As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier and loses its youthful glow. But did you know that the area under your eyes could be one of the first places where this happens? It’s true. Dry skin under your eyes can make you look older than you are, and nobody wants that, right? One of the solutions to maintaining youthful skin might lie in under-eye exfoliation.
This process might sound a little scary, especially considering how delicate the skin around your eyes is, but with careful attention and the right products, you can safely exfoliate and hydrate this area to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. Now, let’s dive into how under-eye exfoliation can be a game-changer for your skincare routine!
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Is Under Eye Exfoliation Safe?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation helps remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells and can significantly benefit our skin by brightening our complexion and making it appear more youthful.
This principle applies to under-eye exfoliation as well. The trick, however, is to be gentle and conscious of the product you’re using. So, if you’re doing it mindfully, using products specifically meant for the under-eye area, and not overly scrubbing, then yes, under-eye exfoliation can indeed be a safe part of your beauty routine. Remember, though – when in doubt, always consult with a dermatologist!
What are the benefits of exfoliating around the eye area?
There are many benefits to exfoliating around the eye area. First and foremost, exfoliation aids in removing dead skin cells from the skin surface and unclogging pores, which in turn helps eye serums and eye creams to absorb into the skin properly and ultimately have a more powerful anti-aging effect on the skin as opposed to when these products are put on top of “old” skin.
Another benefit of weekly exfoliation is a smoother application of makeup. Makeup such as concealer will apply more effortlessly on “new” skin as opposed to “old” skin.
Lastly, regular exfoliation may boost blood circulation, offering that sought-after brightening effect.
Does Under Eye Exfoliation Help With Milia?
Ever wondered what those tiny, white bumps underneath your eyes are? They might be milia, a harmless condition where dead skin cells or keratin, a protein, get trapped under your skin.
One solution to treating and preventing milia is under-eye exfoliation. By removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, exfoliation can prevent clogged pores, a leading cause of milia.
Possible Milia Inducing Ingredients
Although this has not been proven in medical studies, many people believe that certain ingredients in skincare and makeup products can be attributed to the formation of milia.
These ingredients include but are not limited to, talc, most forms of petroleum, and some forms of paraffin. All in all, it’s going to be important to start checking ingredient lists before buying any new skincare or makeup products and examining the ones you already use.
Best Gentle Exfoliants For Around the Eye Area:
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream
This is a fairly new eye cream on the market that has been getting all the rage and for a good reason!
This product contains various ingredients that target dark circles, eye wrinkles, puffiness, and even milia.
The star ingredient in this product is lime pearl, a source of AHA( alpha hydroxy acid) that gently exfoliates, brightens, and aids in preventing the formation of milia.
Many reviewers have stated they were amazed to see their under-eye milia recede in just a few weeks. Also, many people swear by this eye cream for puffy eyes.
Overall, the general consensus is that this product isn’t just another eye cream, but a practical solution for common eye-area skin issues. Of course, every person’s skin is different, and individual results may vary. But if you’re considering a new product for your skincare routine, the ratings of this product suggest that it is worth considering.
Beauty RX Exfoliating Eye Cream
The next exfoliant is the Beauty RX Exfoliating Eye Cream by Dr. Schultz, a well-known broad-certified dermatologist. This product has been on the market for years and is a favorite among skincare enthusiasts.
The main exfoliating ingredient in this product is glycolic acid, a water-based chemical exfoliant that gently dissolves dead skin cells and, in turn, smooths and brightens the skin.
In addition to glycolic acid, this product also contains other hydrating and anti-aging ingredients, such as vitamin C and argan oil, which is a rich source of vitamin E.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for healthy skin and nails. This nutrient is very well known for its hydrating and antioxidant properties. All in all, this product has many incredible anti-aging benefits; it’s no wonder why so many people love and rave about it!
Retinol Based Under Eye Exfoliants
Many of us may have heard about retinol-based products and probably are most familiar with face serums and creams that contain this specific ingredient rather than retinol-based products that are targeted for the skin around the eye area.
So, what is retinol, then? Retinol is also commonly referred to as Vitamin A, and is part of the Vitamin A family. Retinol is found in many topical skin care products and is well known for its anti-aging properties. One of those properties is that retinol increases the skin cell turnover rate, which basically means that it helps dead skin cells shed faster. Most over-the-counter retinol products have a low concentration of this ingredient, making it more gentle to use on the skin as opposed to retinol products that are prescribed by a dermatologist.
Overall, it is safe to use over-the-counter retinol products specifically designed for around the eye area, but everyone has a different sensitivity to retinol and how their skin will react to it. If you are interested in trying a retinol-based product, it will be a good idea to first try the product on a small area of your skin before applying the product around your eye area and to consult with your dermatologist about the right retinol product specifically for your skin type.
Lastly, one major thing to note about retinol is that any products containing this ingredient should, for the most part, be used in the nighttime. The reason for this is because retinol makes the skin more sensitive to light, and could potentially cause sun damage to the skin if sunscreen is not applied before sun exposure.
Here are some gentle retinol products designed for the skin around the area that I found through my research:
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
This lightweight serum is formulated with fast-acting retinol that quickly absorbs into the skin and starts fighting off wrinkles and fine lines. This product is also formulated with bio-nutrients from red algae and kelp, which help brighten under-eye circles.
This product has raving reviews from various websites, with reviewers stating how much of a difference they saw in their under-eye circles and a reduction in the overall dryness around the eye area.
Some reviewers also said that they have sensitive skin and that this product did not irritate their skin, which is a massive plus for a retinol-based product.
Again, everyone reacts differently to retinol, so get a sample and do a patch test before investing in this product.
First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream with Triple Hyaluronic Acid
This eye cream has a unique combination of ingredients: retinol and hyaluronic acid. Again, retinol works as an exfoliant by increasing skin cell turnover, and hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means that it is an ingredient that attracts and retains moisture.
The combination of ingredients in this product are specially targeted towards sensitive skin since some people find retinol to be a bit drying, and hyaluronic acid would counteract this by immediately moisturizing the skin.
This product also has many positive reviews across multiple retailers, with many users agreeing with what it claims to do: reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. This product also claims to be safe to use on sensitive skin, and many people with sensitive skin agree that it is sensitive enough to use on their skin.
Please comment below with your favorite ways to exfoliate around your eye area!