Making Under Eye Wrinkles Worse: 10 Habits to Avoid

By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist

Disclosure: As an affiliate partner and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist

Disclosure: As an affiliate partner and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Are under-eye wrinkles bothering you?

I've always been a side sleeper, especially on my left side. And as I got older, I started noticing that my left eye looked a lot more lined and crinkly than my right.

So I started using a special sleep pillow that keeps my face from getting all squished up. I also made an effort to sleep on my back more often, although I still love sleeping on my side.

Over time, I noticed that the wrinkles around my eyes started looking more even. They didn't disappear, but the difference between my left and right eye wasn't nearly as obvious.

That got me thinking about other little habits we do every day without realizing how they might affect the skin around our eyes.

Here are 10 habits worth looking at, and a few simple things you can do differently.

Sleeping incorrectly can contribute to under-eye wrinkles and more.

10 Habits that make under eye wrinkles worse

1. Sleeping with your face in the pillow

If you're a side sleeper like me, you know how hard it can be to change that habit!

When your face is pressed into a pillow night after night, the skin around your eyes and cheeks gets squished and creased. Over time, that repeated pressure may contribute to sleep wrinkles.

That's why I started using a special face pillow that keeps the side of my face from pressing into the mattress or pillow.

I've had mine for years, and I love it. It's pretty worn out now, but I still use it every night and even take it when I travel.

If sleeping on your back isn't comfortable, a face pillow designed for side sleepers might be worth trying.

This is my well-worn face pillow! The yellow markings show where I rest the side of my face, keeping my eye and cheek area from pressing against the pillow.

I no longer wake up with those deep 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. Wearing tight sleep masks

Who knew!😯 

A sleep mask can be great for blocking out light, but if it's too tight, it may press against the delicate skin around your eyes and leave temporary creases.

If you wear one, look for a soft, adjustable mask that fits comfortably without pressing too hard or rubbing against your skin.

3. Tensing your face while working

I don't know about you, but I've noticed that I tend to scrunch up my face and eyes when I'm really concentrating on something. Try putting a mirror next to your computer sometime. You might be surprised how often you do it without realizing it.

All that repeated squinting can contribute to fine lines around the eyes over time.

If you catch yourself doing it, try relaxing your face and jaw. A little face massage can feel good too, especially after spending hours at the computer.

I also use these eye massage exercises for under-eye wrinkles to give that area a little extra attention.

4. Using strong products near your eyes

Retinol and chemical peels can help with fine lines and wrinkles. But when it comes to the delicate skin around our eyes, more isn't always better.

Products that are too strong or used too often can leave skin dry, flaky, and irritated. And that can make little lines look more noticeable. Even research on retinol use discusses side effects like dryness, burning, and itching.

I've noticed that even when I follow the directions on a retinol product, for example, the skin under my eyes can get dry and flaky pretty quickly.

So I pay attention to how my skin looks and feels, especially around my eyes. If I notice dryness or flaking, I cut back on how often I use it and make sure to moisturize well. I don't just keep applying it because the directions say I can.

5. Squinting too much

Ever catch yourself squinting to read something or see something in the distance? Sometimes we don't even realize how much we're doing it.

The problem is, all that repeated squinting can eventually contribute to little lines around the eyes, especially crow's feet.

If you're squinting a lot, it might be time to get your eyes checked. You may just need a stronger pair of reading glasses or an update to your contacts.

6. Skipping sunglasses and sunscreen

I'll admit it. I hate wearing sunglasses and sunscreen. But these days, I make myself use both because I know how important sun protection is.

I've been lucky to have pretty good skin over the years. But now that I'm older and starting to notice little signs of sun damage, I don't want to make things worse!

Sunglasses also help keep us from squinting in bright sunlight, which is another good reason to wear them.

And research suggests regular sunscreen use may help improve some signs of sun damage, not just prevent more of it, I was thrilled! Now that's encouring news!

7. Scrubbing off eye makeup

Removing eye makeup can be a pain, especially if you're trying not to rub or pull on the skin around your eyes.

I know makeup wipes get a bad rap, but I still use them. I've never noticed any irritation from them, and I find them much easier for removing eye makeup than using a washcloth and soap.

The main thing is to be gentle, no matter what you use. I also like a good facial cleansing cream, or you can make your own facial cleanser if you prefer.

8. Not drinking enough water

How much water have you had today? Me? Sometimes I get so busy I forget to drink any!

Not drinking enough water won't cause permanent under-eye wrinkles, but dehydration can make fine lines look more noticeable.

And if the skin under your eyes is already dry, those little criss-cross lines can really stand out.

Drinking enough water is important, but I've found that keeping the skin moisturized matters too. A good eye cream can help soften the look of dry, crinkly skin. Here are some hydrating eye creams for dry under-eyes worth looking at.

9. Not getting enough sleep

We all know how our eyes can look after a lousy night's sleep. Mine tend to look more tired, and those little lines seem more noticeable.

But it's not just about looking tired the next morning. Research has linked consistently poor sleep with more visible signs of skin aging, including fine lines and reduced skin elasticity.

One study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that women who slept poorly showed more signs of skin aging than those who regularly got enough sleep.

Of course, a few bad nights won't suddenly give you permanent wrinkles. But getting enough good-quality sleep is one more way to take care of your skin.

10. Smoking, vaping, and drinking too much alcohol

We all know smoking and drinking too much aren't great for our health. But they can also affect how our skin looks as we get older.

In fact, a study of more than 3,000 women found that smoking was linked to more noticeable crow's feet and other signs of facial aging. Heavy drinking was also associated with certain visible signs of aging.

And what about vaping? We don't have as much long-term research yet, but there are concerns about how it may affect skin health too.

Just something else to keep in mind if you're trying to avoid adding more lines and wrinkles around your eyes.

What else has helped my under-eye area

Results like these came from the eye serums I tested for puffiness and wrinkles

Besides changing a few habits, I've also tried different instant eye-tightening serums to see how well they work on puffiness and fine lines.

Some worked much better than others! In my review of 7 instant eye-tightening serums, I share the products I personally tested, including the one that gave me the results shown in the photo above.

And if you're dealing with puffiness, I've also put together a few quick fixes for puffy eyes you can try at home.

Final takeaway: Habits that lead to under eye wrinkles

Under-eye wrinkles are a normal part of getting older, but some of our everyday habits can make them more noticeable.

We can't prevent every wrinkle, and we don't have to change everything we do. Sometimes it's the little things, like being gentler around our eyes or protecting our skin from the sun, that are worth paying attention to.

And if you're already dealing with fine lines or crepey skin, here are 7 inexpensive at-home treatments for under-eye wrinkles you might want to explore.

Have a question or want to share your experience?

I'd love to hear from you! Visit my Questions & Comments page to ask a question, share a tip, or tell me what's worked for you.

About the Author:

Linda Robison is a Certified Facial Fitness Specialist and founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone, where she shares practical tips, products, techniques, and at-home options for women over 40. She personally tests many of the methods she writes about.

Experience: Linda spent nearly 15 years as an Anti-Aging Health Advisor at the Life Extension Foundation and has over 30 years of experience testing facial anti-aging techniques, including training in Carolyn’s Facial Fitness. Her work has been featured in GB News and Beauty Box Magazine. You can view her background on LinkedIn and follow her on Pinterest.

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