Making Under Eye Wrinkles Worse: 10 Habits to Avoid

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

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 speed it up or make it worse.

Whether you're noticing deep crow's feet, fine, shallow grid-like lines, or dry, thin, or papery under-eye skin, some daily habits may be contributing more than you realize.

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 …

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 fine lines. It's the hardest habit to break! If you can’t change your sleep position, try a silk pillowcase or a face sleep pillow that keeps pressure off the eye area.

I’ve used mine for years. It’s not pretty, but it works—especially for preventing side-sleeping wrinkles near the eyes and cheeks.

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.

3. Facial Tension While Working:

Try putting a mirror next to your computer and see how your face scrunches up while you work or when you're focused on something.

Tensing your face while working can lead to wrinkles around your eyes—especially if you're squinting or furrowing your brow without realizing it. Over time, that tension can etch in fine lines that stick.

What helps? Catch yourself clenching, stretch your face throughout the day, and finish with a quick face massage. It’s free, relaxing, and can help smooth tension while giving your features a gentle lift.

4. Using Strong Anti-aging Products Incorrectly:

Retinols and peels can help reduce wrinkles—but using them wrong (or using too much too fast) can backfire.

Studies suggest if they’re too strong, applied too often, or used near the eyes when they shouldn't be, they can cause inflammation—which may make wrinkles worse, not better.

Start slow. Go with the lowest dose, space it out, and always follow with a moisturizer. Your eye area needs extra care.

5. 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. 

6. Excessive Sun Exposure:

Sun breaks down collagen—and the eye area is one of the first places it shows. Wear sunglasses, use mineral sunscreen, and protect the delicate under-eye area daily. Some studies even show sunscreen can help reverse early signs of damage over time.

7. 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. Or you can make your own cleanser at home.

8. Excessive Consumption of Salty Foods:

Boy am I guilty here!! I love salty foods. A high-sodium diet can lead to fluid retention and puffiness. Over time, that puffiness stretches the skin, eventually creating permanent lines.

If you’re already prone to under-eye bags or puffiness, salty food will only make them look worse. Also check out healthy skin nourishing foods.

9. Dehydration:

How much water have you had today? Me? None yet. Most of us don’t drink enough—and while dehydration won’t cause under-eye wrinkles, it can make fine lines look worse.

Stay hydrated to help keep your skin plump and smooth.

10. Too Little Sleep:

Too little sleep speeds up skin aging. It raises cortisol (which breaks down collagen) and lowers growth hormone (which repairs skin).

One study in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology linked poor sleep to more wrinkles. Another from Sleep found that worse sleep quality meant more visible signs of aging—especially under the eyes.

Final takeaway: Habits that lead to under eye wrinkles

Of course, we know under-eye wrinkles are a normal part of aging.

But some habits—like rubbing your eyes, skimping on sleep, or using the wrong products—can make them look worse.

Whether you're dealing with fine, criss-cross lines, crepey under-eye texture, or over-all eye wrinkles, there are treatment ideas that actually help. Check out these 7 inexpensive at-home treatments. 

From daily eye massages to smart skincare swaps, small changes can protect and smooth this fragile area.

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