How to Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines On The Face

Wrinkles and fine lines are creasing that form in your skin. They are the most noticeable first signs of skin aging. Depending on your genetics and lifestyle, they appear under the eyes and mouth, and these 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 Immersive Hydration range, and how you can help prevent them.

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 develop into deep wrinkles. Wrinkles fall into two categories: 

1. Fine lines: These fine, surface lines 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 the main causes. 
   
   
2. Furrows: Deeper lines or furrows can be classified as dynamic or static. Dynamic face lines appear with movement, e.g. from muscle activity, while static lines are unchanged with muscle movement. Dynamic lines will eventually become static. 
   
   

Wrinkles tend to become visible in certain areas first, often those that are most often exposed to the sun like the face, neck, hands and forearms. 

Fine lines on the face usually appear near the eyes first. These wrinkles are known as ‘crow’s feet’ or ‘laughter lines’. 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. 

Fine lines here develop into eye wrinkles and become more pronounced over time. Wrinkles are also often most noticeable in the eye area. 

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’ and are partly caused by facial expressions. They are particularly visible when frowning or raising your eyebrows. 

Those which are visible when making facial expressions but disappear after relaxing are called ‘dynamic wrinkles’. Those which are visible regardless of facial movement are known as ‘static wrinkles’. 

Deeper lines that appear and link the nose and the mouth are known as nasolabial folds. The appearance of these wrinkles can be linked to a loss of volume as they are also a 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 flexibility. 

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, elastin and hyaluronic acid, begin to deteriorate as we get older. 

Some of aging’s influencing factors are natural and inevitable, but some are largely 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 and may be 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 all due to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress releases free radicals which damage skin cell structures and contribute 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, mostly fruits and vegetables, are rich in antioxidants and can help to prevent premature aging. 

Lack of sleep: The skin needs sleep to repair and regenerate. Poor sleep can also contribute to your day-to-day stress levels. When the body experiences stress, it produces the hormone cortisol, which negatively impacts collagen levels, further accelerating wrinkles development. 

If you have noticed these early signs of aging on yourself, you may have asked yourself “how to reduce fine lines?”. Aging is a natural process and therefore all healthy skin changes over time. However, there are skin care solutions to add radiance to your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Available methods are either invasive or non-invasive, with variation in the immediacy of results. 

Keeping the skin moisturized is key to help reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face, which can be easily achieved with an appropriate skincare routine. Use the Eucerin Immersive Hydration range to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, for smoothing hydration that lasts all day**

The entire range has been enriched with multi-weight hyaluronic acid, combining two sizes of hyaluronic acid for hydrated and noticeably smoother skin. With macro-sized molecules, it intensively hydrates the skin's surface, while with 40x smaller* micro molecules, it hydrates throughout the skin’s upper surface layers, helping to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

The range also includes a Daily Moisturizer formulated with Broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, which hydrates the skin and improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

*40x smaller than macro hyaluronic acid molecules also in formula.;
**for sun protection with Eucerin Immersive Hydration Daily Lotion, use as directed

Any wrinkle treatment that involves an invasive procedure should be carried out by a dermatologist, or other healthcare professional, in a clinical environment. Invasive 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. 

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: 

• Sun protection: Avoiding UV exposure reduces skin damage, so try and limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreens of SPF  15 or higher, like the Immersive Hydration Daily Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30. 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. 
  
• Moisturize: Dry skin can shrivel plump skin cells, which can cause premature fine lines on the face. Moisturizing products enable water to stay in the skin, helping to mask face lines and creases. 
  
• Wash your face daily: Use a gentle facial cleanser and avoid rubbing the skin too harshly, which can cause irritation and accelerate skin aging. Ensure you wash your face after heaving perspiration, as sweat can irritate the skin and cause damage over time. 
  
• Don't smoke: 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. 
  
• Maintain a healthy diet: Studies¹ show that a diet high in antioxidants can help protect the skin from signs of ageing. 
  
• Drink less alcohol: This dehydrates the skin and causes damage over time. 

¹https://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