How to Prevent Under-Eye Creases

Nothing ruins an amazing makeup look (or a good mood) quite like under-eye creases peeking through your concealer or foundation. Even after you’ve expertly applied your products, those pesky skin folds always seem to appear halfway through the day. So what gives? The truth is that a combination of things can lead to under-eye creases, but there are measures you can take to significantly minimize their appearance. Below, we’re sharing how to avoid makeup creases under the eyes with a little bit of skincare prep and the right makeup formulas. Keep scrolling for all the skin-smoothing scoop.

Why Does Makeup Crease Under the Eyes?

A few factors can contribute to under-eye creases after applying makeup. For starters, the skin around the eyes is typically thinner than other areas of the face, making it more prone to developing fine lines and wrinkles. To compound matters, repeated facial expressions (like squinting, blinking, or smiling) can cause your makeup to shift and then settle into creases, further emphasizing their appearance. Your chosen makeup formulas and application techniques can also play a role: heavy formulas, insufficient blending, and lack of setting can all exacerbate creasing under the eyes and spoil that smooth finish you’re after. But all hope isn’t lost, bringing us to our next point…

How to Stop Under Eye Makeup From Creasing

From thoroughly prepping your skin to properly setting your makeup, there are plenty of things you can do to avoid under-eye creasing. Here are our top tips and favorite L’Oréal Paris products that can help.

Moisturize your under-eyes

An easy way to help reduce creases under the eyes before makeup is to apply a good moisturizer—preferably one that contains hyaluronic acid. Per the Cleveland Clinic, this powerhouse molecule helps trap moisture in the skin, keeping it adequately hydrated to promote a plump, smooth appearance.

You can find this hydrating ingredient in the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine Eye Serum, a potent eye serum that layers well under makeup. To apply, tap the serum onto your under-eye skin using the rollerball applicator. Then, use your fingertips to gently massage the formula in circular motions under the eyes, working up toward the temple. Allow it to dry completely before layering on a moisturizer. For this step, consider the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift HA + Ceramides Plumping Water Cream, which helps visibly re-plump all types of fine lines.

Use a primer

If you find yourself constantly wondering, “Why does my concealer crease?” it may be because you’re failing to use a primer. As a quick refresher, a primer is a type of makeup product designed to create a smooth, even base to which your makeup can adhere to and help it last longer. Skipping a primer can make all the difference in how prominent your under-eyes creases appear.

While there are many different primer formulas on the market, we recommend looking for ones made with silicones (like dimethicone) or glycerin to get a smooth finish. We’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer with Caring Serum. This blurring primer, which boasts a unique caring serum and universal rosy tint, helps instantly smooth the look of lines and pores while leaving skin with a radiant glow.

Opt for hydrating formulas

When picking a concealer or foundation that won’t crease, consistency and formula are key.

We suggest selecting lightweight, hydrating liquids over powders since the former is more likely to melt into your skin. This, by extension, can help prevent your makeup from moving around and getting trapped in your under-eye creases.

The L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer is our best under-eye concealer that doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines. And it’s easy to see why it’s so effective: The medium-coverage, hyaluronic acid-infused formula hydrates skin like a serum while correcting the appearance of imperfections like a concealer. Plus, it’s a great multitasker: You can use it to brighten dark circles, de-puff under-eye bags, or contour and highlight your facial features for a pro-worthy makeup look. For best results, complement your concealer with the hydrating L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. The two products are designed to pair together for a lightweight, skin-like finish and precise color match. Head to our guide, How To Find Your Perfect L'Oréal True Match Foundation and Concealer Shades, to discover how to pinpoint your ideal hue.

Consider your concealer placement

If you’re looking for specific advice on how to prevent concealer from creasing, our best tip is to rethink how you apply it. Spoiler alert: There’s often no need to swipe it all over your under-eye area. Generally speaking, the triangle beneath the inner corner of your eye is where darkness tends to be most visible. This area also happens to be slightly smoother than the outer corner, where creases and crow’s feet are more likely to form. With this in mind, apply your concealer to the inner corner of your eye. Then, use a makeup sponge to lightly blend it out, which can help reduce makeup from caking into your outer creases.

Editor’s Tip: If you accidentally went overboard applying product (it happens to the best of us), the steps for how to fix creased concealer are pretty simple: Gently blot the area with a clean fingertip or dampened makeup sponge to smooth it out. Then, apply another thin layer of concealer on top, if needed. Lightly set the area with translucent powder to help prevent further creasing under your eyes throughout the day. Speaking of setting…

Set your look

Setting your look with a spray or powder is essential in helping your makeup stay put and keeping under-eye creases from forming. Choosing between the two formulas is ultimately a matter of personal preference, but each can serve a distinct purpose in your makeup routine.

A setting spray is ideal for covering the face in seconds and is typically best for those who prefer a glowy finish. We love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, which helps eye, lip, and face makeup resist transfer all day and feels lightweight and breathable on the skin. Setting powder, on the other hand, is great for matte makeup looks and usually requires using a fluffy brush for a more targeted application (think the T-zone and under-eye area).

You also have the option of using setting spray and setting powder together for an ultra-long-lasting look. Apply the powder first, then lock everything in with a setting spray.

Next Up: How To Treat and Prevent Under-Eye Wrinkles

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris