If you’ve noticed some new creases sprouting up and are wondering how to soften them, don’t panic! No matter how diligently you take care of your skin, fine lines—and eventually wrinkles—happen to everyone.
While not blinking and never smiling aren’t options, there’s actually a lot you can do to smooth forehead lines, soften crow’s feet and improve neck lines—in most cases, without leaving the comfort of your own bathroom.
- What causes forehead wrinkles?
- What causes fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes?
- What causes neck wrinkles?
In the quest to smooth wrinkles and address saggy skin, it is important to understand why your skin ages in certain ways. Once you’re armed with that knowledge, you can select appropriate active ingredients and understand why they have the potential to help.
What causes forehead wrinkles?
Forehead lines are a common concern people have about their skin since they not only affect the aesthetic of the skin but also convey emotion like fatigue or frustration. Whether they run horizontally across the top of the T-zone or form two vertical lines between your eyebrows (known as “elevens”), their causes range from how much you use the muscles in your face to a loss of skin elasticity. There are two classes of wrinkles: dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are wrinkles seen with muscle movement such as smiling, raising your eyebrows or furrowing your brow. Static wrinkles are a result of repeated movement where lines become etched into the skin over time.
How to improve forehead wrinkles
If you aren’t interested in injectables, you can try holistic practices that focus on prevention through mindfulness. Try managing stress levels with techniques like meditation. You can also mitigate the formation of wrinkles by wearing your glasses and keeping your prescription up to date. Doing this will prevent squinting, which is a major contributor to frown lines or elevens.
If you’re looking to soften forehead lines and improve overall skin quality, a targeted skincare solution may be best. Vichy’s wrinkle corrector has a high concentration of retinol and hyaluronic acid making it an effective option to soften wrinkles. Retinol boosts the natural production of collagen, which improves skin quality and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps draw in moisture to plump the skin and soften lines and wrinkles. Keep in mind, retinol can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to moisturize and wear sunscreen when using any kind of retinol product.
We recommend: Best Cream for Forehead Wrinkles
This anti-wrinkle cream reduces lines and increases firmness using Rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar; this powerful active ingredient stimulates collagen and elastin production in the papillary dermis (the uppermost layer of the dermis). The moisturizing cream also contains vitamin C, which supports collagen production. This rich, velvety night cream with a light yet refreshing scent pairs perfectly with our LiftActiv Supreme H.A. Wrinkle Corrector. They are your perfect duo to treat deep-set forehead wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming.
MOST FAVORITED ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS
What causes fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes?
It’s no secret that the eyes are one of the first areas to show signs of aging. The skin around the eyes is 40% thinner than the rest of the face, making it more delicate, meaning more prone to wrinkles and irritation. Research has shown that the average person blinks 15 to 20 times a minute, which translates to 1,200 times an hour and a whopping 28,800 times a day. It makes perfect sense, then, that this area is the first to develop fine lines (or “crow’s feet”). Another aspect that accelerates the development of these lines is the skin’s depletion of collagen and elastin as we age, which is usually caused by a combination of the natural aging process, sun damage, and hormonal changes.
How to improve fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes
Some facial expression lines are unavoidable, they are natural when we smile or when we blink our eyes. Since the lines are a consequence of natural movement, there are a few strategies to address those pesky crow’s feet and under eye lines.
Step 1: Prevent and repair.
Look for a formulation specifically designed for the eye area. These typically include ingredients to address concerns such as under-eye darkening, fine lines and wrinkles. Key ingredients for under eyes include hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, peptides as well as caffeine, green tea extract or vitamin K for puffiness. While active ingredients are always important, keep in mind that eye formulations always include lower concentration to account for the sensitivity in this area.
Step 2: Sun protection.
Sun protection is, without question, the best way to prevent aging in the periocular or eye area. After you apply all your serums and creams, finish with a separate sunscreen, even if there’s already an SPF in your day cream. Don’t forget to apply it year-round—not only when it’s sunny.
We recommend: Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles
This multi-use formula is gentle enough that it can be applied all over the eye area to instantly hydrate, tighten and decongest. The active ingredients in this anti-wrinkle eye cream are Rhamnose (plumps up skin) and caffeine (reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness). Its texture is rich and creamy, but it quickly melts into eye contours, so you don’t need to wait to apply your makeup.
What causes neck wrinkles?
A person’s age is often given away by looking at their hands and neck, yet both are often neglected in skincare routines. Neck lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging, but this is an area that actually needs extra TLC. Why?
- The skin on the neck is among the thinnest on the body, making it more susceptible to environmental aggressors. It’s constantly being exposed to the sun, which means that signs of aging materialize sooner than on other parts of the body.
- The skin on the neck interdigitates with an underlying muscle, the platysma. Over time, this platysma muscle develops bands that start to pull or accentuate the downwards gravitational pull.
- “Tech Neck.” Smartphone addiction is real, and these handheld devices have got us craning our necks downward as we scroll through our screens. This repetitive act is causing us to develop creases in the neck and chest area that eventually deepen into wrinkles.
How to get rid of neck wrinkles?
Like with any signs of aging, the long-term goal when softening lines is to improve collagen production and improve skin hydration. Look for products with retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid, which stimulate collagen production and increase skin hydration. After nourishing your skin with all of these active ingredients, it’s vital to protect it. Any anti-aging skincare routine must include the daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater.
