How to Get Rid of Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are one of the most common facial wrinkles people notice as their skin starts to change. These fine lines appear at the outer corner of the eyes and are often linked to smiling, squinting, and everyday facial expressions. While crow’s feet are a natural part of ageing, many people want to reduce their appearance or prevent them from becoming more noticeable over time.

In this guide, we’ll explain what causes crow’s feet, how to treat crow’s feet using skincare and professional options, and what actually works if you’re looking to get rid of crow’s feet or achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance.

What Are Crow’s Feet?

Crow’s feet, also known as laugh lines, lateral canthal lines, or eye wrinkles, are fine lines and wrinkles that form around the delicate eye area. They often start as faint expression lines and can become more visible as the skin ages and loses firmness.

There are two main types:

• Dynamic lines, which appear when you smile or squint due to muscle movement
• Static lines, which remain visible even when your face is at rest

Over time, dynamic lines can deepen into crow’s feet wrinkles, especially as the skin’s structure weakens.

What Causes Crow’s Feet?

Understanding the causes of crow’s feet helps explain why they develop and how to combat them effectively.

Facial Expressions & Muscle Movement

Repeated smiling, squinting, and other repetitive facial movements cause the skin to crease. Over time, this leads to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

Skin Ageing & Collagen Loss

As part of skin ageing, collagen production naturally slows down. Reduced skin elasticity makes it harder for skin cells to bounce back, allowing fine lines to settle in.

Sun Exposure

Sun damage from UVB sun rays is one of the biggest contributors to premature ageing and can accelerate the development of crow’s feet.

Dehydration & Skin Health

When skin lacks moisture, it becomes less plump and more prone to developing lines. Poor skin hydration and the buildup of dead skin cells can worsen the appearance of crow’s feet.

Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep are all lifestyle choices that can negatively affect overall skin health.

Can You Get Rid of Crow’s Feet Naturally?

While it’s difficult to completely eliminate crow’s feet, healthy habits can help reduce their appearance and slow further skin damage.

• Adequate hydration, enough sleep, and a healthy lifestyle support blood flow, skin repair, and help improve skin texture. A diet rich in antioxidants supports a firm, resilient skin structure.
• Daily sun protection is essential. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen around the eyes helps prevent further sun damage and premature ageing.
• Gentle facial massage can temporarily improve circulation and help your skin appear firmer, but it won’t fully remove deep crow’s feet wrinkles on its own.

Best Skincare Ingredients for Crow’s Feet

Targeted skincare can significantly improve the appearance of crow’s feet, especially when used as part of a consistent skincare routine.

Retinol Creams

Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for fine lines and wrinkles. It helps encourage collagen production and can improve the overall skin texture with regular use.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and gives a plumping effect, making the eye area look smoother and softer.

Eye Creams

A good eye cream supports the delicate skin around the eyes and can reduce dryness and the visible crow’s feet.

Aloe Vera & Soothing Ingredients

Ingredients like aloe vera help calm sensitive skin and support healthier skin overall.

Cosmetic Procedures for Crow’s Feet

For more noticeable or deeper wrinkles, professional options may deliver faster, longer-lasting results.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin injections temporarily relax the muscles that cause dynamic lines, helping to soften crow’s feet.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can help restore lost volume and support the skin’s structure where static lines are present.

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments work by stimulating collagen and encouraging skin renewal, improving both skin texture and firmness.

These cosmetic treatments are tailored to individual skin conditions and fine lines and wrinkles.

Natural vs Professional Treatments for Crow’s Feet: What Delivers Real Results?

When deciding how to treat crow’s feet, it helps to understand the difference between natural approaches and professional treatments. While lifestyle changes and skincare can support skin health and slow further ageing, they have limits, especially once lines become more visible.

The table below compares both approaches.

Natural vs Professional Treatments for Crow’s Feet

Treatment Type

What It Involves

Best For

Limitations

Results You Can Expect

Natural & At-Home Methods

Eye creams, retinol, hyaluronic acid, facial massage, sun protection, healthy lifestyle

Early fine lines, prevention, improving skin hydration and texture

Cannot treat deep wrinkles or significant volume loss

Subtle smoothing, improved skin texture, healthier appearance over time

Professional Treatments (General)

Injectable treatments, laser treatments, advanced cosmetic procedures

Moderate to deep wrinkles, visible crow’s feet

Requires professional assessment and ongoing maintenance

Noticeable softening of lines and firmer-looking skin

Dermal Fillers

Targeted filler placed to support the skin’s structure and restore volume

Static lines, deeper crow’s feet wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity

Must be performed by an experienced professional

Immediate improvement, smoother appearance, more youthful and refreshed eye area

Why Dermal Filler Is Often the Preferred Choice

For people with static lines or more visible crow’s feet, dermal filler is often the most effective solution. Unlike skincare products that work on the surface, dermal fillers support the skin from within, helping to restore lost volume and improve firmness around the delicate eye area.

When carefully placed, dermal fillers can soften crow’s feet without restricting natural facial expressions, making it a popular choice for those seeking noticeable but natural-looking results.

That said, many people achieve the best outcome by combining approaches, using skincare and sun protection to prevent crow’s feet from worsening, while relying on professional treatments for existing lines.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Skincare products may take several weeks of regular use to show visible improvement. Professional treatments often show faster results, but ongoing care or repeat sessions are typically needed to maintain a youthful appearance.

How to Prevent Crow’s Feet From Getting Worse

To prevent crow’s feet, consistency is key. Daily sunscreen, gentle skincare, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and maintaining a healthy diet all protect the skin’s structure.

Managing stress, sleeping well, and avoiding habits that accelerate ageing can significantly support long-term skin health.

Common Myths About Crow’s Feet

Many believe that eye cream alone can erase crow’s feet or that only older adults develop them. In reality, crow’s feet can begin at different ages and are influenced by everything from sun exposure to frequent squinting and lifestyle choices.

If you’re also noticing shadows or puffiness under your eyes, explore our guide on how to get rid of panda eyes for targeted tips.

Final Thoughts: Treating Crow’s Feet Effectively

Crow’s feet are a normal part of ageing, but there are many ways to reduce their appearance and support smoother, youthful skin. A combination of effective skincare, sun protection, healthy habits, and professional treatments gives you the best chance of seeing visible improvements.

If laugh lines or smile lines around the mouth are on your radar, learn more about how to get rid of smile lines.

FAQs About Crow’s Feet

Can you completely get rid of crow’s feet?

It’s more realistic to reduce crow’s feet and improve their appearance than to remove them entirely, but many treatments can make them much less visible.

Do crow’s feet mean unhealthy skin?

No, they’re typically a sign of normal ageing and muscle movement, though good skincare supports overall resilience.

At what age do crow’s feet start?

Crow’s feet can start in your late 20s or 30s, especially with sun exposure and frequent expression lines.