How to Tighten the Skin Under Your Eyes

By Kylie Nicholson

APRIL 27, 2023

The delicate skin under eyes is fundamentally different from the skin on the other parts of the body. Under eye skin is much thinner, allowing for damage to be more easily sustained and visible, especially as it relates to sagging. In addition, the skin in this area biologically ages at a faster rate. (1) Therefore, maintaining tight skin in the under eye area may require extra focus.

Because skin under the eyes is very thin, consisting of only about 3 layers in the stratum corneum as opposed to about 15 layers in other areas of the body, this area is much more delicate than others by design. The skin under the eyes is more easily damaged and will often show collagen loss more than other areas, which appears in skin as fine lines and sagging. (2,3) During the aging process, levels of collagen and elastin proteins naturally deplete in the skin, causing sagging and loss of firmness. (4) Due to the periocular skin naturally being thinner than other skin on the body, it ages at a faster rate. (5) In a study, skin samples from the under eye area were found to be biologically 22.25 years older than skin on other areas of the face. (1) This accelerated aging on under eye skin is a major catalyst for the loss of firmness in this area. Yes, it is possible to tighten crepey skin under the eyes even after it has undergone years of damage and collagen loss. While you may be interested in exploring a specific medical treatment or injectables like dermal filler, there are alternative remedies available as well as opportunities to optimize your lifestyle. Consider starting with the right topical skin care products, such as a peptide eye cream, in an effort to improve skin health, and subsequently its external appearance. Some tips to tighten under-eye skin without reconstructive surgery include:

• Apply cold compresses: Placing a cold compress, such as a cold spoon or chilled green tea bags, over your eyes can help reduce puffiness and promote skin tightening.
• Oral supplements/vitamins: Hyaluron supplements (containing hyaluronic acid) have been shown to increase skin moisture content when ingested. (7) Another study has shown that eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and dairy products was associated with less visible wrinkles in skin. (8)
• Limit sun exposure: The UV rays from the sun can account for up to 80% of the damage that skin incurs. (6) Using sunscreen daily is imperative for preventing further UV damage from occurring. (4)
• Stay hydrated: Insufficient water content in the body can lead to a sunken appearance under the eyes. As well as being beneficial for other bodily functions, drinking sufficient water can improve under-eye appearances. (2)
• Topical skin care products: Choosing topical supplements that promote skin cell regeneration and collagen production are most effective at restoring the under-eye area, as aging and subsequent depletion of proteins over time are some of the most common causes for under-eye appearance issues. (9)
Apply a caffeine-infused eye cream: Caffeine can help reduce swelling and tighten the skin under your eyes.
• Get enough sleep: If you’ve ever wondered how to brighten under eyes, sleep is essential. Getting enough restful sleep can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes.
• Use facial exercises: Certain facial exercises, such as eye massages and eyelid exercises, can help tone the muscles around your eyes and reduce sagging.

Remember, results may vary and it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new skincare or beauty routine. Ingredients that promote hydration, collagen production, and skin cell regeneration are highly beneficial for overall skin health, but especially in the under-eye area.

When choosing topical skin care products to help increase under eye skin firmness, you should keep your eye out for ingredients that have the following properties:

• Antioxidants: Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E help protect the skin from environmental factors that can cause damage and contribute to skin aging. (10)
• Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can help stimulate collagen production, improving skin elasticity and firmness. (12)
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can help hydrate and plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (11)
• Caffeine: Caffeine can help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes by constricting blood vessels. (10)
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, can help improve skin texture, reduce hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. (10)

Overall, when choosing topical skin care products to help increase under eye skin firmness, it is important to look for ingredients that are backed by scientific evidence and are suitable for your skin texture type. Just as important as it is to avoid fragrance in skin care, it is also crucial to use any and all skin care products as directed and on a consistent basis to achieve optimal results. One such option for a topical skin care product specifically designed for the under-eye area is OS-01 EYE. OS-01 EYE has been shown to increase a key marker associated with collagen production, COL1A1, and decrease a key marker associated with collagen degradation, MMP1, in ex vivo human eyelid skin models.In a 4-week consumer perception study, 67% of users who applied OS-01 EYE 2x daily for 4 weeks reported improvement in sagging under-eyes and eyelids.

• The delicate skin in the under-eye area is thinner and ages at a faster rate than skin on other areas of the body.
• It is possible to tighten under-eye skin without reconstructive surgery or dermal fillers. Alternative nonsurgical methods to explore include diet changes, topical products, and hydration.v
• OS-01 EYE is a skin care product designed specifically for the eye area that has shown significant improvements in sagging under-eyes and eyelids in a consumer study.

By Kylie Nicholson:Kylie is studying Biosystems engineering at the University of California, San Diego. She is passionate about scientific writing and women's health research.

Sources:

1. https://www.oneskin.co/blogs/reference-lab/the-science-behind-why-the-skin-around-the-eyes-ages-differently
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23128-dark-circles-under-eyes
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skincare/thin-skin-under-eyes#treatment
4. https://www.murad.com/skin-care-library/how-to-tighten-the-skin-under-my-eyes/
5. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(16)00242-5/fulltext
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4344124/
7. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-70
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267221014337
9. https://www.healthline.com/health/dark-circle-under-eyes#causes
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-care-ingredients-dictionary#EK
11. https://www.oneskin.co/blogs/reference-lab/what-does-hyaluronic-acid-do-for-your-skin
12. https://www.dermstore.com/blog/top_ten/what-peptides-do-for-skin/