The skin around the eyes is ten times thinner than the skin on the face. As we age and with lifestyle choices, we lose elasticity and skin becomes even thinner due to the breakdown of collagen. Plus, there is a lack of sebaceous glands around the outer corners of the eyes, making lines and wrinkles there deeper than on the forehead. We also lack fat and muscle tissue around the eye area. One could compare the skin on the face to a piece of paper and the skin around the eye area to a tissue. It is extremely sensitive, delicate and permeable.
Clients may have good skin care habits for their face, but sadly few have good habits for their eye area. Many use the same cleansers and facial products around the eyes that they do on their face. Combine this with bad skin care, no skin care and a modern lifestyle, and the eyes will show the first signs of aging in forms of dark circles, puffy eyes, hollowness, premature lines/wrinkles, dryness, sensitivity and a just plain tired look. The eyes literally are the most vulnerable and show the signs of stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and lifestyle. When it comes to restoring a youthful look, our eyes are our greatest opportunity.
1. A Problem with Products
Clients need to start investing in quality products, specifically designed for the eye area. Sadly, many use facial moisturizers and cleansers around the eye area, which are too heavy and rich and often not pH balanced, causing milia and irritation.
Due to the delicate skin around the eye, clients should use no more than a grain of rice amount of eye moisturizer. If too much is used, it can cause puffiness and swelling around the eye area, especially underneath.
Continue Reading the other 4 mistakes that age the eyes in our Digtal Magazine...
Goldie Bonnell is an international training manager for ESPA’s American division. She has more than 25 years of experience in the skin care and wellness industries. She has designed programs and client treatments for many spas and she is a featured speaker at industry trade shows.
