Under Eye Wrinkles: Causes, Prevention & Treatment

Have you lately started noticing fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes? Rest your worries, under eye wrinkles are common and they appear due to your advancing age, lifestyle choices, and hereditary factors.

“Valli - wrinkles, are most common in Pitta dominant prakriti. High salt diet is a dominant factor in developing wrinkles in early ages,” says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

On a brighter side, you can get rid of them with effective home remedies, facial exercises, and Ayurvedic remedies.

Scroll down to know more about what causes under eye wrinkles and how you can prevent them.

What Causes Under Eye Wrinkles?

One of the common causes of wrinkles and fine lines around your eye is aging. There are, however, few other causative agents which may increase your likelihood of experiencing wrinkles. These include:

A. UV Radiation

The adverse UV A and B rays damage the collagen in the skin, which is the structural protein of the skin tissues. It is primarily responsible for firm and supple skin. The harmful ultraviolet rays are also emitted from tanning beds, apart from sunlight. Continued exposure to these rays may make your skin susceptible to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots [1].

B. Smoking

Several studies indicate that apart from advancing age, one of the influential triggers for the early appearance of wrinkles in men and women is smoking. The smoke emitted from burning tobacco makes your skin susceptible to excessive oxidative stress, deteriorating its elastin and collagen. Additionally, smoking narrows down the blood capillaries in your face, blocking the normal blood circulation and depriving essential vitamins in your skin.

C. Normal Facial Movements

Facial expressions and movements such as deeply furrowing brows, frowning, smiling, and laughing can cause wrinkles and fine lines to appear [2].

Regular sleeping habits may also lead to fine lines and wrinkles when the muscles of your face are rubbed against your pillow in a similar pattern while sleeping. With advancing age, your skin’s natural firmness begins to lose.

Types Of Under Eye Wrinkles

Several individuals experience either one or another form of fine lines and wrinkles beneath their eyes. Each one of them appear due to various causes.

A. Wrinkle Folds

With advancing age, you may begin to experience sagging skin which in turn leads to the development of wrinkle folds.

Wrinkle folds appear in between the areas of your mouth and nose. In some cases, it may appear even below your eyes.

B. Dynamic Wrinkles

As you get older, the repetitive muscle contraction underneath your eye’s skin may lead to the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles usually appear when the muscles beneath your eyes are active. For example, when you are smiling or laughing.

The wrinkles usually appear on your forehead and in between your eyebrows. One of the best examples of dynamic wrinkles is crow’s feet. This appears in and around the outer areas of your eyes.

C. Static Wrinkles

Static wrinkles develop when your skin is damaged due to exposure to extreme sunlight, pollution, stress, and various other factors. These wrinkles are prominent even when your facial muscles are relaxed and inactive. Dynamic wrinkles can slowly begin to appear as static wrinkles.

Poor nutrition, smoking, and sun damage may cause static wrinkles.

How To Get Rid Of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes?

A. Home Remedies

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is renowned for its hydrating and anti-blemish properties. Several studies suggest that freshly, extracted aloe vera gel can effectively minimize wrinkles and boost the collagen production in your skin, while providing intense hydration [3].

How To Use:

• Apply freshly, extracted aloe vera gel onto the affected areas, especially on the skin underneath your eyes.
• Gently massage it for five minutes before washing off with cold water.

2. Banana

Bananas are enriched with essential vitamins and natural oils which enhance your skin health.

How To Use:

• Mash one banana properly to form a thick and smooth paste.
• Apply the banana pulp onto the affected areas.
• Allow it to dry for 15 minutes before washing off the mask with lukewarm water.

3. Egg White

Egg white is a potent ingredient which boosts the collagen production in your skin as well as minimizes the crease depth of under eye wrinkles.

How To Use:

• Take one egg white into a mixing bowl and stir it properly.
• Apply the egg white mix onto the affected areas and allow it dry completely.
• Rinse off the egg white mask with cold water.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which helps in the production of collagen in your skin. It also helps to fight against the free radicals present in the UV rays thereby protecting your skin from sun damage [4]. Vitamin C also minimizes inflammation and keeps your skin hydrated.

How To Use:

• Apply an herbal Vitamin C serum onto the affected areas for reducing wrinkles.
• Alternatively, apply a mix of a few lemon drops and honey onto the affected areas. Leave it to dry for 10 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Important Note:

Please do a small patch test to determine whether your skin is sensitive to lemon before applying any citrus-based mask or serum.

6. Coconut Oil And Turmeric

Turmeric is known for its complexion-boosting, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Whereas, coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil which soothes, hydrates, and moisturizes your skin.

How To Use:

• Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil along with a small pinch of turmeric powder.
• Apply the fine mixture beneath your eyes and leave it to dry for 15 minutes.
• Rinse it with cold water.
• Alternatively, you may also use almond oil as a substitute for coconut oil.

7. Yogurt

Yogurt is an excellent hydrating and soothing ingredient, which helps in reducing wrinkles and tan from sun exposure.

How To Use:

• Take a teaspoon of honey, rose water and a tablespoon of plain yogurt.
• Mix all the ingredients till it forms a thick consistency.
• Apply the mask on your face, especially underneath your eyes.
• Leave it to dry for 15 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.

B. Simple & Easy Facial Exercises

Exercise 1: Build Awareness

Before you start with any eye exercise, it is important to focus on your forehead region. It is also known as the largest muscle of your face. The muscle in your forehead stretches till the back of your head. Hence, it is imperative that you know how to use your forehead as a support while performing any eye exercise.

• Position both your hands on your forehead and gently push against your forehead while simultaneously pulling it up slightly. This action helps in opening up your eyes as all the facial muscles are interconnected and work in tandem.
• Next, try to focus and identify where the ring muscles are located around your eye area. They are located within the half an inch circumference around your eyes.
• While you are alternatively pushing and pulling on your forehead, visualize the ring muscles and open up your eyes consciously.
• Hold the position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same for three sets for best results.

Exercise 2: Tone And Brighten Your Eyes

• Similar to the first exercise, imagine as if you are looking at a far-placed object in bright light which makes you squeeze your eye muscles closely.
• This step ensures that you are voluntarily strengthening and training the ring muscles of your eyes.
• Hold the position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same for three sets for best results.

Exercise 3: Minimize Crow's Feet

• Place your middle finger on your cheekbone and your index finger near the outer section of your eyebrow.
• Now, stretch this area between your cheekbone and the outer edge of your eyebrow slightly.
• Ensure that you are not frowning your eyebrows while doing this exercise. The movement is very subtle and gentle.
• Now, repeat the movement on both sides, move your elbows out, and squeeze your eyes closely.
• Hold the position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same for three sets for best results

Exercise 4: Form Symmetrical Eyes

• Position your index finger on the outer area of your eye and your middle finger on the inner corner.
• The key is to relax your forehead and keep your mouth slightly open.
• Now, look in the upward direction with the help of your eyes only. Ensure that you don’t tilt or move your head.
• Hold the position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same for three sets for best results.

Exercise 5: Minimize Under Eye Skin Folds

• Position your index fingers under the eyes and your thumbs near your ears.
• Now, slightly open your mouth and look in the upwards direction using your eyes only. Ensure that you don’t tilt or move your head.
• Hold the position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same for three sets for best results.

C. Ayurvedic Remedies

The skin around your eyes is extremely vulnerable and fragile in nature. It contains sebaceous glands which produce natural oils in your skin, keeping it soft, hydrated, and supple. With advancing age, your skin’s natural ability to produce and secrete sebum decreases. This leads to the appearance of wrinkles and darkening of the skin around your eyes.

With age-old, proven Ayurvedic remedies and treatments, you can effectively prevent the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles around your eyes.

• Start with gently massaging the skin around your eyes by using a mild, natural toner. This helps in cleansing and hydrating as well as preparing your skin for the following steps. Cucumber water/extract and rose water are excellent toners. You may also use an herbal toner.
• In Ayurveda, Tarpana is considered as one of the most effective eye care therapies. It involves the preparation of a thick dough with ghee, boiled barley flour and urad dal. The dough is then kept in a circular shape around your eyes. This is followed by gently pouring ghee inside the circular dough. The frequency and duration of the therapy is decided based on the intensity of wrinkles and dark circles.
• The last stage of the eyecare therapy is known as Snigdh Nasya. In this step, 2-3 drops of pure cow milk ghee are gently poured into your nostrils. This helps in hydrating your skin and minimizing dark circles and fine lines.

As per Ayurveda, puffy eyes, premature undereye wrinkles, and dark circles develop due to the dominant Pitta and Vata doshas in your system. Additionally, protein deficiency, sinusitis, lack of sleep, and stress may also cause tired, puffy eyes [5]. Hence, it is important to ensure that you make the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to prevent under eye wrinkles.

D. Medical Treatments

According to medical science, facial treatments and cosmetic procedures may help in treating under eye wrinkles and fine lines. These treatments should be done by a dermatologist only.

1. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can be used to eliminate accumulated dead skin cells and boost the growth of new skin cells. These peels can’t reduce deep under eye wrinkles or firm sagging skin, however; they help in minimizing fine lines around your eyes.

2. Fillers

Dermal fillers are directly injected into your skin around or beneath the eyes to provide a ‘fuller’ appearance. This is a temporary treatment which usually lasts for 6 months to 2 years. Juvederm and Restylane are two such popular treatments in this segment.

3. Microdermabrasion

It is a minimally invasive procedure that helps in exfoliating your skin. For this treatment, a diamond-tip tool is commonly used to exfoliate the sensitive areas such as your eyes. The treatment removes dead skin cells and enhances circulation in the areas wherein pressure is applied.

4. Lasers

In recent times, lasers have become hugely popular for treating under eye wrinkles and fine lines. There are various types of laser therapies available for reducing wrinkles. One such type is fractional lasers which create microscopic holes into your skin to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen.

5. Microneedling

It is a popular treatment for minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In the treatment, tiny needles create microscopic holes in your skin. This is followed by the generous application of serum or cream onto your skin. Once your skin heals post treatment, collagen production is stimulated, thus improving the overall texture of your skin and improving fine lines.

6. Botox

A little dose of Botox is directly injected into the area under your eyes, which helps in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing the targeted muscles. Most individuals begin to observe the results within 3-7 days and a visible reduction of undereye wrinkles for at least 3-4 months.

Important Note:

Always consult a knowledgeable and certified dermatologist before undergoing any cosmetic procedure and facial treatment. It is always advisable to choose natural, mild and effective treatment for managing and preventing under eye wrinkles.

How To Prevent Under Eye Wrinkles? 

A few simple yet effective home remedies along with skincare products may help in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines beneath your eyes. These include:

1. Facial Exercises For Tightening Your Skin

Specific facial exercises and yoga asanas have shown beneficial results in tightening your skin under the eyes. They also help in improved circulation in and around your eyes, keeping your skin healthy.

2. Treat Your Allergies

An allergic reaction may often result in inflamed skin in and around your eyes. Also, they can make your eyes red and watery. Repetitive scratching or rubbing may also aggravate your allergic reaction, causing dry skin. Hence, it is imperative to treat allergy symptoms on time with effective natural remedies to avoid any further damage.

3. Gently Exfoliate

Gently exfoliate your under eye skin to remove dead skin cells and boost new cell production. Remember to use skincare products that are specially prepared for exfoliating and massaging the skin under your eyes.

4. Moisturize With An Eye Serum Or Cream

Less hydration may increase the likelihood of wrinkles and fine lines under your eyes. Always look for active ingredients which are known to boost new cell production and circulation. Hyaluronic acid, peptides and retinol (which is a sub-product of Vitamin A) are excellent ingredients which prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

Serums and cooling gels are considered effective under eye skincare products which help in reducing fine lines.

Vedix Tip: Remember that using the same moisturizer which you use on your body or face may may inflame or irritate your skin.

Body lotions and facial creams are thick in their consistency, which may make it difficult to absorb for the skin under your eyes. Hence, it is imperative to use under eye skincare products which are lightweight, natural and mild.

5. Avoid Sun Exposure

You can effectively prevent fine lines and wrinkles from appearing under your eyes by protecting yourself from extreme sunlight. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or above when you step outside of your home. Follow the steps even when the weather outside is cloudy or cool.

If you have to be under direct sunlight for a while, then opt for a wide-brimmed hat or scarf which protects your skin along with sunglasses. These physical measures help you avoid repetitively squinting, which may lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

6. Follow A Healthy Diet

Vitamin E, A and C are essential vitamins which play an important role in skincare and health. By following a diet rich in these essential vitamins, you will reap numerous health and skin benefits. One such benefit is formation of new and healthy skin cells. Several studies have shown that there is a strong link between youthful, firm and supple skin and a healthy, nutritious diet. Include pumpkin, carrots, citrus fruits, and green, leafy vegetables in your daily diet.

At What Age Do Under Eye Wrinkles Appear?

As per numerous skin experts and dermatologists, the normal level of collagen (the protein present in your skin responsible for keeping it firm and supple) begins to decrease as early as your teen years. However, most women begin to observe the appearance of sagging skin and fine lines in their late 20s.

Genetics play a key role in how you age. But how you take care of your skin since your early teens plays an important role in how you can alter the hereditary trait.

In your 30s, even though you will retain your youthful, supple and soft skin, this is the period when you may notice the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, including under eye wrinkles.

You will start noticing crow’s feet in and around your eyes. Additionally, any previous skin damage due to sun exposure may cause small brown spots to form on your face. You may also notice dilated blood capillaries on your face, especially surrounding your nose.

Tips To Reduce Under Eye Wrinkles

1. Avoid Exposure To Sunlight

UV A and B rays are the primary cause of wrinkles and fine lines. Hence, it is best to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, especially from 10 AM to 3 PM. Before stepping out in sunlight, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 and above which protects your skin from both UV A and B rays.

2. Use A Protective & Nourishing Eye Cream

The skin in and around your eyes is vulnerable and delicate. Hence, it definitely needs extra care and nourishment than the other parts of your face. Using a mild and natural eye cream or serum with anti-ageing active ingredients such as Creatine and Hyaluronic Acid benefits your skin by minimizing under eye wrinkles and fine lines as well as boost your skin’s cell renewal.

3. Regularly Visit An Ophthalmologist

If you are facing trouble with your short or long-distance vision, it is important to get your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. Repetitive squinting may form fine lines and wrinkles around your eye with passing time. Avoid scrunching your eyes to prevent wrinkles.

4. Include Omega-3 Fatty Acid In Your Diet

Combining your skincare regime with a nutritious diet enriched with skin-friendly ingredients helps you to prevent under eye wrinkles and fine lines. One such ingredient is Omega-3 fatty acid which nourishes your skin, keeping it supple and youthful. Cold-water fish like salmon are wonderful sources of Omega-3. Other natural sources include vegetable oils, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

5. Remove Your Eye Makeup

Heavy eye makeup, when left overnight, may lead to under eye wrinkles and fine lines. Use a gentle eye makeup remover which protects and hydrates the sensitive skin in and around your eyes. Remember to remove your eye makeup before hitting your bed at night.

6. Apply A Protective & Nourishing Day Cream

Choose a lightweight day cream which has the SPF protection and anti-ageing active ingredients such as Q10, Creatine, or Hyaluronic Acid. A suitable day cream will help to minimize visible wrinkles and prevent appearance of new wrinkles.

The Last Word

While fine lines and under eye wrinkles are usually harmless, taking effective preventive measures may ensure that you don’t have them early. Additionally, it is beneficial to keep your under eye area hydrated and moisturized. By following healthy lifestyle choices and a nutritious diet, you can flaunt a flawless, youthful and radiant skin - without wrinkles and fine lines marring your natural beauty!

Know Your Dosha Now