Should I Exfoliate My Eye Area?

The skin around your eyes is thinner than that of other areas of our face. That's why it’s often the very first area to show visible signs of aging. But, is it safe to exfoliate around the eyes?

Gentle encouragement of eliminating old skin cells around the eyes can be beneficial for improving skin texture and appearance if it's done right. It's great for addressing dry, crepey skin and fine lines. However, it's most important to choose the right method that includes products that work harmoniously with this delicate eye area.

Regenerize Eye Serum

To address eye-area lines and wrinkles, most people rely exclusively on eye cream. Choosing the right eye cream is essential. Avoid eye creams that are too thick or heavy, as they can weigh down this delicate eye area, increasing puffiness and eye bags. You are better off choosing a lightweight eye serum packed with architectural peptides that encourage the continued production of healthy collagen rich skin. Beyond that you need to smooth out your skin. Removing old cells around the eyes will help banishes dry, crepey skin, bring fresh cells to the surface and help your eye cream work better. Doing this will also encourage collagen production, leading to increased elasticity and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. 

How can you exfoliate around the eyes without causing irritation and damage to this delicate skin? Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid might be too harsh for sensitive skin. Scrubs are definitely too harsh. Try instead a mild retinol serum instead.

Retinol Resurfacing

Keep in mind that retinol does not technically exfoliate the skin. Retinol is a a Vitamin A derivative that works by promoting the production o of newer cells as well as new collagen production. As new cells are formed and rise up to the skin's surface they push off the older, dead skin cells. This gives the impression that retinol is exfoliating the skin. However, retinol does not actually break down or dissolve dead skin cells the way chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs) do. I do not recommend stronger retinoids (like retinoic acid or retinaldehyde) or chemical exfoliants around the eye area as they can be very irritating for all but the sturdiest skin types.

After you find an appropriate retinol try exfoliating once or twice a week to see how your skin reacts. You may be able to increase the frequency to three times a week if needed, but always be mindful of any signs of irritation. Application should be done on the bone around the eyes. Your product will naturally seep toward your eyes. Applying products too close to the eyes means it will probably end up in your eyes. The time to apply your peptide based night serum is about a minute after retinol, so the product has time to sink into the skin. I apply a stronger retinol on the rest of my face and brush my teeth to give both products time to get absorbed. Then I follow up with repair serums to address the rest of my face.

In summary, a gentle retinol in lieu of exfoliation around the eyes can be a valuable part of an effective skincare routine to improve texture and appearance of the skin around the eyes, but it's important to use appropriate products and techniques to avoid irritation and potential damage. 

Elizabeth believes in "Longevity Skincare", the idea that beautiful skin can endure throughout one's lifetime when utilizing the best that science and nature has to offer. LONGEVITY is a science - based skincare line that appreciates skin of all ages. LONGEVITY by Elizabeth Renee provides hydration, nutrition and protection from environmental aging. Your skin will receive high performance ingredients to help energize and repair its cells, resulting in a healthy skin with an enduring, vital glow.