A lifetime of sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin, including the area around your eyes. According to the Mayo Clinic, ultraviolet light increases the rate at which your skin ages by causing a breakdown in collagen. Sunlight also prompts your skin to make more melanin, which can result in dark undereye circles. Eye creams with SPF can protect your eye area from sun damage and prevent the signs of premature aging.
Effects of Sun Damage
Cumulative sun damage around your eyes can lead to a variety of problems. As the collagen in your skin degrades, your eye area will begin to wrinkle, particularly at the corners, causing fine lines known as "crow's feet." Your eye skin may sag and result in undereye bags and a hollow-eyed look. Since sunlight accelerates your skin's melanin production, exposure can also lead to brownish-looking dark circles, or make the circles you already have look worse.
Function of Creams
Eye creams that contain SPF have been formulated to block ultraviolet rays from damaging your eye skin. They will help ward off the sunlight that can lead to wrinkles and dark circles. Furthermore, Dr. Robert Grant, the plastic surgeon-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical Center, states that when your skin is dried out, it is more prone to incur the sun damage that can lead to premature signs of aging. Using an eye cream with SPF daily will also keep the skin moisturized.
Application
Each morning, wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry. Place a small dab of the eye cream you choose onto the tip of your finger and dot it around both of your eyes. Blend it in gently to cover all of the skin around your eyes, but avoid getting the product in your eyes. Allow the cream to soak in for five minutes before you apply any eye makeup.
Considerations
Wearing sunglasses along with using an eye cream with SPF can give you extra sun protection. According to dermatologist Audrey Kunin, the act of squinting into the sun can cause fine lines to form, even if you use protective eye cream. Wear large-framed sunglasses whenever you are exposed to sunlight to keep wrinkles at bay.
Warnings
Do not use an eye cream with any ingredients you have known allergies to, and do not apply a sunscreen formulated for your body to your eye area, as it may be too strong and cause your skin to sting. If you experience any adverse reactions to an eye cream, stop using it and go see your doctor.
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