Making Under Eye Wrinkles Worse: 10 Habits to Avoid

by Linda Robison

Are under-eye wrinkles bothering you?

Surprisingly, everyday habits you might not think twice about could be aggravating them. Yes, we all know aging is natural, but certain routines can accelerate it or worsen its effects.

Are your under eye wrinkles caused by sleeping habits?Sleeping incorrectly can contribute to under-eye wrinkles and more.

In this guide, I'll uncover common habits that contribute to under-eye wrinkles or may worsen their appearance, along with simple tips for minimizing their impact.

Under eye wrinkles are natural

The appearance of creases, criss-cross lines, crow's feet and deep wrinkles around the eyes, are a common and natural part of the aging process.

However, there are ways you can minimize and even slow down their formation. Keep reading to find out how.

What causes eye skin to wrinkle

Before we talk about habits that cause eye creases, let's understand why we all get them.

Under-eye wrinkles, also known as crow's feet or laughter lines (although there is nothing funny about them), develop for several reasons, including:

  • Loss of collagen and elastin
  • Repetitive facial movements such as squinting or smiling
  • Sun damage, exposure to UV rays
  • Genetics 
  • Natural aging process

Basically, you can't stop them from forming.

But you can slow down the process by avoiding simple everyday habits, listed below, that could be making them look worse or form even faster.

10 Habits that make under eye wrinkles worse

1. Sleeping on your side:

Sleeping with your face pressed against a pillow can cause creases and lines to form around the eye area and your face. And, this is the hardest habit to break!

If you cannot change sleeping habits (which is very hard to do when you're asleep), consider using silk pillow cases or even a facial sleep pillow.

Sleep pillow to reduce under eye wrinkles from forming when you sleep.This is my face pillow. Looks a little worn out, but I've had it for years. And it still works great. I can't sleep without it. I even take it with me when I travel.

Whether you sleep on your right or left side, this pillow keeps your face (and eye area), lifted, preventing it from being crunched or squished against your regular pillow.

I no longer wake up with creases on the sides of my face. I found this on Amazon, but there's a wide range of anti-aging face and eye pillows available in the market.

2. Sleeping with eye masks:

Who knew!😯 

Sleeping with eye masks repeatedly over long periods can contribute to under-eye wrinkles due to the constant friction, pulling on the delicate skin, moisture trapping leading to dehydration, and potential irritation from the materials.

So, if you use a sleep eye mask, it's advisable to take breaks from it occasionally.

3. Using Strong Anti-aging Products Incorrectly:

Many of us love our retinols and/or chemical peels. We know these active ingredients are proven to help slow skin aging and improve the depth of wrinkles.

But, studies suggest that overusing or misusing then may lead to skin irritation which compromise skin health, possibly contributing to the formation or worsening of wrinkles over time.

Using retinols or chemical peels incorrectly :

  • when they are too strong for your skin's tolerance
  • without allowing for a break-in period
  • when not intended for the delicate eye area

can cause inflammation. And, inflammation can damage the skin. 

Always follow the directions on the package and if you're new to anti-aging active products, start at the lowest dose available. Or check with a qualified skincare specialist.

4. Squinting frequently:

Constant squinting or nearsightedness can lead to repetitive creasing around the eye area, eventually etching lines. Get your eyes checked and get corrective glasses or contacts. 

5. Excessive Sun Exposure:

Sunglass and sunscreen! We all know this, but it needs to be repeated. Prolonged exposure to the sun will damage the collagen and elastin fibers. Protect the delicate skin around your eyes when outdoors.

6. Using harsh eye makeup removers:

Harsh makeup removers or scrubbing too vigorously can dry out the dermis and make lines and creases look worse. I use a balancing facial cleansing cream.

Not only does it dissolve makeup quickly, it hydrates too. It's loaded with skin healing nut oils. 

7. Excessive Consumption of Salty Foods:

Boy am I guilty here!! I love salty foods. A high-sodium diet can cause fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes.

When this happens over and over again, the skin stretches, and soon you've got permanent fine lines etched into the skin.

If you suffer from puffy eyes eating a lot of salt will make it worse. 

8. Excessive Alcohol Consumption:

I'm guilty here too! Love a nice glass of wine in the evening. But as we all know, alcohol is dehydrating which can make wrinkles look worse all over your face, not just the eyes.

Plus, excess alcohol can deplete the body of important nutrients and antioxidants, leading to premature aging and wrinkles.

9. Dehydration:

How many ounces of water have you had today? Me? None as of this writing. Many of us are guilty of not drinking enough water. 

While this won't necessarily lead to aging eye skin, can cause dryness and the accentuation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump.

10. Poor Sleep Habits:

While not getting enough sleep may make under-eye wrinkles look worse, sleep is important for regeneration too.

During sleep, the body repairs and regenerates the skin. Lack of sleep can lead to increased inflammation and decreased collagen production, which can exacerbate the formation of wrinkles.

Final takeaway: Habits that lead to under eye wrinkles

Of course, we know that getting wrinkles around the eyes is something that happens as we get older.

However, some everyday habits can make them look worse or even speed up this process. So, being mindful of the 10 habits listed above.

And, check out the top at-home eye wrinkle remedies to keep the eye area looking smooth and slow down aging.

From reducing salt, alcohol, and sun exposure to using potent skincare products properly. Be gentle and protect that area of your face.

Remember, hydration, adequate sleep are also important to keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay for as long as possible.

With a little care and preventative measures, we can keep our eyes looking refreshed and youthful.

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