What are crow’s feet?

The tiny wrinkles at the corner of your eyelid are commonly referred to as "crow’s feet." When you laugh, smile or squint, they are unavoidable but can also develop into a wrinkle over time. Crow’s feet are dynamic or expression wrinkles that occur with movement. Unlike some forehead wrinkles that indicate worry or stress, crow’s feet are associated with laughter and joy.

What causes crow’s feet?

As you grow older, your skin begins to lose elastin and collagen which causes it to look less plump and smooth. As elastin and collagen degrade, lines and wrinkles – along with sagging and firmness – can all begin to occur. Since the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body, when collagen and elastin begin to deteriorate the skin has less support from its underlying structure. Smiling and laughing also contribute to crow’s feet forming along these dynamic or expression lines.

When do crow’s feet first appear?

Crow’s feet and other lines around the eyes may be the very first sign of aging that you see. Since the eye area is thinner and produces less oil than other parts of the skin, it is often one of the first places to show signs of aging.ⁱⁱ

How can you help prevent crow’s feet?

There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent wrinkles from showing up prematurely. Try these below tips to help promote younger-looking skin.

• Protect Skin from UV Rays
  UV rays are one of the main causes of premature signs of aging and can damage skin even on cloudy or rainy days. Even if you do not notice sunburn or other immediate signs of damage, sun exposure can gradually speed up your aging process. Carefully read the instructions on your sunscreen to ensure that it can be applied in the eye area or look for a formula specifically made for the eyes. Additionally, wear sunglasses with UV protection to help defend skin and help prevent you from squinting, which also causes crow’s feet to form.ⁱⁱⁱ
• Defend Skin with Antioxidant Protection
  In addition to UV rays, free radicals can also cause damage. Apply formulas with antioxidant protection, especially during the day, to help defend skin from external aggressors.
• Limit Salt Intake
  Excess salt can cause your body to retain water. In the eye area, this can be especially visible and cause puffy eyes which in turn can make lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet appear more visible.^iv
• Hydrate Inside and Out
  In addition to eye creams and moisturizers, drinking lots of water can help improve your skin’s appearance – including the area around your eyes. Especially if you eat excess salt, drink water to help flush out impurities that may be affecting your skin.
• Try Not to Squint
  Taking care of the skin around your eyes also includes caring for your eyes themselves. If needed, wear contacts or glasses for your vision, limit exposure to screens, and keep sunglasses on in the sun.

How can you visibly reduce crow’s feet?

To help diminish crow’s feet, look for skincare formulas that can help plump the area. Eye treatments with Peptides or Vitamin C can help visibly smooth skin over time. A cream or serum with Hyaluronic Acid or another humectant can also help visibly plump the area by boosting moisture for a smoother, bright-eyed appearance.