How to reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the face

Wrinkles and fine lines are creases that form in your skin. They are the most noticeable first signs of skin aging. Depending on your genetics and lifestyle, they can appear around the eyes and mouth, and these can develop into more visible furrows as the skin’s structure weakens with age. 

Learn about the signs of wrinkles and fine lines, what causes them, how to reduce their appearance with the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler range.

Unlike a loss of volume, fine lines and wrinkles are easy to spot as they appear as distinct lines or creases on the face. Over time, fine lines appear all over the face and eventually develop into deep wrinkles. Wrinkles fall into two categories: 

1. Fine lines: These fine, surface lines can develop due to irregular skin thickening and because of a decrease in the amount of moisture held in the skin. Sun damage and exposure to environmental toxins, like tobacco smoke, are some of the main causes. 
2. Furrows: Deeper lines or furrows can be classified as dynamic or static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles appear with muscle contractions such as when making facial expressions (these are often also referred to as ‘expression lines’ as a result), while static lines show on the skin even when the muscles are relaxed. Over time, dynamic wrinkles can eventually become static wrinkles. 

Wrinkles tend to become visible on areas of the body where skin is frequently moving, such as the face. As skin elasticity is affected by sun damage, wrinkles also tend to appear first in areas most often exposed to the sun like the face, neck, hands, and forearms.

Fine lines on the face usually appear near the eyes first. This is because the layer of skin in the area around your eye, the periorbital hollow, is thinner than average and is therefore more prone to developing lines than other parts of the face.  

Wrinkles at the corners of the eyes are known as ‘crow’s feet’ due to their resemblance to a crow’s claws. This area of skin is frequently creased as the skin folds here when smiling or squinting. 

Fine lines here develop into eye wrinkles and become more pronounced over time.  

Fine lines on the face also appear on the forehead. You may notice horizontal lines and furrows between the brows. These start as ‘mimic wrinkles’ caused by facial expressions. They are particularly visible when frowning or raising your eyebrows. 

As skin ages, dynamic wrinkles that appear on the forehead when raising the eyebrows but disappear when the face is relaxed eventually turn into static wrinkles that are visible at all times. 

Deeper lines that run from the sides of nose down to the sides of the mouth are known as nasolabial folds, ‘smile lines’ or ‘laugh lines’, as this skin is creased when smiling. The appearance of these wrinkles can also be linked to a loss of volume as they are also a natural sign of sagging skin.

Repeated facial expressions - like squinting, frowning or smiling - contribute to wrinkles and fine lines on the face over time. Each time a facial muscle is used, a groove forms underneath the skin. These grooves eventually become permanent as the skin ages and loses its elasticity. 

Though facial expressions are a factor, wrinkles on the face are largely caused by aging. The substances that keep our skin smooth and firm, such as collagen and elastin, begin to deteriorate as we get older. 

Some of aging’s influencing factors are natural and inevitable, but some are environmental and can be controlled: 

• Internal causes: the natural aging process predetermined by our genes. Also known as intrinsic, biological or chronological aging. 
• External causes: environmental factors that cause oxidative stress to the skin, e.g. over-exposure to sunlight. Also known as extrinsic aging. 

Young skin has a structure that is similar to building blocks, with a regular arrangement of dermal tissue and a plentiful supply of Collagen. It appears even and feels firm, but from about the age of 25, a 1% annual decline in collagen levels together with an increasingly disorganized dermal tissue arrangement causes a loss of skin strength. 

This results in the appearance of fine lines which develop into wrinkles as the creases manifest throughout the layers of skin. 

Another key factor is age-induced dryness. As a result of reduced skin functions, mature skin becomes increasingly dry, which may lead to it feeling itchy and rough, too. 

One reason this occurs is due to a decrease in the amount of hyaluronic acid being produced in the skin. This is a moisture-binding substance that surrounds the skin cells and gives the skin its smooth, youthful appearance. This decline causes the skin to lose its full, firm feel, and it becomes more susceptible to creasing and deep wrinkles. 

External causes of wrinkles and fine lines on the face are due to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes damage to skin cell structures and contributes to the natural degradation of the skin’s collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. 

Causes of oxidative stress include: 

Sun: Sun damage is the primary cause of photoaging (premature skin aging caused by the sun) and contributes to wrinkles. Prolonged and repeated sun exposure causes damage to collagen, and this results in a less elastic, weakened skin structure that wrinkles more easily. 

Pollution: Pollution triggers the release of free radicals and accelerates oxidative stress in the skin. 

Smoking: Oxidative stress is triggered by smoking. Free radicals damage the skin’s structure and contribute to the general signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, the nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes damage the collagen and elastin in the skin. This influences the skin’s elasticity and may also cause wrinkles. 

Diet: Certain foods are associated with an increase in oxidative stress. Thankfully, many foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, are rich in antioxidants and can help support increasing antioxidants in the body. 

Lack of sleep: The skin needs sleep to repair and regenerate. Poor sleep has been associated with an increase in signs of intrinsic aging and compromised skin barrier functioning. 

Aging is a natural process and therefore all healthy skin changes over time. However, there are skincare solutions to add radiance to your skin if you’re looking to visibly reduce your fine lines and wrinkles. Available methods are either invasive or non-invasive, with variation in the immediacy of results.

Fine lines and wrinkles appear as the skin’s own production of Hyaluronic Acid decreases, causing the skin to look older. The Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler line has been specially formulated to help counteract this process. 

After 15 years of research on epigenetics, we uncovered how external factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, impacted the appearance of the skin. This journey led us to identify Epicelline®, a ground- breaking ingredient, thanks to the skin-specific Age-Clock Technology. This new ingredient provides an added benefit to most common anti-ageing formulas by targeting the signs of aging to visibly rejuvenate the look of the skin.  

The Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Epicelline® Serum contains the powerful ingredient Epicelline®, proven to visibly reduce signs of skin aging for firmer, younger-looking skin.* Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Glycine Saponin, this face serum helps to hydrate skin, with up to 78% reduction in the look of wrinkles with regular use.** 

*Product-in-use test with 160 women over 4 weeks. 

**2023: Beiersdorf clinical studies over 4 weeks with 43 volunteers. Product-in-use test over 4 weeks with 160 volunteers.

As we age, our skin’s own production of Hyaluronic Acid decreases causing the skin to form wrinkles and look older. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Firming Day Care counteracts this process and helps to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles for a rejuvenated look. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Firming Day Care addresses the first signs of aging in dry skin. It noticeably re-plumps the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a rejuvenated look, and is formulated with antioxidants that help defend skin against environmental aggressors.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Smoothing Eye Care was formulated specifically to target ‘crow’s feet’ in the delicate eye area. Ophthalmologically tested, this eye cream visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and is safe to use with contact lenses.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Regenerating Night Care with HYAL COMPLEX helps to counteract the skin's natural loss of Hyaluronic Acid and resulting formation of wrinkles with 3 effects:

1. FILL: High & low molecular Hyaluronic Acid moisturize and re-plump the look of fine lines & wrinkles 
2. REVITALIZE: Replenishes skin's own Hyaluronic Acid for a revitalized look of the skin 
3. REGENERATE: Dexpanthenol - helps the skin’s own natural nightly repair process to renew the skin moisture barrier 

Any wrinkle treatment that involves an invasive procedure should be carried out by a dermatologist, or other healthcare professional, in a clinical environment. Clinical treatments to reduce wrinkles on the face include:

• Dermal filler injections: Hyaluronic acid is injected into wrinkles and fills them out, restoring volume in the face. 
  
• Cosmetic surgery: Surgery presents a more permanent treatment option, with the potential to target concerns for specific areas of the body such as forehead furrows or jowls. It is, however, a more invasive and expensive procedure.

Invasive treatments are commonly associated with reducing wrinkles on the face, specifically wrinkles around the mouth, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds. If you are considering any clinical dermatological procedures, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional. 

While everybody develops wrinkles on their face over time as a natural part of the aging process, there are some ways to help prevent or reduce their development:

Avoiding UV exposure reduces skin damage, so try and limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreens like the Eucerin Age Defense SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, as directed, and always wear protective clothing like a hat, sunglasses or long-sleeved shirts. Look for makeup and other beauty products with built-in sunscreen, ensuring you're protecting your skin every day, all year round. 

Dry skin can shrivel plump skin cells, which can cause premature fine lines on the face due to dehydration. Moisturizing products enable water to stay in the skin, helping to mask face lines and creases.

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can contribute to wrinkles, as they cause blood vessels to narrow and reduce oxygen flow to skin cells, leading to [dehydrated skin]. Even heavy smokers can improve their skin tone and texture by quitting.

Tanning beds also expose the skin to UV damage that can lead to photoaging effects similar to the sun.

Studies¹ show that a diet high in antioxidants can help protect the skin from signs of aging. 

¹ https://ajcn.nutrition.org/ 

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to: 

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin