One of the first signs that the term “young person” no longer applies to someone is when they develop wrinkles around the eyes. To a certain extent, wrinkles are as inevitable as the sunrise. But in many cases, they come on sooner than they should, and in other cases, they're much more severe then they need to be. 

The reasons for this are many but typically come down to people not being aware of the habits that promote wrinkles or the potential remedies that are available. 

That’s why we're going to take an in-depth look at eye wrinkles to see if we can’t provide some info that will help you deal with them more effectively.

What are the Wrinkles Under Your Eyes? 

The wrinkles under your eyes are a symptom of something else such as age, smoking or sun damage. We’ll go into the causes in a moment. Some people call these “character lines." But most people would be perfectly satisfied with smoother skin and less character, thank you. 

Once wrinkles have gained a foothold under your eyes, they can be devilishly difficult to get rid of. So the most effective treatment for under-eye wrinkles is to avoid developing them in the first place. Prevention is always key.

What Causes the Wrinkles Under Your Eyes? 

Wrinkles under the eyes can stem from any number of causes. Including, but not necessarily limited to:

• Dehydration - This is far and away the number 1 cause of eye wrinkles. If you have naturally dry skin to begin with, not drinking enough water only exacerbates and accelerates the development of wrinkles.
• Smiling - Sad but true. Smiling is a major source of eye wrinkles. But I know it’s hard to advise someone not to smile. Although you might want to temper how enthusiastically you scrunch up your face when you do show your pearly whites.
• Smoking - Smoking not only destroys your lungs and heart, it also robs your skin of oxygen. Your dry, oxygen-starved skin cells begin to die off and your skin loses its elasticity. The result? Saggy, wrinkled skin.
• Squinting - This is similar to smiling, in that in both cases, you scrunch up the skin on your face and this causes wrinkles around the eyes. Get a good pair of UV protective sunglasses and take a break from squinting all the time.
• Age - There’s no getting around this one. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and is less able to retain moisture. The layers underneath the surface also begin to break down.

Best Treatments to Get Rid of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes 

• Botox - Since it was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, botox (botulinum toxin) has been used by millions of women and men the world over to provide a temporary remedy to eye wrinkles. A tiny bit of the toxin is injected into the muscles surrounding the eye causing them to relax.
  This, in turn, causes any wrinkles in the skin above to smooth out. Too much botox can create a stiff facial appearance, sometimes called "trout pout."
• Laser treatments - Laser treatment for eye wrinkles has been around for quite a while. Many dermatologists swear they are the most effective means of producing smooth, wrinkle-free skin around the eyes.
  The treatment will vary slightly from person to person but the basic methodology is always the same: to stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin with the laser to produce smoother skin.
• Chemical peels - Alpha hydroxy acid, trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid are applied to the skin and then removed, or “peeled” off. This produces the most thorough type of exfoliation possible which in turn helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This procedure should only be performed by a board-certified dermatologist.
• Microdermabrasion - During this procedure, tiny crystals are injected into the skin to peel off the outer layer. The idea is to remove every possible dead skin cell in order to allow the healthy skin underneath to shine forth.
  If done properly, it should also promote the growth of collagen and elastin which should help smooth out the skin.

“Beauty is a flower that wrinkles will devour.” - Thomas Nashe

Best Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes 

Coconut Oil Mask 

Because coconut oil is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin E, it can actually do a pretty decent job with wrinkles. Coconut oil is also known for its ability to rejuvenate and rehydrate tired, dry skin. 

There are a couple of ways to apply coconut oil. The easiest is to simply take a bit of oil on your fingers and massage it into the skin under and around your eyes. The other is the home made mask. Here’s how that works:  

• Combine 1 tablespoon of oil with a pinch of turmeric and mix to a paste
• Apply directly to the wrinkles and leave it in place for 20 minutes
• Wash it off with room temperature water.

Yogurt Face Pack 

Alpha hydroxy acid is known to be good for exfoliating dead skin cells and providing skin a smooth appearance. Yogurt is rich in alpha hydroxy acid. Here’s how you make a yogurt face pack: 

• Mix 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 of honey with a few drops of water
• Take the resulting paste and apply it to your wrinkles
• Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse off

Olive Oil 

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and also contains vitamins E and K which means it should be good at killing free radicals and giving your skin a replenishing boost. An olive oil massage is how you would do this: 

• Dip your fingertips in olive oil and massage it directly into the wrinkles for 10 minutes
• Then leave it on for another 5 to 10 minutes
• Then rinse it with water and pat your face dry

Cucumber

Cucumbers are cool. Literally. They’re also high in antioxidants and have the ability to promote collagen production. To make a cucumber mask do the following: 

• Puree half a cucumber and combine the puree with yogurt
• Apply directly to the eye wrinkles
• Leave for 20 minutes then wash away with cool water

Best Products to Get Rid of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes

Dermaclara Beauty Face System for Wrinkles - $58 

While Botox, chemical peels, and home made masks all have their upside, if we had to choose an anti-wrinkle remedy, it would be this one from Dermaclara Beauty.

Pros 

• Cost effective
• Clear, easy to follow instructions
• Hygienic reusable silicone pad
• Immediate results

Cons 

• None worth mentioning

Neutrogena Hydro Boost - $20 per 0.5 fl oz. 

This eye gel cream is packed with moisturizers that help rejuvenate and plump up your skin to smooth over all kinds of wrinkles. There’s also hyaluronic acid which helps ramp up exfoliation. 

Pros 

• Intense moisturizing properties
• Goes on easy and feels light
• Can be used every day

Cons 

• Some say it’s just a fancy moisturizer
• Keep out of your eyes

LilyAna Naturals Rosehip and Hibiscus Eye Cream - $18.99 for 1.7 fl oz. 

As eye creams go, this one gets a lot of positive buzz, and it's easy to see why. It's great if you have dry or sensitive skin and it doesn’t waste any time making your skin look smoother and younger. 

Pros 

• No waiting weeks for results
• No parabens, artificial colors or preservatives
• Firms and hydrates the skin

Cons 

• Doesn’t keep all that well

Baebody Retinol - $24.95 for 1.7 fl oz. 

This is a classic anti-aging cream with retinol that moisturizes, helps smooth out fine lines, and improves skin tone as well as sun damage. You can use this pretty much anywhere you’re having wrinkle issues. It has a pleasing light, smooth texture, and is fragrance-free. 

Pros 

• Can be used morning and night
• Jojoba oil helps smooth skin
•  Packed with beneficial amino acids

Cons 

• It tends to be slow to work so stick with it

Where Can I Buy Products to Get Rid of Wrinkles Under the Eyes? 

Most of the products we profiled above can be purchased through Amazon or direct from the manufacturer's website. 

If you're a supporter of traditional brick and mortar retail, you can also pick many of them up at your favorite beauty supply store. And some are available at some of the larger pharmacy chains. Our best choice, Dermaclara, can be purchased here where you can also be assured of getting the best price. 

“Wrinkles happen to human beings” - Jennifer Aniston

Top Expert Tips on How to Prevent Wrinkles Under Your Eyes 

Most experts stress that preventing the formation of wrinkles under your eyes is mostly a matter of common sense, diligence, and good habits. Here are some examples of what they’re talking about:

• Drink enough water - You can visit the spa every day for facial treatments to try and stop the development of wrinkles under your eyes. But if you’re not drinking water, it won't matter. An average-size man should drink 10 cups per day and an average size woman 7 cups per day.
•  Wear sunscreen - UV rays from the sun are the enemy of healthy, supple skin. They penetrate the substrate killing cells and drying things out. Make sure you always have sunscreen on when venturing out especially on sunny days.
•  Wear sunglasses - Once you've slathered on the sunscreen, remember to reach for your sunglasses. A good pair of sunglasses are an integral part of an anti-eye wrinkle strategy.
• Quit smoking - Yes, it's your body and you can do what you want with it. But smoking? Not only will smoking lead to emphysema, heart disease, cancer, and premature death, it will also starve your skin of vital oxygen and turn it into a shriveled mass.
• Cut back on the alcohol - Alcohol does its own number on the skin, robbing it of vital nutrients, dehydrating it, and causing facial blood vessels to dilate. All these things make wrinkles more likely.