Starting with my late twenties, I have dedicated myself to learning how to get rid of fine lines under eyes. That was actually my beginning, the point where I started to become extremely passionate about skincare.
I’ll be honest:
It can get overwhelming because there’s a lot of information to be covered. There are so many ways to get rid of fine lines under eyes so I’ll do some highlights for what are the most approachable steps in preventing fine lines and under eye wrinkles.
Just remember: it’s always best to prevent because treating or getting rid of something is always so much harder and costly.
If you’re interested in some products that can help us further conceal our fine lines and wrinkles, check out my recommendations for the best under eye primers for wrinkles.
Contents
How to Get Rid of Fine Lines Under Eyes: Best Eye Creams
1. My Top Pick: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Under Eye Cream
A very good choice if you’re looking for an eye cream with retinol that won’t cost too much, it’s the perfect accessible option for a lot of us, one that can fill in fine lines and prevent future wrinkles.
2. Great for Moisturizing: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
It promises to tackle dark circles and puffiness, a very cheap cream for those who are looking for a refreshed look, much more appropriate for the day, during the night you can switch to one with retinol.
3. Best Drugstore Eye Cream: La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
Drugstore eye creams are usually pretty cheap but this La Roche-Posay is an exception to the rule and what a thoroughly capable exception, containing not only retinol but retinyl linoleate, as well.
4. The Expensive Option: Guinot Age Logic Eye Cream
The price for this one might scare a lot of people but it has a list of ingredients that amazes me, it’s impressive and definitely focused on preventing and filling in fine lines, under eye wrinkles and crow’s feet.
8 Best Eye Creams for Fine Lines under Eyes
My choices for the best eye creams cover a wide array of prices, from the best drugstore eye creams to those amazing eye creams that cost a small fortune. I hope you find the best eye cream for you among these 6.
The very large majority of eye creams only weigh o.5 oz. They’re tiny but last a good while (at least 3-4 months, up to 6 months) because you only use them on such a small area and a pea-sized amount is enough for both eyes.
1. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Under Eye Cream – Cheapest Best Eye Cream with Retinol
When it comes to Neutrogena, it’s hard to just pick one eye cream. They have several and each one sounds great.
Even so, I’ve chosen the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Under Eye Cream because there’s one word in that name that interests me: retinol.
My love for retinol has been cemented over the years so, my ears perk up whenever there’s mention of it. It just seems like the perfect first choice.
The Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Under Eye Cream is one of the most affordable best eye creams with retinol. If you want to try retinol on your eye area but don’t want to spend too much, this is a good first option.
Ingredients
- retinol
- hyaluronic acid
- glucose complex
With this one, your crow’s feet will definitely diminish and fine lines will be mostly gone, while preventing others from appearing. It’s no wonder that this Neutrogena is so highly appreciated and popular.
A great option for those who don’t feel comfortable paying a lot of money on a best under eye cream for wrinkles. This one can only be used on the under eye area, no applying it on eyelids.
The only thing is that you need to continue using this best eye cream for under eye wrinkles if you want to enjoy the benefits.
You can use it daily at night but if it causes you any irritation, although it shouldn’t, use it every other night for a few weeks before going back to a nightly use.
If you want to be sure that you won’t get irritated by it, apply the Neutrogena and then apply a moisturizing best eye cream on top of it, like the next one, which is also a drugstore eye cream. Even if you get them both, it won’t cost you too much. And you can use the CeraVe eye cream during the day, too.
Another very impressive drugstore best eye cream for deep hydration is the Cetaphil Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum.
2. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream – Best Drugstore Eye Cream for Dark Circles and Puffiness
Well, it doesn’t get any cheaper than the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. The best, cheapest eye cream for dark circles and puffiness. It won’t fix any deep wrinkles, it will smooth out fine lines because it will brighten your eye area. It’s not for under eye wrinkles and it doesn’t claim to be.
It doesn’t have a massive impact on under eye wrinkles like a retinol eye cream does but, remember that I said that proper daily hydration is extremely important for keeping fine lines and under eye wrinkles at bay.
The CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is mainly for dark circles and puffiness and it will definitely help with those problems.
It’s not exactly “how to get rid of fine lines under eyes” but more “how to make your eye area look well-rested and fresh”.
Even so, the benefit is that the whole area will appear younger and refreshed because it provides moisture. In my opinion, those are some great benefits.
The focus of the ingredients is on 3 essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, the purpose being to moisturize and protect the delicate skin barrier.
It also contains sweet almond oil (contains vitamin K, which can lighten dark circles). Aloe vera and vitamin E complete this ensemble of wonderful ingredients.
If you want to prevent wrinkles, smooth out some pretty serious fine lines under eyes but you also want to fight dark circles and puffiness you can combine the above Neutrogena retinol eye cream with this CeraVe Eye Repair Cream.
3. Guinot Age Logic Eye Cream, 0.44 oz
It’s time for our expensive best eye cream for wrinkles. This one is at least 4 times more expensive than the above two options. It’s a lot of money to spend on a tiny bottle of eye cream.
Does it work in filling out fine lines, smoothing deeper wrinkles, and preventing future ones?
It does. It simply does. That’s the truth of it.
It doesn’t have a large following, it’s certainly not as popular as the SkinCeuticals products.
The Guinot Age Logic Eye Cream has a very long list of ingredients. On their website, it states that it has 56 active ingredients. I’ll take their word for it, I’m not going to count them, I have a hard time even glancing at them.
Deciphering it is a bit headache inducing.
These are the ingredients that stand out and that I could make sense of:
- sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- actinergie (corn extract) increases the oxygen uptake of cells
- adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provides energy for younger looking skin, extremely beneficial and not often encounter in anti-aging skin creams, it’s definitely one of the reasons for which this cream for under eye wrinkles is so good
- acmella flower extract, which is considered the natural alternative to botox, its effects are immediately visible, you don’t need to wait months to see the changes in fine lines reduction and skin relaxation
- hyaluronic acid
- a bunch of peptides, which are great for increasing collagen production, highly desirable anti-aging ingredients
- niacinamide
- folic acid
These are just a few of the ingredients but, just by these, you can tell that the Guinot Age Logic Eye Cream is no ordinary under eye cream for wrinkles.
It’s something special even though it’s so expensive that it makes you want to cry. At least, that’s the reaction that it gets from me.
4. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
This best eye cream for Dr. Dennis Gross is as close to perfect as you can get. It’s just such a fantastic eye cream that can be used on the entire eye area, including the eyelids. I love seeing a cream with retinol that can be used on the eyelids.
But it’s so much more than a product for preventing and filling in fine lines under eyes. It even fights eyelid crepiness. It also targets puffiness and dark circles. All that doesn’t come cheap, this is an expensive best eye cream.
The ingredients
- centella asiatica extract – very famous plant in South Korea due to its potent antioxidant properties but it’s also a rich source of amino acids, and soothing hydrating abilities
- licorice root extract – anti-inflammatory, skin-brightening, anti-aging benefits
- ferulic acid – you might have seen ferulic acid paired with antioxidants C and E because it stabilizes and doubles their efficiency but in this case it’s paired with retinol to boost its effects, which I really like
- retinol – the efficient ingredient that speeds up cell turnover, it is believed that a faster turnover rate leads to improvements in skin appearance, like the filling in of fine lines and under eye wrinkles, including crow’s feet
- bearberry extract – for its skin lightening agent arbutin
- caffeine – can reduce under eye bags and the appearance of dark circles
- hyaluronic acid
- salicylic acid
- glycolic acid and mandelic acid (AHAs that are very good chemical exfoliators for removing dead skin cells without irritating the skin)
You might have expected the caffeine and the HA and the impressive extracts, the retinol and ferulic acid are mentioned in the name, but I don’t think that many of us expected to encounter three exfoliating acids, both BHA (salicylic acid) and AHAs (glycolic acid and mandelic acid).
Yes, the entire eye area can be exfoliated. It’s not something that most people consider.
Exfoliators penetrate deeply into the dermis to boost collagen production and they also have brightening properties plus salicylic acid prevents clogged pores but you can’t take your usual exfoliator for face and apply it on the eye area. You need a product like this best eye cream that includes them alongside other powerful ingredients in a wonderful balance.
It works best for oily, combination, and normal skin types.
5. La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream
This one is actually a drugstore best eye cream but the price, which is at least 2 times higher than what you might be used to, doesn’t exactly reflect that.
Nevertheless, La Roche-Posay has managed to create an amazing cream for fine lines and under eye wrinkles, it promises to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and other fine lines and wrinkles and to lighten dark circles. If you want a fresh look throughout the day, this cream might make it happen.
It has very powerful effective ingredients:
- caffeine for lighting dark circles
- hyaluronic acid
- retinol
- retinyl linoleate – another vitamin A derivative, just weaker than retinol but still a pleasant surprise to find two vitamin A derivatives
- adenosine – anti-aging and soothing benefits
Retinyl linoleate and adenosine form together what La Roche-Posay calls their Retinol Booster Complex. It’s meant to enhance retinol’s benefits while protecting the skin from any irritation.
Which is why this a best eye cream for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin.
6. Filorga Optim-Eyes Triple-Action Eye Contour Cream
Filorga manages to find a balance between a not-very-high price and amazing powerful ingredients that are intended to fight dark circles, wrinkles, and to also intensely hydrate the skin at the same time.
The list of ingredients is a joy for those looking for a powerful hydrating best eye cream:
- polyphenol – an antioxidant that repairs and rejuvenates the skin, not as well known as vitamin A and vitamin C but very potent
- a gathering of wonderful peptdies – dipeptide-2, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, arginine
- hyaluronic acid
- retinyl acetate, a vitamin A derivative, which is slightly weaker than retinol but still pretty good
- pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- vitamin E
- niacinamide
- folic acid
Those who have sensitive skin will find this best eye cream to be a complete delight. It works for all skin types and it can be used twice daily.
7. Garnier Anti Puff Eye Roller
We’ve talked about some of the best eye creams to smooth out under eye wrinkles and for getting rid of fine lines under eyes but we should also cover another category of products: eye rollers.
I love eye rollers.
Even though they’re used as depuffing eye products, they can also have a very evident impact on our eye fine lines and wrinkles.
We already know that if we’re well-rested, our aging signs are reduced, our fine lines and wrinkles are not as prominent.
That’s why I love anti-puff eye rollers so much.
If you were to read user reviews for the Garnier Anti Puff Eye Roller, you’ll notice that people mention that they have notices that their wrinkles are no longer there as soon as the dark circles are reduced.
Garnier Anti Puff Eye Roller acts on dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles. We can use these rollers under eyes and also for the wrinkles in the corner of our eyes.
The gel is formulated with vitamin C, mint and caffeine. These 3 wonderful ingredients instantly cool and refresh our eye area.
This Garnier Anti Puff Eye Roller reduces our dark circles, brightens up the skin, reduces the look of under-eye bags, and subsequently our eye fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced.
Overall, it’s a cheap eye roller that is incredibly popular.
8. bliss Eye Do All Things Eye Gel
Another eye roller for our eyes is this one from bliss. However, my favorite remains the one from Garnier because it’s very cheap and very good.
However, users also mention that this eye gel makes a big difference in under eyes wrinkles and dark circle, which is exactly what we’re looking for in this article on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes.
The ingredients are a combination of caffeine, peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E, panthenol (vitamin B5), and plant stem cells. It also contains citric acid and lactic acid.
This combination should help smooth and firm to reduce the look of puffy, tired eyes.
Thanks to its light blue sheen, it should also visibly diminish dark circles. And the massaging rollerball increased circulation.
How to Get Rid of Fine Lines Under Eyes: Main Methods
Some of these methods address the matter getting rid of under eye wrinkles but others will also focus on what you can do to prevent fine lines from turning into under eye wrinkles. It’s best if you start after you hit 25-27 years old.
1. Apply sunscreen daily
This is true no matter if it’s cloudy or it’s snowing or you’re going to the beach. It’s absolutely crucial and, by know, everyone knows that wearing sunscreen daily is an absolutely must not only for our skin’s health but also for preventing fine lines and wrinkles on the face, neck, chest.
The alternative to a sunscreen is a moisturizer with SPF, at least SPF30. It doesn’t matter if it’s a chemical or a completely mineral sunscreen or a combination of both, they all work and during the summer I always wear SPF50 and a moisturizer with SPF30 the rest of the year.
The UV rays are the ones that age us the most.
2. Lead a healthy lifestyle
I know that it’s easier said than done but we all know just how much our skin’s health is influenced by our daily habits.
Under this method for how to get rid of fine lines under eyes we have:
- healthy diet (no sodas, no sweets, fruits and lots of vegetables instead of fried foods)
- give up smoking (after the sun, this is the second leading cause for fine lines and, later on, very deep wrinkles)
- pretty much give up drinking
- don’t rub your eyes at all (that skin is the thinnest on our body, never be rough with it)
- drink plenty of water and sleep at least 7-8 hours a night
3. Consider a vitamin C serum
Antioxidants are fantastic for fighting premature aging. They’re also amazing for filling in fine lines and smoothing out a bit the deeper wrinkles. And two of the most famous antioxidants are vitamin C and retinol. The difference is that vitamin C is for the day and retinol serums/creams are for the night.
Vitamin C is absolutely amazing and a serum with vitamin C is definitely recommended for our morning routine, even when it comes to knowing how to prevent and how to treat under eye wrinkles and crepey skin on the eyelids.
Vitamin C is not only one of the best anti-aging ingredients but it’s especially good for the day because it protects our skin against the damage from the sun and it can even reverse sun damage. I will recommend a couple of vitamin C serums just below. You can get a really affordable one, just give it a try.
So, if you incorporate a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine, it will go like this:
- cleanse your face (wash your face with face wash/cleanser)
- apply toner if you’re using one
- vitamin C serum – as long as you don’t stick your finger in the eye it won’t irritate the under eye area or your eyelids
- eye cream – just above I recommended a few of my picks when it comes to the best eye cream, those with retinol are a top choice for getting rid of fine lines and under eye wrinkles
- moisturizer
4. Moisturize
And I’m not referring to drinking at least 2L of water per day. That’s for our internal hydration. But the skin requires topical hydration, twice daily in fact.
I apply my moisturizer including on my eyelids and on my entire under eye area. It won’t make you cry unless you really stick it under the eyes. Just get as close as you can and always use your ring finger when massaging any skincare product in the eye area.
5. The expensive methods
There are 4 major expensive methods that are fantastic at really getting rid of under eye wrinkles, even the deep ones:
- microdermabrasion
- chemical peels
- under eye fillers
- and laser technology, which is the most expensive method, besides surgery
All these 4 can only be performed by specialists. Later on in this article we’ll talk about the average prices for each of them.
However, I mostly see them as beneficial for people in their late 30s. Currently, I’m 32 years old and I don’t feel the need for any of those. I only look frightening when I don’t get enough sleep.
What Are Fine Lines/Under Eye Wrinkles?
Which is the first part of our bodies that first shows the signs of premature aging?
You’ve guessed it right: it’s the sensitive and delicate skin under our eyes.
Actually, according to WebMD, the brow is the place where the first signs of aging appear and then come the fine lines and wrinkles under our eyes together with the crow’s feet but the order is definitely reversed in my case.
- in the beginning you just get a few fine lines, not noticeable unless you look for them – that was the moment I started taking action
- the fine lines go in tandem with under eye bags, also known as puffiness
- in time, the fine lines turn into deeper wrinkles, if you want to prevent those deep wrinkles from forming you need to first target the fine lines – that’s where my post on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes comes in handy
- and that’s the point when sagging skin appears, too
Those under eye wrinkles can also be accompanied by dark circles, hollowness, and puffiness, which makes our eyes appear to be those of an older person that the rest of our face shows.
When should you start seriously considering how to get rid of fine lines under eyes?
The answer is a bit different for anyone. I would say that around the age of 25 is a good number. Our lifestyle choices and skin type influence the exact number quite considerably. A dry skin will always be more prone to early wrinkles, especially if it’s not hydrated properly. A smoker will always age sooner than a non-smoker.
I actually started looking for methods for getting rid of fine lines under eyes around that age. For some years, I questioned if it had been too soon.
However,
The more I researched on it, the more I became confident that it was the right age to start. Like I said, it might be different for you.
What Causes Fine Lines/Under Eye Wrinkles?
We’ve already established that the eye skin is the first one to show signs of aging. Naturally, it’s time to see what causes those under eye wrinkles that give us so much grief.
It would be amazing if only advanced age would lead to the fine lines and, subsequently, the wrinkles under our eyes and to those known as crow’s feet.
Besides aging, which are the other factors that lead us to having to prevent fine lines from turning into under eye wrinkles?
The skin around the eyes is very thin and it contains very few oil glands, which means that it can lack the natural moisture that other parts of our face enjoy. For example, forehead wrinkles can be less shallow than the wrinkles in our eye area (under eye and crow’s feet).
Moisturizing twice daily is not only for those suffering from dry skin. Using a simple cheap drugstore eye cream with hyaluronic acid or glycerin is good for every skin type.
UV rays
One of the most important factors on the list of factors that cause premature aging is sun exposure.
It even has a name, it’s called photoaging because the UV rays lead to collagen degradation, they dehydrate and damage the skin, reducing skin elasticity, causing sags and bags. Simply put photoaging is one of our biggest enemies.
Smoking
Besides aging and prolonged sun exposure, smoking can be considered the second biggest factor to cause facial wrinkles (it’s not only about the eyes but the mouth, too).
The chemicals in tobacco smoke damage collagen and elastin, which impairs strength and elasticity. Also, the nicotine causes narrowing of the blood vessels. Due to the lessened blood flow, the skin doesn’t receive as much oxygen and nutrients as it needs in order to look healthy and smooth
Our natural expressions, like squinting in the sun or when we laugh or cry or frown or work, are another contributing factor to the formation of fine lines, under eye wrinkles, and crow’s feet.
Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration and the first signs that you are not hydrating your body properly will manifest into the fine lines around your eyes.
Unhealthy eating habits – packaged and fast foods, eating too much sugar – staying away from these helps those suffering from acne, too.
Genetic and hereditary factors – well, there’s nothing you can do about that but you certainly know what you can expect. Dark circles are hereditary and there’s no much it can be done about them. We have better success at preventing and getting rid of fine lines under eyes.
How to Prevent Fine Lines Under Eyes
When it comes to wrinkles of all kind, whether around the eye area or anywhere else on the chest and neck, preventing them from forming too early is the right approach.
We all get old and not many of us can afford fillers once every 6 months. For those of us who live on a budget, preventing fine lines under eyes and postponing the time when the fine lines turn into under eye wrinkles and crow’s feet is the actual answer to getting rid of under eye wrinkles.
Start in your 20s
Which is why we should acknowledge that we’re going to get fine lines and the wrinkles when we are in our 20s and take a proactive approach early on in the battle against wrinkles of all types, even if it amounts to small steps.
I started shopping for the best anti-aging eye creams a few years ago and, since then, I’ve gone through quite a lot of brands at various prices. I will admit that I’m pro drugstore eye creams because they are accessible to such a large number of people. Even to people who are not as obsessed with skin care as I am.
I also learned about the power of having a strong skin barrier and the power of always keeping the skin full of moisture. Let’s not forget about wearing sunscreen absolutely every day of the year.
When it comes to knowing how to get rid of fine lines under eyes, things are still pretty simple for me because I’m in my early thirties now. But I’m an expressive person, I laugh, I frown, I pull faces. I also have really dry sensitive skin and that leads to many wrinkles, which appeared in my mid twenties.
At least, I got rid of one harmful habit. I stopped rubbing my eyes during allergy season. That’s the proactive approach that I was talking about. Small things that individually don’t influence our lives in an your face manner but put together matter a lot.
In this article from HuffPost it says that rubbing our eyes stretches the skin and breaks down collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the proteins that maintain our skin looking smooth and firm.
On that topic, it’s also advisable not to stretch the skin too much when you apply makeup.
The skin around our eyes is the most sensitive and, at the same time, I hate and love having to take extra care of it.
8 Methods to Get Rid of Fine Lines Under Eyes and Prevent Under-Eye Wrinkles
It’s time to analyse all the best methods on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes, how to brighten the skin, reduce the puffiness, and even help a bit with the dark circles.
Before that, I want to make something clear: I apply the large majority of my serums on my entire eye area, too. And I seal them all off with my eye cream.
How to get rid of fine lines under eyes main at-home methods:
- shopping for a very good vitamin C serum – antioxidants are one of the most important ingredients in skin care with amazing anti-aging benefits but, some are impressive because they protect our skin from environmental factors (UV rays exposure, pollution) and vitamin C is the superstar when it comes to protecting the skin during the day
- using the best eye creams – there are a lot to choose from (with hyaluronic acid, with vitamin C, with retinol, with peptides, with epidermal growth factor etc), I’m going to have a lot of fun reviewing some for you
- applying sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF 30 daily, not only in the summer – if you want to discover the wonderful world of moisturizers with SPF, check out my post
- massaging the eye area, which is totally free, it will only cost you a couple of minutes
- making your own under eye mask – I have included a lot of links to various websites with a lot of DIY recipes
- and, last but not least, eating a healthy diet, giving up smoking, and those sort of things that are harder to do than a lot of the other methods for getting rid of under eye wrinkles that I mentioned above
The above how to get rid of fine lines under eyes methods will first and foremost prevent the appearance of under eye wrinkles. They will also fill in wrinkles, especially the fine lines.
There are also the expensive methods, the ones that require a specialist, always:
- microdermabrasion
- chemical peels
- under eye fillers
- and laser technology, which is the most expensive method, besides surgery
Best Ingredients to Prevent and Fill In Fine Lines Under Eyes
Even if you get a best eye cream that only acts as a moisturizer, that doesn’t translate it into a bad thing. If you make our skin retain moisture, the skin will look plump and the fine lines will be smoothed out and the wrinkles will be a bit filled in.
I prefer using two eye creams, actually: during the day a moisturizing one that will strengthen my skin barrier and protect my skin against against dehydration, UV rays, pollutants, dust and debris and during the night one that has more potent anti-aging ingredients, like peptides or retinol.
Humectants
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the best ingredients for moisturizing the skin, for the whole face and the eye area. It locks in moisture into the skin, attracts moisture from the deeper layers of the skin and it attracts moisture from the air, which makes it very effective indeed.
Since a moisturized skin means a plump skin, hyaluronic acid also acts as an anti-aging ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is also found as sodium hyaluronate (a salt of HA) on the list of ingredients. Other moisturizing creams can feature both hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate.
Fillers with HA wouldn’t be so expensive and effective in smoothing out the skin if it weren’t so good.
Glycerin is another humectant that it’s just the best. I would say that glycerin tops hyaluronic acid in its performances to attract moisture from the air.
It’s just such an underrated skincare ingredient. It should be absolutely everywhere because it exceeds what HA offers but somehow HA has become the ingredient that every product boasts of having.
Effective anti-aging ingredients found in the best eye creams
- antioxidants boost collagen production, which makes them fantastic
- vitamin C – anti-aging, brightening, protector from environmental factors
- retinol – the star of the show when it comes to noticeable improvements in under eye wrinkles and wrinkles of all kind because retinol increases collage production, bolsters skin elasticity, lightens spots caused by sun exposure, and it’s a top ingredient to be aware of when considering how to get rid of fines lines under eyes – those who think that it irritates the eye area are completely wrong, the skin under and around your eyes will thank you for it
- peptides (dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, pentapeptides, polypeptides) – these are amino acids and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, collagen and elastin being two proteins that interest us for getting rid of under eye wrinkles
- EPG (epidermal growth factor) – this one actually stimulates cells to reproduce, it has been primarily designed as a healing agent but it has made its way into the beauty industry as an anti-aging ingredient featured by some of the most expensive anti-aging creams and serums
The purpose of the best eye creams for fine lines and wrinkles is boosting the production of collagen and elastin. These are the two protein that keep our skin from losing firmness, from getting and wrinkly and sagging.
Contrary to what some people believe, drinking collagen doesn’t translate into more collagen in the dermis.
In order to prevent fine lines and under eye wrinkles we need to stimulate collagen production, which can be obtained by applying a topical best eye cream twice daily or at least in the evening.
Other ingredients
- ceramides (are lipids (fats) and are often overlooked but they have a big impact in preventing our skin from showing signs of aging sooner than it should: they form a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects our skin from the damage caused by environmental factors)
- niacinamide (anti-inflammatory, boosts natural production of ceramides, protection against environmental factors, anti-aging, can reduce hyperpigmentation, regulates oil production)
- caffeine (it can temporarily reduce under eye bags, lightens dark circles, soothing ingredient that also constricts blood vessels)
Best Vitamin C Serums to Prevent Under Eye Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Since I mentioned antioxidants and vitamin C is one of the most famous of them all, let’s briefly talk about some amazing antioxidants serums before actually reviewing some of the best eye creams for fine lines, under eye wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles.
A diet high in vitamin C and a vitamin C serum applied in the morning can improve your overall appearance a great deal, it evens out the skin tone, it boosts collagen production, and it protects against photodamage and pollution. I apply my vitamin C serum on the entire eye area, too. Just like I do with my niacinamide serum.
1. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum, 1 oz – Cheapest Vitamin C Serum
This is the perfect example of a skincare product that works really well at a price that anyone can afford. It’s a perfect replacement for expensive vitamin C serums.
The ingredients are simply fantastic, as it always seems to be the case with CeraVe. It contains:
- 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, which is the most potent form of vitamin C) – you will get antioxidant properties at its max
- three essential ceramides, which strengthen the skin barrier and help skin retain moisture – they work nicely combined with retinol, too
- hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)
- Vitamin B5 (panthenol) – fantastic for its moisturizing and healing properties
Just from these ingredients alone you can tell that it’s really good. It protects against pollution, sun damage, it can reduce fine wrinkles, brighten the skin, and maybe even help with acne scars in time.
It’s also fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic. A very good alternative to this CeraVe and in the same price range is the Vitamin C Serum by L’Oreal Paris.
2. Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti Aging Serum, 1.7 oz – Complex Vitamin C Serum
This might not be one of the most expensive vitamin C serums but it’s not cheap either. It’s right in the middle but, at least, you won’t get the standard 1 oz bottle. With this one you get 1.7 oz. That’s nice, something to last longer.
I just had to include this as my second recommendation because I love this brand. They also have a very good sunscreen that I like a lot. Their products always inspire good quality and thoughtfulness for the ingredients and what they can deliver to consumers.
Anyway, this looks more like a cream than the serums that we’re used to.
Let’s see about the ingredients that make this anti-aging serum a winner in my book:
- tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate – a vitamin C derivative that it’s oil soluble, more stable than pure vitamin C but not as studied for its benefits
- L- ascorbic acid – pure vitamin C, unstable but the most potent form
- magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) – another vitamin C derivative
- ascorbyl palmitate – yet another vitamin C derivative
- vitamin E
- hyaluronic acid
- grape seed extract, algae extract, and green tea
Plus, a bunch of other ingredients known for fighting wrinkles but they’re included at the end of the list of ingredients, which makes me unsure of their concentration so, I won’t mention them.
This anti-aging serum is one big family of vitamin C forms, from its pure form to various derivatives.
What I don’t like is that there’s no mention of concentrations for none of the ingredients.
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate are both lipid-soluble and they can penetrate the skin more easily, stimulating collagen production, they work great in combination with other derivatives. And MAP is well-known for its skin brightening benefits.
The other ingredients are also well known for their antioxidant properties, great for fighting wrinkles.
It’s good for all skin types, including people with very dry skin and acne-prone.
All in all,
In a sea of vitamin C serums, there are a lot of them that just sound like copies of each other with a bunch of ingredients thrown together, the Image skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti Aging Serum manages to really stand out, if only its price would be lower.
3. Obagi Professional C Serum 20%, 1 oz – High Concentration of Pure Vitamin C
If there is one vitamin C serum that truly manages to stand out is the Obagi Professional C Serum 20% because it includes the highest concentration of L-ascorbic acid and it is considered to deliver an intense dose of vitamin C into the epidermis and dermis.
It’s not hard to see why it’s so popular and so praised by consumers and dermatologists.
It is indeed praised for a variety of benefits: visibly brightened skin, decrease in hyperpigmentation, good for those suffering from eczema and those with dry skin, disappeared fine lines, the impression of smaller pores.
But I must warn you, it’s also one of the most expensive serums on the market.
They keep their ingredients simple: 20% L-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid. It’s so strong that some users end up using it every other day, while veterans of vitamin C serums use it daily.
How to Get Rid of Fine Lines Under Eyes DIY Methods
If you don’t want the options offered by beauty stores, there are plenty of options that you can pursue at home, all made by you.
The DIY options for how to get rid of fine lines under eyes are many.
I can’t possibly feature all of them.
If you’re interested, you can find so many surprising helpful treatments for under eye wrinkles, you just need time and patience.
Under Eye Massage to Thicken Skin
I’m pretty sure that the first thing that I was going to suggest under the DIY category was offering yourself an eye massage.
But massages are wonderful. Who doesn’t love them?
This eye massage takes only a few minutes.
You could definitely include it in your night routine, without making an extra effort.
I’ll try to explain the steps but it’s easier to just watch a YouTube video:
- always use your ring finger to apply the cream around your eyes because the ring finger is the weakest so it will apply the least pressure on the most sensitive skin in our bodies
- place a small amount of eye cream on your ring fingers
- gently distribute it under your eyes and on your eyelids
- close your eyes and using your ring and middle fingers start massaging in circles, do about 6 full circles
- after, glide the same fingers from the corner of your eyes towards the temples, repeat the same movement 6 times both under the eyes and on the eyelids
- using the same two fingers, spread them and pull the skin towards the temples, start massaging with a circular motion the skin between the two fingers using your middle and ring finger from your free hand
And that’s about all you need to do.
Dark circles and puffiness will be visibly reduced. And it can help tightening the skin.
DIY Under Eye Mask for Wrinkles
There are a lot of ingredients that you can experiment with.
I’m just going to introduce you to some simple recipes and you can take you from there.
Mask no. 1:
- egg white
- 1 tablespoon of finely shredded carrot
- one teaspoon aloe vera
- combine the 3 ingredients and beat them together with a fork until frothy
- apply the mask under the eyes and at the corners
- leave the mask for at least 15 minutes up to 30 or until it gets uncomfortable
- remove it using a wet towel and then apply your usual eye cream
You can find more on this recipe here at Hello Glow.
Another example is a simple mask made from avocado and aloe vera. Add 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel to the avocado mash (half of avocado). Leave it on for 20 minutes.
If those aren’t enough, check out more here at CureJoy.
DIY Under Eye Cream for Wrinkles
I didn’t even realize that you can make your own under eye cream at home.
There are some interesting recipes:
- one made from coconut oil, vitamin E, aloe vera gel, shea butter, and frankincense essential oil – for the quantities and the steps that you have to follow, check out this post
- another under eye cream that you can make at home contains ground coffee, beeswax, shea butter, almond oil, vitamin E, rosehip seed oil, chamomile essential oil, and frankincense essential oil and you can read all about it here
Microneedling
Microneedling is currently regarded as the newest best non-invasive procedure that can give people plumper younger looking skin.
It has its pros and cons.
What does it entail?
It’s a tiny device with tiny needles that are rolled over the skin. Instead of tiny needles, I should actually say microneedles because their length varies from 0.5 to 3 mm.
They are gentle enough to be used around the eye.
Also, the specialist will apply a topical cream that anesthetizes the face.
Microneedling is used on the entire face and neck.
How does it work?
The microneedles trigger the skin to repair itself, boosting the production of collagen and elastin, and that’s why the skin looks plumper.
It’s also used for scars and stretch marks.
The side-effects only last for a few hours and manifest in the form of redness and mild swelling.
However, really sensitive skin might take one or two days to recover and it can experience some bruising and pinpoint bleeding.
I would say that those with hypersensitive skin should not attempt this method for getting rid of under eye wrinkles.
That’s why it’s very important to see a good specialist.
Since I said that, it’s important to tell you that I don’t recommend at-home microneedling. I know there are a few affordable microneedling devices that can be used at home but the safest route is to go see a specialist.
Professionals change out the needles after each use, at-home microneedling devices should be changed once a month.
The needles need to be completely sharp. They can be dangerous because they can leave scars if they’re not handled properly and they can spread bacteria all over the face.
Not for me
Personally, I wouldn’t try this method at all. The thought of someone running needles all over my face doesn’t sit well with me and I’m not even afraid of needles.
I’ve had enough pocking my body to know that I don’t have a problem with needles but that was for medical reasons.
And, as far as I’m aware, it’s way too expensive.
Most people need 3 to 6 sessions and the results will be visible 4 to 6 weeks after treatment, when the body’s wound healing processes are complete.
At least with fillers or laser you really get some awesome results, well worth the effort.
Microdermabrasion to Smooth-Out Eye Wrinkles
Microdermabrasion is definitely another method that you can add to your list on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes. This is another non-invasive procedure that can be used to reduce wrinkles and dark circles.
It’s also used on scars and to improve sun damaged skin.
How does it work?
An instrument sands your skin, removing the thicker uneven outer layer. It’s like exfoliation on steroids. And it stimulates new skin growth.
For increasing the effects it can be combined with a light chemical peel.
It’s good for all skin types and colors.
It leads to a younger looking skin because it helps thicken the collagen in our skin.
The results are immediate, especially when it comes to having a healthy glow instead of dull skin.
However, for longer-lasting results, five to twelve treatments might be necessary, one every two weeks or one a month.
There are two microdermabrasion methods:
- crystal – the dead skin cells are removed with a hand-held device that emits crystals onto the skin
- and diamond-tip – is pretty much the same as the crystal type, instead it uses a diamond-tip wand and the difference is that it’s more suited for use on sensitive areas, like the skin around the eyes
You need to find a board-certified plastic surgeon or licensed skincare professional.
Each treatment can last from 30 min to an hour.
The usual side-effects are redness and mild swelling, just like is the case with microneedling, both being non-invasive procedures.
A moisturizer with SPF is applied after.
It targets a number of skincare problems:
- fine lines and wrinkles
- sun damaged skin
- acne and acne scars
- hyperpigmentation
- enlarge pores
- blackheads
It cannot help with deep acne, eczema, dermatitis or rosacea.
It’s pretty expensive. The average cost, according to the 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is $137.
But the price can range from $75 up to $200. That’s without anesthesia, which is not typically needed, or any other related expenses.
Chemical Peels for Eye Wrinkles
Another method on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes is represented by chemical peels.
They might sound scary to some people so, let’s see what’s that all about.
There are some great advantages to medium-depth peels:
- reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- pores tightening
- treating hyperpigmentation
- increase collagen production
- improving skin texture
There’s only one thing you should be aware of: a medium-depth peel should always be done by a professional.
It penetrates beyond the skin epidermis and triggers the skin to heal itself, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
On the first couple of days after the peel, the skin looks dry and older. After that, it begins to look a lot darker than your natural skin tone.
It begins to peel 4 days after the treatment and it can lasts for a few more days after that.
Don’t pick or pull off the skin, let the process take its course naturally.
Once it’s done, it instantly feels smoother and it will feel tighter in time as the collagen production will continue to increase.
Treatments per year
After the peel, your routine will consist of a gentle cleanser, hydrocortisone cream, and moisturizer plus SPF.
For the eye area, 4 treatments per year should suffice.
All in all, a medium-depth peel can be highly beneficial but it’s also expensive and laser technology is preferred because it can be controlled more precisely.
I wouldn’t recommend it as an answer to how to get rid of under eye wrinkles unless you find a very good specialist, who can control the strength of the peel solution.
It can lead to uneven pigment and even scarring if it’s not done well, which for me sounds like too much of a risk.
Under-Eye Fillers for Getting Rid of Fine Lines and Wrinkles Under Eyes
Now we’re getting to the serious part in our journey on how to get rid of under eye wrinkles.
This method is especially recommended to people who suffer from hollow eyes.
It’s an impressive remedy.
Fillers with hyaluronic acid
The primary material used for eye fillers is hyaluronic acid. Some of the most used are Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero.
You definitely need to find a good specialist that understands where the fillers should be placed in order to create a natural effect.
Besides filling in the lines and wrinkles, it’s also considered that fillers can stimulate collage synthesis.
The results are naturally looking when the improvements are built slowly over time, instead of using a lot of product to get results.
It’s completely safe.
Since the fillers use hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin, there’s no allergic reaction.
And the treatments are not painful. Only those who are afraid of needles will have a hard time.
The big benefit is that if the process needs to be reversed, it can be easily done.
Price
The fillers will last for at least 6 months, it disappears in a natural way when the body breaks down the hyaluronic acid.
However, they are expensive. A syringe can cost from $450 to 750.
Also, bear in mind that some wrinkles would benefit more from muscle relaxants, like Botox.
Laser Technology for Under Eye Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Many people claim that laser technology is the best for erasing fine lines and wrinkles.
I don’t know if it’s the best but it should be definitely mentioned by anyone when talking about how to get rid of under eye wrinkles.
Laser technology will tighten the skin, it stimulates it to be more elastic.
It boosts collagen and elastin production by prompting the body to use it healing properties.
Hyperpigmentation and acne scars can also benefit from laser treatments.
Price
However, the cost can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. The average cost is around $2,000.
Common side-effects are redness, swelling, itching, and even blistering.
Depending on the person and the seriousness of their wrinkles (wrinkles are not the same, depending on what’s causing them), it might take 2-4 sessions for serious improvement.
As we move past our mid 30s, the wrinkles start to deepen.
We also lose bone structure and that’s why many women around 40 start getting fillers, which help restoring that youthful well-rested look.
Skin laxity (looseness) becomes another factor and dark circles become more pronounced.
At that point, a plastic surgeon will definitely recommend a combination of treatments, some of the most common are laser/chemical peels with fillers and a bit of Botox.
It doesn’t sound cheap at all and it isn’t.
A lower blepharoplasty surgery (eyelid surgery) might also be mentioned for reducing bagginess from lower eyelids and remove excess skin from upper eyelids.
The average cost for that is $3,000. It’s something I’m definitely not looking forward to needing considering that price tag.
How to Prevent Fine Lines and Wrinkles Under Eyes
We’ve seen how to get rid of fine lines under eyes, but prevention is actually just as important, if not more.
Tip 1: Always wear sunglasses
Walking in the sun without eyeglasses forces you to squint your eyes. Wear sunglasses even in the winter if the light is harsh.
Squinting leads to fine lines under the eyes, which as we age and our collagen and elastin levels decrease, lead to deep wrinkles that make us look us even older than we are.
Fortunately, wearing sunglasses is hardly a hardship.
Tip 2: Drink plenty of water
I drink at least 2 liters a day, not only when I’m thirsty. Dehydration first shows in the fine lines around the eyes. Combine that with not enough sleep or with alcohol consumption and you get a disaster that clearly points to wrinkles and crow’s feet.
Tip 3: Give up smoking
Well, this one isn’t that easy but it’s pretty obvious (someday I’m going to take that advice on, as well).
The loose skin under the eyes is a typical sign of a smoker.
It ages our appearance profusely by depriving the skin of oxygen and nutrients and it triggers the destruction of collagen and elastin. Plus, it also speeds up the appearance of uneven skin tone.
Tip 4: Sleep the proper amount
Sleep 7-8 hours per night. That’s the recommended amount for an adult. Give your body time to renew and repair itself.
Tip 5: Use sunscreen
Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and not only in the summer but all year round.
The other option is to get a moisturizer with SPF. There are a lot of them out there and they have pretty great prices.
Among those, my favorites are tinted moisturizers with SPF. It’s a great way to hydrate the skin, protect it against harmful UVA and UVB rays, and hide the imperfections and create an even skin tone – all thanks to a single product.
People usually remember about applying sunscreen when they go to the beach or during the summer months.
But it’s important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays all year round.
I use one with SPF 50 in the summer because I have really sensitive skin that burns easily and a moisturizer with SPF 30 or 50 the rest of the year.
Tip 6: Eat healthy
What we eat determines a lot how we look on the outside. There are entire books written on what we should eat.
I will just say that the amino acids found in protein sources (meat, eggs, fish, some grain, tofu, seeds and nuts) help with repairing the damage caused by the weakening of collagen and elastin.
Other foods that can help you look young and healthy, on the outside but more importantly on the inside, are:
- omega fatty acids found in salmon, olive and coconut oils, avocado, walnuts, chia seeds
- leafy green vegetables, especially broccoli, spinach, and kale, and you can also consume them in the form of green juices if you aren’t that eager to eat them
- phytoceramides are also important because they help with the production of ceramides even as we age (I talk about them above, under the ingredients that eye creams should contain) and you can take them from brown rice, beets, wheat germ
- antioxidants – carrots, kale, pumpkin, tomatoes
Tip 7: Don’t rub your eyes
If you are in the habit of rubbing your eyes, you’d better stop it because it leads to chronic dryness, itchiness, dark circles, and even worse, it can lead to serious medical problems, like conjunctivitis and the thinning of the cornea.
If you suffer from dry eyes and the itchiness is forcing you to rub your eyes, you should use eye drops to keep your eyes hydrated.
You can get them over the counter and are highly beneficial in helping you break out of the habit of rubbing your eyes.
Tip 8: Moisturize
That’s an important tip whether we’re talking about how to get rid of fine lines under eyes or about our whole bodies, for that matter.
Dehydration is not to be taken lightly.
I hydrate my face twice daily, with an extensive focus on my eye area.
There are so many factors that lead to fine lines and then wrinkles around our eyes. There’s a lot of info.
Nevertheless, I tried to present it so that anyone can understand if something in their life needs changing or improving.
While writing this article, from my own personal experience and from the research I’ve made throughout the years, I’ve realized that thinking about all this is a bit scary.
It can make you become a bit obsessed and not in the productive way. But in the way that it makes you doubt your own beauty and I definitely don’t want that to happen to anyone reading this.
I don’t want you to think that there’s something wrong with how you look.
In the end,
I just wanted this post to give you options on how to get rid of fine lines under eyes so that you can feel completely comfortable with how you look but I mostly want you to take care of your diet and avoid unhealthy habits, an advice that I’m not following all that well, I hope you do better.
