If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Wow, why do I look like I haven’t slept since the Victorian times?” – you’re not alone. With all the hustle and bustle of daily life and the never-ending chores, it’s normal for your eyes to lose their spark and maybe even the outward aesthetic.
From dark circles to puffiness to mysterious fine lines that come out of nowhere, the under-eye area has a whole list of complaints. So, let’s talk about them and what you can do to look less like a chronically awake creature.
Dark Circles
Dark circles are the darkened areas under your eyes, which can be caused by genetics, lack of sleep, thinning skin, pigmentation, dehydration, or poor diet. Although these are not really health concerns, they can be a sign of a lack of healthy foods going into your body.
If your eyes have started to resemble a panda, and you want to go back to your human roots, it’s time to hydrate inside and out. Sleep like your skin depends on it (it actually does), and use brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or caffeine.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
The skin under your eyes is much thinner than you might realize. It can lose collagen and elasticity, especially with age, sun exposure, and repetitive facial expressions.
While these lines and wrinkles don’t affect your overall beauty, they can be an aesthetic concern for some people. Luckily, they can be controlled and even reversed by using an eye cream for wrinkles, wearing sunscreen, and moisturizing to keep your skin hydrated.
Brands like Clarins offer such eyecare products. Also, avoid rubbing your eyes whenever possible.
Puffiness
If you wake up with puffy eyes, it might be because of allergies, crying late at night, or general fluid retention. Aging can also contribute to this as the tissues around your eyes start to weaken with time.
One thing you can do to prevent puffiness is to keep your skincare in the fridge. Cold products can help de-puff your eyes. Also, try ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract, or peptides.
It’s best to cut back on salt and alcohol, and invest in jade rollers or gua sha tools instead. They can help with lymphatic drainage if used correctly.
Milia
Milia are tiny white bumps that show up under your eyes uninvited. They’re basically trapped keratin and are benign, so don’t go trying to pop them unless you want an actual skin problem.
These often don’t require treatment as they heal on their own, but if you’re seeing these bumps with no improvement, you can try gentle exfoliation. Look for eye products with AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) or enzymes.
Avoid super heavy creams if you’re prone to them, and see a dermatologist to get those bumps professionally removed.
Hollowness or Dryness
Factors such as natural aging, chronic skin conditions, and dehydration can cause dry or hollow under-eye areas. Dryness, in particular, can be incredibly uncomfortable and even painful.
Ensuring proper hydration in both these cases is crucial. Consider using hydrating products, cold water instead of hot, and avoid rubbing your eyes too much.