The Tricky Tear Trough: A Review of Topical Cosmeceuticals for Periorbital Skin Rejuvenation

There is a growing demand for noninvasive anti-aging products for which the periorbital region serves as a critical aspect of facial rejuvenation. This article reviews a multitude of cosmeceutical ingredients that have good scientific data, specifically for the periorbital region. Topical treatment options have exponentially grown from extensively studied retinoids, to recently developed technology, such as growth factors and peptides. With a focus on the periorbital anatomy, the authors review the mechanisms of action of topical cosmeceutical ingredients, effectiveness of ingredient penetration through the stratum corneum, and validity of clinical trials.Due to the Baby Boomer’s continual pursuit to maintain a youthful appearance, there is a new paradigm in treating the signs of aging. The periorbital region serves as a window to a person’s chronological age. Aging photodamaged skin demonstrates epidermal atrophy, pigmentary changes, and the formation of dynamic and resting rhytides. Patients are commonly concerned about the appearance of dark circles, crow’s feet, eyelid bags, dry skin, thin skin, and just “looking tired.” They often seek advice about which treatments are most effective for periorbital rejuvenation. Although aging is inevitable, there are certain features of the periorbital skin that can be addressed to minimize the aged appearance.There are many effective treatment options including surgical measures and nonsurgical modalities, such as fillers, neuromodulators, lasers, and light technology, but these are costly and have the potential for greater side effects. Therefore, a minimally invasive treatment, such as a topical cosmeceutical, is often the desired first line of defense.A search for “crow’s feet” on Amazon.com revealed 2,471 products. The upper limit of the price range was more than $1,000 for a 15mL eye serum claiming to “eliminate wrinkles, reduce dark circles, and hydrate the skin around the eyes.” This helps elucidate the demand for products to address these common concerns in the periorbital region.What follows is a review of the common ingredients in topical cosmeceuticals utilized for periorbital rejuvenation.