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How this guide was made: researched from the American Academy of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic and the FDA, plus Anna's own routine for her under-eyes. Anna uses the numbuzin eye cream, takes Fernes collagen peptides and makes gelatin desserts with It's Just! gelatin. The other products are researched picks. Drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Anna. This guide is educational, not medical advice.
Welcome to Comfort Mind Body, where self-care starts with being gentle with yourself. Make a cup of tea, and let's figure out what your under-eyes actually need.
Under-eye lines tend to show up before you feel ready for them. One tired week, one bright bathroom light, and there they are. The good news is that some of them fade fast. The trick is knowing which kind you're looking at.
Curious about lines beyond your eyes? See my face wrinkle map with all the types of wrinkles.
Quick Answer: Can You Remove Wrinkles Under Your Eyes?
You can soften most wrinkles, lines and creases under your eyes, but how much depends on the kind of line. Fine lines under the eyes from dryness can fade within days once the skin is well moisturized. Crepey lines from sun damage improve slowly, over months, with a retinoid and daily sunscreen. Smile lines and hollows need a dermatologist, because no cream can relax a muscle or add lost volume.
So the first step isn't buying a product. It's working out which line you have. The table below makes that simple.
Why Lines Show Up Under The Eyes First
The skin under your eyes is some of the thinnest on your body. It also never rests. You blink thousands of times a day, and every smile and squint folds it again.
On top of that, this area gets a lot of sun and very little care. Many people skip sunscreen here because it stings or runs into their eyes. Over the years, UV breaks down the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm.
Age also changes what sits underneath. The fat pads under the eyes can thin or shift, which leaves a hollow or a groove. Dryness, rubbing, allergies and sleeping face-down can all make lines look deeper than they are.
Anna’s Note
I'm 34, and I deal with two of these at once: fine lines and hollowness. I use a retinal eye cream with moisturizer on top, and sunscreen, and I have a drawer full of eye masks. I also tried a spicule serum and stopped. It was too much for this skin. My biggest mistake was overdoing it: too many products, used too harshly. This is me with no makeup, and Sushi, who insisted on being in the photo.
Which Kind Of Under-Eye Line Do You Have?
Most people have a mix. Look in a mirror in daylight, with a clean face, and go through the four types below. Each mirror check is a rough guide, not a diagnosis. If you're unsure, a dermatologist can help work out what's contributing.
Four Kinds Of Under-Eye Lines And What Can Help
Swipe left or right to view the full table on mobile.
| Type | What It Looks Like | Mirror Check | What Can Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryness lines | Tiny, fine lines. Often worse in the morning, in winter or after long screen days. | Moisturize and wait 15 minutes. If they soften a lot, dryness is a big part of it. | A moisturizer or eye cream, applied to damp skin, twice a day. |
| Crepey, sun-damaged skin | Thin, crinkly skin with many fine lines, like tissue paper. | The lines stay after moisturizing, and the skin looks thin up close. | A retinoid at night and sunscreen every day. In-office: lasers or peels. |
| Smile lines and crow's feet | Lines fanning out from the outer corner, deeper when you smile. | Relax your face completely. If they mostly disappear, they come from movement. | UV sunglasses to stop squinting. Botox is FDA-approved for crow's feet. |
| Hollows | A groove or shadow under the eye that can look like a dark circle. | Stand under a ceiling light and tip your chin down. If the shadow deepens, a hollow may be part of it. | No cream adds volume. A dermatologist may suggest filler. Concealer helps day to day. |
Comfort Mind Body Take
Match the fix to the line before you spend. The most expensive eye cream can't fill a hollow, and a filler won't fix dry skin. Start with the cheapest step that matches your line, give it time, then decide if you need more.
Start Here: The Daily Basics
These steps won't erase a deep line. They help prevent further sun damage and keep the skin comfortable, which helps every other step work better. If a friend asked me where to start, I'd say moisturizer and sunscreen, every day.
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every day. Take it right up to the under-eye area. If regular sunscreen stings your eyes, try a mineral one with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection. The American Academy of Dermatology notes they also help reduce lines from squinting.
- Moisturize morning and night. Moisturizer helps skin hold water, which softens the look of fine lines.
- Be gentle. Pat products on with your ring finger. Don't rub, scrub or tug this skin.
- Stop any product that stings or burns.
For help picking one, see how to choose a sunscreen. If you're not sure what your skin is missing, read hydrating vs moisturizing.
Eye Creams And Retinol: What Actually Helps
Retinoids have the best evidence for fine lines. Tretinoin, a prescription retinoid, speeds up skin renewal and boosts collagen. Over-the-counter retinol is milder and may also help. Near the eyes, choose a retinol or retinal product made for the eye area and follow its directions. Ask a dermatologist before using a prescription retinoid or adapalene there, since adapalene's label says to keep it off the skin around the eyes. Expect to wait weeks or months, and know that some people see little change.
The skin around the eyes is easy to irritate, so start low and slow:
- Choose the lowest strength you can find.
- Use it every other night at first, then build up if your skin stays calm.
- Keep it on the bone under your eye, not close to the lash line, so it doesn't run into your eyes.
- Follow with moisturizer, and wear sunscreen the next day.
- Skip retinoids if you're pregnant.
Do you need a separate eye cream? Not always. A gentle face moisturizer that doesn't sting can do the same job. Eye creams are often richer and fragrance-free, which suits this thin skin. Hyaluronic acid and peptides can make the area look smoother and plumper. Caffeine can help puffiness, but it won't change a wrinkle.
Be careful with big claims. One small study reported a 33% improvement in lines around the eyes after 12 weeks, in 16 people using one retinoid eye cream. It had no placebo group, and two of the authors worked for the brand, so it doesn't prove the same result for other eye creams. Treat claims like this as hopeful, not proven.
Anna’s Note
My routine is simple now. Every night I use the numbuzin No.9 NAD+ Retinal Volumetox Eye Cream, with moisturizer on top. That's my retinol step, so I don't layer a second one under my eyes. In the morning, sunscreen. I learned the hard way that harsh treatments and too many products are the real enemy here.
Anna's nightly eye cream
numbuzin No.9 NAD+ Retinal Volumetox Eye Cream
Best fit: fine lines under the eyes, if your skin already handles a retinoid. Its label lists retinal, NAD+ and 50 peptides.
Watch: retinal is a retinoid. Start every other night, keep it off the lash line and skip it during pregnancy. It isn't fragrance-free, so patch test first.
Check on Amazon Check on StylevanaMore Eye Products To Compare
These two are researched picks, not products I've used. Each one matches a line type from the table above, so pick by your line, not by the claims on the box.
Product photos in this section come from the brands and are used for identification only. Comfort Mind Body doesn't own them.
Researched pick: crepey lines
MATKAS Korean Retinol Renewal Eye Cream
Best fit: a low-cost first retinol for the eye area. The brand lists it as fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
Watch: the retinol strength isn't listed on the product page. Start every other night, and skip it during pregnancy.
Shop at MATKAS
Researched pick: dryness lines
Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Best fit: dry, papery fine lines. Its label lists sodium hyaluronate, aloe vera and eyebright extract, and the brand says it has no synthetic fragrance.
Watch: it hydrates. It won't change crepey skin, smile lines or hollows.
Shop at Mario BadescuCurious about gentler options? Compare bakuchiol vs retinol, or read our guide to active ingredients in skincare. If your skin is red or stinging, pause and protect your skin barrier first.
Do Natural Remedies Work?
Natural remedies can make your eyes feel and look fresher, but they aren't treatments for set-in wrinkles or hollows. Here's what each one can and can't do.
- Cold cucumber slices or chilled tea bags: soothing and may calm puffiness for a while. They don't change lines.
- Castor oil and other oils: they can soften dry skin like any rich moisturizer. Patch test first, and keep them out of your eyes.
- Honey or banana masks: a little hydration at best, with a real chance of a mess near your eyes.
- Massage and gentle tapping: may help morning puffiness. Pulling or rubbing does the opposite.
The basics do more: daily sunscreen, UV sunglasses, enough sleep and gentle hands. For a deeper look at one remedy, read does castor oil help with wrinkles.
What About Collagen Supplements?
Collagen loss is one reason under-eye skin gets thinner with age, so collagen powders are a natural thing to try. The research is mixed. A 2025 review of 23 trials in the American Journal of Medicine found benefits for skin in company-funded studies, but no clear benefit in independent or higher-quality ones. Collagen makers dispute parts of that review. A 2026 review of 25 trials found possible skin benefits, but rated most of the trials at high risk of bias.
Two things are worth knowing. Your body digests collagen into amino acids, so it can't send it to one spot like your under-eyes. And hollows come mostly from lost fat and bone support, which no powder can refill.
Anna’s Note
I take collagen peptides and make gelatin desserts, and I feel they help my skin glow. That's my experience, not a promise. Moisturizer and sunscreen are still my base.
Anna's collagen powder
Fernes Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides
Best fit: an unflavored daily scoop in coffee or a smoothie. The label lists bovine type I and III collagen (Peptan), 10 g per scoop.
Watch: it's a dietary supplement, and the FDA hasn't reviewed its claims. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have kidney problems or take medicines. Made from cows, so not for vegetarians.
Check on Amazon
Anna's gelatin powder
It's Just! Grass-Fed Gelatin Powder
Best fit: a simple, one-ingredient option. Gelatin is cooked collagen, so it sets desserts like panna cotta and gummies. My recipe is below.
Watch: unlike collagen peptides, it needs to bloom in water and dissolve with gentle warmth, then it sets as it cools. The same supplement cautions apply: check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you're pregnant or take medicines.
Check on Amazon
Anna's favorite gelatin dessert
Strawberry Coconut Panna Cotta
Coconut layer: 200 ml milk, 180 g cream cheese or ricotta, 15 g coconut cream, 10 g shredded coconut, sugar to taste.
Strawberry layer: 200 g frozen strawberries, 80 ml milk, 180 g cream cheese or ricotta, sugar to taste.
How: bloom 10 g gelatin in 50 ml water for each layer (20 g and 100 ml in total) and warm it until dissolved, without boiling. Blend each layer with its gelatin. Pour the coconut layer and chill until it's just firm enough to hold the next layer, about 10 minutes. Add the strawberry layer, then chill 2 to 3 hours.
Under-Eye Patches: Are They Worth It?
Under-eye patches are everywhere right now. Hydrating gel patches soak the skin with water, so fine lines look softer for a few hours. That's lovely before an event, but the effect fades by the end of the day.
Microneedle patches and spicule serums push this further. There's little independent research on them for under-eye wrinkles. This thin skin gets irritated easily, which is why I stopped my spicule serum.
Smile Lines And Crow's Feet
Crow's feet come from movement. Every smile and squint folds the skin at the outer corner of your eye, and over the years the fold stays. That's why creams help only a little here: they can smooth the surface, but they can't stop the muscle.
What helps at home is cutting the squinting. Wear UV sunglasses outside, and get your eyes checked if you squint to read. Keep using a retinoid and sunscreen for the surface lines.
For a bigger change, Botox is approved by the FDA for crow's feet. A dermatologist injects it into the muscle in a short office visit. Results show in 3 to 7 days and usually last 3 to 4 months.
If Your Main Concern Is Hollows
Hollows aren't wrinkles. They're a dip or groove under the eye, often where the lower lid meets the cheek, and they tend to develop with age. Because they cast a shadow, they're often mistaken for dark circles.
No cream or powder can refill that space. What you can change is how deep the shadow looks day to day:
- Calm morning puffiness, which makes the hollow below it look deeper. Mayo Clinic suggests less fluid before bed, less salt, 7 to 9 hours of sleep and sleeping with your head slightly raised.
- A cool, damp washcloth for a few minutes in the morning can help puffiness too.
- Keep the skin smooth and hydrated, so fine lines don't add to the shadow.
- Use a thin layer of concealer only in the darkest part of the groove, and pat it in. A peach-toned corrector underneath can help on lighter skin, an orange one on deeper skin.
- Check your lighting. Overhead light makes hollows look deeper than they are.
Anna’s Note
Hollowness is the part I'm still working on. For mine, I rely on my eye cream and enough collagen in my life. That's what feels right for me. If you want a visible change in the hollow itself, that's dermatologist territory.
For lasting volume, a dermatologist may suggest filler. It's a delicate area, so read the filler note below before you book.
When To See A Dermatologist
If your lines come from hollows or movement, or home care hasn't helped after a few months, a dermatologist can offer more. These options work on different problems, so the line type still matters.
In-Office Options For Under-Eye Lines
Swipe left or right to view the full table on mobile.
| Option | Best For | How Long It Lasts | What To Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription retinoid | Fine and crepey lines | As long as you keep using it | Can sting at first. Not for pregnancy. |
| Botox | Crow's feet and smile lines | About 3 to 4 months | FDA-approved for crow's feet. Results in 3 to 7 days. |
| Filler | Hollows and grooves | Varies by product | Highest-risk area. See the warning below. |
| Laser resurfacing or peels | Crepey texture from sun damage | Varies | Redness and downtime. Ask how it suits your skin tone. |
| Lower eyelid surgery | Loose skin and bags | Long-lasting | Removes extra skin and fat. A surgeon decides if it fits. |
A word on filler under the eyes. Filler injected into a blood vessel can cut off blood flow, and the FDA warns this can cause skin damage and even blindness. The FDA advises against filler around the eyes, except products approved for that area. One such product, Restylane Eyelight, was approved in 2023 for under-eye hollows in adults over 21. Only see a licensed provider trained in filler, and never buy filler online. Insurance doesn't cover treatments for signs of aging.
An At-Home Option: LED Masks
Red-light masks are the at-home version of in-office light treatments. Research on them for wrinkles is small and early, so treat one as a nice extra, not a fix.
Product photo from the brand, used for identification only. Comfort Mind Body doesn't own it.
Researched pick: at-home device
Eco Face Platinum LED Mask + Eye Care Solution Bundle
Best fit: readers curious about red light at home. The brand says the eye mask uses 630 nm red and 830 nm near-infrared light, with heated pads.
Watch: it's a bundle with the full-face mask, at a few hundred dollars. Follow the maker's safety instructions for use near the eyes.
Shop at Eco FaceMakeup That Won't Settle Into Lines
Makeup can't remove a line, but the wrong layers make it look deeper. A few small changes help:
- Moisturize first and give it a few minutes to sink in.
- Use less concealer than you think, only where it's dark.
- Pat it in with a finger or a damp sponge. Don't swipe.
- If it creases, press a tiny bit of powder only on that spot.
How Long Until You See A Difference?
- Dryness lines: a few days of steady moisturizing.
- Retinoids: weeks to months, and some people see little change.
- Botox for crow's feet: 3 to 7 days, lasting about 3 to 4 months.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: no visible change soon, but they protect every result you get.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Under-eye lines aren't one problem, so they don't have one fix. Dryness lines need moisture. Crepey lines need time, a retinoid and sunscreen. Smile lines and hollows need a dermatologist if they bother you.
Whatever you choose, be gentle with this skin. Fewer products, used kindly, will get you further than a harsh routine.
Your eyes show how much you've laughed and lived. Take care of them, and go easy on yourself in the mirror. For more gentle, honest routines, browse all our Skin & Beauty guides.
With care,
Anna
P.S. from Sushi: Mommy checks her under-eyes in the mirror every morning. I don't own a mirror, and I nap 16 hours a day. Look at me. Coincidence? I think not.
Safety Notes
This article is educational and not medical advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or take medicines. Patch test new products before using them near your eyes, and keep them out of the eyes themselves.
Stop a product if it burns, stings, causes swelling, a rash or watery, red eyes. Don't use retinoids during pregnancy.
See a doctor for sudden puffiness, eyelid swelling, or a new lump or spot near your eye. Sudden vision changes, loss of sight or severe eye pain need emergency care. Get Botox and filler only from a licensed provider trained in the procedure.
Helpful Resources
- American Academy of Dermatology: 11 Ways To Reduce Premature Skin Aging
- American Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid Or Retinol?
- American Academy of Dermatology: Botulinum Toxin Therapy
- American Academy of Dermatology: Fillers
- Mayo Clinic: Bags Under Eyes, Diagnosis And Treatment
- Mayo Clinic: Wrinkles, Diagnosis And Treatment
- FDA: Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
- FDA: Restylane Eyelight Approval (2023)
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: Retinoid Eye Cream Study (2022)
- Cosmetics Design: The 2025 Collagen Supplement Review And Industry Response
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Hydrolyzed Collagen And Skin, A 2026 Review
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Cosmetic Procedures Average Cost 2023
- MedlinePlus: Tretinoin Topical
- Merz Aesthetics: FDA Approves Xeomin For Upper Facial Lines (2024)
