Australia has the world's highest incidence of skin cancer – two out of three Aussies will be diagnosed with some type of skin cancer before age 70. It's partly because people overestimate how much sun they need to give their skin and body a healthy dose of Vitamin D. In one survey of 5,000 Aussies, almost three-quarters thought they needed more time than necessary, and this excessive sun damage can wreak particular havoc on the more delicate zones of your skin, such as around the eyes.

Sun damage and your eye area

The skin around your eye is thin and fragile, so it's the first to show signs of fatigue and aging (think eye wrinkles and dark circles). It's also under constant exertion, given the squinting that happens when under the sun. When combined with prolonged UVA and UVB (ultraviolet A and B) damage, these factors can affect skin quality. UVB penetrates your skin's uppermost layer and is responsible for about 65% of melanoma cases. It causes sunburn, and your eyelids carry a higher risk because people usually avoid applying sunscreen here. When the skin around your eyes is affected, it can turn reddish, blistered, or even begin peeling, making it difficult or painful to blink normally.

Meanwhile, UVA light penetrates deeper into the skin around your eyes. This can cause greyish-brown patches known as melasma on your eye and upper cheek area. The collagen fibers in this delicate area are more easily damaged, leading to pronounced wrinkles called 'crow's feet.' Finally, chronically sun-damaged skin results in a loss of collagen, which results in leathery skin. Of course, both types of UV damage carry risks of skin cancer. When considering sun protection strategies for the face, focusing not just on the usual photo-exposed areas like the forehead, nose, or nape is essential. Neglected sections like the eye area need as much, if not more, coverage.

Eye area sun protection tips

You might recall one of Australia's most successful health campaigns: the famous 'Slip, Slop, Slap' jingle, created by the Cancer Council in 1981. It involved slipping on sun-protective clothing, slopping on sunscreen, and slapping on a hat.

But they've since updated this to add two more actions: Seek and Slide. Specifically, the latter talks about the importance of sliding on sunglasses for further sun protection. A pair of oversized women's sunglasses should help, as they can protect the eyelids that are prone to UV damage. The Versace VE4452 frames come in large, solid, dark grey lenses that not only exude a timeless elegance but also cover more skin around the eyes. Crafted from premium materials, these durable designer frames can withstand days in the sun as an additional layer of protection. Don't forget to check that your sunglasses meet Australian Standard AS1067 and fit your face well.

Even when you 'Seek' shade under a parasol or beach umbrella, you may still be squinting your eyes due to the brightness, which is where an iconic sun hat can help. The Akubra hat quickly became an Aussie clothing tradition after its birth in Kempsey, NSW, in 1972. The Territory model features the widest brim compared to models like the Coober Pedy or Riverina; at 102mm, it can shield the skin around your eyes, as well as the whole face and neck. When it comes to sun protection, the more, the better. Wear and reapply sunscreen throughout the day, getting as close to the eye area as possible without risking irritation. Then, overlay with sunglasses, a hat, an umbrella, and some shade whenever possible.

To rejuvenate after a long day of exposure to the sun, our very own Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream is a nourishing eye treatment that boosts collagen with Vitamin C sourced from Kakadu plums. It can also fade fine lines and brighten dark shadows from sun exposure. With all these tips at your disposal, your eye area will be ready to soak up the Australian sun.