Can I use retinol near my eyes?
There really is nothing that retinol can’t combat. Cosmetic imperfections? No problem, fine lines and wrinkles? All gone, pale, dull complexion? No need to worry. Yes, there’s no denying that retinol is a smart ingredient, which explains why so many of us add it to our daily skincare routines.
However, the question we ask ourselves is whether we should avoid using this powerhouse of a skin area. It’s no secret that the area around the eyes is one of the first to show signs of aging, with fine lines and crow’s feet becoming more noticeable over time. Other issues like dark circles and eye bags may also look more severe because the skin around the eyes is thinner, 40% thinner than the rest of the face, to be exact. With that in mind, let’s explore whether you can use retinol near your eyes and what results you can expect.
Can I use retinol around my eyes?
Yes, using retinol around the eyes is completely safe and effective. Just make sure you use the right product to deliver results without causing irritation or allergic reactions.
Granted, there are still some outdated studies that suggest you should avoid eye creams with powerful ingredients, but that’s no longer the case. In fact, you’ll find retinol as the number one ingredient recommended by experts for fighting signs of aging, dark circles, and eye bags.
Modern eye creams contain less retinol than products used on other parts of the face. These formulas also often incorporate other moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, to counteract the drying side effects common among retinol users. Before you toss your existing eye cream, you can layer another retinol product on top of it. Simply mix your eye cream with retinol and apply it under your eyes.
Is retinol good for under-eye wrinkles?
Of course, as I mentioned before, retinol is a popular ingredient among skincare experts and dermatologists for fighting signs of aging, dark circles, and eye bags. Retinol works in the lower layers of the skin, extending beyond the epidermis and boosting collagen production. When more collagen helps skin appear plumper and younger, you’ll notice a noticeable reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.
How close to your eyes should you apply retinol?
Since the skin around the eyes is significantly thinner than the rest of the face, you’ll find that it absorbs into the skin quickly, potentially causing skin irritation. That’s why you need to be careful when applying retinol around the eyes. Here are some examples of how to apply retinol to the eyes while following proper precautions.
Start with a pea-sized amount of retinol product.
Always use a product designed for use around the eyes.
Use your ring finger to apply the product, as it naturally applies minimal pressure to avoid pulling the skin.
Gently apply the product around the eye area, starting under the eye and working your way to the outer corner of the eye and up to the brow.
Do not apply retinol to your lash line, as this may cause irritation.
Don’t forget to follow up with a retinol eye cream at night, as retinol loses its effectiveness when exposed to UV rays.
Make sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher in the morning.
Is retinol good for eye bags?
Yes, it is ideal for combating eye bags, especially when the product combines retinol with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. After 3 to 4 weeks, you will notice noticeable changes: bags under the eyes are visibly reduced, the eye area is firmer and looks more radiant.
Retinol is particularly helpful to use around the eyes, as the eye area can appear sunken and dark circles become more noticeable. For some people, these are signs of lack of sleep or sleeping posture, for others, it has to do with their personality. Whatever the reason, you can combat them with the help of retinol.
Are retinol eye creams safe?
Yes, they are. Despite the fact that retinol is so effective, there are questions about whether it should be used on the sensitive eye area. Don’t worry, because retinol-rich eye creams are usually lower in content and are blended with hyaluronic acid or other moisturizing ingredients. The advantage is that hyaluronic acid has moisturizing properties, which means it can attract moisture and lock it in the surface layer of the skin, combating possible irritation and dryness symptoms.
Remember that when using retinol for the first time, you should introduce it into your daily routine slowly and in the right way. This should be done after performing a patch test and consulting a doctor to ensure that retinol is the best ingredient for you and your skin.
Does retinol make dark circles worse?
Yes, long-term overuse of retinol products around the eyes can make dark circles worse. This is the result of a side effect when applying retinol to the skin. These are usually red, scaly circles around the eyes that heal black. To avoid this, try to use retinol every other day, only at night, and don’t forget to use an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
What happens if you use retinol and go out in the sun?
Retinol is very sensitive to sunlight, so it loses its effectiveness and won’t work on the skin. All skin experts recommend using retinol at night so that the active ingredients can work undisturbed while you get your beauty sleep.
I hope you now have a better idea of how to use retinol around the eyes. If you have any skin care questions, don’t forget to find us on Instagram.
