Making Under Eye Wrinkles Worse: 10 Habits to Avoid

Linda Robison, Facial Fitness Specialist.

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

Are under-eye wrinkles bothering you?

Some under-eye lines are simply part of aging. But everyday habits can make them look deeper, drier, or more crepey than they really are.

Side sleeping, squinting, rubbing your eyes, sun exposure, harsh products, dehydration, and lack of sleep can all make the under-eye area look more lined.

Whether you’re noticing crow’s feet, fine criss-cross lines, or thin, papery skin, this guide walks through the common habits that may be making your under-eye wrinkles worse — and the small changes that can help.

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

Before getting into wrinkle-causing habits, it helps to understand why the under-eye area wrinkles so easily in the first place.

Under eye wrinkles are natural

The skin under your eyes is thinner and more delicate than almost anywhere else on your face, so it tends to show aging earlier.

That’s why crow’s feet, criss-cross lines, crepey texture, and deeper wrinkles often start showing up around the eyes first — especially as collagen, moisture, and skin elasticity naturally decline with age.

The good news? While you can’t stop every line from forming, you can change certain daily habits that make under-eye wrinkles look deeper, drier, or more noticeable than they need to.

If puffiness is part of the problem too, you may want to look at these helpful ways to reduce puffy eyes alongside wrinkle care.

Now let’s look at the habits that can make under-eye wrinkles worse.

10 Habits that make under eye wrinkles worse

Here’s where small daily habits can quietly add up. Some affect the skin long-term, while others simply make under-eye lines look deeper, drier, or more noticeable that day.

1. Sleeping with your face in the pillow

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.

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. The "claw" part (marked in yellow) is where you place your face. So it's always suspended without touching the pillow.

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. Wearing tight sleep 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. Tensing your face 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? If you catch yourself clenching, relax your jaw, soften your eyes, and stretch your face a few times during the day. You can also finish with a quick face massage to help release tension and give your features a softer, more relaxed look.

For a more targeted routine, try these eye massage exercises for under-eye wrinkles. They’re simple, gentle, and focused right where those fine lines tend to show up first.

4. Using strong products near your eyes

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 too much

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. Skipping sunglasses and sunscreen

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. Scrubbing off eye makeup

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. Eating too much salty food

Boy am I guilty here!! I love salty foods. But unfortunately, 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 salty food will only make them look worse. For more immediate improvement, these quick fixes for puffy eyes can help reduce swelling and smooth the under-eye area.

9. Not drinking enough water

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.

If dryness is a big part of the problem, a richer eye cream may help the area look softer and less crinkly. I also have a guide to hydrating eye creams for dry under-eyes if that’s one of your main concerns.

10. Not getting enough 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.

More on what really made a difference:

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

See my under-eye puffiness guide, where I review seven top serums—including the one that visibly tightened and smoothed my skin.

Final takeaway: Habits that lead to under eye wrinkles

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

But small habits — like rubbing your eyes, skimping on sleep, sleeping with your face pressed into the pillow, or using products that are too strong — can make them look worse than they need to.

The good news is you don’t have to overhaul everything. A few smarter swaps, like gentler cleansing, better sun protection, more sleep, and less pulling on the eye area, can help this delicate skin look smoother and less tired.

If you’re also dealing with puffiness or crepey texture, you may want to explore these 7 inexpensive at-home treatments for under-eye wrinkles next.

Want More?

I share quick routines, beauty tweaks, and what’s working for me — straight to your inbox. Join the Club and get this free Cheek Shaper Video.

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.

Found this helpful? Tap the 💙 in the bottom right corner

SHARE OR SAVE THIS 💗

SHARE OR SAVE FOR LATER: