What Causes Under-Eye Wrinkles + 8 Best Treatments, Baked By Derms

It's perhaps one of the most common makeup-related questions out there: How do you avoid under-eye concealer creasing? Even the most skilled makeup fans have trouble creating a perfectly smooth canvas from time to time, and more often than not, under-eye wrinkles are to blame. 

It's not uncommon to develop under-eye wrinkles before spotting fine lines elsewhere on the face or body. "The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, and signs of aging often first become apparent in this delicate tissue," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells mbg.

Not only is the skin thinner, but it's also more dynamic due to facial expressions around the eyes, King says (think smiling, squinting, etc.). This makes the under-eyes more prone to expression-triggered types of fine lines and wrinkles.

Peptides are varied and complex—there are more than a few different peptides out there (check out this story for the full breakdown). According to King, "The anti-aging potential of peptides was first shown years ago," when this study1 was published showing their ability to stimulate collagen production in the skin. 

Retinol is another popular eye cream ingredient, similarly because of its ability to stimulate collagen production2. However, as noted previously, the under-eye skin is a bit thinner, which means the retinol you use on this area should be gentler than the retinol you use on other portions of your face (or body). 

"[Retinol] should be used with caution by newcomers, as retinol has the potential to cause skin irritation, such as redness, dryness, and flaking," double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D., explains. 

Topical vitamin C is good for more than brightening the complexion. "​​Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralizes free oxygen radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cellular structures like DNA, lipids, and proteins," Camp says. This helps protect the under-eye skin from accelerated skin aging.

UV radiation can lead to accelerated skin aging3, especially when the skin is exposed sans barrier. "In addition to protecting the skin of your face with SPF, it is important not to forget the eyelid skin and other sensitive areas," Camp says—under-eyes, lips, and scalp included.

If you wake up with puffy eyes, you may want to consider adding facial massage to your morning routine. Not only will this feel great (especially if you use ice globes), but it's one way to address under-eye wrinkles, too. "Because eyelid skin is thinner, it is more susceptible to changes related to swelling," Camp says. So if you can minimize puffing, it's not a bad idea.

Eye masks are typically packed with hydrating ingredients, many of which we already named above (like hyaluronic acid, peptides, etc). Not only will the serum on these masks provide a moisture boost, but the material of the mask itself (silicone, a biodegradable base, etc.) will act as an occlusive layer, helping to lock in the very moisture your skin soaks up. 

Under-eye wrinkles (while completely expected and a natural part of aging) can be frustrating, especially when it comes to applying makeup. This delicate area has thinner, more sensitive skin than the rest of your face, so it may need some extra TLC.