Retinol: The One Ingredient Dermatologists Actually Agree On
Retinol is vitamin A, and it works by accelerating cell turnover, which means fine lines, crow's feet, and the crepe-texture that forms under Indian eyes after years of squinting in bright sun all respond to it. The skin around the eye is thinner than anywhere else on the face, so concentration matters. Look for 0.025% to 0.05% in an eye cream specifically formulated for the periorbital area. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology confirmed that retinol applied to the eye area over 12 weeks significantly reduced fine lines without the irritation levels seen with higher-concentration formulas. For Indian skin tones, retinol also addresses post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the dark circles that aren't from tiredness but from melanin deposits that sit in the dermis. Start three nights a week, always after moisturiser, never before sun exposure.
