How To Prevent and Treat Fine Lines Under Eyes

The skin around your eyes is among the most delicate on your face. It’s also one of the first places where signs of aging tend to show up. Fine lines under the eyes can start as faint creases and deepen over time due to a variety of causes, from lifestyle to skincare habits. Discover what causes under-eye wrinkles and ways to smooth things out and help keep your skin looking fresh.

What Causes Under-Eye Wrinkles?

Understanding what causes wrinkles under the eyes is key to addressing and preventing them. These creases form as skin loses elasticity and moisture over time. Below are several factors that can accelerate their appearance and make them more noticeable.

Natural aging

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, two proteins that help keep skin firm and smooth. This natural breakdown weakens the skin’s structure. It’s one of the leading causes of under-eye lines and can begin as early as your twenties.

To support your skin, try a daily moisturizer like the L'Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer. This formula delivers 48-hour hydration to restore your skin’s cushion and visibly smooth its texture. Over time, wrinkles will appear more filled-in for plumper skin.

Sun exposure

UV rays are known to break down collagen and elastin more rapidly. The thin skin under your eyes is particularly vulnerable to sun damage. That’s why sun protection is so important to prevent wrinkles around eyes.

For daily sun protection that also tackles signs of aging, try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30. It helps smooth out wrinkles, firms your skin, and keeps it protected from UV rays. It’s a great all-in-one product to start your day with.

Dehydration

When the body lacks water, the skin shows it quickly, especially in thin, delicate areas like the under-eye region. Dehydrated skin can appear dull, dry, and more wrinkled. Without moisture, fine lines under the eyes tend to become more pronounced.

To keep moisture levels up and skin looking plump, try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. It deeply hydrates, smooths all types of fine lines, and helps strengthen the skin barrier over time.

Repetitive facial expressions

Smiling, squinting, and frowning are natural expressions, but they can take a toll over time. These repeated motions create small creases that gradually deepen. That’s how expression lines become long-term lines under the eyes.

Try being more aware of your everyday gestures and relaxing your face when you can to help slow expression lines down.

Poor skincare habits

Tugging at the skin when removing makeup or skipping moisturizer can lead to damage. The under-eye area is fragile and needs gentle care. Consistently rough treatment can result in more visible under-eye lines.

A gentle cleanser like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser can help remove makeup without irritation, while also smoothing and nourishing the skin.

Lifestyle factors

Smoking, lack of sleep, and a poor diet all contribute to premature aging. These factors affect your skin’s health from the inside out. Over time, they can make eye wrinkles appear earlier and more severe.

How To Manage Under-Eye Wrinkles

While we can’t stop the clock, certain habits and products can make a visible difference. A good routine can soften the appearance of wrinkles under the eyes and help restore a smoother look.

Moisturize your under-eyes

A consistent eye care routine with hydration at the center can plump and smooth the under-eye area. The right ingredients help reinforce the skin’s barrier and reduce the appearance of fine lines under the eyes. Look for formulas designed specifically for this delicate area, like the ones below.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 2.5% HA + Caffeine Eye Serum

This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum contains 1.5% hyaluronic acid and 1% caffeine to visibly reduce fine lines under the eyes, puffiness, and dark circles. The triple roller applicator gives your skin a mini massage and cools things down, helping it look less puffy and more refreshed. With regular use, your skin will feel firmer and look more awake. This serum soaks in fast and layers well under makeup, so you can use it day or night without any fuss.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Formulated with antioxidants and Vitamin E, this eye cream targets five signs of aging: puffiness, crow’s feet, dark circles, crepey lids, and under-eye lines. It hydrates without being greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. The formula is gentle and fragrance-free, making it great for sensitive skin. Stick with it for brighter and more youthful-looking skin.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment

Combining Pro-Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid, this cream helps reduce wrinkles around the eyes, de-puff, and brighten in just one week. It’s lightweight and suitable for layering under other skincare or makeup. The formula is free from fragrance, parabens, and mineral oil. It’s a quick and easy addition to your daily routine.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream

Created for the eye area, this formula contains Pro-Retinol and Stimuplex™ to help firm the skin and reduce puffiness. It’s designed to minimize fine lines under the eyes in just four weeks. This cream works all around the eye area to help firm things up. Your skin will end up looking smoother and feeling a little more lifted with each use.

Use a nourishing cream cleanser

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine, and the right cleanser does more than just remove makeup. Choose one that nourishes the skin and supports moisture balance. It can make a noticeable difference, especially in delicate areas like under the eyes.

Try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. It gently exfoliates while removing impurities and traces of makeup. This helps smooth the skin’s texture without over-drying. Your skin will feel softer and ready for the next steps.

Reach for a facial moisturizer

A good face moisturizer locks in hydration and supports skin elasticity, which is essential for minimizing the appearance of fine lines under your eyes. Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and ceramides offer extra benefits for under-eye lines.

We love the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. This lightweight, fragrance-free cream visibly replumps and hydrates with a non-greasy finish. For added protection, try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30. It helps reduce wrinkles and shields skin from further damage.

Grab a face serum

Serums are concentrated formulas designed to target specific concerns like dryness and eye wrinkles. They’re lightweight and absorb quickly, making them ideal for layering under moisturizers. Choose serums that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate.

The L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum offers both immediate and long-term results. It delivers intense hydration and plumps the skin for a fresher look. With consistent use, wrinkles under the eyes appear softer. The formula is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types.

Add retinol to your regimen

Retinol helps increase cell turnover and encourages collagen production. This can gradually soften the appearance of under-eye lines. It’s a staple for many anti-aging skincare routines.

Try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Night Serum 0.3% Pure Retinol, made to balance effectiveness with gentleness. It contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin to help counteract dryness. With consistent use, your skin will feel smoother and look more refined, helping visibly reduce wrinkles under the eyes.

Try gentle exfoliation

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and allows active ingredients to penetrate more effectively. For the under-eye area, opt for mild chemical exfoliants over physical scrubs. Look for gentle exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, or polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are ideal for sensitive skin. Use them once or twice a week to help keep your skin smooth and bright without irritation.

Gentle exfoliation can improve texture and brightness. It’s an important step in maintaining skin health overall. Just be careful not to overdo it, especially near the eyes. Always follow with hydration to support the skin barrier.

How To Prevent Under-Eye Wrinkles

The best way to manage eye wrinkles is to prevent them from forming in the first place. Thoughtful daily habits can help you maintain smoother, firmer-looking skin. Here are easy steps that are worth adding to your routine.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30

Sun exposure is one of the top causes of fine lines under the eyes. Wearing SPF daily—even on cloudy days—helps protect your skin from long-term damage. Choose formulas that are gentle for the face, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30 or the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50 for a 2-in-1 application.

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses

Sunglasses reduce the need to squint in bright light, which helps minimize lines under the eyes. They also protect the eye area from UV rays. Look for lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB.

Keep your skin hydrated with a moisturizer

Hydrated skin is more resilient and shows fewer signs of aging. In the morning, try using the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer. This product instantly makes skin feel softer, smoother, and hydrated for 24 hours. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and Pro-Retinol to visibly reduce wrinkles, improve firmness, and brighten skin tone. At night, reach for the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream to help renew and nourish your skin while you sleep. It’s made with an exclusive antioxidant recovery complex and helps repair the skin barrier up to 1.5x faster, so you wake up with smoother, stronger skin.

Remove your makeup gently at the end of the day

Use a soft cotton pad and gentle makeup remover to avoid stretching the skin. Being rough can lead to irritation and more pronounced under-eye lines. Take your time during this step.

Get plenty of quality sleep

Sleep is when your skin repairs itself. Getting 7–9 hours each night helps reduce the look of eye wrinkles and supports a healthy glow. Make sleep a priority whenever possible.

Next Up: How To Create An Effective Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris