8 Ways to Erase Stubborn Eye Lines

Crow's feet and eye-area wrinkles are among the first creases to form on the face thanks to that region's fragile skin, the thinnest on the body. GH Beauty Lab experts and top dermatologists explain what causes these, how to prevent them and the best strategies for smoothing and plumping the crepey texture.

- By Celia Shatzman

What causes wrinkles around eyes?

Any movement of the eye area-smiling, squinting, laughing, frowning-works the muscles under the skin, eventually creating crow's feet. "Lines near the eyes are caused by the action of a circular muscle (orbicularis oculi)," explains Dustin Portela, M.D., a dermatologist in Boise, ID. "When we express with our eyes, it contracts and pulls inward. Repeating this action over the course of years will cause grooves or lines to develop in the skin." Another contributing factor: UV light exposure, which can break down skin's collagen, the protein that gives it smoothness.

4 Keys to Preventing Eye Lines

GH Beauty Lab scientists and dermatologists suggest these easy methods for warding off (or minimizing) eye-area creases.

1 Protect against sun damage.

"To avoid lines around the eyes, always wear SPF," advises dermatologist Sherwin Parikh, M.D., a cofounder of A.P. Chem skincare and founder of Tribeca Skin Center in New York City. Seek out a face- or eye-specific sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to shield the sensitive skin against wrinkle-inducing UV rays (mineral formulas tend to be gentler for the eye area). In addition, "Wearing sunglasses provides extra UV protection and reduces glare to prevent squinting, which causes muscle strain that can lead to creasing," he says.

2 Use products with ingredients that fortify the delicate skin.

"Be diligent about moisturizing around the eyes," Dr. Parikh says. Look for eye creams that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides that boost hydration and collagen, he suggests. Apply eye treatments twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, for at least four weeks to see results, the GH Beauty Lab recommends. (See the Beauty Lab's best-tested eye cream for wrinkles on page 22.)