The skin underneath the eyes is particularly delicate and the first to show the signs of aging. Likewise, it shows whatever might be going on in our lives, from insomnia to medical conditions. But what to do if the skin is sensitive too? How can you alleviate the discomfort of sensitive eyes? What kind of eye creams should you look for?

The under-eye area

The skin underneath the eyes is thinner than the skin elsewhere on the body. It will lose elasticity quicker. Also, the veins and capillaries are more prominent. In some people, it results in dark circles. Furthermore, because there are no oil glands underneath the eyes, the skin is more prone to dryness and dehydration (even if you are oily or combination). Also, there is less fat in this area which is another factor that makes the skin more wrinkly.

What to do if you have sensitive eyes?

If you have a persistent problem with your eyes, it is best to consult your GP or a specialist.

The causes of sensitive eyes are numerous.

• It could be down to the eye strain of looking at the screen all day long. For that one, the solution is relatively simple. Limit screen time, and it should go away on its own.
• Or, you can have dry eyes syndrome, which means your tear ducts don’t produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes. They will feel irritated, scratchy, or you might experience a burning sensation. For dry eyes, you can use artificial tears to help ease the discomfort.
• If you are one of the “lucky” people with hay fever and allergies, your eyes might get red, irritated, or watery. Often, these can be treated with antihistamines and eye drops. Cold compresses can bring some relief, and it bears repeating it is best not to scratch or touch the eyes.

What to do if you have a sensitive under-eye area?

The sensitive under-eye area is tricky. It means you need to avoid creams that can trigger irritation or inflammation. But that means different things to different people.

• The impulse is to use eye creams that will tackle specific concerns you have for your under-eye area. It means using actives like retinol, vitamin C, or Alpha-hydroxy acids. But these types of creams can irritate the skin further. Instead, look for creams with skin-replenishing ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, and Omega fatty acids. These not only moisturise and soothe the skin but help restore the moisture barrier. Likewise, ingredients like aloe vera or green tea extract can ease inflammation.
• If your cleanser irritates or dries out your eyes and skin, chuck it in the bin. Cleansing oil, balms, or creams might be a better fit.
• Hypoallergenic is a term that doesn’t mean anything. But when you are looking for bland products that won’t irritate the skin further, it can come in handy.
• Avoid fragrance and drying alcohols in eye products. No worries, we haven’t suddenly joined the “clean beauty” brigade. The fact remains fragrance and alcohol can be irritating for some, especially in the eye area.
• Avoid tugging or rubbing your eyes.

Do you have a problem with under-eye bags or puffiness? Learn more about how you can treat each one since the two are not the same.

Do you think you need a dedicated eye cream, or do you just take your serums/moisturisers all the way to the eye and are done with it? While we all know no magic cream will make us look 20 again, sometimes eye creams can make us look more… well… human.

If your eyes aren’t sensitive and you just want a good eye product to tackle your skin concerns, read more on which ingredients you should look for.