How to Keep the Skin Around the Eyes Supple

Pulling on your skin stretches it, so touch your skin gently.

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin of most of your body, so signs of aging and sun damage will often appear in these areas first. The skin will start to dry out and wrinkle as you get older, but following a simple skin care routine can keep it moisturized and youthful-looking. Regular skin care products may be too harsh for this delicate skin so invest in some gentle, oil-free products for the best results.

Things You'll Need

• Face cleanser
• Light moisturizer with sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Cotton balls
• Whole milk
• Rich moisturizer

Instructions

1. Wash your face each morning using a gentle cream cleanser. Use your ring finger to apply cleanser around your eyes, since this finger is weaker and therefore won't pull at your skin too much. Rinse off the cleanser with cool water.

2. Pat moisturizer under your eyes and onto the outer corners just after washing your face. Choose a light cream or gel that includes sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and apply it at the top of your cheek bone. Use your ring finger to sweep the cream upward to cover your entire lower eye area.

3. Apply another layer of moisturizing sunscreen around your eyes every four hours on days when you spend time outdoors. The sun's rays can create wrinkles and dry out your skin.

4. Wear sunglasses whenever you're outside on a sunny day. This provides extra protection from the sun's rays. Sunglasses also prevent you from squinting, which can help prevent wrinkles.

5. Wash your face with gentle cleanser at the end of the day. Soak cotton balls in whole milk and press them against your closed eyes. Sit back with your face turned upward to keep the balls in place. Let the cotton sit for 10 minutes. The milk will moisturize your skin while also soothing any redness or dark under-eye circles. Rinse your face after removing the cotton balls.

6. Pat a layer of thick, rich cream onto your eye lids and under your eyes while your face is still damp. Pick a moisturizer that contains retinol or vitamin C, which help build collagen, or find a cream made with hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into your skin.

References

• DailyGlow.com: Taking Care of Sensitive Skin around the Eyes
• O, the Oprah Magazine; Enhance your Eyes: Eye Care 101; Jenny Bailly