Why Does the Skin Around the Eyes Wrinkle More Quickly?

Value Beyond Skin ㅣ Human Dermatology Clinic, Seoul National University Branch

Wrinkles around the eyes are one of the skin changes that become noticeable relatively early on the face. Fine lines may appear around the outer corners of the eyes when smiling, or the area beneath the eyes may look thin and dry, creating a more pronounced tired appearance. Wrinkles that were initially visible only when making facial expressions may eventually remain visible even when the face is relaxed.

The skin around the eyes is relatively thinner and more sensitive than other areas of the face. Because it is thin, it is difficult for the skin to retain moisture for long, and it may react easily to external irritation. As a result, wrinkles around the eyes are not caused solely by aging; skin structure, facial expression habits, dryness, and sun exposure may all contribute to their appearance.

Why Is the Skin Around the Eyes Thinner and More Sensitive?

The skin around the eyes has relatively few sebaceous and sweat glands, and it is also relatively thin. For this reason, it can become dry more easily than other areas, and fine lines may become noticeable more quickly when moisture is lacking. In particular, if the skin around your eyes feels tight after cleansing or your makeup seems to settle into the creases, it is worth checking whether the area is dry.

The eye area is also prone to irritation. Habits such as frequently rubbing the eyes, friction while removing heavy eye makeup, and repeated contact with the hands from wearing contact lenses can place stress on the skin around the eyes. When this irritation is repeated, the skin barrier may weaken and a loss of elasticity may appear sooner.

Can Facial Movements Affect Wrinkles Around the Eyes?

The eye area moves repeatedly when we smile, frown, or squint. The area around the outer corners of the eyes, in particular, experiences a lot of movement from the facial muscles, making it prone to repeated creasing. At first, these may appear as dynamic wrinkles that form only when making facial expressions, but as the skin loses elasticity over time, the wrinkles may appear to become fixed.

Sun exposure can also affect wrinkles around the eyes. Ultraviolet rays can weaken collagen and elastic fibers in the skin, causing it to become thinner and lose elasticity. Because the skin around the eyes is thin, these changes may become apparent more quickly. Therefore, managing wrinkles around the eyes involves paying attention not only to moisturizing but also to sun protection and facial expression habits.

How Should You Start Managing Wrinkles Around the Eyes?

It is best to begin managing wrinkles around the eyes by reducing irritation. When cleansing or removing makeup, avoid rubbing the area forcefully; gently pressing and wiping can be helpful. Frequently rubbing the eyes can also cause ongoing friction to the skin around them, so it is best to reduce this habit as much as possible.

Moisturizing is also important. Use a moisturizer formulated for the eye area or a low-irritation moisturizer to reduce dryness, and during the day, apply sunscreen carefully, including around the eyes. If fine lines have already deepened or a loss of elasticity, hollowness, or dullness under the eyes is also visible, home care alone may have limitations, and professional care suited to the condition of your skin may be necessary.

Wrinkles around the eyes can appear relatively quickly as a result of the combined effects of thin skin, repeated facial movements, dryness, sun exposure, and friction. Even if they initially look like fine lines, delaying care may allow the wrinkles to deepen or lead to a tired appearance along with a loss of elasticity under the eyes.

If you are concerned about wrinkles around the eyes, it is a good idea to consult a board-certified dermatologist to accurately assess the thickness and elasticity of the skin around your eyes, the depth of the wrinkles, and whether there is hollowness under the eyes. Based on the specialist’s diagnosis, moisturizing and restorative care, elasticity-enhancing procedures, and wrinkle-improvement procedures can be carried out in stages according to the condition of your skin, which may help support more natural and healthy care for the eye area.