Eye Massage and Exercises for Under-Eye Wrinkles

Linda Robison, Facial Fitness Specialist.

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Linda Robison, Facial Fitness Specialist.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and may earn from other affiliate links.

My eyes were one of the first places I noticed aging.

The little crinkles, crow’s feet, and puffiness made me look more tired than I felt. Eye cream helped some with moisture, but it didn’t feel like enough on its own.

That’s when I started using targeted eye massage and facial exercises for this area.

These techniques won’t erase wrinkles overnight, but with consistency, they may help the skin around the eyes look a little smoother, firmer, and less tired.

Why tired-looking eyes often need more than eye cream

Eye cream has its place. I still like using a good moisturizer around the eyes because dry skin can make fine lines look worse.

But the eye area is not just skin.

There are tiny muscles around the eyes that move every time you smile, squint, blink, or make facial expressions. Over time, that area can start to look softer, puffier, or more creased.

That’s why I like combining skincare with gentle massage and eye exercises. The cream helps the skin glide and stay moisturized, while the massage and exercises work more on the support underneath.

For me, that combination made more sense than relying on eye cream alone.

My before-and-after results after several months

Everyone has an “aging trouble area” on their face. For me, it was under-eye wrinkles and crow’s feet.

After several months of doing facial exercises, I noticed improvements in my face overall, but I still wanted more help for the delicate skin around my eyes.

I reached out to Carolyn, the creator of Carolyn’s Facial Fitness, and she shared a special bonus exercise to use alongside her regular program.

As you can see in my before-and-after photo, taken about 10 to 12 weeks after adding these techniques, the improvement was subtle but noticeable. My under-eye area looked a bit smoother and firmer, and I expect the results to continue as long as I stay consistent.

Be patient. Changes in this area take time, but with regular practice over several months, these techniques can help soften fine lines and make tired-looking eyes appear more refreshed.

How eye massage may help reduce under-eye wrinkles and puffiness

One of the reasons this technique works so well is that you contract the eye muscles before massaging. This means the skin is held taut, so there is no stretching or pulling of the delicate under-eye area.

In addition to helping smooth fine lines and crow’s feet, this massage may also help reduce puffiness and improve the appearance of dark circles.

Apply a small amount of moisturizer or face oil, such as grapeseed oil, before beginning. I recommend doing the massage about four days per week rather than every day.

Weekly Schedule Example

A simple weekly schedule might look like this:

• Monday — Massage
• Tuesday — Massage
• Wednesday — Rest
• Thursday — Massage
• Friday — Massage
• Saturday — Rest
• Sunday — Rest

Then repeat.

Will this stretch the skin?

This is one of the most common concerns, especially because the skin around the eyes is so delicate.

According to Dr. Frederick M. Rossiter, professor of anatomy and physiology, when this technique is performed correctly it can help strengthen the underlying muscles and smooth the skin.

Dr. Rossiter explains that facial muscles extend directly into the skin, which is what allows us to create facial expressions.

By contracting the muscles first and then sliding the fingers across taut skin, you are working the muscles underneath while helping the skin appear firmer and smoother.

Step-by-step eye massage instructions

Before you begin, apply a small amount of moisturizer around the eyes. It’s best to perform this technique in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable with the movements.

Try to maintain firm pressure around the eye sockets throughout the massage.

Eye massage exercise video:

Remember: You're firmly contracting the bottom eyelid muscle only before massaging, so there is no stretching or pulling.

This massage may also help with dark circles and under-eye puffiness. I like to do it after applying moisturizer or a light face about four days a week. I don’t recommend doing it every day. Make sure to give the eye muscles a chance to rest. 

My favorite eye exercise for crow’s feet and fine lines

Performing specific eye exercises like the “eye goggle” technique can help strengthen and tone the delicate muscles around the eyes. This can help the eye area look firmer and smoother by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

You’re trying to make “eye goggles” using your fingers and thumbs around each eye, as if you’re holding a pair of binoculars.

Why eye goggles work

The point of placing your fingers and thumbs around your eyes, without any gaps, is to prevent the skin from moving or being pulled.

That way, you’re only working the underlying eye muscle.

How to do the eye goggle exercise

Before you begin, apply a small amount of moisturizer around the eyes. It’s best to perform this in front of a mirror until you get it right. Try to maintain firm pressure around the eye sockets throughout these movements.

Outer Corner of Bottom Eyelid

• Make goggles with your fingers, as if you’re holding a pair of binoculars.
• Contract the bottom outer corner of the right eyelid by lifting it up, as if you’re trying to wink with your right eye, and hold to a count of 5.
• Then release and repeat the same process with the bottom outer corner of the left eyelid and hold for a count of 5.
• You’ve just made 1 round. Repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

Inner Corner of Bottom Eyelid

• Make goggles with your fingers, as if you’re holding a pair of binoculars.
• Contract the bottom inner corner of the right eyelid by lifting it up and hold to a count of 5.
• Then release and repeat the same process with the bottom inner corner of the left eyelid and hold for a count of 5.
• You’ve just made 1 round. Repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

Upper Eyelid Stretch

• Make goggles with your fingers, as if you’re holding a pair of binoculars.
• Next, close both eyes while stretching the upper eyelids down toward the bottom of the eyes.
• Hold this stretch for a count of 5. Repeat 5 times.

Eye Squeeze

• Make goggles with your fingers, as if you’re holding a pair of binoculars.
• Squeeze the eyes shut tight while the goggles — your fingers pressed firmly around your eyes like binoculars — are firmly and evenly pressed around both eyes.
• Hold for a count of 5. Repeat 5 times.

A Quick Note About Results

Adding facial exercises can also help with the eyes and the rest of the face. Check out my before-and-after results — the improvement is remarkable.

How to combine massage, exercise, and skincare for best results

For best results, use these techniques as part of a simple routine rather than as a one-time fix. Apply a gentle moisturizer or light face oil before massage so your fingers glide easily without tugging the skin.

Consistency matters more than doing too much. I prefer doing the massage about four days a week, with rest days in between. The eye goggle exercise can be added to your regular facial exercise routine.

Be patient with the under-eye area. Results are usually gradual, and the changes may be subtle at first. Over time, combining massage, targeted exercise, and good skincare can help the eye area look smoother, firmer, and more refreshed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Takeaway

If your eyes look crinkly, puffy, or more tired than they used to, simple massage and targeted exercises may help the area appear smoother, firmer, and more refreshed naturally.

The results are gradual, but with patience and consistency, even subtle improvements can make a meaningful difference in how awake and youthful your eyes look.

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About the Author:

Linda Robison is an anti-aging advisor for women over 40, sharing natural methods, facial exercises, and beauty routines she's personally tested over the years for smoother, firmer-looking skin. She spent nearly 15 years as an Anti-Aging Health Advisor at the Life Extension Foundation and has been testing facial anti-aging techniques for over 30 years, including training in Carolyn’s Facial Fitness. Her tips have been featured in GB News and Beauty Box Magazine. You can also view her background on LinkedIn. For more everyday tips follow along on Pinterest.

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