Last Reviewed: April, 2026

Forehead wrinkles are a natural result of facial expression and skin ageing, developing gradually over time through repeated movements such as frowning, squinting, and raising the eyebrows.¹ They reflect how the face moves in everyday expression and can become more noticeable as skin structure changes with age and exposure to external factors such as UV radiation and lifestyle habits.

As these changes progress, expression lines may remain visible even when the face is at rest.² Understanding what contributes to their development can help support a more even-looking complexion through consistent skincare and daily protection.

Forehead wrinkles are lines that appear on the upper face, most commonly as horizontal lines across the forehead or vertical lines between the eyebrows. They begin as dynamic expression lines that form during facial movements such as smiling, frowning, or raising the brows, and can become more persistent and visible over time as skin changes with age.³

Dynamic vs static forehead wrinkles:

• Dynamic wrinkles appear during facial movement, such as raising eyebrows or frowning.
• Static wrinkles remain visible when the face is at rest.

Forehead wrinkles develop due to a combination of natural skin ageing, facial expressions, and external environmental factors.

Collagen is a protein that gives the skin structure and elasticity. It is essential for maintaining the skin’s strength and mechanical stability, helping the skin remain firm and resilient. As we age, collagen production decreases.⁴

This can lead to: 

• Elastosis (a key process in which the skin gradually loses elasticity.)⁴
• More visible expression lines.
• Changes in skin smoothness.
• Reduction in the resilience of the skin surface.

UV exposure is one of the most important external factors influencing forehead wrinkles.⁵ Photoaging is premature skin aging caused by overexposure to the sun’s rays (UVA and UVB). UV light damages your skin and over time, this will build up and cause changes in the skin.

Over time, it can:

• Contribute to premature visible skin ageing, such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and age spots.
• Make skin appear drier and less smooth.
• Intensify the appearance of expression lines.

It is crucial to apply sun protection to prevent photoaging. Eucerin Sun Face Hydro Protect Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50+ combines a high-level UVA/UVB SPF50 protection and ultra-light texture, which makes it the perfect addition to your daily routine.

Lifestyle factors can also influence skin appearance:

• Smoking may reduce skin radiance.⁶
• Excessive alcohol intake can contribute to dehydration.⁷
• Stress can increase facial tension and lead to repeated expressions.

Repeated facial movements such as frowning, squinting and raising the eyebrows can make forehead wrinkles more visible over time, with dermatological research showing that repeated contraction of forehead muscles contributes to the formation of expression lines that gradually become more noticeable.³

Forehead wrinkles commonly become more noticeable from around the age of 30, when natural skin changes mean expression lines are less likely to fade when the face is relaxed.

At this stage, consistent skincare can help support a more even-looking skin surface over time.⁵

Forehead wrinkles cannot be completely removed, but their visible appearance can be improved through consistent skincare, daily protection, and supportive lifestyle habits.⁸

Daily SPF is one of the most important steps in helping to maintain a more even-looking complexion.⁹ Consistent sun protection helps defend the skin from UV damage, which is a key factor in visible skin ageing and the development of more pronounced expression lines over time.

Eucerin Photoageing Control Sun Fluid SPF50 helps protect the skin, providing daily UVA/UVB protection and HEVIS light defence. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, which helps visibly reduce the signs of skin ageing.

Hydration plays an important role in maintaining a smoother-looking skin surface, as skin moisture levels naturally decrease over time.⁵ Hyaluronic Acid helps support and maintain skin hydration, helping to keep the skin looking plumper and more even.⁵

It helps:

• Support smoother-looking skin.
• Improve skin hydration.
• Reduce the visible appearance of fine lines.

Active ingredients in skincare help improve the visible appearance of skin texture, hydration, and fine lines over time. These include both widely used skincare actives and ingredients used in Eucerin formulations.

• Epicelline is an active ingredient used in Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity formulations to help support a more youthful-looking complexion and improve the visible signs of skin ageing.
• Epicelline is an active ingredient used in Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity formulations which reactivates the skin’s youth genes at the root and makes skin cells act younger to reverse ¹⁰ visible signs of ageing
• Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, commonly used in skincare to help improve the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin texture over time.¹⁰
• Hyaluronic Acid helps retain water in the skin layers which can keep the skin looking and feeling moisturised.

Eucerin formulations include a range of ingredients that help improve skin appearance by supporting hydration, nourishment and overall skin condition, helping to reduce the visible prominence of wrinkles over time.

• Collagen-Elastin is a combination of Creatine and Arctiin that can improve skin elasticity and enhance skin firmness.
• Glycine Saponin and Enoloxone work alongside Epicelline in Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity formulations to support Hyaluronic Acid within the skin.
• Argan Oil is derived from the kernels of the Argan tree and is rich in fatty acids that help nourish and soften the skin.¹¹
• Dexpanthenol helps improve hydration in the outer layers of the skin and supports moisture balance, helping to keep skin soft and comfortable.¹²

To help support a smoother-looking forehead over time, here are two dermatologist-guided skincare routines designed to target different stages of forehead wrinkle visibility. One focuses on early expression lines, while the other is tailored to more pronounced, deeper forehead wrinkles.

This routine is designed for early visible forehead lines that are mainly noticeable during facial movement. It focuses on hydration, skin comfort and supporting a smoother-looking skin surface.

Step 1. Cleanse: Begin with a gentle facial cleanser to remove impurities and prepare the skin for care.

Step 2. Serum:

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler +3x Effect Firming Serum: intensively firms the skin, plumps wrinkles, and strengthens the skin barrier through a unique combination of high-performance ingredients.

Step 3. Moisturiser & Sun Protection (AM):

• AM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Care SPF 30: provides daily hydration and sun protection. Its 3x Effect formula combines Hyaluronic Acid, Glycine Saponin, and Enoxolone to help visibly plump fine lines and wrinkles, support the skin’s own Hyaluronic Acid production, and help protect against UV-induced photoaging and environmental stressors.
• PM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Care: supports the skin overnight with its 3x Effect formula of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycine Saponin, and Enoxolone. It helps visibly plump fine lines and wrinkles while supporting smoother-looking and well-hydrated skin by morning. Dexpanthenol helps keep skin feeling comfortable and moisturised overnight.  Tip: Always apply SPF as the final step in your daytime routine.

Tip: Always apply SPF as the final step in your daytime routine.

This routine is designed to target deeper face wrinkles that are visible both during expression and at rest. It focuses on improving skin texture appearance, hydration and daily protection.

1. Cleanse: Start with a gentle facial cleanser to prep the skin for active ingredients.
2. Serum: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Serum: with active ingredient Epicelline, which works at the root cause of wrinkles to visibly reduce signs of skin ageing for firmer, younger-looking skin.
3. Moisturiser & Sun Protection (AM): select a day cream based on your skin needs and the visible signs of ageing:
• AM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Day Care: with Epicelline, it provides long-lasting hydration and helps protect against photoaging. Its light texture makes it suitable for daily use.
• PM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Night Care: with Epicelline and bakuchiol, it helps support the skin’s overnight natural recovery process for smoother-looking skin by morning.
• AM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Day Care: with Epicelline, it provides long-lasting hydration, helps protect against photoaging, and visibly addresses 10 signs of skin ageing. Its light texture makes it suitable for daily use. 
  
• PM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Night Care: with Epicelline and bakuchiol, it supports overnight skin regeneration and visibly addresses 10 signs of skin ageing for smoother-looking skin by morning.

Lifestyle habits can influence how forehead wrinkles appear over time. While they cannot prevent wrinkles entirely, combining healthy habits with a consistent skincare routine can help support smoother-looking skin.

Balanced diet: Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruit and vegetables, along with vitamins A, C and E, helps support overall skin condition.⁵

Stress management: Ongoing stress can lead to repeated facial tension, such as frowning, which may make forehead lines more noticeable over time.¹³

Hydration: Drinking enough water helps maintain skin moisture, which can support a smoother-looking skin surface.¹⁴

Facial yoga: Regular facial exercises may help improve awareness of facial movements and support a more relaxed appearance¹⁵ when practised consistently.

Forehead wrinkles are a natural result of facial expression and skin ageing, becoming more visible over time due to repeated movements, natural changes in skin condition, and external factors such as sun exposure. Daily SPF helps protect the skin from UV exposure that can make forehead lines more noticeable, alongside a consistent hydrating skincare routine to support a smoother-looking skin surface over time.