The Cold Hard Facts:
The skin around our eyes is about 40% thinner compared to the rest of the body, which is probably why I’ve noticed this area ageing at a quicker rate to the rest of my face. And it’s for this reason I like to give my eyes some extra TLC.
Since starting at Adore over a year ago, I've managed to get my skin to a really good place (I'm now happy to come to work without makeup on), but the fine lines creeping in under my eyes were causing me a little concern. Not staying-up-at-night concern, but enough for me to want to try a few different products and treatments.
I’m going to give you my honest verdict out of five for each of the eye treatments I’ve tried thus far.
Eye Serums
Score: 4.5/5
Boy, I wish I’d discovered eye serums at 19, not 29. Medik8 r-Retinoate Day & Night Eye Serum wasn’t available 10 years ago, but that’s besides the point. Your regular retinol is too harsh to use around the sensitive eye area, so Medik8 have formulated an eye serum with Retinyl Retinoate, which is 8 times more powerful than retinol yet gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area. It’s also photostable, so you can use it during the day.
I personally don’t use this one in the morning - I alternate with NIOD’s Fractionated Eye-contour Concentrate, which combines 28 clinical technologies to target all aspects of under-eye and above-eye ageing in one treatment. I like that this one can also be used on the eyelids.
I’ve given eye serums a really high score because combining these two treatments has been a game-changer.
Injectables
Score: 4/5
I’ve been getting anti-wrinkle injections (also known as botulinum toxin) around my crow’s feet for a couple of years, and in all honesty, nothing really compares. The results are subtle and last about four months. And despite what I heard about anti-wrinkle injections, my face doesn’t look frozen - actually, not even my family noticed I’d had it done!
But, under-eye dermal filler was a different story. To be honest, our Beauty Editor was not fully on board with this treatment, as the under-eye area is tricky. Some injectors won’t even touch this area. It also bruises badly. I don’t think I would do this again because the bruising and recovery time just wasn’t worth the results. Filler plumps the area, so unlike anti-wrinkle injections, it won’t “freeze” fine lines.
If you’re interested in learning more about injectables, go and watch our Q&A with Dr Mobin Master. It’s also important that you have a consultation with a qualified professional before contemplating injectables.
Derma Rolling
Score: 3.5/5
Skin needling works by very lightly puncturing the surface of the skin to send the skin into repair, encouraging collagen and elastin production. This also allows active topical ingredients to better penetrate the skin, giving you enhanced results from your skincare products.
My skin is red and sensitive afterwards, so I limit this to once a week. I use the Lonvitalite Microneedle Derma Roller Face & Body Kit as this has a 0.3mm derma roller designed specifically for the eye area.
A Final Word...
Recently, I had an ultrasound around my eyes (the things you do when working in the beauty industry!) and the eye on my driver’s side had more sun damage than the other eye.
I recently ran into Iain Jeffery at an event, and while admiring his plump eye area, I asked him what on earth he was using. He said he’s religious about using Ultra Violette Queen Screen around his eyes.
Despite all the treatments mentioned in this article, SPF is the MOST important product to prevent ageing. If you’re only going to do one thing, wear SPF every day.
