Wrinkles Under Eyes At 30 (Causes and Prevention)

Oh, wrinkles under eyes at 30! There comes a time in everyone’s life when we frumpily look in the mirror only to realize the subtle signs of aging are upon us.

Till recently, our eyes used to be a telltale sign of being sleep-deprived, under-caffeinated, stressed, and so on.

But now, the appearance of fine lines indicates much more than a simple combination of late nights and poor sleep habits.

And despite our eye-patch-wearing practices, the delicate skin on our under-eye area refuses to cooperate. 

Don’t fret! You are far from being alone.

In reality, dynamic wrinkles under the eyes at 30 are far more common than you think. In some cases, the appearance of wrinkles can occur even in the early 20s as collagen and elastin start to decline.

Don’t get me wrong we are all for embracing the natural evolution of our bodies as we age.

Under-eye wrinkles are perfectly normal. In fact, smiles accompanied by crow’s feet were rated as more authentic and spontaneous than those free of fine lines –according to a Journal of Nonverbal Behavior’s recent study. 

 However, if you are still interested in learning more about the reasons behind the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30 as well as some stellar prevention tips, here’s everything you need to them.

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Why do we get wrinkles under our eyes at 30?

The appearance of dark circles and wrinkle folds is pretty inevitable but there are some key reasons why we can get wrinkles under eyes at 30 years young.

Aside from the natural aging process and loss of collagen, UV radiation, the lack of a consistent skincare routine, and even exhaustion can lead to the appearance of dynamic and static wrinkles.

Sun Exposure

UV rays and hours-long exposure to direct sunlight can absolutely prompt the formation of free radicals within the skin, which damage elastin fibers and causes wrinkles under eyes at 30.

Especially if you don’t use sunscreen, the risk of sun damage gets even higher. Think pigmentation (aka dark spits), sun spots, reduced skin elasticity, the degradation of skin texture, and many other signs of skin aging.

No, that’s not gossip from the over-protective community of skincare devotees.

Numerous studies suggest that UV exposure can account for up to 80% of visible signs of aging in the skin including dry appearance, scalping, and wrinkling. 

Smoking

Shocking-to-no-one, smoking is another factor that contributes to wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes are known for causing wrinkles under eyes at 30 or even 20. 

According to the pros, “Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow, reducing oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells.”

Wrinkles around the eyes, in particular, as mostly caused due to increased squinting as smoke rises up toward the eyes. Let’s not forget that smoking also reduces collagen formation.

Collagen degradation equals less elastin production which can reduce blood circulation.

 Dehydration

Dehydration and wrinkled skin unfortunately go hand in hand.

Chances are that multiple people have already warned you about the slew of skin issues being a serial water snob can cause.

In reality, dehydration can significantly speed up the signs of premature aging –less elasticity and more fine lines and wrinkles. 

In most cases, these specific wrinkles under eyes at 30 appear as a network of tiny, triangular fine lines.

So if your skin feels itchy, dull, and particularly sensitive, dehydration may be knocking on your door. This study will shed some additional light.

Exhaustion

Sometimes it feels like a good night’s sleep is a privilege rather than the norm.

However, it’s no secret that our skin produces new collagen when we sleep, which prevents sagging.

Many studies suggest that if you are getting only 5 hours of sleep per night, exhaustion can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 would.

Yes, sleep deprivation leads to a decrease in blood flow to the skin surrounding your face. Turns out that there is some truth behind the term “beauty sleep” after all. 

Rubbing Your Eyes and/or Wearing Makeup To Sleep

Sleeping with makeup on is a big no-no because it heavily contributes to the breaking down of healthy collagen.

To put it simply, makeup interrupts cell turnover and can block collagen production – not to mention trap dirt and environmental pollutants inside the skin.

So if you are noticing a duller, dry, and more coarse complexion, chances are that sleeping with makeup is one of the main causes of wrinkles under eyes at 30 in your case. 

Genetics 

Let’s face it. Sometimes, despite the slew of skincare products we lather on our faces daily, we still can’t prevent the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30 because they are just genetic. 

Studies show that nearly 60% of skin aging, including wrinkles, stems from genetic factors.

We’d hate to bore you with hard-to-understand terms, but if you are interested in looking into the subject of premature aging further, know that research shows that variants in the MMP1 and STXBP5L genes are associated with an increased risk of developing wrinkles.

Even our ethnicity can sometimes play a role. For example, Korean men have a smaller risk of developing wrinkles. After all, aging is a natural part of life.

Not Sleeping On Your Back

Yes, you heard that right!

Your sleeping position helps prevent wrinkles under eyes at 30 due to the lack of friction, but can also relieve pressure from the face in general.

So make sure to keep your face off your pillow to maintain a youthful look for as long as possible. 

How To Prevent Wrinkles Under Eyes At 30

1. Use Quality Eye Creams  

Sadly, not all eye creams are created equal.

Professionals suggest opting for formulas with specific active ingredients like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, retinol, Peptides, Tea extracts, and Niacinamide. Biotin, Glycolic Acid, and Kojic Acid can also help boost the production of collagen.

You can read our list of highly vetted top eye cream picks here.

2. Use Gentle Motions Around Your Eyes

If you want to minimize the chances of developing wrinkles under eyes at 30, make sure to press all products gently onto your skin without causing too much friction.

The key is to slowly drag your cream, makeup remover, or any other formula in an outward motion or by using gentle tapping motions.

This way, you will protect sensitive and thin skin around the eyes. Less skin damage=less wrinkles. 

3. Don’t Smoke or Vape

We already know that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and so many more health issues.

Tobacco smoke contains over 5,000 chemicals –yikes! So if you want to prevent having wrinkles under eyes at 30, we suggest putting down that cigarette and trying some of the best quit-smoking tips.

4. Avoid Sun Exposure 

Have your wide-brimmed hat and non-nano zinc sunscreen ready for grabs to help prevent wrinkles under eyes at 30 and keep yourself safe through spring and summer.

Remember, SPF 50 is your friend – even on cloudy days. The last thing we want is to experience the negative effects of sun damage including loss of elastin, collagen, and skin cells as well as cancer. 

5. Hydrate

 Keep the delicate skin around the eye area hydrated AF by getting the right daily dose of H₂O.

It is recommended to drink at least 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men. And about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women.

You can always use alarms or notifications to your advantage. WaterMinder, Daily Water Tracker Reminder, iHydrate, and Aqualert are all great options.

Also, you can start consuming even more fruits and vegetables for an additional hydration boost. 

Wrinkle Treatments To Consider:

You can DIY your want-to-plump-looking skin or put your trust in the pros. Either way, there are a few great ways to help prevent the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30.

1. Facials

Facials for wrinkles are not only effective but also fairly affordable.

There are many options to consider ranging from micro-current facial and exfoliation to Hydra facials, light therapy, and the raved-about chemical peels.

It would be best to consult with your dermatologist to find the best treatment for your specific concerns.

But rest assured that each one of these facial options can stimulate cellular turnover and collagen production.

2. Microneedling

Microneedling is one of the best treatments for fine lines and wrinkles because they stimulate the production of collagen in your skin.

The process is fairly simple. The licensed professional will cause minor skin injuries, in order to force the skin to respond by producing new collagen-rich tissue (aka boost the production of collagen).

They use multiple tiny, sterile needles to puncture the skin which leads to fast healing and healthier skin. Yes, it sounds terrifying but it’s generally painless.

3. Retinol

Retinol is lauded as the best way to effectively increase skin cell production, exfoliates your skin, and increase collagen production.

The result? A fresher, plump appearance – even if you have wrinkles under eyes at 30.

In fact, “Retinoids not only reverse the signs of natural aging, but they can also repair sun damage on the skin.”

Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol but it’s never too late!

4. Face Masks

Sit back, relax and enjoy! There is nothing better than a self-pampering session that doubles as a stellar way to prevent the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30.

The most effective ingredients? Bentonite clay, avocado, banana, rice water, coffee, turmeric, and more! Don’t forget that you can also DIY your own face masks at home with some easy-to-follow recipes. 

5. Facial Massage

Yes, incorporating the right facial massage techniques into your daily skincare routine is essential.

This way, you won’t only improve circulation but also bring blood cells to the skin, supercharge it oxygen, and assist with the absorption of skincare products.

A quick stimulation of the tissues reinvigorates the complexion and helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30. Have a look at this step-by-step tutorial. 

6. Frownies

These work as a safer alternative to treatments like botox (which we do not recommend).

Made from unbleached kraft paper, they reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles but reducing muscle movement while you sleep to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

They’ve been used for over 130 years with amazing results.

Conclusion: How To Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles at 30 

Even though collagen production starts to decrease naturally as we age, many additional factors can contribute to the appearance of wrinkles under eyes at 30.

Sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, makeup, and even our sleeping position can assist in the creation of multiple types of wrinkles.

Luckily, there are many tips to prevent and treat these signs of aging – whether it’s through cosmetic procedures or simple facial exercises.

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