I look so old! What to do about my eyes?

[TickledOnion]

Sitting in the hairdressers today staring at my face in the mirror with a mask on, I realised that my eyes really age me. I’ve never used any anti-aging product and don’t have a clue where to start.
Please help.

This is the point I was trying to make—subtle use of Botox and filler can be such a gift. I started using when my confidence was at an all-time low and I don’t think I overdo. I had not read the awful posts before I posted. OP does have beautiful eyes and an expressive face. I just try to tell my experience because I was so screwed on this and think people should be more open. I don’t see it very different from hair color at this point.

@MaMelon

Again, fine if that’s the route that the OP wants to go down, the look she wants to achieve, the money she wants to spend and the commitment to injections she wants to make - but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a 40-something woman with gorgeous eyes having some wrinkles around them.

👏👏👏

Well OP I'm the same age as you, I don't smoke, and I have always looked after my skin, but I would certainly swap my under eye area for yours!

(I thought it wasn't too bad till I saw some of the pictures here then had another look at myself 🤣)

OP you do have really beautiful, gentle eyes, I agree with a Pp who said they are emotionally expressive.
You have two fine expression lines under each eye that are to do with eye shape and the way you smile, that is fine !
Use an eye cream that suits your skin just to keep the area supple and stop it getting too dry. I have tried a few recently from cheap (M&S) to a bit more expensive (Drunk Elephant and Clarins) and I didn’t notice any difference between them at all. The Clarins had a nice texture but so does the M&S . A little bit of Rose hip seed oil is nice at bedtime all over your face to sooth and plump, I find that if I put it on my face but not actually right by my eyes enough seeps in .

Have you tried perfect eyes?

You have lovely eyes OP, my guess is your lines are genetic though.

I posted on here a while back as I think I look older in a mask as my eyes have aged fastest. Others were saying they thought they looked younger as their jowls were concealed. So I’d say don’t judge yourself on just half your face. Or on a starey photo as that’s not how people experience you.

I think it's useful to mention Botox and fillers, because that's what a lot of people are using, and if we just skirt round the issue by mentioning good eye creams and retinol and acids and whatever, and the OP buys them and it only has a minimal effect, she may wonder why she still has these lines. Personally, reading mumsnet S&B forum has helped me understand this and I've stopped hopefully buying various lotions and potions in the expectation that they'd magically reverse the two frown lines rapidly developing between my eyes. And yes, I got Botox. And my only issue with it is that when I try to evade certain activities because I'm too tired, when previously people would agree that I looked tired and should go home and rest, now they look skeptical.

Also, when I got Botox, they asked me if I wanted to look completely frozen, or remain dynamic. So those frozen-looking people must have actually requested it. It's not some accident. You don't come out looking frozen due to mishap.

Falafell, oily skin doesn't line as much as dry skin, also I too would like to see a non make up, non blurred photo of your eyes. I'm 42 and I'm interested in how unlined yours are.

OP you don't look old at all! But a good eye cream and face cream really helps dehydration. Also facial suncream e.g. Roche Posay. When I don't use good skincare I can really see the difference in my skin. M&S Formula is a good less expensive brand. Very moisturising!

I think just do what make you happy op, which could be investing in eye creams, Botox, make up or giving it all a try or just enjoying your nice eyes..

When I look in the mirror I try to 'see' the best me, so concentrate on the shape of my eyes, eye colour etc, rather than the wrinkles. I am trying to practice self-love (although I got called a 'nasty woman' by a MNetter this week for saying that wearing make up is, for me, an act of self love. And apparently I am responsible for encouraging eating disorders in young girls, so I am lethal and should be feared!).

And Op, I think you have lovely eyes also, and I honestly think your skin is just a bit dehydrated or your eyes are irritated by something. I would honestly start with something very soothing. No acids or anything as you might be super sensitive like myself. The skin around my eyes is very reactive. Apparently Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion is very good for sensitive skin.

OP, stop being hard on yourself. It's the mask thing making it seem worse. Your whole face will be balanced. Someone on here recommended Nivea energy eye q10 cream. Like a sheep I bought it and it is actually pretty good and won't break the bank. Use sparingly.

Frownies. I know they look like a waste of money but I've been using them for years and have no lines between my eyes.

If you also have your eyebrows done and use a moisturising product the difference should be noticeable

@SnoopyMcLoopy

CeraVe eye cream. It's about £12 and is amazing. I'm 54 and have been using it for a couple of months and definitely notice a big difference 😊

I was just about to say the same thing. I’ve been using this cream daily and I’m really pleased with it. It’s inexpensive too. So many eye creams have made me puffy in the past.

FWIW, I don’t think your eye area looks particularly aged either. I also use YSL Touché Eclat in number 1. Just a bit on the inner corner and a few dots underneath that I join together; it helps brighten a bit and is good at softening the shadows.