How to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles: 10 Proven Ways and Beauty Tips

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Under-eye wrinkles, also known as ‘crow’s feet’ or ‘laugh lines,’ are a rite of passage we’d all prefer to pass on.

Though having wrinkles under your eyes is often a sign you’ve led a life full of laughter, many just consider them a sign of old age and panic at the first sign of fine lines.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce or get rid of those wrinkles and fine lines under your eyes.

Before we get to that, let’s first touch on some of the common causes of under-eye wrinkles.

Why Do I Have Wrinkles Under My Eyes?

First wrinkles

The skin around the eyes is fragile and delicate, meaning it ages much faster than some of the other parts of your face.

Though under-eye wrinkles could be signs of aging and are often genetic, like dark circles, there are other contributing lifestyle factors, some of which are, fortunately, manageable and avoidable.

  • Repetitive Expressions and Movements – Facial expressions such as frowning, furrowing your brow, squinting, and smiling can cause fine lines and wrinkles to develop on your face and under your eyes. Your sleeping position can also cause wrinkles if that position pushes your facial muscles up against your pillow. This tends to worsen as you age because collagen production slows down, and your skin slowly loses its ability to bounce back to its original shape.
  • UV Radiation – UV rays from sunless tanning beds, along with general sun damage and environmental stressors, can break down your skin’s collagen, which is the main protein found in your skin tissue. Pollution has this effect too.
  • Smoking – Smoking and other harmful negative lifestyle choices are also a leading cause of the development of dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. Smoking exposes your skin to additional oxidative stress, damaging elastin and collagen while constricting blood vessels and obstructing circulation.
woman smoke a cigarette

Why Are Under-Eye Wrinkles a Problem?

When it comes down to it, under-eye wrinkles aren’t actually a problem so to speak. They’re not going to cause your health any harm. That said, they can really age your appearance, which no one wants.

A few wrinkles here and there may not seem like a big deal, but those initial creases will soon deepen and spread if you don’t do anything about them.

What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Under-Eye Wrinkles?

Developing wrinkles under your eyes is a normal part of growing older. Even so, if you are self-conscious about them, there are various home remedies, skin care products, anti-aging treatments, and cosmetic procedures that can help you get rid of them.

There are also a few preventative methods to help you manage and prevent fine lines and wrinkles before they become an issue.

The Best Treatment for Under-Eye Wrinkles? Limit Sun Exposure & Always Wear SPF

As ultraviolet sun rays are a common cause of deep wrinkles, limiting your time in the sun and protecting yourself from harmful UV rays can help you prevent them and reduce the negative side effects of excess sun exposure. There are various ways you can do this.

Consider always wearing SPF of 30 and above whenever you venture outside, even if the day is not particularly sunny. Make sure that your sunscreen is a broad-spectrum one – this will protect you from both UVA rays and UVB rays.

If you know you will be exposed to direct sunlight for several hours, remember your sunglasses and wear a broad-rimmed hat.

Pretty woman on the beach

Maintain a Healthy Diet to Naturally Treat Aging Skin

Many skin care products include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E among their ingredients. Adding foods rich in these vitamins to your diet will boost cell turnover and help your skin form new healthy cells.

Learning to eat well will ultimately help you stimulate collagen and elastin production as well. Foods such as pumpkin, carrots, and colorful citrus fruits are all excellent options, as are those containing healthy fats.

Stay Hydrated to Reduce Creases Around Your Eyes

Water is vital for the health of your skin. If your skin is properly hydrated, it will look supple and smooth. While wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes are often caused by aging, they can sometimes result from dehydration.

Consider buying a refillable bottle and keep it on you at all times to help you drink enough water. You could add a few cucumber or lemon slices or try green tea if you’re not a fan of plain water.

Spritzing your face frequently throughout the day is another way to hydrate and prevent wrinkles from forming. While you could do so with an atomizer with pure water, opting for a rosewater blend offers extra hydration.

Promote Collagen Production Overnight by Establishing Healthy Sleeping Habits

Even though most of us know how essential getting a good night’s sleep is, healthy sleeping habits are one of the most challenging things to maintain. As you sleep, your body repairs itself.

If you don’t get the seven or eight hours of sleep you need, your skin could pay the price. Lack of sleep can cause sagging skin, creases, wrinkles, and fine lines over time.

pretty woman is about to sleep on her bed

Sleeping on your side can also contribute to fine lines as the repetitive muscle motions and repeated pressure break down collagen in your skin. Consider purchasing a special pillow to ensure you sleep on your back.

You can also try switching to a smooth silk or satin pillow to help reduce creasing when you sleep on your side.

Start Using Topical Creams & Serums Containing Retinol (Vitamin A)

One of the best skincare ingredients for getting rid of under-eye wrinkles is retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative.

Retinol can stimulate your skin cells’ metabolism, encourage collagen production, and make your skin look smooth, plump, and more even-toned, providing desired anti-aging effects.

Creams are great, but it’s also important to use a serum for under-eye wrinkles if you want to treat your skin on a deeper level. Applying one containing retinol will visibly reduce the appearance of creases, brown spots, large pores, and sun damage.

Apply Hyaluronic Acid Daily in the Form of an Eye Cream to Smooth Away Deep Lines

A good eye cream will not only get rid of the under-eye wrinkles you currently have, but it will also prevent them from reappearing. On top of getting rid of under-eye wrinkles, the eye cream you buy should also soothe and hydrate the skin around your eyes.

We’ve already spoken about retinol, but hyaluronic acid is another must-have to fight and prevent under-eye wrinkles. It’s fantastic for hydrating and plumping up skin cells, therefore reducing fine lines.

This is why it’s used in many wrinkle treatments – you won’t have a difficult time finding an eye cream that contains this humectant, that’s for sure!

Young Woman Applies Anti-Aging Cream Looking At Mirror

Find a Good Vitamin C Moisturizer for the Area Under Your Eyes

Though some eye creams contain moisturizing ingredients, an eye cream alone will not be enough to effectively get rid of wrinkles around the eye area because they are not as hydrating on their own.

Since the under-eye area contains fewer oil glands, it’s common to experience dehydrated skin here, which only makes wrinkles appear deeper.

So, here’s one of our top tips to prevent under-eye wrinkles: invest in a moisturizer and slather on SPF. We’ve already covered how it’s important to wear sunscreen, so let’s talk moisturizers.

We’d recommend getting one containing a couple of forms of vitamin C – this antioxidant is known for how effectively it smooths and tightens the skin. You’ll notice before and after effects just a few weeks after you start using vitamin C regularly.

Try Professional Treatments (Chemical Peels, Dermal Fillers, Botox Injections & LED Light Therapy)

Makeup is great, but if you’re tired of temporarily hiding your wrinkles and would like to remove them permanently, you’ll need to turn to a board-certified dermatologist.

There are several different types of treatments for under-eye wrinkles available, but some of the best are:

  • Chemical peels – these ‘peel’ away the top, wrinkled layer of skin, leaving your fresh and smooth skin cells to show through
  • Dermal fillers – dermal fillers come in a few different forms, but hyaluronic acid fillers are usually the preferred type among those who want to fight fine lines around the eyes. They add volume to the skin, therefore plumping up wrinkles from within
  • Botox – these injections are very effective on fine lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions
  • LED light therapy – LED technology does wonderful things for the skin. Not only will it reduce fine lines around the eyes, but it’ll also prevent future wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin, tighten sagging skin, and treat dark spots
micro needling skin operation

At-Home Facial Massages Are One of the Best Skin Care Techniques for Under Eye Wrinkles

If you’d prefer to treat your skin naturally & fast, you could address it by having a dermatologist prescribe certain facial massages and facial exercises. They feel relaxing and go a long way in helping stimulate blood flow and reduce puffiness in the eye area.

When performing the massages, take additional precautions not to tug and pull the delicate skin.

Apply a small amount of cream or coconut, olive, or argan oil to your pinky or ring finger. Start at the outer corner of your eye and gently work your way to your eye’s inner corner along the orbital bone, repeating this movement as much as you see fit.

While being gentle, tap the cream or oil into your skin. Right before you reach the inner core, double-tap to enhance product penetration and pump away the lymphatic fluid.

Apply Face Masks to Fix Wrinkles and Eye Bags

Many face masks are designed to treat under eye wrinkles, restore, balance, and nourish your skin. You could try sheet, cream, or homemade masks. Cream masks hydrate your skin’s superficial layers.

Sheet masks, on the other hand, are fibers infused with a serum and achieve deeper penetration.

Alternatively, you could try DIY face masks. For example, you can make a simple face mask using egg whites, an ingredient that contains protein and collagen. Whisk your egg whites until they are frothy and apply them to your eye area using an upward motion.

Let it dry for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

FAQs

Q: What are the lines under my eyes?

Those lines under your eyes are the start of wrinkles. They begin as faint fine lines but then deepen over time.

Q: At what age do under-eye wrinkles appear?

Some people notice fine lines under eyes in 20s, while others only see them in their mid-30’s. This is why it’s important to start using eye cream early on in life.

Q: Can you get rid of deep wrinkles without surgery?

Yes, but you’ll need to commit to following all of the lifestyle and skincare tips we’ve discussed above.

Conclusion

While under-eye wrinkles aren’t necessarily a problem, nobody wants to look older than they really are. Fortunately, when it comes to understanding how to get rid of under-eye wrinkles, you have plenty of options.

Follow our advice to put together your own unique treatment plan – you’ll be experiencing smoother and firmer skin around your eyes in no time!

Avatar for Alina Jumabhoy
About Alina Jumabhoy

With almost 10 years of experience writing for the skincare industry, Alina brings her unique perspective into all of the in-depth reviews and articles she writes.