Crow's feet are the lines that fan out from the outer corners of your eyes; under-eye wrinkles are the fine creases below. They are often the first lines people notice, because skin around the eyes is among the thinnest on the body and moves every time you blink, smile or squint.
Why they appear
- Movement: smiling and squinting fold the skin thousands of times a day.
- Thin skin with few oil glands, so it dries out and creases easily.
- Sun damage: the eye area is often missed when applying sunscreen.
- Collagen loss with age, and sometimes rubbing your eyes or sleeping face-down.
Lines that only appear when you smile are normal at any age, including your 20s. They are a sign of expression, not damage.
What helps
- Sunscreen right up to the eye area, plus sunglasses so you squint less.
- A retinoid: use a gentle retinol eye cream, or your regular retinoid applied carefully to the outer eye area, a few nights a week.
- Moisture: hydrated skin makes fine crepey lines look softer within days.
- Peptides and caffeine: modest benefits; caffeine mostly helps puffiness.
Do you need an eye cream?
Not necessarily. Eye creams are usually gentler, lower-strength versions of face products. If your regular moisturiser and retinoid don't irritate your eyes, they can work around the eyes too. An eye cream is worth it if your eye area is sensitive or you like the texture.
In-office options
Neuromodulator injections soften crow's feet by relaxing the muscle, usually for three to four months. Lasers, microneedling and fillers can help under-eye texture and hollows. These should be done by a qualified professional.
Rosee scans your face on your iPhone and tracks texture, tone, hydration, glow, redness and dark circles from scan to scan, so you can see whether a routine is actually working instead of guessing from the mirror. The photo never leaves your phone. After seven scans it also estimates a Skin Vitality Age, rounded to whole years and never from a single selfie. Every feature is open for your first week, then it is a monthly or yearly subscription.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of crow's feet?
Daily sunscreen and sunglasses prevent them deepening, and a retinoid softens them over months. Deeper crow's feet respond best to neuromodulator injections or laser treatments.
Why do I have wrinkles under my eyes when I smile?
Smiling pushes the cheeks up and folds the thin under-eye skin. These dynamic lines are normal at any age.
Can you use retinol around your eyes?
Yes, carefully. Use a small amount on the orbital bone, not the eyelids, or choose a gentle retinol eye cream, a few nights a week.