4 Ways Older Women Can Protect Their Eyes From The Effects Of Aging

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From dark circles to fine lines, the delicate skin around your eyes can often be the first place that aging starts to show. "It is the thinnest skin on the body, with less structural support from collagen and elastin to maintain firmness and elasticity," dermatologist Annette Czernik exclusively tells Women. "The eye area is also in constant motion. Blinking, squinting, crying, rubbing tired or itchy eyes, and staring at screens all place repetitive stress on delicate skin." As a result, it's no surprise that this area is prone to wrinkles.

As you age, it's important to adjust your skincare routine to cater to mature skin, and many of those same general tips apply to the eye area as well. Hydration is more important than ever, as dry skin is more likely to appear dull, puffy, and show fine lines. "Once I got into my 30s, I realized that all of my skincare had to shift to being hydration-related," writes one Reddit user. But the skin around your eyes can also benefit from some more targeted strategies as well. From products and treatments to changing your habits, there are a variety of hacks to keep this area of your face healthy and glowing.

When it comes to tips for keeping your skin youthful as you age, nothing beats sun protection. After all, sun damage can be responsible for up to 90% of the signs of aging skin, including wrinkles, sagging, and discoloration. "Even on cloudy days, UV rays are harmful and can damage collagen, leading to crepey skin, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation around the eyes," dermatologist Annette Czernik tells Women, exclusively. That's why wearing sunscreen is the number one tip for minimizing the appearance of aging, especially for sensitive skin around your eyes.

Your regular face SPF will work under the eyes — just make sure you get ample coverage when you apply. Many women find that the sensitive eye-area skin responds better to a mineral sunscreen, like Paula's Choice RESIST SPF 30. If you want to kick your protection up a notch, some under-eye creams and concealers have added SPF, like Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35. Finally, you can't beat the benefits of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face.

Because the skin around your eyes is far thinner than on the rest of your face, it's particularly prone to damage. Thus, it's important to treat your eye area gently. "Don't rub your eyes aggressively when removing makeup. Don't tug or pull at the skin," dermatologist Annette Czernik advises Women. If you're too rough and continuously tug at the skin, it could stretch and develop fine lines. Some dermatologists even recommend sleeping on your back to avoid added mechanical wear to your face that could cause wrinkles.

It's important to use gentle products on this sensitive area of skin, and that includes skincare and makeup. This area is prone to irritation, such as dryness and inflammation, so reach for gentle, moisturizing products to minimize the appearance of aging. "Hydrate and look for products that support the skin barrier rather than strip the skin with harsh chemicals and scrubs," advises Czernik. While you don't need a dedicated eye cream — a rich general-purpose moisturizer will work just as well — make sure to use something without aggravating ingredients, like fragrance or added coloring. This approach should also extend to your primers and under-eye concealer.

Your daily habits often show up on your face, particularly in the sensitive skin around your eyes. Ultimately, your lifestyle is among the biggest factors that determine how your skin ages. "Lack of sleep, stress, allergies, genetics, and high sodium diets can all contribute to puffiness, hollowing, and dark circles," dermatologist Annette Czernik tells us, exclusively. Again, this is because skin around the eye is uniquely thin, and the lymphatic and blood vessels are close to the surface. That means any puffiness or discoloration will be extra visible.

It's also good to be mindful of how much you're squinting throughout the day. "You'd be amazed by how many women need new prescriptions for glasses or readers and don't realize they're squinting all day long," says Czernik. "That movement from the muscle will deepen lines over time, specifically around the crow's feet." That means the correct prescription can actually help you combat premature crow's feet. This is also another great reason to wear sunglasses. "In the summer, when people are squinting, wriggling their foreheads, and enjoying the sunshine, it's a major blow that can greatly contribute to wrinkling," dermatologist Scott Dunbar told Allure.

While prevention is key when it comes to minimizing signs of aging, the right treatments can help wrinkles and fine lines seemingly vanish, especially near your eyes. On top of using only gentle, non-irritating ingredients near your eyes, look for products that target fine lines, swelling, and discoloration, like Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Serum. "Topical skincare formulated for the delicate eye area that includes vasoconstrictors like caffeine can help puffiness, and lightening agents can improve dark under-eye circles," dermatologist Annette Czernik tells Women.

If you aren't getting the results you want with at-home treatments, some additional treatments can go even further. "In-office treatments like microneedling and muscle relaxers (neurotoxins) can help crepiness and soften crow's feet," says Czernik. Additionally, laser treatments, chemical peels, and even dermal fillers can all help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Some older women are also turning to surgical options, like a blepharoplasty, to reduce puffiness and sagging near their eyes. "I do actually feel like there is less 'weight' to my eyes, doing my eye makeup is easier, and yes people say I look more awake/happy," wrote one Reddit user. "I notice my eyes no longer seem so sad if that makes sense."