There’s nothing wrong with wrinkles, but let’s be honest — we all wish we could be wrinkle-free forever. After all, who wouldn’t want to have smooth, flawless skin for eternity? Unfortunately, wrinkles are inevitable. Even if some under eye wrinkles are barely visible, there are others that can be very obvious and can affect your confidence.
While you can’t avoid them, you can slow down the aging process of your skin. And by the time your under eye wrinkles do make their debut, at least they won’t be that deep-set. In this post, we’ll discuss how to reduce the appearance of under eye lines and stop them from forming in the first place.
What Causes Under Eye Wrinkles?
Understanding what causes under eye wrinkles can help you pinpoint how you can prevent and reduce folds around your eyes. If you see fine lines, the culprit can be one (or more) of the following:
Aging
Skin wrinkles with age. Since under eye skin is thinner than the rest of your face, the signs of aging tend to appear around this area first. The reason for this is that, as you grow older, the production of collagen (an essential protein that supports your facial structure) naturally starts to slow down. When this happens, your skin loses its elasticity, resulting in the appearance of wrinkle folds.
Sun exposure
Unprotected exposure to the sun can lead to the appearance of under eye lines. This is because ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down the collagen in your skin, leading to a slowdown in the production of new cells. Over time, the sun damage will become visible as fine lines and wrinkles.
Sleeping position
How you sleep plays a role in the formation of under eye lines. Pressing the side of your face onto your pillow can cause the skin around your eyes to appear creased. If you do this every day, you’ll eventually find imperfections on your face in the form of under eye lines.
Facial expressions
You probably don’t think about your facial expressions, but did you know that they can contribute to under eye wrinkles? Try frowning in front of a mirror — have fine lines formed around and under your eyes? Repeating certain facial expressions can cause these lines to become permanent, especially if your skin doesn’t produce sufficient collagen to maintain its structure.
Rubbing the eyes
This motion may seem harmless, but it can contribute to under eye lines. Whenever you rub your eyes, you end up stretching the skin and speeding up its aging process. The more you do it, the worse your wrinkles will become, so do yourself a favor and try not to rub your eyes!
Dead skin cells
Imperfections will become more pronounced because of dead skin cells, which can build up on any part of your body including your face. Dead skin cells also block your skin from absorbing products such as anti-aging creams.
Dehydration
Lack of water is a common culprit for many skin concerns like wrinkles, dryness, and under eye bags. This is because when you don’t drink enough water, your under eye concerns become more pronounced. Fortunately, under eye wrinkles due to dehydration are only temporary — the solution is to drink more water to make them less apparent.
Smoking
Nicotine can decrease blood flow, which in turn hinders the body’s ability to drive nutrients into the dermis. Furthermore, the smoke released into the air carries many chemicals that can break down the skin’s building blocks. Constant squinting to keep smoke away from the eyes can also cause wrinkles and crow’s feet.
How To Prevent Under Eye Wrinkles
While fine lines typically appear later in life, it’s possible to get them when you’re in your twenties. Follow these preventive tips to stop under eye lines from showing up too soon:
Shield your eyes from the sun
Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, your lower eyelids’ worst enemy. Consider wearing sunglasses that will fully shield your eyes from the sun. Avoid wearing trendy specs like the “skinny sunglasses” that were popular in the ‘90s, as these won’t provide sufficient protection to your under eye region. You can also don a wide-brimmed hat to keep you from narrowing your eyes when the sun is too bright.
Be gentle when removing makeup
It would be better to use a cleansing balm. Just gently massage it onto your under eye region to break down your makeup, such as your eye shadow and mascara. You can also soak a cotton pad in makeup remover, place it on top of closed eyes, and wait for it to “melt” the makeup on its own.
Apply eye products with the least amount of pressure
When applying eye products such as creams, serums, etc., always apply the least amount of pressure. Use your ring finger to pat the product on your skin since it’s the weakest of your fingers. If your skincare products come with spoons, spatulas, or other applicators, do not use them as they’re harder to control. You may accidentally stretch your skin, making it more prone to under eye lines.
Sleep on silk pillows
Years of sleeping on your side can lead to folds in your skin, resulting in the formation of under eye lines. Sleeping on your back would be the most ideal, but if you prefer to sleep on your side, at least switch to silk sheets and pillows as these can reduce friction. If you’re not a fan of how silk feels on your skin, wear a silk sleep mask instead.
Get prescription glasses
How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Wrinkles
If under eye wrinkles have already sunken into your skin, don’t worry — you can still do some damage control.
It’s worth mentioning that you won’t be able to get rid of wrinkles for good because your skin is bound to undergo constant change. Not even cosmetic treatments such as fillers can fully remove wrinkles. What you can do is reduce their appearance. Here’s how to do that:
Sunscreen
While you can use one sunscreen for your whole face, you can opt for an eye cream with SPF to make sure it’s specifically formulated for your delicate under eye skin.
Moisturizer
One of the best ways to minimize under eye wrinkles is by using a moisturizer. Anti-aging products with ingredients such as retinol, glycolic acid, and peptides are great at promoting cell growth. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use a facial moisturizer for your delicate under eye skin as it may cause irritation. Instead, use an eye cream that’s formulated for that specific eye area.
Exfoliant
Retinol
Since retinol isn’t as concentrated as retinoids, it is more suitable for most skin types. Do note that if you add retinol to your routine, you’ll need to apply sunscreen during the day as it can make your skin more sensitive to UV. (Wearing sunscreen is already non-negotiable, anyway, so it won’t be a problem.)
Eye cream
- Peptides. These are amino acids that signal your body to build more collagen, and in turn, reduce the appearance of under eye lines. One study has shown that peptides can improve the appearance of wrinkles within two weeks.
- Hyaluronic acid. Unarguably one of the best anti-aging ingredients out there, this substance immediately plumps the skin by boosting its moisture levels.
- Niacinamide. This vitamin B3 compound can dial down the appearance of under eye wrinkles by locking in moisture. It can also help build keratin to support the skin’s structure.
- Vitamin C. Topical vitamin C is known to increase collagen production, as well as fight free radicals from the sun’s rays.
- Green tea. It contains polyphenols, compounds that can reduce the appearance of fine lines.
You can use other ingredients to treat under eye lines. Get to know your ingredients so you’ll know what to look for when shopping for skincare products.
Microdermabrasion
This is a non-invasive procedure that involves removing the topmost layer of the skin. While it can’t get rid of deep wrinkles, it can reduce the appearance of superficial under eye lines. During the procedure, the doctor will use an applicator to “sand” and suction away your dead skin cells. Not only does this remove the debris, but it also promotes blood circulation in the area where pressure was applied.
Microneedling
Fillers
This cosmetic treatment involves inserting derma fillers into the under eye area to plump it up. However, do note that derma fillers are only temporary and will typically last a couple of years, depending on the kind of filler used. This procedure can and should only be done by a board-certified surgeon.
Botox
Slow Down The Signs Of Skin Aging With PROVEN
At PROVEN Skincare, we don’t believe in beauty standards, but we do believe that every woman deserves to feel beautiful. If treating your wrinkles is what will make you feel good, then go for it! With our Personalized Eye Cream Duo, you can slow down the signs of aging and mitigate the damage they can do. Or, if under eye wrinkles have already set in, you can use our eye cream to bring back the bright-eyed glow that your 20-year-old self once had!
Since we want you to feel 10/10, we made sure that the Eye Cream Duo can also combat other concerns such as eye bags and under eye circles. Aside from its anti-aging properties, it’s designed to protect your skin from free radicals, deliver much-needed moisture, smoothen your skin tone, and more.
While you’re at it, why not create a complete skincare system, as well? We’ve developed the AI-powered Skin Quiz, a tried and tested way to find out what works for your skin. With your answers, we can formulate a whole line of skincare products that suit your skin type and target the rest of your skin concerns.
Take the Skin Quiz today to find a formula that works for you — it only takes three minutes!
