Our eyes reveal a lot about us – good and bad. ‘Your eyes give you away’, ‘bright-eyed’, ‘you look tired’.
And when we neglect to care for our skin, these tell-tale signs may be even more prominent.
This is because, although loose skin under the eyes is generally a product of ageing, it can be worsened by lifestyle factors that can be remedied by changes to skincare routines and practising healthier habits.
Are you looking to rejuvenate loose skin under the eyes at home? Our skincare experts explain the common causes as well as how to tighten and firm skin for a confident glow.
Firstly, we should keep in mind the skin around and under our eyes is some of the thinnest anywhere on our bodies. So, even when we care for our under-eye skin, it’ll still be naturally looser compared with areas where our skin is thicker.
But this doesn’t mean nature alone determines whether we experience loose skin under our eyes – and it certainly doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to treat sagging skin.
Knowing what may be contributing to our loose skin is the first step in fighting back.
Loose skin under the eyes can be caused by our genetics, as well as the natural process of ageing. As we grow older, our bodies produce less collagen – the protein that keeps our skin tight and bouncy.
And as the skin under our eyes is thinner, it naturally contains less collagen to begin with – making the effects of sagging more noticeable over time than elsewhere on our bodies.
Other influences include UV overexposure – from long periods spent in the sun without proper care – alongside unhealthy habits like smoking and getting poor or little sleep.
A targeted and consistent skincare routine – including key naturally-derived formulas – can help combat loose skin under the eyes. Retinol is a powerful vitamin A derivative that helps to stimulate the body’s production of collagen. Formulas containing Retinol not only tighten skin but also soften fine lines and wrinkles that can exaggerate the appearance of loose skin.
Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum delivers visible youthful results in a daily-strength micro-dose, firming the feel of skin and reducing the look of wrinkles – all without the typical signs of discomfort.
Vitamin C also boosts tired-looking eyes by tightening loose skin and reducing the appearance of lines, crow’s feet and dark circles.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum reduces signs of fatigue for fresher, brighter-looking eyes.
Taking a preventative approach means protecting yourself against the very causes of loose or saggy skin. And with sun damage proven to accelerate and emphasise fine lines and wrinkles, a daily formula with SPF 30 reduces the effects of UV rays year-round.
Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30 firms the skin while also providing broad-spectrum UV protection.
Concerned about loose skin under the eyes? Our entire firming range is designed to restore your skin’s youthful bounce and tighten loose areas.
The positive news is, just as lifestyle habits can contribute to loose under-eye skin, similar habits and natural remedies can also help to tighten skin.
Enjoying a nutritious diet keeps your body full of the vitamins and minerals that contribute to healthy, hydrated skin – reducing the signs of dull or tired skin and dark circles.
Prioritising good sleep each night can also help tighten skin, as this is when our bodies produce new collagen.
And as for short-term solutions, cooling and hydrating the skin under your eyes can help to reduce the inflammation and puffiness that exaggerate the appearance of tired skin. This could be as simple as a classic cucumber eye mask or swapping the cucumber for cold, wet tea bags.
Practising healthy habits and sticking to a dedicated skincare routine can begin to reduce the appearance of loose skin in just a few days. This is because fine lines, wrinkles and dark and puffy circles under the eyes can contribute to and exaggerate the appearance of sagging skin.
When it comes to actually tightening and firming skin under the eyes, it may depend on the elasticity of the person’s skin as to when they’ll start to see the fruits of their efforts.
For most people, it may be possible to experience tighter skin after just a few weeks to a month.
But it’s important to stick to your skincare routine to not only see the results but maintain them. The more consistent you stay with applying formulas and enjoying healthy daily habits, the more likely you are to notice the results.
Any dedicated skincare efforts should become part of a daily routine to maximise the benefits. This not only goes for applying formulas like Retinol and Vitamin C serums and daily sun care creams but also the general habits that contribute to happy, healthy and hydrated skin. Maintaining daily efforts not only means the skin under the eyes does not have a chance to loosen and sag but also reduces short-term signs of puffiness and fine lines that can contribute to tired-looking eyes.
Before you can find the perfect formulas for your skin – to boost the effects of your skincare efforts and avoid irritation – you first need to know your skin type. Kiehl’s skin type guide defines the five basic skin types and helps you identify yours and how to treat it. Understanding your skin type allows you to find the right formulas and naturally-derived ingredients to complement it while avoiding those that risk irritation. For example, oily skin – as its name suggests – overproduces oil and therefore often responds badly to formulas with extra oil. Dry skin on the other hand struggles to retain oil and therefore benefits from formulas with restorative and reviving properties. Once you’ve identified your skin type and understand its unique properties, shop our complete skin lifting and firming range to treat loose skin today.
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