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Lax Under-Eye Skin: My Inside-Out Approach That Actually Works

Under-eye laxity and crepy skin  is one of the most common concerns I see and something that's been a personal bug bear of mine.

In the following blog I'll talk you through how we can help it with an inside meets outside approach.  You'll aslo see the before and after images of following my own advice so far on my own personal journey with this common problem.

Thin, crepey skin and loss of firmness can make you look permanently tired, even when you feel well. This week, I want to walk you through my inside-out approach to improving lax under-eye skin safely, naturally and effectively.

Why Under-Eye Skin Becomes Lax

The skin under the eyes is around 40% thinner than the rest of the face. It has fewer oil glands, constant movement from smiling and squinting, and it’s one of the first areas to show collagen loss.

Did you know that blue and green eyes are naturally more sun sensitive, so you naturally squint more?

Add in:

  • Poor sleep

  • Stress

  • Hormonal changes

  • Dehydration

  • High salt intake

…and it’s often the first place we notice ageing.

When the issue is skin thinning and laxity, the answer isn’t simply “inject something”. We have to strengthen the tissue itself.

Step 1: Strengthen From Within

You will never be able to inject out poor lifestyle habits 

🥗 So Lets Look At Foods That Support Skin Firmness

To support collagen and elasticity, it's essential to prioritise:

  • Vitamin C-rich foods (berries, kiwi, citrus, broccoli, oranges and red peppers)

  • Good quality daily protein (eggs, salmon, beef, chicken & lentils)

  • Omega-3 fats (oily fish - salmon, mackerel & sardines walnuts, flaxseed)

  • Dark leafy greens & quality oils such as extra virgin olive oil.

  • Bone broth

Collagen is protein-based, so without adequate amino acids, we simply cannot build it.

🧂 Reduce Salt

Salt increases fluid retention and puffiness, particularly under the delicate eye area. Repeated swelling stretches already thin skin and can worsen laxity over time. As well as being aware of additional salt we add, check the food labels for high salt intake.

🍷 Alcohol & Smoking

Reducing alcohol and avoiding smoking is one of the most powerful steps in protecting under-eye skin. Alcohol dehydrates the body, increases puffiness, raises inflammation and contributes to sugar-related glycation, a process that stiffens and damages collagen, accelerating wrinkling and laxity. It also disrupts sleep.

Smoking is even more detrimental. It restricts blood flow, reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and significantly depletes nutrients such as Vitamin C, iron  and zinc, essential for collagen production and skin repair. Over time, this leads to thinner, duller, more fragile skin, particularly around the delicate eye area. 

😴 Sleep Is Non-Negotiable

Collagen repair happens at night.

Aim for at least 7–8 hours. Key reserach shows that being asleep by 10pm, is more beneficial than 8 hours post midnight. Also try

  • Elevating your head slightly

  • Try sleeping on a silk pillow

Silk reduces friction, minimises sleep creasing and is much gentler on delicate under-eye skin.

🧘♀️ Lower Stress

Chronic stress increases cortisol.

Cortisol breaks down collagen.

Even 10 minutes a day of walking, breathwork or gentle movement in a way that brings you joy makes a huge difference over time.

 Supplement Support

Supplements aren’t magic, nor do they compensate for a bad diet, but can be great as an added addition if they're pure and of quality to help support the bigger picture.

Some I commonly discuss in clinic:

Marine Collagen Peptides
May support elasticity and dermal thickness (5–10g daily, alongside Vitamin C). I love the Absolute Colagen Marine brand, which also contains Vitamin C.

Vitamin C (500–1000mg daily)
Essential for collagen synthesis.

Omega-3
Supports cell membrane health and reduces inflammation. 

Magnesium (glycinate in the evening)
Supports sleep and stress regulation. Helps the body / muscles to relax.

Zinc (15–30mg daily)
Supports collagen production, repair and immune balance. Particularly helpful during hormonal shifts. Always check long-term dosage with a healthcare professional. I personally like the Vimergy brand.

 Vitamin D3 + K2 (Combined)

Vitamin D3 plays a crucial role in: Supporting bone density, along with other important hormonal functions.

As we age, particularly through peri-menopause and menopause bone resorption increases, including in the facial skeleton and orbital (eye socket) area. Subtle bone loss contributes to under-eye hollowing and structural change over time.

While this won’t “tighten” under-eye skin directly, maintaining strong facial bone structure is an important part of long-term facial support and ageing well.

<span style="color:#d60386"><h2>Step 3: Regenerate the Skin Properly</h2></span>

When under-eye skin is thin and lax, my treatment of choice is polynucleotides.

If you’d like a deeper explanation of how they work, you can read more here

In simple terms, they:

  • Stimulate fibroblasts

  • Improve skin thickness

  • Increase elasticity

  • Strengthen fragile tissue

They don’t fill, they regenerate.

After 16 years running my clinic, I am far more interested in rebuilding skin quality than masking problems.

Typically, I recommend a course of three treatments, with maintenance thereafter. Results build gradually and look incredibly natural.

 Topical Support Matters

Professional treatments must be supported at home.

Recently, I’ve been undertaking a course of Polynucleotides from Nurse Pauline and consistently been using the following products, as well as my supplements:

And I can genuinely see improved firmness and brightness in the under-eye area.

Vitamin C protects from oxidative stress and brightens.

SPF prevents collagen breakdown.

Obagi Elastiderm contains Zinc, Copper and malonate to support healthy elastin. Malonic Acid that encourages skin renewal and blueberry and caffine extract to reduce puffiness.  

Without extra daily sunscreen, you undo your in-clinic investment.

Timeless Members receive between 10-15% discount off any stocked skincare range depending on the package they're on. 

If you're a Member simply check your % eligibility and select code

SKINCARE10 or SKINCARE15 AT checkout.

What Won’t Work (And Can Make It Worse)

This is important.

When the problem is lax, thinning skin, the wrong treatment can exaggerate it.

BOTOX®
Works on muscle, not skin. It does not tighten thin tissue and can  make  laxity alot more noticeable. If the eye is over relaxed in the crows feet area, it can make the wrinking under the eye worse too.

Skin Boosters (in very thin under-eye skin)
While excellent elsewhere, in fragile under-eyes they can increase puffiness or heaviness, causing the ski booster to pool under the eyes if the skin isn’t strong enough.

Overfilling with Dermal Filler
Trying to “fill” laxity often leads to distortion and heaviness. This area is usually a quality issue, not a volume issue. Filler works best under the eye for true hollowing and grooves.

Strength first. Volume only when truly indicated.

The Timeless Approach

Under-eye rejuvenation isn’t about chasing wrinkles.

It’s about:

  1. Reducing inflammation

  2. Supporting collagen from within

  3. Regenerating the skin properly

  4. Protecting it daily

  5. Avoiding quick fixes

Subtle.
Regenerative.
Elegant.

My Own Results So Far

These are some images before.  The skin very thin, crepy with lines and laxity.  When i pulled the skin it was slow to snap back.

These are some recent after images.  I still have one polynucleotide left to go, and i've stayed consostent with skincare etc.

Ready to Strengthen Your Under-Eye Skin?

If you’re noticing crepey texture or thinning under the eyes, let’s approach it properly.

Book a Consultation with myself or Pauline  and we’ll create a personalised inside-out plan tailored to your skin and stage of life.

 Consultation (£50 redeemable off treatments and skincare)

Let’s restore strength 

Lots of Love,
Gemma 

xx

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