Dark Under-eye Wrinkles & Milia

Eyes are "the windows to the soul" and the first area on your face to show age and fatigue. You need to keep them looking their best. Under-eye wrinkles, dark circles and milia are among people's greatest beauty woes. The three eye-area complaints are more closely related than you might think.

Causes of Dark Circles and Eye Wrinkles

Dark circles can be caused by fatigue, thinning skin, poor diet, allergies, or, unfortunately, genetics, according to the Mayo Clinic. The complexions of your parents and grandparents can also play a role in whether you develop under-eye wrinkles. The greatest cause of eye wrinkling, however, is sun exposure.

Causes of Milia

Milia are prevalent but less common than under-eye wrinkles and dark circles. Some sufferers may not even realize they have milia, mistaking the small, hard bumps as pimples that just won't go away.

Though similar in appearance, milia are not pimples. They are small cysts with white or yellow heads that are filled with keratin. They may occur after a trauma to the face, such as excessive sun exposure or harsh scrubbing, from clogged pores or spontaneously. They most often occur under the eyes and on the nose, according to Your Health Files website.

Treating Milia

Milia are not dangerous and treatment is only necessary for cosmetic purposes. Milia may also heal on their own. Steaming your face or using a gentle salicylic acid product may help to clear milia. A dermatologist can also extract the cysts using special tools or apply professional acid peels, according to Your Health Files. Do not attempt to pick, squeeze or extract the cysts yourself as this can cause scarring and infection.

Relation Between Circles, Wrinkles and Milia

Those with under-eye wrinkles and dark circles often use one of the myriad rich moisturizing creams marketed for those specific woes. According to an article in
Oprah magazine, using rich creams around your eyes can clog pores and lead to milia.

Prevention/Solution

Instead of a rich, pore-clogging cream to treat your dark circles and wrinkles, try a lighter, gel-based formula that contains the same active ingredients but will congest the skin less. Also, look for products, such as facial moisturizer and sunscreen, that have as few ingredients as possible to avoid creating more issues in the delicate under-eye area, according to Big Skin Care.