles, among other problems. So give your eyes a little TLC with a few simple tips. First, be careful how you touch the skin around your eyes. Many makeup artists recommend a very light touch, using only your pinky or ring finger as you apply makeup, moisturizer or any other product that goes around your eyes. These tend to be the weakest fingers, exerting the least pressure on that delicate skin. Try tapping on products instead of rubbing, and move your fingers in an upward motion instead of downward, which can encourage wrinkles. To keep your eye skin healthy, get plenty of sleep and avoid excess salt in your diet, which can cause puffiness. After a long night, perk up tired, puffy eyes by putting a spoon in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Lay the spoon over each eye for a few minutes to reduce swelling.


Cold cucumbers can help with puffiness and dark circles as well. Rinse eyes gently and pat dry after treating, then apply a moisturizer with antiaging properties. Retinols and other antioxidants can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but be careful about using them if you plan on a day in the sun - they make skin more susceptible to sun damage, so be sure to increase the SPF in your regular moisturizer. Vitamins A, E and C are fantastic for delicate eye skin, so look for an eye cream or gel that contains them. If you smoke, then expect your skin to need major TLC. The act of smoking a cigarette causes wrinkles, and nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict. It also becomes more difficult for skin to absorb nutrients, and eventually, collagen starts breaking down. So for the sake of your entire face, break the smoking habit.