Are you struggling with wrinkles under the eyes? Well, don’t worry because wrinkles start showing up as you age, and it’s an entirely ordinary matter. Here, we will look into some of the factors that cause wrinkles under the eyes and ways to treat these wrinkles.

 First, we will look into the different kinds of wrinkles and home remedies to treat wrinkles under the eyes. There are different types of wrinkles, and wrinkles occur because of various causes.

• Dynamic Wrinkles: Over time, the repeated contraction of muscles underneath the skin can cause dynamic wrinkles. These tend to show up when the muscles are in use — for example, when someone smiles, dynamic wrinkles typically develop between the eyebrows and the forehead. An example of dynamic wrinkles is crow’s feet, which means wrinkles near the outer corners of the eyes.

• Static Wrinkles: Skin damage causes static wrinkles, and it even remains visible when the facial muscles are at rest. In time, dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles. Smoking, sun rays, and Poor nutrition also contribute to static wrinkles.
• Wrinkle Folds: The wrinkle folds are age-related sagging of facial muscles and usually develop between the nose and mouth and occur around the eyes.

How Do You Prevent Wrinkle Under Your Eyes?

The skin around the eyes could indicate early signs of aging. The area below your eyeball’s outer eyeball is thin skin and has many vascular channels. Environmental factors such as sun exposure and genetics contribute to determining when fine lines and eye wrinkles begin appearing on a person’s face.

Usually, the reason for wrinkles is simply aging. If you feel ashamed about it, well, it is possible to solve it with the help of several prevention methods and home remedies.

Why You Have Wrinkle Under The Eyes and Crow’s Feet

Here we will look into some factors that cause wrinkle under the eyes. As you get older, the skin starts to lose collagen, which is a very ordinary event. This effect is most noticeable on the delicate skin around your eyes, resulting in the initial appearance of fine lines or wrinkles on your face. Loss of flexibility in the skin around the eyes can lead to puffiness, among other undesirable traits. Here are eleven factors that cause wrinkles under the eyes.

• Sun Exposure/ UV rays: Excessive sun exposure has several negative consequences. Sunburn is another side effect of sun exposure, which is essentially a slight irritation of the skin. Sunburns can cause your skin to peel and blister if they are severe. In essence, the sun’s light causes your skin cells to die.

The sun causes the bottom layers of the skin to thicken, stopping the elastin and collagen protein components from executing their function of skin renewal. Additionally, it is not uncommon to see someone squinting in the sun. These squints, combined with skin thickening, are some of the reasons you have wrinkles under the eyes due to UV exposure.

• Smoking: Smoking obstructs the flow of blood vessels; this leads to reducing the flow of proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients to the dermis. Also, smoking causes your skin to be subjected to increased oxidative stress, damaging collagen and elastin production.
• Sleeping Positions: Your sleeping positions can also cause wrinkle under the eyes. Whether you are sleeping on your tummy or your side, your face becomes squished against the pillow. This puts pressure on the skin around the eyes and leads to lines and wrinkles.

• Adequate sleep: Sleep is crucial because, according to studies, insomnia or disrupted sleep is one of the primary causes of wrinkles beneath the eyes. It is suggested that you get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. An adequate amount of sleep can prevent under-eye wrinkles and reduce stress.

• Rubbing Eyes: Continuous rubbing of the area near your eyes leads to the breakdown of elastin and the formation of lines.
• Drinking Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most common causes of wrinkle under the eyes. Because our skin stores 90% of the water we consume, alcohol dehydrates our bodies, especially our skin. Alcohol contains a lot of sugar, especially if you’re drinking cocktails.

• Facial expressions: When one smiles or tries to see something, a groove under the skin forms. Since collagen production reduces with age, the collagen around the eye gradually loses the capacity to form. Thus creases begin to include in the eye area, resulting in lines and wrinkle under the eyes.
• Consumption of Caffeine: Coffee has its health benefits, but when consumed in large quantities, it can cause wrinkles under your eyes because it elevates your cortisol level. It dries out your skin and increases the chance of getting wrinkle under the eyes. Also, if you are consuming milk and sugar with your coffee, it causes inflammation. ( Inflammation causes wrinkles )

• Healthy Diet: A healthy diet is vital for your body, especially a diet rich in nutrients and fiber, which help heal itself. When you eat junk food, it has high sugar, refined flour, which are inflammatory to your body and cause wrinkles. A healthy diet helps to stimulate collagen production.

• Never forget SPF: Make sure you apply SPF daily after leaving your home. Pair your sunscreen with a good pair of protective sunglasses that protects the area of your eyeball from UV damage while still preventing unnecessary glare. The lack of collagen caused by sun damage can lead to wrinkles and discoloration, so always wear SPF whenever you go into the sun. For proper protection, wear sunglasses to avoid UV rays.

Plastic Surgeon & Medical Director Speaks on Under Eye Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles occur due to repetitive facial movements and expressions such as smiling, squinting, or frowning. The skin under the eyes is particularly susceptible due to its thinness and constant movement.

Over time, these repetitive motions lead to the formation of lines and creases when the skin is in motion.

Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are visible regardless of facial expression and result from the natural aging process. They arise due to a loss of skin elasticity, decreased collagen production, and skin thinning.

These factors contribute to the permanent lines and sagging that appear under the eyes.

Prolonged sun exposure accelerates the aging process by breaking down collagen and causing photoaging, leading to increased skin laxity and wrinkles that are more pronounced and permanent.

Smoking accelerates the aging process by impairing blood flow to the skin and contributing to oxidative stress. Smokers often develop deeper and more pronounced wrinkles under the eyes compared to non-smokers.

Certain sleep positions, particularly sleeping on your side or stomach, can contribute to the formation of wrinkles under the eyes as these positions can cause the skin to fold and crease.

Sleeping on your back is generally recommended to minimize the pressure on the face and reduce the risk of wrinkle formation.

Treatment options for under-eye wrinkles vary based on their severity, the individual’s skin type, and their personal preferences, but include:

1. Topical Treatments:

• Retinoids: These vitamin A derivatives stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
• Antioxidants: Products containing vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid can combat free radical damage and promote a healthier skin barrier.

2. Injectable Fillers:

• Hyaluronic Acid: These can add volume to the under-eye area, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and hollows.
• Biostimulators: These allow the body to produce new or more collagen.

3. Laser Treatments:

• Fractional Laser Resurfacing: This stimulates collagen production by causing controlled micro-damages to the skin, which can help in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

4. Plastic Surgery:

• Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): This involves removing excess skin, fat, and muscle from the under-eye area to reduce bagginess and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
• Midface Lift: This lifts the cheeks and reduces the depth of the under-eye wrinkles.

David Hill, MD, Plastic Surgeon & Medical Director, Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery

Home Remedies For Under-Eye Wrinkle And Dark Circles

Here are eight home remedies that will help in treating under-eye wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and treat fine lines

• Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is known for its healing properties. Apply aloe vera gel under the eyes for 5 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. Using the aloe vera gel increases collagen in your skin while keeping it hydrated.

• Coffee and cocoa face pack: Mix equal amounts of coffee, cocoa powder, and honey. Apply it for 15 minutes, and then wash it with cold water every day. Using the face pack daily helps the skin absorb the antioxidants ( coffee and cocoa powder are rich in antioxidants) and reduces fine lines.
• Turmeric and Coconut Oil face pack: Mix one teaspoon of coconut oil with a pinch of turmeric and apply it on your face for 20 minutes every day. This is optional, but you can add almond oil to it. Coconut oil contains vitamin E, helps maintain moisture in the skin, and prevents eye wrinkles.
• Cucumber: A fun fact about cucumber is that it has a wonderful cooling effect on the eyes and helps ease the blood flow around the eyes. Why? Poor blood flow can often make them look puffy and dark. Cucumber is loaded with antioxidants and protects the skin, improving collagen production.

• Yogurt face pack: Fun fact about yogurt: it contains a rich source of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). This helps exfoliate the skin and promotes the expansion of healthy new tissue from underneath. Mix the yogurt and honey with water or rose water and apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes.
• Olive Oil: Massage some olive oil on your face for 10 minutes. The fun fact is that olive oil is packed with vitamins E and K and helps in reducing fine lines and eye wrinkles.

• Egg Whites: Egg white helps to produce collagen and minimize the depth of fine lines. If you’re allergic to eggs, stay away from them. Whisk together some egg white in a bowl and apply the mixture near the eyes. Allow it to dry, and rinse it off with cold water.

Don’t throw away the egg yolk. Instead, you can make a face mask for dry skin. Add a teaspoon of Honey and almond oil and apply the mixture for 15 minutes before rinsing it with warm water.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps treat crow’s feet, as it helps in smoothing and preventing fine lines and helps in treating acne scars and dark marks.
• Apply Face Masks: A face mask gives a soft, moist skin. Also, remember to allocate your eyes rest for good eyesight.

NOTE: This is not a home remedy, but make sure to apply sunscreen and facial messages as it helps fight fine lines and puffiness. Specific facial exercises have been proven to tighten the skin underneath your eyes. There is no reason why these exercises are detrimental, but research on facial yoga, as some like to call it, is still minimal. Make sure to exfoliate and dry brush your face increase blood circulation and prevents wrinkles.

Holistic Youthful Skin Care

For a holistic approach to youthful skin, it’s important to address your whole self: physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Physically, it’s important to take care of your body. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, which can help you maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

You should also get enough quality and quantity of sleep, which helps your body and skin to refresh and repair. Of course, using proper sun protection like sunscreen, and protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure are important as well.

I also recommend yoga poses that stimulate circulation throughout the body, especially to your face. Facial exercises, in particular, can promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, ensuring you get the nutrients you need, as well as improve muscle tone in your face.

Diet is another important factor. A healthy, nutritious diet can support a youthful appearance, especially if you incorporate vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to improve the health of your skin.

Don’t forget to support your mental and emotional health too. Yoga techniques like asana (yoga poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation can help reduce stress, which has a significant impact on wrinkles and your skin’s appearance.

Guided meditation can help calm your mind and relax you. Becoming more present and aware of yourself can also help to put things into perspective, address stress when it arises, and connect you to the world around you.

Brandt Passalacqua, Founder, Director, and Lead Teacher, Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy

Home Remedies vs. Professional Treatments for Under-Eye Wrinkles

Dr. Kristopher M. Day, MD, FACS, a Plastic Surgeon at Kris Day Plastic Surgery, provides a medical perspective on treating under-eye wrinkles and the role of home remedies:

“As a plastic surgeon with experience in aesthetic procedures, I’ve encountered numerous inquiries about the effectiveness of home remedies for under-eye wrinkles.

While surgical and non-surgical treatments in a clinical setting offer proven results, understanding the role of home remedies is beneficial for those exploring all avenues for skin care.

Home remedies such as aloe vera, cucumber slices, and coffee or cocoa face packs have hydrating and antioxidant properties.

Aloe vera, for instance, is widely recognized for its hydrating effects, which can temporarily improve the appearance of under-eye wrinkles by moisturizing the skin.

Its gel contains a plethora of antioxidants, including beta carotene, vitamin C, and E, which can help improve the skin’s natural firmness and keep it hydrated.

Cucumber slices, revered for their soothing and cooling effects, can reduce puffiness around the eyes by constricting blood vessels, thanks to their high water content and ascorbic acid.

However, it’s crucial to note that while these home remedies can offer temporary relief and minor improvements, they do not address the underlying causes of under-eye wrinkles, such as collagen breakdown, loss of fat and elasticity, or damage from UV exposure.

For more pronounced and longer-lasting results, professional treatments like dermal fillers, laser therapy, or even blepharoplasty might be recommended, depending on the individual’s condition and goals.

From my observation, integrating a holistic approach that combines professional treatments with a healthy lifestyle and proper skin care, including the application of scientifically formulated products like retinoids and peptides, tends to offer the most comprehensive results.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in skin health; thus, adopting a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids could complement any external treatments for under-eye wrinkles.

While exploring home remedies can be a good start for those hesitant about more invasive procedures, manage expectations and understand their limitations.

For those looking for more significant improvements, consulting with a healthcare professional can provide insights into more effective, longer-lasting treatment options.”

8 Eyes Cream For Wrinkle Under The Eyes

When you sleep, the skin rejuvenates itself, repairing everyday damage and increasing collagen production. Invest in a highly recommended face serum or cream after you wash your face.

While buying a product, you need to look for these ingredients -Hyaluronic acid, Peptides, Retinol, Sunscreen, and Antioxidants. Retinol is a trusty eye cream that stimulates the metabolism of skin cells and increases the creation of cellular collagen – thus producing a brightening complexion with an attractive and youthful appearance.

The more collagen is in your face; the thinner your lines will be. Only be careful because retinol can be very harsh on the eye area, but only 4-5 times per day to avoid irritation and dryness in an attempt to prevent more crow’s feet.

These are some eye creams that board-certified dermatologists recommend for wrinkle under the eyes.

• Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Eye Gel-Cream: The Neutrogena hydro-boost eye gel cream is gentle under your eyes, and it also contains hyaluronic acid that helps to plump and moisturize the skin. Make sure to dab it under the eye gently.

• Neutrogena Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream: The Neutrogena Wrinkle Repair Cream contains retinol and hyaluronic acid that helps strengthen and moisturize the skin. This lightweight cream contains Retinol SA, Glucose Complex, and Hyaluronic Acid, which hydrates and renews the appearance of skin throughout the day. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, age spots, crow’s feet and wrinkle under the eyes. Make sure to apply the cream under-eye the area gently.

• RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Eye Cream: This cream contains retinol, which helps organize the collagen in your skin to reduce fine lines and uneven texture. Gently apply the cream under-eye the area.

• Black Tea Firming and De-Puffing Eye Cream: The cream has antioxidants that help combat line lines, dryness, dark circles. But this product is expensive.

• L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Cream: This cream helps fight fine lines and helps with brightening, hydrating, and rejuvenating tired-looking eyes. Also, it contains hydrating glycerin, soothing soy, and de-puffing caffeine.

• Cetaphil Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum: The Cetaphil deep hydration cream helps with wrinkles around the eyes; it helps with reducing the appearance of puffiness, fine lines and eye wrinkles.

• Olay Ultimate Cream for Wrinkles, Puffy Eyes, + Dark Circles: This cream contains color-correcting technology that brightens the skin and reduces wrinkle under the eyes and puffiness. Gently apply the cream near the outer corner and then apply it in the inner corner as well.

• CeraVe Eye Repair Cream: This cream can be used by all skin types and reduces dark circles, eye puffiness, and wrinkles, also, for smoothing and brightening the delicate skin around the eyes.

Cosmetic Procedures For Wrinkles Under The Eyes

• Botox: Botox relaxes the muscle that makes you squint, which then smoothens the wrinkles and fine lines. But using botox is temporary, and the wrinkle under the eyes can come in 3-4 months.
• Fillers: Why should you use fillers? Because Hyaluronic acid-based fillers smooth the fine lines, dark circles and help lift the hollows under the eyes. Like Botox, Fillers are also temporary and can last for six months to two years.
• Chemical Peels: Chemical peels do not treat crow’s feet, but help reduce the appearance of wrinkles as it removes the dead cells. Also, when the chemical peel removes the dead skin under the eyes, it reveals a smoother and new layer of skin.
• Laser Treatments: Laser treatment is a more popular treatment for fine lines and wrinkle under the eyes. What laser treatment does is that it breaks down the epidermis of the top layer of skin, and then new collagen grows in the next layer.
• Microneedling: This procedure involves a hand-held skin roller that has pointy needles on the surface of your skin. It penetrates the top layer of the skin and creates small holes in the skin, activating its healing process. These small holes stimulate collagen within the epidermis layer and break a number of the blood vessels directly under the skin surface. It helps to increase the collagen, improves the fine line and texture of the skin.
• Thermage skin tightening treatment: Thermage skin tightening treatment is a popular non-surgical treatment that improves the appearance of the upper eyelid and lower eyelid. Even if you are tired, it gives you a natural look. It tightens existing collagen through radiofrequency energy.

• Celluma Led Light Therapy uses light energy to repair skin and muscle tissues and effectively treats inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Moreover, it stimulates cellular turnover, improves circulation, lymphatic activity, and the growth of new collagen and elastin. Also, Celluma led light therapy ideal anti-aging treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation problems, rough and textured skin, and other effects of sun damage, as well as mild scarring.
• Microdermabrasion: This procedure does not use chemicals so, you do not need to worry about the side effects of the surgery. What this procedure does is that it introduces the outer layer of skin to tiny particles and these particles remove dead skin cells.
• Seal in Hydration with an oil: A hydrated eye area, on the other hand, will look healthier, younger, and plumper, and not dry, and dehydrated skin is more prone to succumbing to fine lines and wrinkle under the eyes. What it does is that the oil will prevent any water from evaporating, locking in moisture and plumpness.

Preventing and Treating Under-Eye Wrinkles

Cory Bovenzi, MD, a Facial Plastic Surgeon at Smith Cosmetic Surgery, offers insights into skin aging and the typical age for under-eye wrinkles and recommends skincare strategies:

“Wrinkles around the eyes often start to show in your late 20s and early 30s. They show up earlier if you are a smoker, have had a large amount of cumulative sun exposure, or genetically are predisposed to develop wrinkles in this area.

The best ways to prevent these wrinkles from forming are to make sure to use an SPF30 sunscreen daily, moisturize often, and use a retinol serum regularly.

From a lifestyle standpoint, it is also important to stay hydrated and to avoid large sudden weight fluctuations. Once you start to see these wrinkles start to form, that is when Botox can be helpful to prevent this kind of wrinkles from etching in.

Starting Botox before these lines are fully formed can be done with a light dose and, when done consistently, can prevent those areas from ever showing those signs of aging.

Around the eye, Botox is best used for the crow’s feet area. Botox can also help if you have what they call a “jelly roll” of muscle bunching below your lower eyelashes.

For fine lines and thin skin in the undereye area causing wrinkles, a laser resurfacing procedure can do a great job at removing these wrinkles and also helps increase the production of collagen and elastin in the area.

If you start to see hollow under your eyes, this can be from the gradual loss of your youthful fat reserves that sit in your cheeks. This type of issue can be improved with cheek and tear-through filler or with fat transfer injections.

Overall, the eyes age in very specific and unique ways, and there is not a one-size-fits-all option after you start seeing signs of aging. The best way to prevent these signs of aging is to take care of your skin as part of your daily routine.”

From What Age Does Wrinkle Under The Eyes Start To Appear?

Static wrinkles are usually seen on your face when the surface of your face has unreliable muscle motion. Dynamic wrinkles on the face can appear during young adulthood when they first appear in the late 20s. Static wrinkles can appear sometime between 20 and 70.

For some people, eye wrinkles can be seen in their 20s, especially for people who spend much of their time outdoors. When a person moves their face muscles when they laugh, smile, or move, their eyes create wrinkles.

Final Note

You need to keep in mind that wrinkles are visible signs of the aging process. A healthy lifestyle will help you reduce the appearance of wrinkles under the eyes. Using home remedies or eye cream can help prevent fine lines temporarily better, results see a dermatologist.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Saket Kumar