Issues with my eye area - skincare tips needed!

[divinededacende]

Hey all, I'm 38M and developing a new issue in my eye area that's really bothering me.

So, I have slight under eye wrinkles and the beginnings of light crows feet. Nothing ridiculous and probably good for my age as I have a fairly decent and consistent skincare routine. I know skincare works best when it's used preventatively so I started getting more serious about it 5 years ago.

The problem is that a new line is developing under my eye which looks like it could end up quite deep and pronounced. It runs from the inner corner of my eyes and moves down quite steeply to my cheeks. It's definitely disproportionate in severity to any other lines I have - or has the potential to be. I noticed recently that it was appearing some mornings then disappearing during the day but now it's slowly becoming more visible at other times depending on how I move my face. I wouldn't be as bothered if it was following the line of my eyes like the others, it's just the steep drop downward that sets it apart and makes it look more unsightly.

My skincare regime is (alternating between):

Morning 1:
Cleansing wipe
Garden of Wisdom 23% Vitamin C
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion
Aquaphor under eyes to seal in

Morning 2:
Cleansing Wipe
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion
Aquaphor under eyes to seal in

Evening 1:
CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Gel
Hada Labo Anti-Ageing Super Hydrator (Hyaluronic Acid)
CeraVe Moisurising Lotion
Aquaphor under eyes to seal in

Evening 2:
CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser
Hada Labo Anti-Ageing Super Hydrator (Hyaluronic Acid)
Tretinoin with Azelaic Acid
Cera Ve Moisturing Lotion
Aquaphor under eyes to seal in

I know a wipe isn't as good as a cleanse but time is an issue in the morning and I'm not sure this alone would have a massive impact here.

Sometimes I substitute my moisturiser for La Roche Posay Cicaplast if I've over stimulated my skin - and I try to use it at least once or twice a week regardless.

I wear BeautyPie Factor 50 SPF on my face when out in the sun.

I have combination skin and no major issues other than being prone to cystic acne which hasn't appeared since I started a good regime. Also some hyperpigmentation on my cheeks but the Vitamin C banished that.

I also drink a lot of water so my base hydration levels are pretty good.

I've heard from a few good sources that eye creams can be an unnecessary step if you have the right actives in your base skincare regime which is why I added the Aquaphor to seal in the good stuff under the eye. I know eye pads can also be a false economy as the results are generally temporary and, again, aren't a substitute for good actives in your base routine.

I know skincare isn't witchcraft and it can't work miracles but I'd really like to hear if anyone's had success with a similar issue and if there are products that really worked for you? Any advice welcome.

If your line is deep then I doubt skincare can do much. I had a very deep frown line which skincare softened especially when I used tret but last year I got Botox and it's disappeared. I don't have it anywhere else, I just wanted that one line to disappear. I'm not saying you need Botox but maybe just be realistic with what skincare can do.

I'm mid 50s and am getting lines under my eyes, I don't want to try Botox there as I think at my age we're meant to have lines and don't want to look unnatural. When I get my next facial treatment I'm getting a ha booster injected which will soften and deeply hydrate apparently! We shall see.

Notice you don't wear sunscreen every day but as you use tret you really need to. Try finding one that you like and use instead of moisturiser. The cerave one is nice. I really like the evy mousse.

Also stop using wipes, just have a quick wash, use micellar water or just splash your face with water. Wipes are awful for your skin

As above, if you use Tretinoin you need to use SPF50 every day, not just when you go out in the sun otherwise you will prematurely age and be more susceptible to pigmentation, UVA rays reach indoors at all times.

Also agree with pp about wipes, it really isn't significantly time saving except in your head, a quick rinse with water will be more effective than a tissue that just shoves around the dirt on your face and leaves behind harsh surfactants. Micellar water would also need to be rinsed off because of the surfactants it leaves on the skin, honestly, a pump of cerave hydrating cleanser and a rinse is done in seconds.

Do you take the Tretinoin up to the eyes? As that and sunscreen (plus always wearing sunglasses) are really the best way of preventing lines in that area, I know not everyone is comfortable using tret around the eyes so you could also consider Verso super eye serum (not the cream), beauty of Joseon revive eye serum or Dr Dennis Gross triple correction eye serum.

I wouldn't recommend Botox near the eyes personally because of the higher risk of complications in that area.

Oh and just to add, the shape of the line, it might be related to how you sleep. It could just be that your face gets creased while sleeping and as you age that tends to hang on longer (although that doesn't explain it appearing at other times). There's special beauty pillows and silk pillow cases can help to an extent with this but I have no personal experience with them.