Can I use retinol for droopy eyelids?
Retinol is one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients on the market. Whether you use an over-the-counter, prescription, or medical product, its benefits are equally impressive. However, there’s no denying that it’s a difficult ingredient to incorporate into your daily routine, and there are many misconceptions about how it works on the skin and the effects it has. If you want to learn more about retinol and its effects on the skin, read this dedicated blog post.
With that in mind, today’s blog post will focus on how to use retinol around the eyes and whether you can use it on droopy eyelids. So let’s get started and find out.
Can retinol help treat droopy eyelids?
Yes, you can. Retinol can work on both the upper and lower eyelids and skin area. This is because it can penetrate the underlying layers of the skin and boost collagen production. This can tighten the skin around the eyes and visibly reduce sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Since the skin around the eyes is up to 40% thinner than the rest of the face, the aforementioned signs of aging can appear faster and more noticeably. Therefore, it makes sense to use a retinol-rich eye cream or serum in your evening routine.
Can I apply retinol to my eyelids?
It is actually not necessary to apply retinol directly to your eyelids as there is little risk of causing irritation. You can apply retinol products to the area around your eyes, also known as the orbital bone. When patting the product into your skin with your ring finger, be sure to apply as light pressure as possible, naturally. You will then find that the product is able to work on problem areas such as eye bags, crow’s feet, and wrinkles.
If this is your first time using retinol in your daily routine or it is a new product formula, you should consult a doctor first and then perform a 24-hour patch test on your skin before applying it to your face.
How can I tighten sagging eyelids?
In addition to using an effective formula to combat sagging eyelids, there are some effective exercises you can do to strengthen, tighten, and firm the skin around your eyes. Start training your eyelid muscles by raising and lowering your eyebrows. You can do this by moving them or by placing your fingers under them and holding for a few seconds and then letting them fall back to the ground.
Here are two examples of combating sagging eyelids. Of course, depending on the severity of the problem, you may consider taking action. If you have any concerns, it is best to consult your doctor or healthcare professional to make the best decision to address these issues.
Is retinol good for your eyes?
Yes, it really is! Retinol is undoubtedly a dermatologist favorite when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. It is well known to be very beneficial for the eye area as it boosts collagen production, making the eye area look younger and significantly reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Applying retinol around the eye area can lead to a smoother, firmer, and more toned appearance, with visibly improved dark circles and reduced hyperpigmentation. Keep in mind that retinol is sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to use it as part of your evening skincare routine. If you would like to learn more about using retinol eye cream on the eye area, read our dedicated blog post.
How to apply retinol to your eyes?
Apply retinol eye cream to completely cleansed skin using your ring finger as this allows for minimal pressure to be applied to prevent skin pulling. Pat the product into the skin, focusing on the area under the eye and around the orbital bone. This ensures that the retinol and other active ingredients in the formula penetrate the skin without causing irritation.
Is retinol good for eye bags?
Absolutely! Retinol is a highly effective anti-aging ingredient as it effectively stimulates the production of collagen in the skin. If you have eye bags, you can usually find that this is due to lack of sleep, overhydration, sleeping posture, personality, as well as natural aging factors.
If pigmentation in the under-eye area is also a problem, you will be happy to know that retinol can fight it at the same time. This is because the active form of vitamin A is rich in antioxidant properties, ensuring that it can fight all free radicals, such as those produced by pollution, UV radiation and harsh climate, which damage the skin (including the eye area). Retinol also counteracts the overproduction of melanin, which causes the under-eye area to appear darker and more pigmented. With the correct and continuous use of retinol eye cream, you will notice a significant improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, eye bags and pigmentation around the eyes.
When do I use retinol?
It is best to use retinol in your daily routine in the evening. Exposure to the sun can render the ingredient useless as it loses its effectiveness due to UV rays and will not produce optimal results.
When applying retinol to your entire face, it is best to apply SPF every morning to protect the skin from further skin damage and prevent existing damage from getting worse.
So today I hope I answered your questions about using retinol for sagging eyelids. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more skincare tips, new product launches, and exclusive discounts. We look forward to seeing you there!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.