The skin beneath the eyes is thinner and more delicate than other areas of the face. It is also more vulnerable to movement — which is a good thing because smiling with your eyes connotes sincerity. As we age and lose collagen and elastin, the under-eye area is one of the first (and usually the first) place where we notice visible signs like fine lines and wrinkles. There is no need to rush and do anything about this l because it’s a natural process. But if you prefer to slow this process down and help boost collagen to the under-eyes, experts have tried-and-true tips on what can help.
From topical treatments to an at-home device with rave reviews, Glam Girl Gabi provides tips can try to “dramatically” improve wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes.
1. Nira
The Nira laser is the most powerful at-home laser that is FDA-cleared, according to Glam Girl Gabi. It helps reduce fine lines and winkles by stimulating your natural collagen. If you use this daily, you are “guaranteed” to get younger-looking skin in 90 days or you get your money back. Using the laser by your eyes can help minimize those very noticeable fine lines that are so difficult to remove with skincare.
There are two types of Nira lasers: the Precision, which has a smaller tip and is better for areas like under the eyes, and the Pro for larger surface areas.
2. Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a retinoid medication and one of the most studied ingredients in skincare that is deemed effective for collagen production and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. The issue though with using a prescription-strength retinol on the delicate beneath the eyes is that it may too strong and sensitizing, causing dry skin and irritation. “You basically age backwards when you start using this,” Glam Girl Gabi raves about Tretinoin.
You can ask your dermatologist to prescribe a lower percentage of Tretinoin that won’t cause as much irritation, but it’s always a good idea to start slow when introducing retinol to your skin and to use a rich, hydrating moisturizer that can combat any initial irritation.
3. Eye Cream
Eye cream can significantly improve your under-eye area by keeping the skin hydrated so that it looks plumper and healthier. There are a number of different eye creams on the market, but Glam Girl Gabi shares that she actually has a daytime eye cream, which works better under makeup, and a nighttime eye cream that’s thicker.
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles is an eye cream that she says is great for daytime. For dark circles, she recommends Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream With Niacinamide. And a thicker eye cream for night time is SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye Cream.
4. Concealer
A bad concealer can outdo any benefits of a great skincare routine. That’s because thick concealers that are applied well will only enhance fine lines and wrinkles instead of making your skin and under-eye area look more evenly toned. One of Glam Girl Gabi’s favorite concealers at the moment is HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica. She praises its formulation and its color range, which includes peachy tones that she says cancel out blue discoloration on the skin.
5. Apply Powder Well
Setting your concealer is important to keep it from streaking and settling into texture in the skin. But powder application is a tricky thing — too much powder can look caked-on and too little powder won’t effectively set your makeup.
Glam Girl Gabi recommends using a dome fluffy brush that she says will apply just the right amount of powder in the right spot. She suggests applying powder to the cap, swirling your brush in the powder, tapping off the excess powder, and gently pressing it into areas where your makeup needs to be set, like under the eyes.