Your Ultimate Guide to Eye Skincare
Though Australians are most notably known for our sun-soaked coastal lifestyles and friendly, laid-back attitudes, we also top the list of countries with the highest rates of melanoma in the world. Efforts to educate the public on the dangers of too much sun exposure have been underway since the 1980s, with the current sun safety campaign reminding us to Slip (wear sun-protective clothing), Slop (apply broad-spectrum sunscreen), Slap (don wide-brimmed sun hats), Seek (shade), and Slide (on sunglasses).
Still, there's one key area we often neglect: our eyes. Compared to the rest of your face, the skin around your eyes requires more attention. Science tells us that this is because our eyelids and under eyes are the thinnest skin on our bodies, have fewer oil glands, and produce less collagen. Listed below are the best ways to give the skin around your eyes some more protection and TLC.
Use Cold Tools to Combat Puffy Eyes
Most people automatically assume that puffy eyes are a sign of bad sleeping habits. The truth is, upon waking, it’s normal to have puffy eyes due to the fluid build-up that occurs while you’re asleep. Morning puffiness usually goes away on its own, but if you’re looking for a quicker fix, the solution is simple — cool the eye area.
To do this, cleanse your face with cool water, moisturise, and then massage the eye area with a cold tool like our jade roller. This works because cold temperatures reduce blood flow and swelling. However, if your eye area is constantly swollen, it might be time to examine if there’s a deeper issue going on.
Shield Yourself From Sun Damage
If you could only choose one skincare product to use for the rest of your life, what would you choose? The only correct answer is sunscreen. With the staggering number of people affected by skin cancer in Australia, we are no strangers to this skincare staple. Just be mindful that sunscreen application is not a one-and-done deal. Dermatologists recommend reapplying broad-spectrum sunscreen at least every two hours, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors.
Additionally, you should never leave your house without wearing high-quality sunglasses. Don’t settle for cheap, trendy sunglasses that don't shield against UV rays. Opt for brands that offer real protection. For this, you can check out Oakley’s Latch sunglasses fitted with Prizm lenses which are specifically designed to protect your eyes from 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Skin Ageing Calls For Layering Products
When it comes to combating sun damage and promoting anti-ageing, using your regular, old moisturiser for the skin around your eyes won’t cut it. Ideally, you should be using products that are formulated specifically for the area you are targeting. Depending on your needs, look out for an eye cream containing active ingredients like vitamin C, which is clinically proven to brighten discolouration — like our Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream — or retinol, a vitamin A derivative known to boost collagen production. For the latter, make sure to follow the proper retinol rules and introduce it slowly into your routine to prevent irritation.
Apply your skincare products from thinnest to thickest. The more watery products, like toners, should go first, followed by a serum, then eye cream, and finally a moisturiser to lock it all in. Avoid rubbing or tugging at your eyes; instead, use a gentle patting motion to apply product under and around your eyes.
Healthy skin starts by building effective habits. Integrate these tips into your everyday routine, and you'll soon observe what a big impact these minor steps can make on your overall appearance and the health of the skin around your eyes.