Wrinkles and fine lines are a normal part of skin ageing. But, they can pretty annoying and can even affect your self-esteem.

If you want to do something about the pesky signs of ageing, you're in luck. There are various ways under-eye wrinkles can be prevented and even reversed.

From sun damage to not getting the right nutrients and vitamins from the food you eat, we're diving deep into the causes of under-eye wrinkles, the different forms of wrinkles and how the right lifestyle changes, skincare ingredients and treatments can be your best bet in treating wrinkles.

Ready to dive in? Let's begin!

What causes under-eye wrinkles?

As you get older, your skin loses the ability to renew itself, and natural proteins in your body such as collagen and elastin become depleted over time [1]. On top of that, the skin underneath your eye is a lot thinner, meaning it's more susceptible to the ageing process, which in turn, causes under-eye wrinkles.

Aside from ageing itself, there are various other causes of under-eye wrinkles that can be spotted and treated, too.

Sun exposure

We know it can be tempting to soak up the sun and even get a skin-kissed glow during summer. But, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun actually break down the collagen in your skin which causes fine lines and wrinkles [2].

So make sure you're protecting yourself every day with high-quality sunscreen (whether you're heading out in the sun or not).

Smoking

Smoking can increase the skin's normal ageing process, which in turn, factors into the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow which decreases the oxygen flow and nutrients to your skin cells [3]. It can also damage structures needed for healthy skin and skin elasticity.

Facial expressions

Facial movements and expressions such as squinting and smiling can cause wrinkles because facial muscles form grooves beneath the skin's surface [4].

As you age, you can start to lose flexibility, meaning the skin is no longer able to spring back into place. Eventually, those grooves can become permanent.

Lack of sleep and hydration

A lack of sleep can have a big impact on both your physical and mental health. But, did you know it also can cause under-eye wrinkles?

Clinical trials have shown poor sleep quality can speed up signs of ageing and impacts the skin barrier by reducing the recovery of environmental stressors and UV radiation [5].

What are the different types of under-eye wrinkles

Under-eye wrinkles are a normal part of the ageing process. But, did you know there are different types of under-eye wrinkles? Knowing which kind of under-eye wrinkles can help you find the best wrinkle treatments.

Dynamic wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles occur after repeated muscle contractions underneath the skin such as squinting and smiling [7]. As the ageing process continues, the skin loses the ability to bounce back. Crow's feet are a form of dynamic wrinkles on the outer corners of the eyes.

Static wrinkles

Static wrinkles are the form of wrinkles that occur as a result of skin damage. They are visible even when facial muscles are resting and some of the most common reasons for developing static wrinkles come from smoking, sun exposure, and poor nutrition.

Dynamic wrinkles can also develop into static wrinkles.

Wrinkle folds

Wrinkle folds are the sagging of facial structures that are age-related and typically occur in the grooves of the nose, mouth, and under the eyes.

Can you reverse under-eye wrinkles?

Although developing wrinkles are inevitable and a normal part of the ageing process, the good news is that you can reverse and reduce the appearance of under-eye wrinkles.

With the right wrinkle treatments, lifestyle changes, and by incorporating the right ingredients into your skincare routine you can treat and in some cases even reverse under-eye wrinkles (more on treatment options in a minute!).

Is there anything you can do to prevent under-eye wrinkles?

If you've started to notice under-eye wrinkles or you want to get ahead of it early, we've outlined some of the best, easy ways you can proactively prevent wrinkles.

Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen, like Software's Daily Sun Defence SPF50+, every day is important for a variety of skin and health concerns. No matter your age or skin type, wearing SPF50+ is your best way at preventing fine lines and wrinkles.

You should be wearing sunscreen in the summer and winter, when you're out at the beach, running errands, and even at home (don't forget about sun exposure from your windows).

Changing your diet

Did you know your diet could be impacting your skin? Research has long demonstrated nutrition and eating habits can repair damaged skin but they can also contribute to skin damage such as under-eye wrinkles. Vitamin deficiencies, eating too many fatty and sugary foods, and not getting enough protein and water can all contribute to under-eye wrinkles.

So, what should you be eating? Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 such as salmon and tuna can help the skin retain moisture, reduce inflammation, and help reduce the skin effects of ageing.

Foods containing antioxidants such as blueberries contain powerful antioxidants and vitamin C and vitamin E, which help to brighten the skin. Eating foods with collagen peptides such as nuts, legumes, eggs, and meat promotes collagen production and can reduce the skin effects of ageing.

Alongside making dietary changes, drinking plenty of water can dramatically help your skin and reduce under-eye wrinkles. Drinking 2L or more water a day can help keep your skin hydrated and helps the skin retain moisture.

Getting enough sleep

We've already discussed how sleep can affect your skin, so getting six to eight hours of sleep every night is essential for the skin repair process. While sleeping, the body begins to repair itself and creates collagen, which is important to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Can you use Botox on under-eye wrinkles?

In short, you can use Botox for under-eye wrinkles but it's not a permanent solution and it won't work for every form of wrinkles. Plus, Botox comes with its own set of risks that you need to be aware of.

Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. It contains the active ingredient botulinum toxin type A which temporarily paralyses the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles [9].

However, there are some pretty high risks of Botox underneath the eye because it weakens the lower eyelid. This can include bruising and swelling at the injection site, muscle weakness, nausea, headaches and rashes.

So while Botox can be great for other areas of the face, it's probably best to avoid using it under the eye area unless advised by a medical professional or your doctor.

What ingredients can help treat under-eye wrinkles?

Retinoids

Retinoids are one of the best skincare ingredients that can help treat under-eye wrinkles, by increasing skin cell turnover and facilitating cell growth. Retinoids also help to slow down the breakdown of collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles.

Prescription retinoids have demonstrated great effects in studies for a range of skin concerns, treating sun damage and fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation [10].

Vitamin C

Vitamin C aids in collagen production, protects the skin from harmful UV rays and helps reduce signs of ageing. There are plenty of foods that contain vitamin C, however, when administered orally, excess vitamin C is flushed from the body so it never reaches the skin [11].

Investing in a good vitamin C serum or cream with a 10-20% concentration can produce the benefits you're looking for [12]. Software's Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum contains a full 15% dose of vitamin C and works in tandem with ferulic acid to encourage collagen production, improve skin elasticity and firmness and protect skin cells again free radicals.

Niacinamide

You may have heard of niacinamide before, it blew up on social media and has since become a mainstay in many people's skincare routines. Niacinamide boosts the production of collagen, ceramides and lipids, which all help improve skin elasticity and aid in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

What are some treatments to get rid of under-eye wrinkles?

Getting rid of eye-under wrinkles with treatments, a good skincare routine and active ingredients can produce long-term benefits that keep your skin looking healthy and rejuvenated.

Software's prescription anti-ageing treatment

As we've mentioned, there are different types of under-eye wrinkles and the best way to treat them is through personalised skincare.

With Software's prescription anti-ageing treatment, you're getting customised prescription formulations developed by dermatologists which are designed to promote collagen production, stimulate the growth of new skin cells and increase the rate old skin cells are shed to improve fine lines, wrinkles and skin roughness.

With key ingredients including retinoids, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and azelaic acid, you're getting the right skincare ingredients to suit your personal skin concerns. Plus, you can access ongoing follow-up support from your Australian health practitioner while you use the treatment to make any adjustments to your formulations.

You might also like to consider adding an eye product into your daily skincare routine to help keep the eye area hydrated. Software’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is packed with highly targeted ingredients that are formulated to treat undereye concerns from all angles. It helps diminish signs of dark circles and puffiness, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps firm and smooth skin texture.

Software's Advanced Anti-Ageing Set

Software's Advanced Ageing Set cleanses, hydrates, brightens and repairs your skin with dermatologist-approved formulas containing actives sourced from natural ingredients backed by science.

The set includes Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum, Retinol Complex Oil, Salicylic Acid Foaming Wash, Ceramide Repair Balm and Solar Fluid — all the good stuff to target deep wrinkles, dullness and dark spots while also protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and environmental stressors.

Skin needling

Skin needling can stimulate collagen production, and reverse fine lines and wrinkles, as a result, making your skin look youthful. Skin needling (a.k.a microneedling) uses tiny needles which are pressed into the skin to create small punctures. The healing process of the micro-wounds boosts collagen production and renews the texture of the skin.

When it comes to wrinkles (particularly fine lines around your eyes), these are natural signs of ageing. Whether you're interested in reducing the appearance of wrinkles or not, it can be helpful to understand your prevention and treatment options.

With the right science-backed skincare treatments, ingredients and lifestyle changes, you can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and unlock more youthful skin.