Solved: your summer eye problems

From polished nails to smooth, tanned skin, we all want to look our best during the summer. Unfortunately, the warmer months can play havoc with our eyes. From dry eyes to preventing those pesky crow’s feet, Dermalogica retailer Pure Beauty shares their tips for combatting summer eye problems:

Dry eyes

Although Britain rarely experiences tropical temperatures, warmer weather can lead to some people suffering from dry eyes. Although many people associate the condition with wintry winds, it can occur in the summer when the heat or our increased exposure to air conditioning causes our eyes to become dehydrated.

Dry eyes occur when the oil in our tears is insufficient to lubricate the eyes. Symptoms can include a dry, gritty feeling when you blink, burning or itchy eyes, redness and light sensitivity. You may also experience watery eyes — a rather ironic response to dry eyes.

So what is the solution? Drinking more water will help you combat dehydration, while using eye drops will work to replenish the oil your eyes are lacking. Avoiding time spent in front of a computer screen can also help, as will minimising your expose to air conditioning.

Preventing wrinkles

When the summer sun is bright, we can find ourselves squinting. As the skin around the eyes is thin, the number of supportive structures within the skin— such as collagen and elastin — is limited. The sun’s rays can cause this collagen and elastin to break down, leading to the development of wrinkles.

To protect the skin around the eyes, wear a pair of sunglasses with between 99% and 100% protection against UVA and UVB light. A wraparound pair offers the greatest level of protection, as they consider rays reaching your eyes from multiple angles.

Itchy eyes

Pollen levels can rise in the summer, posing problems for hay fever suffers. As well as sneezing and a runny nose, symptoms can include itchy, watery eyes.

Hay fever allergy tablets can help to manage the symptoms of a reaction, while closing windows and wearing sunglasses will act as a physical barrier to the irritating pollen and dust particles. If you wear contact lenses, swap them for glasses when the pollen count gets too high.

Jake Holyoak Digital Marketing Executive Mediaworks