I’m not sure precisely when my eyes started looking so tired. First, I started noticing more pronounced bags after a sleepless night. Then, they took longer to fade in the morning. Some days, the creases and puffiness never seemed to fade at all. Eventually, the penny dropped:

These fine lines were on their way to becoming permanent wrinkles.

Are you living the same waking nightmare? Is each passing year and late bedtime inching you closer to a worn-out complexion?

Friend, we don’t have to go on in a state of perpetual under-eye exhaustion. There are lifestyle tweaks (and holy grail skincare products) that can make all the difference.

With these 8 tips, we can all reclaim our bright-eyed glow and kick under-eye wrinkles to the curb.

1. Prevent UV Damage

(Not so) fun fact: UV radiation, like from the sun or tanning beds, is one of the quickest ways to acquire wrinkles. Not only does it dry out your skin, but it causes radiation damage known as “photoaging” that can make your complexion look older, faster.

Use SPF products as part of your daily skincare routine, regardless of the weather outside. For extra protection on sunny days, wear a cute hat with a brim.

2. Get More Vitamin C

Pump up your skin with an infusion of vitamin C. This vitamin isn’t just good for a cold — it also defends against environmental damage and supports collagen production, keeping your skin looking springy and youthful.

You can up your vitamin C intake with quality skincare or by adding more nutrient-dense foods to your diet.

Need more vitamin C in your routine? Treat your eyes to our Perfectly Fresh Eyes Kit, imbued with vitamin-rich bakuchiol and kahai oil for soft, flawless skin.

3. Avoid Squinting Your Eyes

If your budding wrinkles are heavily eye-centric, they may be caused by repetitive facial movements like squinting.

The most likely cause? You need glasses.

Whether you’re squinting into the sun (sunglasses) or at street signs (prescription glasses), make sure you aren’t putting unnecessary strain on your poor eyeballs — and under-eye skin.

Seriously, don’t hesitate. There are so many cute frames to choose from!

4. Sleep on Your Back

Back-sleepers, rejoice! You’re doing a big favor for your skin, especially for delicate skin like that around your eyes.

Sleeping face-down or on your side can put physical stress on your skin during the night, causing it to bunch up or stretch out as you press your face against a pillow. Over time, this can result in permanent creases and lines, just like the wrinkles you get from other repetitive expressions like squinting or smiling.

So, congratulations, back-sleepers. You cracked the code.

As for my fellow stomach-sleepers out there — we’ve got to stop smushing our faces.

5. Use Hydrating Eye Creams

One major factor in the development of fine lines is dehydration. Fight back by keeping the skin around your eyes dewy and moisturized with lush eye creams.

We recommend an AM/PM eye cream duo like our Perfectly Fresh Eyes Kit to keep your skin nourished around the clock. 

The Ageless Eyes Day Cream glides on with a light finish to help brighten and depuff your sleepy morning under-eye bags. In the evening, follow with our thick and luxurious Satin Eyes Night Mask to help rejuvenate your skin after a long day.

Bonus: this kit is also rich in vitamin C, so you can knock out two of our skin-positive tips in one quick step!

6. Boost Your Skin Defenses With Antioxidants

Vitamin C isn’t the only worthwhile vitamin on the block. You can also protect your skin and dodge under-eye wrinkles by pumping up your routine with other antioxidants like vitamins A and E. They can help ward off environmental aggressors like free radicals, reduce inflammation (bye, morning eye bags), and lessen the signs of aging.

One option is to get those vitamin-rich foods into your meal plan. Or, if you’re into hot beverages, teas are a prime source of skin-friendly antioxidants, especially green and herbal teas.

You can even reap antioxidant benefits from topical skincare. Take, for example, our Perfectionist Overnight Serum. It’s stacked with antioxidant-rich botanicals like acai, prickly pear, and passionfruit to help restore clarity and elasticity to your complexion. 

7. Don’t Smoke

If you’re a smoker, you’re probably rolling your eyes right now. Quitting is easier said than done, right?

But we can’t overlook the fact that cigarettes (AND VAPES) are damaging to your skin. Smoking either can break down the stores of collagen and elastin in your skin, contributing to fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores.

To make matters worse, the carcinogens in cigarette smoke dry out your skin and leave you with a dull, tired finish. No, thank you!

8. Consider In-Office Procedures

If all else fails, some in-office procedures may provide the results you’re looking for. Considered a safer alternative to surgical face-lifts, options include:

• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser therapy
• Microneedling
• Fillers

Which option should you try? That comes down to personal preference and the recommendation of your esthetician. Different procedures will have different recovery times, different side effects, and different levels of effectiveness based on your particular skin.

Since these procedures tend to be pricier (and sometimes, more invasive), we prefer to try our other options first. But depending on your circumstances and skin goals, in-office procedures may be worth further consideration.

In the end, it’s all about what’s right for you.

Follow whatever steps you need to take to feel healthy, confident, and at your best. You aren’t defined by those under-eye wrinkles, so don’t let them hold you back!