All areas of the face and body can show signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin, but the skin under the eyes is often the first to show the years. From darkening skin to wrinkles and puffiness, the thin skin under the eyes can really highlight age. However, the right skincare products can slow the development of wrinkles and even turn back the clock to reveal a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Understanding Under-Eye Wrinkles

The skin under the eyes, like the skin on your face and other parts of the body, begins to wrinkle and show other signs of aging with time. While you can’t stop the clock, some factors that contribute to the development of these signs of aging are within your control. For instance, sun exposure contributes significantly to accelerated aging. Protecting skin from sun damage and limiting sun exposure can slow the development of wrinkles. Skin thinness and the loss of elasticity as we age allow fine lines and wrinkles to form. Products that plump skin and promote the production of collagen and elastin offer anti-aging benefits to keep skin looking smooth and beautiful, but it’s important to find the right products to achieve this goal.

Featured Products for Wrinkle Reversal

Below, we’ve outlined some basic information about some of our dermatologists’ favorite skincare products for under-eye wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles

Hydration is one of the most important elements for improving the appearance of aging skin. Night creams are the go-to skincare products for hydrating and soothing skin. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye is a deep-hydrating night cream that not only boosts hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but also brightens dark circles and improves puffiness.

ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology

ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology harnesses the innovative TriHex technology to smooth and brighten the skin under the eyes. TriHex technology works by removing damaged collagen and elastin, rebuilding healthy collagen and elastin, and replenishing the skin by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin proteins.

Revision Skincare Revox™ 7

Peptides are amino acid chains that stimulate the production of proteins in the skin. While they do occur naturally within skin cells, adding peptides to the skin can boost collagen and elastin production, leading to smoother, firmer skin. Revision Skincare Revox 7 offers wrinkle reduction and improvement in sagging or droopy skin under the eyes with a blend of seven peptides.

SkinBetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Retinol is one of the key ingredients to reduce the signs of skin aging like hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. However, this ingredient is usually too irritating to the skin to be used on the sensitive area around the eyes. The skinBetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream offers a retinol that is safe and gentle enough to be used even on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. By combining a delayed-release retinol with soothing and hydrating alpha hydroxy acids, this product offers the age-defying benefits of retinol without irritation.

Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 (Fair)

When it comes to improving the health and appearance of the skin under the eyes, Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 can’t be beat. It corrects dark circles and puffiness, protects against sun damage with a powerful broad-spectrum sunscreen, and addresses skin health issues like lack of hydration that contribute to fine lines and wrinkles.

How to Use These Products Effectively

Because the skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive, it’s important to be extremely gentle when applying skincare products. Start with a small amount of product on the tip of your ring finger. Dab the product gently onto the skin until it is fully absorbed. Don’t rub, scrub, or tug at the skin. When applying products, always apply in order of thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows the skin to better absorb the products. Finally, choose skincare products that are formulated specifically for the under-eye area whenever possible. If you use general facial or skincare products around the eyes, apply extremely sparingly and discontinue use if you notice an adverse response.

Additional Tips for Under Eye Care

In addition to introducing effective skincare products into your daily routine, you can also take some additional steps to care for the under-eye area and improve your anti-aging eye care routine including:

• Be gentle – Always apply skincare products and cosmetics gently. Also, be gentle when removing cosmetics. Pulling and tugging at the skin can increase the risk of wrinkle development.
• Protect eyes – Sun damage can cause accelerated signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Carefully apply sunscreen each day. You can also wear sunglasses and hats to further shield the eyes from sun exposure.
• Get plenty of sleep – The area around the eyes is often the first place a sleepless night shows up. Getting plenty of sleep helps avoid dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

When to Consult a Dermatologist

If you have deep wrinkles that don’t improve as you boost your skincare routine, you may want to consider more advanced treatments from a dermatologist. They can offer anti-aging treatments like neurotoxin injections/Botox. A dermatologist can also partner with patients to create a routine designed to boost skincare for the eyes and maximize anti-aging results for healthier, more youthful skin. The dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners curate our list of recommended skincare products, and they would be happy to help you find the right option for your skincare needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation.