Expert-approved tips for reducing fine eye lines

You probably already know how delicate the skin around your eyes is, which is why you’ve also likely been told to use a lighter touch in the area when applying creams and concealers. It’s also why many beauty enthusiasts are prone to under-eye fine lines, along with crow's feet.

“Crow’s feet are wrinkles that form around the corners of your eyes where the skin is very delicate. They form over time and are caused by facial expressions, sun, and loss of collagen,” board-certified dermatologist and MMSkincare founder, Ellen Marmur tells Bazaar. Thankfully, because these type of wrinkles are so fine, they can be smoothed out with a strategic approach that includes a mix of topical products and optional in-office treatments.

Here, we’ve consulted top experts for a few effective tips and tricks for getting rid of the lingering lines for good.

Opt for smoothing skincare ingredients

Retinol eye creams, hydrating peptides, anti-inflammatory arnica montana, and firming caffeine are great options to smooth crow’s feet over time, so professionals suggest looking for products containing one or more of these ingredients.

“Retinol brightens the eye area, promotes cell turnover, and smoothens out wrinkles over time. arnica montana helps to tighten the delicate skin around the eyes while reducing inflammation,” Marmur says. “Coffee helps to de-puff the eye area and nourish the skin. Lastly, peptides help to promote a healthy skin barrier.” 

Don’t forget your SPF

Did we also note that the eye area is not only the most delicate part of the face, but also the thinnest? “Since eye skin is the thinnest on all our faces, it needs protection from the sun to prevent photo damage,” says Loretta Ciraldo, board-certified dermatologist and founder of skincare line Dr Loretta. She and other experts recommend applying a thin layer of sunscreen to your eye area and around your temples, to prevent future fine lines and avoid deepening crow’s feet. Try a lightweight sunscreen or an eye cream infused with sunscreen.

Try light therapy

Light therapy has a number of proven benefits, including reducing acne and stubborn dark spots. But did you know it can also help smooth your skin’s texture and increase its collagen production? Marmur recommends using red light for its wrinkle-reducing, collagen-boosting benefits, and green light for overall skin rejuvenation. “I would recommend one 20-minute session a day, switching the LED settings each day,” she says.

Follow an effective treatment regimen

Combining in-office treatments with the right skincare products can yield impressive results, especially for the reduction of crow’s feet. Along with regularly incorporating key wrinkle-fighting ingredients, Marmur recommends combining in-office Botox every three to six months with three sessions of activated platelet-rich plasma injections (also known as PRP), along with three sessions of the smoothing Clear & Brilliant laser treatment for best results. Botox helps to “freeze” muscles to prevent deepening lines on the sides of your eyes, while activated PRP injections and Clear & Brilliant laser treatments firm and tighten the skin.

Also Read : How to fight skin ageing if retinol doesn’t work for you

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This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar US in February 2024.