How to Prevent Wrinkles Around the Eyes

Caring for Your Skin

Use an anti-wrinkle eye cream daily to help prevent wrinkles. Dry skin makes wrinkles more apparent, so eye cream can keep wrinkles from becoming visible. Additionally, anti-wrinkle creams contain ingredients that might fight wrinkles. Dab the cream under your eyes twice a day in the morning and evening after you wash your face. Look for a cream that contains one or more of the following ingredients to help prevent wrinkles: Retinol Vitamin C Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) Coenzyme Q10 Peptides Tea extracts Grape seed extract Niacinamide

Apply an SPF moisturizer onto your face and around your eyes daily. UV rays from the sun damage your skin and cause wrinkles. Make a habit of applying a moisturizer that contains SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from UV rays. Dab the moisturizer around your eyes every morning after you wash and moisturize your face. If you’re sweating a lot or swimming, reapply your sunscreen or SPF moisturizer every 2 hours.

Don’t pull your eye taut during application if you wear eye makeup. While tugging on your eyes makes it easier to apply your makeup, it might also cause eye wrinkles. Be careful when applying your eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara. Don’t tug on your skin or pull your skin taut. Instead, be gentle and lightly touch the skin around your eyes. Take your time to apply your makeup so it goes on evenly without you having to pull on your skin.

Remove any eye makeup you wear gently at the end of the day. The skin around your eyes is really delicate, so rubbing it can cause damage. Apply the eye makeup remover to a soft cotton swab, then hold it over your eyelid for several seconds. Then, gently wipe the makeup away. Give the eye makeup time to dissolve before you wipe your eye clean.

Avoid touching the skin around your eyes more than necessary. Since the skin around your eyes is so delicate, touching it can lead to wrinkles. Do your best to keep your fingers away from your eyes. This can help you delay the appearance of wrinkles around your eyes. For instance, don’t rub your eyes when you wake up. Similarly, when you cry, dab away the tears but don't wipe your eye area. If you have allergies that make your eyes itch, take steps to get that under control. The skin under your eyes is very fragile, and it can be damaged if your allergies make you rub your eyes frequently.

Making Lifestyle Changes

Wear 100% UV blocking sunglasses when you're outdoors during the daytime. Sun damage is the leading cause of wrinkles, so protect your eyes from the sun. Look for a pair of sunglasses with big lenses and a label that says they’re 100% UV blocking. Then, wear your sunglasses every day to protect your eyes. Get multiple pairs of sunglasses so you’re never without them. For instance, keep a pair in your car and a pair in your bag.

Block out the sun with a wide-brim hat when you’re outdoors. While sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes, they may not be enough to prevent wrinkles. Protect your eyes further by wearing a hat while you’re outdoors for any length of time. Choose a hat that looks great with your outfit so you’re stylish and protected. Make sure your hat casts shade over your eyes to block out the sunlight. For instance, wear a floppy hat or a baseball cap while you’re at the beach.

Get annual eye exams so you won’t squint to see. Squinting to see can create fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. Go to your eye doctor annually to get your eyes checked. If you need corrective lenses, get new glasses or contacts each time you get a new prescription. If you notice that you’re squinting a lot, go to the doctor even if it’s not time for your next exam. This can save you extra wrinkles.

Eat 5-9 servings of fresh produce to get nutrients that protect your skin. Vitamins and minerals provide you with nutrients that keep your skin healthy. Fruits and veggies are a great source of vitamins and nutrients, as well as antioxidants that support your skin. Consume fruits and veggies at each meal to help you meet your nutritional needs. For example, make an egg white and veggie omelet for breakfast with a side of fruit. For lunch, eat a green salad and apple slices. At snack time, enjoy raw carrots and broccoli with ranch dip. At dinner, eat 2 sides of veggies with your entree.Variation: Ask your doctor if you can take a multivitamin to boost your nutrient intake. Generally, it’s better to get your vitamins and minerals from food. However, a vitamin can supplement your intake.

Sleep on your back so your face isn’t pressed into your pillow. When you sleep on your side or stomach, you press your face into your pillow. The pressure from your pillow creates premature wrinkles. Do your best to stay on your back while you’re sleeping to help prevent eye wrinkles. Try tucking pillows or folded blankets around yourself to keep you from rolling over. Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to dramatically improve the appearance of the skin under your eyes. Tip: Use a silk pillowcase, especially if you have trouble staying on your back. Silk is gentler on your skin so it causes less skin damage.

Stop smoking if you do. You probably know that smoking is bad for you, but it’s also harmful to your skin. It tightens your blood vessels, which harms your collagen and elastin. This causes premature wrinkling and sagging. Ask your doctor about using quitting aids to help you stop smoking for good. Quitting is really hard, so try quitting aids like gum, patches, or prescription medication to help you. Additionally, attend a support group for extra help.

Learn exercises to help you manage stress. Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness practices can all help you deal with stress when it arises in your life. Since stress can play a factor in the appearance of under eye wrinkles, coping with it better might help prevent those wrinkles from forming in the first place.

Seeing a Dermatologist

Visit a dermatologist to get a personalized skin plan. Your skin type and tone will determine how your eye wrinkles form and how products work for you. Dry skin can wrinkle faster than oily skin, and lighter skin may be more prone to wrinkles than darker skin. Talk to a dermatologist to get a skin care plan that meets your unique needs. Your dermatologist will examine your skin and give you personalized advice. They may recommend topical creams or in-office procedures to help prevent wrinkles or improve the look of your skin.

Try a prescription retinoid cream if over-the-counter options don’t help. Over-the-counter creams can be very effective, but they don’t work the same way for everyone. Your dermatologist may recommend you try a prescription retinoid cream for better results. A retinoid cream increases the collagen in your skin to smooth lines and wrinkles. Talk to your doctor to find out if a prescription cream might be the best option for you. Then, use your cream exactly as directed. You can expect results in 3-6 months, but it will likely take 6-12 months for you to get significant results. These creams can cause side effects like itching, burning, redness, and dryness. Additionally, they can make your skin sunburn more easily, so protect your skin with an SPF moisturizer and sunglasses.

Ask your dermatologist about Botox injections to prevent wrinkles. Botox is a toxin that can be used cosmetically to freeze your muscles. This prevents you from making facial expressions that can cause wrinkles. Visit your dermatologist to get Botox injections around your eyes. This can temporarily prevent eye wrinkles for 3 to 4 months. Plan to see your dermatologist every 3-4 months to maintain your results.

Talk to your doctor about wrinkle treatments once eye wrinkles appear. Despite your best efforts, you’re going to eventually get eye wrinkles because they’re a normal part of aging. If your wrinkles bother you, ask your dermatologist about procedures that might help you. Here are some treatment options your dermatologist may offer: Fillers plump up your skin to make your wrinkles less visible. Laser treatments remove the top layer of your skin and stimulate collagen production to help your skin look smooth. Microdermabrasion removes a fine layer of your skin to reveal younger skin. Dermabrasion removes the entire top layer of your skin to reveal more youthful skin. A chemical peel burns away the top layer of your skin to remove wrinkles, age spots, and freckles.