Woman using NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle POWER EXTRA FIRMING EYE CREAM

Help for Crow’s Feet & Under-Eye Wrinkles

What causes crow’s feet and how can you ease their appearance? Read our guide for everything you need to know about eye wrinkles.

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How to help crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles

Crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes are a completely normal mark of aging and can be seen as signs of a life well lived, but despite being nothing to be concerned about from a medical perspective, they can be a source of self-consciousness for some.  

There are several factors why eye wrinkles may appear prematurely or sometimes appear more pronounced. Read on to learn about crow’s feet and wrinkles under the eyes, what causes them, how you can help prevent them from forming prematurely and help reduce their appearance.

What are crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet, also known as lateral canthal lines, are wrinkles that radiate from the outer corner of the eyes when squinting or smiling.

What causes crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles?

Most people get crow’s feet eventually; it’s just part of growing older and skin changing as we age. However, there are some lifestyle factors and other variables that can contribute to early-onset crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles.
women with crows feet
Here are some common causes of crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles:

1. Age

Your skin’s elasticity decreases due to a natural decrease in Collagen and Elastin as you age. The skin around the eyes is also thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face, so it’s common for fine lines and wrinkles to appear there first. This, combined with repeated facial expressions that trigger crow’s feet to appear over time, contributes to the development of more permanent fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

2. Genetics

Genetics can contribute to when and how severely we develop wrinkles. Certain under-eye wrinkles like Dennie-Morgan lines aren’t age-related and are caused by immune system reactions and genetics.

3. Sun exposure

The sun emits UV rays, which can cause damage to your skin that results in symptoms of premature aging like sun-induced dark spots and fine lines and wrinkles in a process known as photoaging. Be sure to avoid overexposing unprotected skin to direct sunlight, and always protect your skin with sunscreen and other sun protection measures like wearing protective clothing and avoiding sun exposure during peak times of the day.

4. Diet

Nutrition is important for overall health, and this includes the skin. Unhealthy eating habits can exacerbate premature skin aging.

5. Smoking

Aside from being detrimental to your overall health, smoking cigarettes can also contribute to premature facial wrinkles.

6. Air Pollution

Chronic exposure to air pollution has been confirmed to be a critical chronic stressor that can have a negative impact on skin aging.

7. Poor Sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is crucial for overall health, and this includes the skin. Getting poor sleep, or not enough sleep, is associated with accelerated intrinsic aging and reduced skin moisture barrier function. When the skin’s moisture barrier is compromised, this can lead to dehydrated skin which can also temporarily contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
women holding NIVEA's Q10 products in both hands

What does it mean if someone has crow’s feet?

Crow’s feet are nothing to be ashamed of – they’re a natural part of aging and can even be seen as a marker of pride that you’ve smiled a lot in your life so far!

5 Ways to help prevent crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles

When it comes to wrinkles around the eyes, prevention is important. While wrinkles can’t be completely prevented, there are some ways you can help to slow or delay their development.
women smiling with short curly hairs
Here are a few ways to protect the delicate eye area and help prevent crow’s feet from forming prematurely:

1. Protect yourself from UV rays

Try and reduce your exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays by taking proper sun protection measures such as wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, avoiding sun exposure during peak hours of the day, seeking shade when possible, and covering up with protective clothing.

2. Avoid squinting when you can

Crow’s feet form from repeated wrinkling of the skin over time due to facial expressions like squinting. If you need glasses or contact lenses, make sure you wear them to avoid habitually squinting in order to see.  

Similarly, if you’re sensitive to sunlight, carry your sunglasses with you when you head outside. This will help you stop squinting in the brightness and help protect the delicate skin around your eyes from sun exposure.

3. Stop smoking

Smoking cigarettes contributes to loss of skin elasticity and signs of premature aging like wrinkles. Quitting smoking will not only help to stop further premature wrinkling, but some evidence suggests skin elasticity may even improve after quitting.

4. Get adequate, high-quality sleep

There’s a reason they call it beauty rest! Sleep is the time our body works to repair and restore itself from the stressors of the day. Focus on a good sleep hygiene routine to help support your skin and the rest of your body. You may want to consider your sleeping position as well, as certain positions can cause skin to compress against the pillow and may contribute to wrinkles.

5. Focus on hydration

As the skin around the eyes is so thin and delicate, when the body gets dehydrated, temporary wrinkles and fine lines can form. Drink plenty of water and choose hydrating skin care products. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps to keep skin hydrated from the inside out, and hydrating skincare products like NIVEA MEN Anti-Wrinkle 2in1 Power Serum can help reduce the look of dark spots, age spots and wrinkles with regular use.
women smiling and showing two NIVEA's Q10 Anti-wrinkle creams

Can you get rid of crow’s feet?

While it’s not possible to completely get rid of crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles, you can help to reduce their appearance with a targeted eye cream.

Eye cream for crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles

A specially formulated eye cream can help address the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. NIVEA Q10 Power Firming Eye Cream visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and gradually minimizes the look of dark under-eye circles. Made for all skin types and specially developed for the delicate eye area, its light and fast absorbing formula combines Q10 with Creatine and Hyaluronic acid to visibly reduce puffiness and minimize crow’s feet.
NIVEA Q10 Power Firming Eye Cream
women holding NIVEA's Q10 serum

Adding Eye Cream into your Anti-Wrinkle Skincare Routine with NIVEA Q10

To help address fine lines and wrinkles, incorporate your eye cream into your overall skincare routine. Use this eye cream along with other products in the NIVEA Q10 range. The entire NIVEA Q10 range is specially formulated to protect skin from environmental stressors and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

When you want visible results right away, NIVEA’s new Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Specialist™ Targeted Wrinkle Filler is a game-changer for crow’s feet. Featuring Q10, a powerful anti-wrinkle ingredient, and Bioxifill® peptides for younger-looking skin, this targeted wrinkle filler helps to fill unwanted fine lines in just five minutes* and deep wrinkles over time**. It’s the perfect partner to your daily routine—layer your eye cream first for long-term care, then tap on NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Specialist™ Targeted Wrinkle Filler to visibly blur crow’s feet for a more refreshed, youthful look in minutes. 

* Temporarily visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles by forming a hydrating film on the skin's surface. **With regular use.
NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Specialist™

Your NIVEA Q10 Power Anti-Wrinkle Routine

Supporting younger-looking skin for men

The NIVEA MEN Active-Age™ product line helps you create a men’s skincare routine that addresses signs of aging with a focus on hydrating the skin.

Step 1. Apply a nourishing serum

After cleansing your skin, apply NIVEA MEN Anti-Wrinkle 2in1 Power Serum. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid* and patented LUMINOUS630®, this hydrating serum reduces the look of dark spots, age spots and wrinkles, for younger-looking skin in as little as two weeks with regular use.
MEN Anti-Wrinkle 2in1 Serum
*With Hyaluronic acid to effectively fill wrinkles, smooths skin and intensely hydrate.

Warning: Apply products with LUMINOUS630(R) max. 2 times per day. Avoid direct eye contact.
A man applying NIVEA's nourishing serum on his face
A man applying Moisturizing day cream on his face

Step 2. Apply eye cream as instructed above

Step 3. Apply a moisturizing day cream

For daily moisture that helps to reduce the look of wrinkles, apply NIVEA MEN Active-Age™ Face Moisturizer. This anti-wrinkle cream for men contains Hyaluronic Acid to visibly reduce the look of wrinkles while providing long-lasting moisture for 24 hours. It also visibly firms skin around the face and neck for a healthy, younger-looking appearance.
MEN Active-Age™ Moisturizer

Manage crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles with NIVEA

Crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles can be a cosmetic inconvenience but are ultimately a normal part of aging for men. While you can’t completely prevent or get rid of crow’s feet, you can help reduce their appearance with certain lifestyle choices, including using an eye cream designed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles such as NIVEA Q10 Power Firming Eye Cream.

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