Depending on how you look at them, crow’s feet can be cute, showing you’ve smiled a lot. Or they’re just annoying lines on your face. Unfortunately, everyone will get crow’s feet as some point in their life, but don’t worry because you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some helpful info so you can delay these crows from coming.

What are crow’s feet?

If you’re reading this article you probably already know what crow’s feet are, but just in case you don’t know, no need to worry! We’ll explain. Crow’s feet are horizontal lines that show up on the outer corners of your eyes. Can you guess why they’re called crow’s feet? It’s because of the lines shaping what resembles the feet of a crow.

Unlike other wrinkles, crow’s feet are more likely to stand out because they tend to be a bit deeper. Our periorbital area (the skin around your eyes) is a rather delicate structure. The skin around our eyes is thinner compared to other parts of our body and it contains fewer oil-secreting glands to lubricate the skin. That’s why it is much easier for lines and creases to form around your eyes.

What causes crow’s feet?

The general rule of thumb is that wrinkles are created through repetitive motion. Muscles contract when we smile, laugh, squint, frown, and so on. These expressions make the skin above the muscle fold along the same groove over and over again. In short, just like when we fold a piece of paper—the more we fold it, the more obvious the creases become. The same goes for crow’s feet. If you’re one of those people who’s face scrunches every time you laugh, we have good and bad news for you. Congrats on living a joyous and happy life! Now, here comes the bad news, this will cause the crow’s feet to show up more quickly and noticeably. 

When we were kids, our skin was plump and firm so that no creases and lines appeared (aka baby fat). However, as we age, our skin loses its elasticity, hence the development of wrinkles. Why you may ask? It’s because our body gradually creates less and less collagen once we hit our mid-20s, and even more so at 40s. As a result, our body loses the ‘stuffing’ that holds its structure. Sebum production also declines with age resulting in a drier periorbital area that makes wrinkles more prominent.

UV exposure, air pollution, cigarette smoking, high-sugar diets, and alcohol consumption are also well-known to accelerate the onset and rate of skin aging. They cause loss of collagen and elastin fibers that support the skin, leading to decreased elasticity and the formation of wrinkles.

How can we prevent crow’s feet?

Lucky for us, there are many skincare ingredients out there that can help us shoo away those crow’s feet.

Retinoids

Retinol or its other derivatives are considered the gold standard product for anti-aging! They help increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production to reveal smooth and youthful-looking skin. Learn more about retinoids in All About Retinoids.

Antioxidant-rich products

You can help protect your skin cells from free radicals with products that contain antioxidants such as L-ascorbic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E, resveratrol, coenzyme q10, and so on. Using these ingredients is of great value in softening the appearance of wrinkles.

Moisturizer

We know that hydration is key to stay plump and smooth. Make sure not to miss the area around your eyes when you’re applying moisturizer to your face! Even though it’s not essential, eye creams can be a great addition to your routine since it reminds you that they need special care. Check out the eye cream debate with Picky Experts and find moisturizers that work best for your skin type.

Sun protection

Prolonged exposure to UV rays is our skin’s number one enemy. Not only does it accelerate collagen breakdown, but it also creates free radicals; both inducing early premature aging. Thus, the daily application of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater is of utmost importance for a youthful complexion. No excuses. Find the right sunscreen for you here!

Exfoliation

Our skin’s natural ability to shed slows down as we get older. So, we need to help speed up sloughing off dead skin by exfoliation to improve the visible signs of skin aging. Of course, don’t overdo it or you might damage your skin barrier. Get all the facts about exfoliation, both physical and chemical, here.

Lifestyle modification

Skincare can only take you so far. Your lifestyle habits matter too. And It’s never too late to live a healthier lifestyle—quit smoking, watch your sugar intake, follow a nutritious diet rich in omega-3s and antioxidants, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, and drink plenty of water!

Picky Expert Picks

We have a whole other article where we picked out our top eye cream ‘Picks,‘ but Dr. Stella also wanted to share some of her favorites as well!

Drunk Elephant – C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

With peptides, vitamin C and more, this eye cream helps soften those lines and leave you glowing. Curious what users have to say about this product? Some say it helped alleviate the darkness under their eyes, others give tips on how they used the product and, of course, there were some that just didn’t agree with the price tag.

PIXI – FortifEye

Cooling and refreshing, these eye patches goes on oh-so-smoothly! And not to mention, it also has the anti-aging hero ingredient: Retinol! Formulated with a key ingredient, this product has the power to ease those lines. There are those that praise its effectiveness and others who warn of possible irritation. You can read more to see if it’s right for you!

LA MER – The Eye Concentrate

Another heavy hitter, packing in that retinol for extra anti-aging help. A bit on the expensive side, but this cream does do its job. Hydrating and smoothing out the eye area with its La Mer magic!

Created With

Dr. Stella
Doctor
@stellamarselie