Why does the skin around the eyes always exhibit the first signs of aging? Well, this skin is incredibly thin—the thinnest in the body. Along with that fact, we are repeatedly squinting and smiling, forming wrinkles.

On top of that, the lack of oil glands around the eyes makes this skin especially susceptible to damage from our lifestyle choices. Oil glands keep our skin moist and hydrated, and stem cells from the follicles help the skin to repair.

8 Eye Mask Recipes To Soothe + Repair

Since the eye skin is deficient in this ability, it needs some extra TLC. So let’s talk about how we can step up our eye game to help prevent those pesky lines and crow’s feet. A few simple changes that will benefit anyone who wants healthy skin around the eyes include:

Hydrate with water – increase your daily water intake. Water will keep your skin properly hydrated and allow the lymphatics in the area to drain impurities.

Treat allergies – if you have inflammation around the eyes due to seasonal allergies, get to the root of the allergy. If you are itchy, it is especially important not to rub your eyes, as this will lead to dark circles. Instead, apply a cool compress or cool chamomile tea bags to the area.

Exercise regularly – increased blood flow delivers nutrients and removes waste build-up to support cell renewal.

Get plenty of sleep – this is when it all happens. Your body needs a break to regenerate and repair.

Eat whole foods – Processed foods with chemicals make your system inflamed, which leads to bloating and swelling, and it shows with puffy eyes.

Protect – wear sunglasses and an under-eye sunscreen. UV radiation is the #1 cause of collagen breakdown, and thin eye skin is especially susceptible.

Use a nightly eye cream – nourish your skin from the inside AND from the outside.

All of the above tips are wonderful for your overall under-eye health, but there’s even more we can do to treat this delicate area of the face! 

Weekly eye masks can help target different under-eye needs, from locking in moisture to de-puffing those sensitive areas around your eyes.

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