Wrinkles Under the Eyes – Restoring Vitality to Facial Skin

Middle-aged woman with clear, expressive eyes, showing fine wrinkles

You wake up after a full night's sleep, feeling great – but one glance in the mirror tells a different story: your face looks tired. The usual culprits are those fine lines and wrinkles that have carved their way into the delicate skin beneath the eyes. This phenomenon – wrinkles under the eyes – is one of the most frustrating skin concerns and affects both men and women alike. Contrary to popular belief, it's not only wrinkles – part of the tired look also comes from shadows caused by loss of volume, dark circles, and visible blood vessels that add to the appearance of lines.

Why There, Specifically?

The skin in this area is unique – thinner, drier, and in constant motion more than any other facial area. The result is the early appearance of fine lines or deeper creases that make the face look older and more tired than it really is.

But is it inevitable? The answer is no. Although we can't stop time, we can certainly manage, soften, and prevent further deterioration. Understanding the causes is the first step – and applying the right solutions, from home care routines to the most advanced technologies, can make a real difference, especially when using a personalized approach based on accurate diagnosis rather than generic, off-the-shelf solutions.

Differences Between Male And Female Skin

There is a significant difference between male and female skin. Men's skin is approximately 20–25% thicker and richer in collagen. However, men tend to lose collagen more rapidly after age 40. These differences also affect the formation of wrinkles: in men, wrinkles appear later but tend to be deeper – mainly due to cumulative sun exposure without adequate protection.

For this reason, treatment approaches should also differ – again emphasizing the importance of personalized care.

Why Is The Skin Under The Eyes So Vulnerable?

To understand why under-eye wrinkles are often the first visible sign of aging, we need to understand the unique anatomy of this area:

The thinnest skin on the body – The skin around the eyes is only about 0.5 mm thick, 4–5 times thinner than the rest of the facial skin. Thinner skin means less padding and resilience, and fewer pigment cells, making it more prone to discoloration from sun damage.

Lack of oil glands – This area has almost no sebaceous (oil) glands, making it more susceptible to dryness and moisture loss. Trans-epidermal water loss here is 2–3 times higher than in other facial areas.

Constant movement – We blink an average of 10,000–20,000 times a day. Add facial expressions like squinting, crying, and laughing – all creating continuous movement that imprints expression lines. In some people, compression wrinkles appear as early as age 30.

Weak structural support – Beneath this thin skin, there's less subcutaneous fat and lower collagen and elastin levels, making it more sensitive to gravity and volume loss. With age, fat partitions beneath the eyes separate, creating a hollowed look.

Main Causes Of Wrinkles Under The Eyes

Wrinkles result from a combination of internal factors (beyond our control) and external factors (which we can influence).

1. Intrinsic Aging – The Natural, Genetic Aging Process. From Our Mid-20s, The Body Slows Production Of Three Key Structural Elements:

Collagen – Gives skin strength and firmness.

Elastin – Provides elasticity and bounce.

Hyaluronic Acid – A sugar molecule that attracts and retains water (up to 1,000 times its weight), maintaining plumpness and moisture.

As production declines, the delicate under-eye skin is the first to sag and wrinkle. By age 50, collagen in the periorbital area decreases by 30–50% compared to age 20.

2. Extrinsic Aging – Environmental Impacts On The Skin:

Sun damage – The #1 skin enemy. UVA rays penetrate deep and actively break down collagen and elastin fibers, generating free radicals and accelerating aging. Studies show that sun damage accounts for 80–90% of visible wrinkles around the eyes.

Smoking – Constricts blood vessels, limits oxygen and nutrient supply, and releases free radicals that destroy collagen. Squinting against smoke also contributes to wrinkles. Smokers develop eye wrinkles 10–15 years earlier than non-smokers.

Repeated facial movements – Squinting (without sunglasses), smiling, and other expressions create dynamic wrinkles that become static over time as elastin declines.

Dryness and dehydration – Internal dehydration or external dryness (weather, air conditioning) depletes skin volume and accentuates fine lines, much like a shriveled raisin.

Friction and pulling – Rubbing tired eyes, tugging during makeup removal or cream application damages elastic fibers over time. Daily rubbing can rupture elastin fibers within months.

Sleep position – Sleeping on your side or stomach, with your face pressed into the pillow, creates sleep lines that may become permanent. Studies show side sleeping increases vertical facial and eye wrinkles by 30% after 5 years.

Prevention: Stop The Next Wrinkle

Prevention is always the most effective treatment. Even if you already have wrinkles, adopting the following habits can prevent deepening and new formation.

Complete Sun Protection

Sunglasses – Wear large frames blocking 100% UVA/UVB. They protect the delicate skin and prevent squinting.

Eye-safe sunscreen – Apply daily, all year round. Choose mineral-based formulas (zinc or titanium) that are gentle for the eye area. Use SPF 30+ with PA++++ for full UVA protection.

Hat – A wide-brimmed hat provides extra shade and protection.

Healthy Lifestyle

Quit smoking – The fastest way to improve skin health. Within 3 months, blood flow to the skin can increase by 30%.

Drink plenty of water – Maintains hydration from within and helps prevent a shriveled, dry look. Aim for 2–2.5 liters daily plus antioxidant-rich green tea.

Antioxidant-rich diet – Berries, leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish (like salmon) provide skin-protecting nutrients. Vitamin C (500 mg daily) can boost collagen production by up to 8%.

Sleep on your back – The best position to prevent sleep lines. If not possible, use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction.

Be Gentle With Your Skin

Makeup removal – Use a dedicated eye makeup remover. Soak a cotton pad, place it over the eye for a few seconds to dissolve makeup, and gently wipe downward without rubbing.

Applying creams – Use your ring finger (the weakest), pat gently along the orbital bone from the inner to outer corner. No need to apply too close to the lash line – the product will naturally migrate. Wait 60 seconds before layering other products.

Treatments: Reducing Under-Eye Wrinkles

At-Home Treatments

Moisturizers – The most basic step. Eye creams containing potent humectants (multi-weight hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides) hydrate and plump the skin, minimizing fine dry lines. Cooling the eye cream before application can constrict vessels, reduce puffiness, and enhance absorption.

Prescription Treatments

Effective under-eye wrinkle treatments often involve prescription-based formulations such as retinoids (stimulating collagen production) or targeted elasticity-improving creams. Today, personalized treatment solutions can be prescribed and delivered directly to your door through SKCURE's telemedicine service, ensuring convenience and professional care.

Professional In-Clinic Treatments

Muscle relaxants – Effective for dynamic expression lines; precise low-dose injections can subtly lift and smooth the under-eye area.

Hyaluronic acid fillers – Restore lost volume, fill hollows, and soften lines.

Skin boosters – Superficial injections providing deep hydration and collagen stimulation, ideal for fine lines.

Non-ablative laser – Heats the dermis to gradually boost collagen; typically 3–5 sessions spaced a month apart.

Radiofrequency (RF) with microneedling – Provides instant tightening and long-term remodeling.

Microneedling – Controlled micro-injury releases growth factors to rejuvenate skin.

Chemical peels – Gentle acids renew the surface layer, ideal for shallow wrinkles.

Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) – A long-lasting solution for excess skin or bags, lasting over 10 years.

Important: Always choose a qualified physician experienced in under-eye wrinkle treatments – even a small mistake can lead to puffiness or asymmetry. Also, note that most treatments are temporary and require maintenance, except for blepharoplasty.

Improve Under-Eye Skin Appearance With SKCURE

Addressing under-eye wrinkles and overall aging signs requires a comprehensive, professional approach – starting from understanding all contributing factors, from sun exposure to internal skin changes. Instead of using multiple ineffective products or treatments, SKCURE offers a personalized, end-to-end treatment plan for wrinkle reduction and skin firming. This process combines AI-based diagnosis and questionnaire analysis, medical review by expert physicians, and a tailored prescription formula – conveniently delivered to your home in discreet packaging. The result: a precise, effective, and simplified skincare solution in one formula, ensuring faster, targeted results.

Authored By - Dr. Shlomo Sadoun

A pioneering pharma entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the health and biotechnology sectors. Operating at the intersection of science, innovation, and a global vision, leading the development of advanced medical solutions with a real impact on patients’ lives.