Wrinkles come with age, but the sun sets the pace.

What are wrinkles, and what types are there?

Wrinkles are the lines and creases that form in skin as it ages. Skin ages in two overlapping ways: through the passage of time (chronological aging) and through environmental damage, mainly from the sun. Both processes are cumulative. [1] One review describes wrinkles as forming along “fault lines” where aging skin is folded again and again. [4]

Those fault lines can come from two different kinds of strain. Your expressions fold the skin while you are awake, and your pillow can compress it while you sleep. According to the same review, expression wrinkles and sleep wrinkles differ in cause, location and pattern. [4] In everyday terms, people usually sort wrinkles by how they look:

In a study of 298 women, wrinkles and skin texture were shaped by both chronological aging and sun exposure. [5] So a single wrinkle rarely has a single cause.

Why does skin wrinkle with age?

Skin wrinkles with age because time-related changes build up and outside factors pile on top of them. A systematic review of skin aging studies found seven notable risk factors: age, sex, ethnicity, air pollution, nutrition, smoking and sun exposure. [6] You cannot change the first three. The sun and smoking are largely in your hands.

Age

Like every organ, skin goes through chronological aging. A review explains that chronological aging and sun-induced aging share core molecular pathways; one depends on the passage of time, the other on accumulated sun exposure. [1] In the 298-woman study, sagging was linked more to chronological aging and did not differ between women who sought the sun and women who avoided it. [5]

Sun exposure

UV light from the sun is the main environmental driver of skin aging. Sun-induced aging (photoaging) is greatest in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, live in sunny climates and have light skin. [1] In the study of 298 white women, the authors concluded that UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible signs of facial aging. [5]

That figure comes with caveats. It is the authors’ interpretation of one cross-sectional study, the abstract does not detail how it was calculated, and it cannot be applied to every skin tone.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the risk factors named in the systematic review. [6] A study compared photos of 79 pairs of identical twins in which only one twin smoked, or one had smoked at least five years longer. The smoking twins had worse upper lip wrinkles, deeper nose-to-mouth folds and more under-eye bags. [7]

Forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet did not differ between the twins. The study was observational, and smoking history came from a questionnaire, so it shows an association rather than proof of cause.

Facial expressions and sleep

Smiling, frowning and squinting fold the skin along the same lines thousands of times. The review describes expression wrinkles as the result of this repeated distortion. [4] It also discusses whether compression and shear forces from side or stomach sleeping add to wrinkles, but this is a hypothesis.

A study of 100 women tested one version of that idea. The side people usually slept on was not linked to the side of the face with more wrinkles or sagging. [8]

How can you prevent wrinkles?

The best-supported way to prevent wrinkles is to wear sunscreen every day. In a randomized trial in Australia, 903 adults under 55 were assigned to daily broad-spectrum sunscreen or to use it at their own discretion. After 4.5 years, the daily group showed no detectable increase in skin aging, and aging was 24% less than in the discretionary group. [2]

Evidence that sunscreen improves existing damage is weaker. In a one-year study, 32 people applied SPF 30 to the whole face every day. All photoaging measures improved from baseline from week 12 onward, with texture, clarity and pigmentation improving most. [9] There was no comparison group, and the abstract gives no separate figure for wrinkles.

In practice, prevention rests on a few habits:

1. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, including on cloudy days, and do not skip the eye area or the skin in front of your ears.
2. Add a hat and sunglasses when you spend long periods outside.
3. If you smoke, look for support to quit.
4. Avoid harsh cleansers that leave your skin tight; the skin barrier guide explains why.

For filter types and how much to apply, see the sunscreen guide.

What actually helps with wrinkles?

Retinoids are the most studied ingredients for wrinkles. A network meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials with 3,905 participants found that retinol, tretinoin and isotretinoin significantly improved fine wrinkles. [3] The authors note limited ethnic diversity, possible commercial bias and differences in how studies measured results.

Retinol and other retinoids

Tretinoin is the most potent and most studied retinoid, but it is a prescription drug and appears here only for context. According to a review, irritation such as burning, peeling and dermatitis limits how people can use retinoids; retinol is clearly less irritating than tretinoin. [13] How to start slowly is covered in the retinol guide.

In the network meta-analysis, tazarotene and glycolic acid carried a higher risk of side effects. [3] If you are considering an acid, the glycolic acid guide and the AHA vs BHA guide explain the trade-offs.

Vitamin C

In a three-month study, 19 people applied an ascorbic acid serum to one half of the face and an inactive base to the other. The vitamin C side showed significantly more improvement in fine wrinkles and roughness. [14]

A systematic review of 7 publications with 139 volunteers reported that skin treated with topical vitamin C looked smoother and less wrinkled, but the studies were few and small. [10] Forms and storage are in the vitamin C guide.

Niacinamide and bakuchiol

In a 12-week split-face trial, 50 women with sun damage applied 5% niacinamide to one side. Fine lines and wrinkles decreased on the niacinamide side. [11] Only light-skinned women took part, and the authors had manufacturer links. More in the niacinamide guide.

In a 12-week trial of 44 people, 0.5% bakuchiol and 0.5% retinol reduced wrinkle area to a similar degree; the retinol group reported more scaling and stinging. [12] The sample was small, so it is too early to call bakuchiol an equal swap. See the bakuchiol guide.

Can you reduce wrinkles at home?

You can often soften how wrinkles look at home, but you cannot make them disappear. Among home products, retinol has the most consistent evidence: in the network meta-analysis, it significantly improved fine wrinkles. [3] That effect was measured on fine wrinkles. Deep static wrinkles and sagging should not be expected to respond the same way.

A simple routine in practice: sunscreen every morning, retinol a few evenings a week to start, and a moisturizer that helps you tolerate both. A moisturizer will not remove wrinkles, but it eases dryness and tightness; the moisturizer guide can help you choose one.

How long before you notice anything? In the studies above, change was measured over weeks and months: the bakuchiol and retinol comparison ran 12 weeks [12], the niacinamide trial also 12 weeks [11], and the vitamin C serum study three months. [14] The systematic review notes that visible change may require long-term use. [10] Tracking photos taken in the same light is more reliable than the mirror.

What can an anti-wrinkle cream do?

“Anti-wrinkle” on a label is a marketing term, not an evidence level. In none of the studies above did wrinkles vanish; what researchers measured was a modest improvement in how they looked over weeks or months. Judge a product by its active ingredient and the studies behind that ingredient. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting a retinoid product.

A few practical questions help when you compare products:

• Does the label name the active ingredient, and ideally its concentration?
• If it contains retinol or vitamin C, does the packaging keep out light and air?
• If your skin is sensitive, is it fragrance-free?
• Does it combine several strong actives? Adding one new product at a time makes irritation easier to trace.

Masks and face exercises

Masks made with banana, egg, yogurt or olive oil are popular, but no study has tested them on wrinkles. A systematic review of facial exercises found 9 reports. None had a control group or randomization, and most assessments were subjective. [15] The authors concluded that the evidence is insufficient to say whether facial exercises work.

What about wrinkles under and around the eyes?

Wrinkles often show up around the eyes first. The skin there is sensitive to outside factors and tends to show signs of aging early. [16] Crow’s feet are closely tied to expression, because smiling and squinting fold this skin constantly. [4] Darkness under the eyes is a separate issue, covered in the dark circles guide.

A review of common eye cream ingredients found retinoids, vitamin C and caffeine promising for wrinkles, but noted that few clinical studies target the eye area specifically. [16] Under-eye wrinkles are not expected to disappear; studies measured a gradual improvement in how they looked over months. Two examples:

• A product with 0.1% retinol improved under-eye wrinkles and fine lines in a 9-month, placebo-controlled study of 48 people; the study was manufacturer-linked. [17]
• Creams with 0.1% hyaluronic acid were applied around the eyes by 76 women aged 30 to 60 for 60 days; some formulas reduced wrinkle depth. [18]

Expect hydration, not a filler effect, from hyaluronic acid; details are in the hyaluronic acid guide. In practice, patch-test a new eye product on a small area first and keep it away from your lash line.

What can a dermatologist do?

Botulinum toxin, fillers, lasers and deep peels are procedures performed by doctors. This guide mentions them only as context and does not recommend any of them. A Cochrane review of 65 randomized trials found that botulinum toxin reduces wrinkles within four weeks but probably increases the risk of a drooping eyelid. [19]

The same review points out that evidence is missing on repeated treatments and on how long the effect lasts. [19] If you are considering a procedure, talk through the options, risks and realistic results with a dermatologist.

Frequently asked questions

Can wrinkles be genetic?

Partly. Age, sex and ethnicity are among the risk factors identified in a systematic review of skin aging. [6] Skin pigment matters too: sun-induced aging is greatest in people with light skin. [1] Sun exposure and smoking, which appear on the same list, are the factors you can actually change.

What causes early wrinkles?

Usually the sun, often together with smoking and expression. In one study, the authors attributed most visible facial aging signs to UV exposure. [5] Smoking twins had more upper lip wrinkles than their non-smoking siblings. [7] Daily sunscreen is the step with the strongest trial evidence for slowing skin aging. [2]

Can sleeping on your side cause wrinkles?

It is possible, but it has not been shown. One review suggests that pressure on the face during side or stomach sleeping could contribute to sleep lines. [4] In a study of 100 women, however, the side they slept on was not linked to the side with more wrinkles. [8] No study in our sources tested special pillows.

References

1. Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J, et al. Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(11):1462-1470. PubMed · DOI
2. Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781-790. PubMed · DOI
3. Lin L, Chen X, Liu C, et al. Comparative efficacy of topical interventions for facial photoaging: a network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):26889. PubMed · DOI
4. Anson G, Kane MA, Lambros V. Sleep Wrinkles: Facial Aging and Facial Distortion During Sleep. Aesthet Surg J. 2016;36(8):931-940. PubMed · DOI
5. Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:221-232. PubMed · DOI
6. Wong QYA, Chew FT. Defining skin aging and its risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):22075. PubMed · DOI
7. Okada HC, Alleyne B, Varghai K, Kinder K, Guyuron B. Facial changes caused by smoking: a comparison between smoking and nonsmoking identical twins. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;132(5):1085-1092. PubMed · DOI
8. Kotlus BS. Effect of sleep position on perceived facial aging. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(9):1360-1362. PubMed · DOI
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10. Correia G, Magina S. Efficacy of topical vitamin C in melasma and photoaging: A systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(7):1938-1945. PubMed · DOI
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12. Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019;180(2):289-296. PubMed · DOI
13. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-348. PubMed · DOI
14. Traikovich SS. Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;125(10):1091-1098. PubMed · DOI
15. Van Borsel J, De Vos MC, Bastiaansen K, Welvaert J, Lambert J. The effectiveness of facial exercises for facial rejuvenation: a systematic review. Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34(1):22-27. PubMed · DOI
16. Hamie H, Yassine R, Shoukfeh R, Turk D, Huq F, Moossavi M. A review of the efficacy of popular eye cream ingredients. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2024;10(2):e156. PubMed · DOI
17. Bellemère G, Stamatas GN, Bruère V, Bertin C, Issachar N, Oddos T. Antiaging action of retinol: from molecular to clinical. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2009;22(4):200-209. PubMed · DOI
18. Pavicic T, Gauglitz GG, Lersch P, et al. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(9):990-1000. PubMed
19. Camargo CP, Xia J, Costa CS, et al. Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;7(7):CD011301. PubMed · DOI