Even if the best eye creams are a part of your routine, lifestyle habits also play an essential role in the health of your eyes. For example:
1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin’s elasticity and making fine lines less prominent.
2. Limit Sun Exposure: Overexposure to ultraviolet rays causes melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells, to mature abnormally. This results in age spots, uneven pigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles due to a breakdown in collagen and elastin. Also, always wear SPF— some eye creams are even formulated with it. Also, wear sunglasses (ideally, with lenses that protect against the sun’s rays) to avoid squinting.
3. Smoking: Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals that damage collagen and elastin. The nicotine in cigarettes causes the blood vessels to constrict in the skin’s outer layers, which impairs blood flow. Decreased blood flow means your skin isn’t getting as much oxygen or vital nutrients like vitamin A.
4. Quit Smoking: Nicotine constricts blood vessels under the eyes (and in the face), making it difficult for vital nutrients to be absorbed, leading to collagen breakdown.
5. Get Enough Sleep: Fatigue exacerbates dark circles and puffiness.
6. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine Intake: Both beverages cause dehydration, leading to more prominent fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. Alcohol also leads to puffiness —primarily upon waking up the following day.
7. Cleanse Gently: Use cotton and an effective eye makeup remover to avoid pulling and tugging, leading to a breakdown in collagen.
8. Treat Your Allergies: Speak to your doctor about taking an antihistamine. Puffiness and dark circles go hand-in-hand with allergies.
9. Eat a Well-Balanced: What you put into your body shows on the outside of your skin —including the eye area.