Under Eye Wrinkles: Causes, Natural Treatments and Prevention

Looking in the mirror and noticing under eye wrinkles can be very distressing. Wrinkles that appear under the eyes or wrinkles at the corners of your eyes can be one of the first signs of aging. It usually happens when you smile, frown, or laugh, which causes the look and appearance of wrinkles to be accentuated. The fine lines around your eyes can make you very self-conscious and cause you to look older than you are.

The skin under your eyes is very thin and delicate. This means that fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots can appear even though you are not that old. Wrinkles under your eyes can easily appear because the skin can’t retain as much moisture, leaving it vulnerable to the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sun damage, loss of skin elasticity, and loss of collagen all contribute to wrinkles under the eyes.

There are many natural home treatments that you can use to rejuvenate your skin and smooth away fine lines and wrinkles. Many of the home remedies for under eye wrinkles help to plump the areas around your eyes and moisturize the delicate under-eye skin. Some gentle natural moisturizers for your eyes include coconut oil, aloe vera and cocoa butter – these are all excellent remedies for under eye wrinkles.

In this article, you will find out how to naturally treat the appearance of fine lines and under eye wrinkles. These natural home remedies will help to give your skin a more youthful appearance.

What Causes Under Eye Wrinkles?

Most people know that as our skin ages, wrinkles and fine lines appear, and these usually show up around the eyes first. But why are wrinkles around the eyes associated with aging?

According to the journal Dermato Endocrinology, fine lines and wrinkles on aging skin are caused by a number of factors. As skin ages, structures in the skin break down and fine lines appear. As more collagen and elastin are lost, the lines become deeper and develop into wrinkles.¹

Another reason why some women and men have more wrinkles around their eyes is due to UV sun damage. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that, although aging does cause wrinkles, the most common reason for fine lines and wrinkles on the face is sun damage.²

The British Journal of Dermatology also reported on other reasons for lines appearing under the eyes and at the corner of your eyes. For example, repetitive contraction of the muscles, such as in smiling, contracts the skin around eyes and lead to a breakdown in elastin fibers causing a “crow’s feet” appearance. Also, smoking affects the skin around the eyes and contributes to more wrinkles.³

These factors combine to give the skin under your eyes an appearance of having creases or ridges. Because of the look of eye wrinkles and the fact they become more pronounced when you smile, eye wrinkles are often called “crow’s feet” or laugh lines.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles

Having wrinkles around your eyes is no laughing matter. So, if you have noticed an increase in fine lines around your eyes or that new wrinkles under your eyes have formed, what can you do about it?

According to Dr. Michael Detmar, who is Professor of Pharmacogenomics in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, there are some simple solutions to wrinkles and fine lines. Dr. Detmar says that using a moisturizer regularly on wrinkles can help to reduce their appearance. In fact, you can quickly reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 20% with a good moisturizer.⁴

Let’s look at some of the best natural skin moisturizers that can quickly hydrate the skin around your eyes to make wrinkles less noticeable. Regularly using these moisturizers can also help to prevent under eye wrinkles getting worse.

Coconut oil

Applying a little virgin coconut oil to the skin under your eyes moisturizes your eyes and helps remove lines under your eyes. In fact, using it as a moisturizer is one of the amazing everyday uses of coconut oil.

Research has found that the components of coconut oil have a beneficial effect on skin collagen. The journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology reported that virgin coconut oil helps to boost collagen in the skin. Coconut oil also contains antioxidant properties that can help destroy free radicals on the skin which contribute to aging.⁵

How to use coconut oil for eye wrinkles:

You can use coconut oil directly on your facial skin and around your eyes. This is what you should do to help the skin around your eyes have a younger appearance:

1. Apply a little coconut oil to the skin around your eyes and gently massage until the oil is absorbed.
2. Use 2-3 times a day and make sure to apply the coconut oil around your eyes before going to bed.
3. Use regularly to keep your eyes well-moisturized and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Coconut oil will also help to treat dry skin around your eyes naturally and prevent itching and flaking caused by eczema or dry skin.

Aloe vera

If you want to get rid of eye wrinkles under your eyes, you can try applying some aloe vera gel to your “crow’s feet.”

Aloe vera can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles under your eyes because it makes the skin more elastic. According to the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, aloe vera gel naturally improves skin elasticity and hydration. Aloe vera also contains antioxidants and reduces inflammation.⁶

A review published in a dermatology journal in 2008 reported that aloe vera can make skin look less wrinkled. Compounds in aloe vera have an astringent effect helping to tighten the skin naturally and make it firmer. The anti-aging effect of aloe vera is due mostly to its ability to enhance collagen and elastin fibers in the skin.⁷

How to use aloe vera for removing fine lines and under eye wrinkles:

When using aloe vera gel to help treat the appearance of facial wrinkles, it’s important to use high-quality aloe vera gel. Look for the kind that has as few added ingredients as possible.

This is what you should do to remedy wrinkles under your eyes:

1. Gently massage a little aloe vera gel to the delicate skin under and around your eyes.
2. Repeat 2-3 times a day to keep your eyes nourished and hydrated.
3. Use daily to help prevent fine lines getting worse and remove the appearance of wrinkles.

Aloe vera is also useful for soothing tired eyes and getting rid of dark circles from under your eyes. In fact, aloe vera gel is a great all-around natural skin treatment to get healthy looking skin. You can also find out how to combine aloe vera and coconut oil to help soothe irritated skin in this DIY healing coconut oil and aloe vera gel lotion.

Another way to use aloe vera to get rid of wrinkles in general is by consuming aloe vera juice. According to the journal Annals of Dermatology, consuming aloe vera can help to increase collagen and reduce facial wrinkles. In a study, a group of women was given aloe vera to drink daily, and after 90 days the elasticity of their facial skin was measurably increased and they had fewer wrinkles.

For advice and precautions on consuming aloe vera, please read my article on why you should start drinking aloe vera juice.

Avocado oil with essential oils

You can reduce the appearance of fine lines and under eye wrinkles by combining avocado oil with some wrinkle-fighting essential oils.

How does mixing avocado oil and essential oil help to remove creases from under your eyes? The journal Connective Tissue Research reported that avocado oil has a positive impact on skin collagen metabolism. Unrefined avocado oil contains enzymes that can boost skin collagen.⁸

There are some essential oils that have been proven to help get rid of wrinkles naturally. According to the Journal of Dermatology, lemon essential oil, juniper oil, and grapefruit essential oil were the best essential oils to help prevent wrinkling and signs of aging.⁹

A word of caution – When using essential oils, pay special attention not to put them at the eye itself to avoid irritation. Also use a well diluted solution to prevent the vapors of the essential oil affecting your eyes.

How to make an anti-wrinkle treatment with avocado oil:

When using essential oils to boost the health of your skin, it’s important to remember to always dilute them in a carrier oil first.

Here is how to make your own anti-wrinkle oil with essential oils and avocado oil:

• Add 1 drop of either lemon oil, juniper oil, or grapefruit oil to a tablespoon of avocado oil and mix well.
• Put a few drops of oil on the tip of your finger and gently massage into the skin around your eyes to smooth the fine lines.
• Apply the anti-wrinkle eye remedy 2-3 times a day and use regularly to treat your wrinkles.

To find out more essential oils to reduce wrinkles, including other carrier oils for wrinkles, please read my article about the best essential oils to combat wrinkles naturally. You can also try this anti-wrinkle formula using essential oils.

Cocoa butter

To give the skin around your eyes a real treat and help combat eye wrinkles apply some cocoa butter regularly.

According to the journal Nutrients, cocoa butter contains antioxidant properties that help to battle the visible effects of skin aging. Among the benefits of applying cocoa butter to your facial skin are antioxidants to protect against skin aging, UV damage, and boost skin health. Researchers found that cocoa butter is helpful to treat skin diseases and protect against premature aging.¹⁰

To use cocoa butter on your skin to treat or prevent dryness and wrinkles, try mixing it with other beneficial products like coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. All you need to do is apply a little of the cocoa butter mixture as a natural moisturizer to the fine lines under your eyes 2 or 3 times a day for best results.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers have beneficial properties that can help to fight under eye wrinkles naturally and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

We are all familiar with pictures of women laying down with slices of cucumber on their eyes. Cucumbers not only have a cooling effect to reduce puffy eyes, but they can actually lessen noticeable signs of skin aging.

For example, scientific research has shown that extracts of cucumbers help to increase elastin and have an antioxidant effect. The journal Archives of Dermatological Research reported that the vitamin C content of cucumbers as well as its free radical scavenging activity makes this a potential anti-wrinkle agent.¹¹

How to use the cucumbers for fine lines:

It couldn’t be easier to apply cucumbers to your eyes to help make fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable. This is what you should do:

1. Cut a few slices of chilled cucumber and place them on each eye.
2. Leave the slices of cucumber for 10-15 minutes to soothe and relax your eyes.
3. Remove the cucumber slices and use a clean tissue to pad your eyes dry.
4. Apply a little coconut oil for extra moisturization and to improve your fine lines quickly.

How to Combat Under Eye Winkles Internally

There are a number of ways that you can combat the appearance of fine lines and help prevent existing wrinkles getting deeper.

Fish oil

Fish oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that have a positive effect on wrinkles and skin aging.

Taking fish oil regularly has cardiovascular benefits and helps to lubricate your joints by reducing inflammation. However, fish oil containing EPA and DHA can help to soften your skin and fight signs of aging.

According to the journal Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, taking fish oil supplements helps to improve the structure of cell membranes. Fish oil contains nutrients that boost skin health and help keep the skin in good condition.¹²

Evening primrose oil

Another beneficial supplement to help reduce fine lines under your eyes is evening primrose oil.

The International Journal of Cosmetic Science published a study showing how evening primrose oil helped women reduce signs of aging. The study group took 500 mg evening primrose 3 times a day for 12 weeks. It was found that skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration had all improved.¹³

How to Prevent Wrinkles Under Your Eyes

Of course, the best course of action when it comes to under eye wrinkles is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. One of the best ways to prevent the appearance of fine lines is to regularly care for your eyes and keep the skin around your eyes well-moisturized.

What else can you do to stop fine lines under your eyes turning into deep wrinkles?

Wear sunscreen. Scientific research into the cause of eye wrinkles has found that UV sun damage is a major factor in eye wrinkles appearing.² A study from Japan found that regular application of high-factor sunscreen helped to prevent wrinkles and uneven skin tone as well as skin cancer.¹⁴

Therefore, always apply sunscreen to your face and under your eyes to stop more wrinkles showing up. Sunscreen helps to prevent photo-aging effects on your skin.

Put sunglasses on

Wearing sunglasses on bright sunny days has a twofold effect in preventing wrinkles appearing or becoming deeper.

First, sunglasses that have UV protection will protect the delicate skin around your eyes from sun damage that causes wrinkles.

Second, sunglasses prevent squinting your eyes when it is sunny. As the British Journal of Dermatology reported, squinting creases the thin skin around your eyes and over time can lead to damage to the skin’s elastic properties.³

What About Drinking water?

Does drinking plenty of water daily help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles? The effect of water on the skin is controversial, and many internet websites say that drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day will help to enhance your skin’s complexion and minimize wrinkles.

However, according to the journal Nutrition Reviews, it’s a myth that skin hydration and wrinkles are connected to water intake. Scientists say that skin dryness is associated with factors like dry air, washing with harsh soaps, or medical conditions. The appearance of wrinkles is related to genetics and sun and environmental damage. Using skin emollients is the best way to improve the look of wrinkled skin.¹⁵

There are however many other reasons to make sure and keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking enough water. The harmful effects of dehydration are fatigue, putting on weight, kidney or bladder disorders, and joint pain.

There is no denial that the aging process doesn’t only reflect in our skin. It also reflects in our body and the way it functions. Every organ and system in our body needs water to regulate body temperature, flush out toxins, aid digestion and carry nutrients to our cells. The cells of our skin also depend on water to better function and repair damage. So drink water – if not for your skin, then for your general health.

Read my other related articles:

• 10 Secret Ways to Use Coconut Oil on Your Face
• Turmeric Face Mask Recipe for Glowing Skin
• Uneven Skin Tone: Causes and Home Remedies

Medical Sources