HOW TO REDUCE FINE LINES AND WRINKLES UNDER EYES?

With age comes wisdom – and an acceptance of what you can and cannot change. While you can’t stop the clock, you can help minimise the toll ageing takes on your skin, especially when it comes to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes.

WHAT CAN CAUSE FINE LINES AND EYE WRINKLES?

Fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes are more likely to appear due to the following external factors:

• Overexposure to the sun or free radicals through pollution or smoke

• Family occurrence – if your parents have or had them, you’re more likely to have them

• Age – as you age, the production of natural oils, collagen and elastin start to decrease, leaving the skin drier, thinner and less resilient. Proteins such as collagen in the skin’s lowest level (dermis) are not as effective, resulting in the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

However, despite these factors, you can still have many tricks up your sleeve to help your skin stays silky smooth. Read on to learn what you can do to help prevent under-eye wrinkles and fine lines from forming.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT THE APPEARANCE OF FINE LINES AND WRINKLES

Since you have no control over age and genetics, discover the most important actions you can take for a healthy-looking, smooth and even skin.

AVOIDING SUN EXPOSURE

According to studies, exposure to UV rays of the sun is responsible for around 80% of the premature signs of skin ageing, so keeping away from direct sunlight if possible, should be the first item on your to-do list.

To add a layer of protection against harmful UV rays, make sure you apply a broad-spectrum sun protection of SPF 15 minimum on a daily basis. This includes winter and cloudy days, since UV rays can penetrate clouds and cause skin damage no matter the weather.

Seek shade or try to sit under an umbrella when outdoors to minimise sun exposure. For extra protection, cover your face and scalp with a wide-brimmed hat and wear light-coloured clothes that reflect sunlight. Adding sunglasses with UV protection is also a great choice.

BEAUTY SLEEP

During the night, your skin’s natural ability to repair itself is thought to be more active than during the day. Getting a healthy eight hours of sleep will help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

REDUCING STRESS

Stress has both mental and physical effects on you and your body. When you experience stress, your body produces cortisol – a hormone that is known to have a negative impact on collagen in your skin. Chronic stress can reach a level where your skin cells won’t be able to naturally counteract the loss of collagen, and that can result in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes and mouth.

Try reducing stress through whatever method works best for you – whether a walk in the park, a healthy snack, a yoga or aerobics class to let off some steam, or even indulge in a self-care day where you can focus on yourself.

FIGHTING FINE LINES WITH FINE FOOD

There are plenty of foods high in antioxidants and vitamins that may improve your skin’s look and feel, while also protecting it from skin damage and the signs of premature ageing. Some of these foods include the following: red bell pepper, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, nuts, avocado, sweet potato, salmon and soy.

HOW TO DEAL WITH ALREADY EXISTING FINE LINES AND WRINKLES?

You can’t turn back time and stop or reverse the ageing process, but you can help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles around your eye and mouth with a regular skin care regimen. We have collected some useful tips and tricks you can try for your healthy-looking, supple skin.

• Cleanse your face twice a day. By cleansing both in the morning and in the evening, you remove make-up, dirt, grime and pollution from your skin to reveal a fresh and more glowing complexion. We recommend using a micellar water, such as Olay Cleanse Hungarian Water Essence Micellar Water for a quick and effective cleanse. Discover further tips on how to cleanse your face.

• During the day hydrate and protect your skin with a moisturiser that contains SPF. This is a two-in-one solution, providing much-needed moisture to your skin while protecting it from sun damage. Try Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 30 for instant absorption and a lightweight feel. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a light-as-air, matte finish.

• Choose a CC cream with light-reflecting particles to further help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

• Retinol can be a great addition to your night skin care regimen. Try a moisturiser in the evening, such as Olay’s Retinol24 Night Cream that helps surface skin cell turnover, and in the morning, you’ll notice the reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Discover more about how retinol works, as well as its benefits.

DEALING WITH WRINKLES AROUND YOUR EYES AND MOUTH

The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate, and that’s where fine lines usually appear first. Olay Retinol24 Night Eye Cream with Retinoid Complex and Vitamin B3 is specifically developed for that delicate skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and to minimise uneven skin tone.

Fine lines around your mouth can develop due to smoking, whistling or frequent pursing of the lips. Moisturisers with retinol have been found effective to treat this area too. Apply a healthy dose of Retinol24 to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Now that you know all about how to prevent fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes, or around your mouth, and what treatments you can apply, discover how to maintain your skin’s natural glow with Olay’s help.