What causes ageing around the eye contour?
The eye contour is the delicate skin above your cheekbone, eyelids, and eyebrows. There are six muscles around the eye [1] and the average person blinks between 14,400 - 19,200 times a day[1].Because the skin around the eye contour area is very thin and sensitive, it can be one of the first areas we see signs of ageing on. Over time, fine lines and wrinkles can develop which is also referred to as ‘crow’s feet’.
Protecting this area of your face should be a key focus in preventing signs of premature ageing including dark circles, puffiness and fine lines and wrinkles. Some of these signs around the eyes are maybe the natural result of ageing, as overtime our skin loses elasticity. There are however other contributing factors that can have an impact. Our team of skin experts are here to breakdown factors to support the eye contour and how to take care of this area for smooth, supple skin.
Blue light from the sun
If you’re a sun worshipper, be careful, the blue light from the sun without an SPF can have a negative impact on the skin. Blue light damages the collagen in your skin, causes lines and wrinkles and pigmentation. Collagen is the protein in our skin and is like the scaffolding that supports the skin on our face. Blue light is six times more prevalent than UV rays from the sun, so it’s essential you are protecting your skin.
ACTION: Look for cell-protecting nutrients including vitamin E, olive fruit extract, lutein, zeaxanthin, and biotin. These can all be found in our Skin Blue Filter supplement and can be taken daily. All these key ingredients work in synergy together to filter blue light from the skin. In addition, wear an SPF on your face daily all year round to ensure you’re achieving 100% skincare from the inside out.
Poor Diet
Foods high in sugar can contribute to visible signs of ageing, and this can show up around the eye contour. High sugar consumption increases AGE (Advanced Glycation End products), which are the compounds formed in the body when fat and protein combine with sugar. A reaction which can potentially damage collagen, leading to weak, fragile collagen. The skin is our largest organ and research shows that anti-ageing starts from what we eat [2].
ACTION: Avoid foods that are high in sugar. Consume a range of fruits and vegetables as this helps combat discolouration as well as fine lines, and wrinkles. Incorporate some of these anti-ageing foods to support collagen production and reveal softer, smoother skin around the eyes. Additionally, discover our collagen supplement Skin Collagen Synergy, which helps build healthy, resilient collagen for youthful-looking skin.
- Red bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Sweet potatoes
- Pomegranate seeds
In addition, adding foods containing vitamins A, C and E [4] support your body in producing new skin cells achieving a youthful-looking complexion.
Foods high in vitamin A
- Papaya
- Citrus fruits
- Strawberries
- Dark leafy greens (kale, chard, and mustard greens)
- Brussel sprouts
Foods high in vitamin E
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Asparagus
- Swiss chard
- Bell peppers
Dehydration
When we are dehydrated, our skin lacks moisture, which results in more fine lines appearing on the skin and these can be noticeable around the eye area.
ACTION: Drink plenty of water daily and eat foods such as watermelons and celery as they also contain water. Keep alcohol to a moderation, as it can have a dehydrating effect. Have alcohol free weeks or weekends to help support you with this.
Smoking
Smoking is also another contributing factor that can lead to wrinkles around the eye area and lines between the eyebrows and puffiness below the eyes [5]. Circulation of blood to the skin is important for delivering skin-loving nutrients and disposing toxins. Smoking constricts blood levels, minimising blood flow to the skin.
ACTION: Give up smoking, as well as it being extremely bad for your health, this is an additional incentive to support your journey in quitting.
Lack of sleep
You’ve all heard of the phrase ‘beauty sleep’ and this is especially true for the eye area. One of the first things you may notice when not having a good night’s sleep is the dark circles, which are also referred to as ‘bags’ under the eyes.
ACTION: Limit your exposure to electronic devices before bed to ensure you get a good quality night sleep and make sure you get at least 7-8 hours’ per night.
Repetitive movements and expressions
Repetitive movements in the face such as squinting and frowning frequently can cause lines and wrinkles to appear. Research also shows that sleeping with your face directly in the pillow can contribute to lines under your eyes [6].
ACTION: Avoid squinting and excessive frowning to prevent frown lines from appearing. When sleeping, try sleeping on your back instead and avoid burying your face in the pillow.
The eye contour area really shows what is happening within. If you’re not getting sufficient sleep, eating a poor diet, or exposing yourself to harsh environments such as blue light from the sun, you will certainly notice changes around your eyes. Fuel your body with the right vitamins including vitamin E, olive fruit extract, lutein, zeaxanthin, and biotin found in our Skin Blue Filter. Additionally with foods including red peppers, blueberries, sweet potatoes, avocado, and nuts. Remember to wear an SPF daily and keep hydrated to reveal smoother, softer skin around the eyes.
Sources
- Anatomy, head and neck, eye muscles. National Library of Medicine. Ludwig, Parker. Aslam Sanah, Czyz, Craig.
- Advanced Glycation End Products in Foods and a Practical Guide to Their Reduction in the Diet. National Library of Medicine. July 2013.
- 10 Anti-Aging Foods to Support Your 40s-and-Beyond Body. Healthline. May 2018.
- Nutrition: Great Foods for Getting Vitamins A to K in Your Diet. Healthline. December 2017.
- Quit smoking. Mayo Clinic. November 2020.
- A new phenomenon: “sleep lines” on the face. Scandinavian Journey of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and Hand Surgery. July 2009.