How to Reduce Wrinkles: Causes, Prevention and Care for Ageing Skin

Last Reviewed: March, 2026

Wrinkles are a natural part of ageing, but their appearance can be influenced by both internal and external factors¹.Understanding what causes wrinkles and how to care for ageing skin can help maintain a smoother, more resilient complexion.

This guide explores the key causes of wrinkles, clinically proven ingredients, and dermatologist-backed skincare routines to help prevent and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Wrinkles develop due to a combination of internal and external factors, including lifestyle and environmental influences.¹ Understanding these causes can help guide your skincare routine and lifestyle choices, supporting smoother, more resilient-looking skin.

Natural ageing changes in skin structure increase susceptibility to fine lines and wrinkles.

Key internal factors:

• Collagen and Elastin decline: Reduced firmness and elasticity make wrinkles on the face and body more visible.
• Lower Hyaluronic Acid: Drier skin is prone to fine lines and creases.
• Genetics: Determines skin thickness, elasticity, and timing of wrinkle formation.

Environmental and lifestyle factors can also accelerate the formation of wrinkles.

Key external factors:

• UV exposure: Breaks down Collagen and Elastin fibres, causing premature wrinkles.
• Smoking and alcohol: Reduce elasticity, impair skin repair, and dehydrate skin.
• Facial expressions: Repeated movements like frowning and squinting deepen fine lines.
• Poor hydration and lifestyle: Weakens skin resilience, making wrinkles more noticeable.

Wrinkles most often appear on areas of the face and body that experience frequent movement or sun exposure. Common locations include the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and around the mouth (smile lines). The neck and décolletage are also prone to lines, as the skin in this area is thinner and more delicate, making wrinkles more noticeable.²

Common wrinkle types:

• Crow’s feet: Fine lines radiating from the outer corners of the eyes, caused by smiling, squinting, and sun exposure.
• Frown lines (11 lines): Vertical lines between the eyebrows from repeated frowning or concentrating.
• Forehead lines: Horizontal lines from raising eyebrows over time.
• Smile lines (nasolabial folds): Lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth, deepening with age and facial movement.
• Neck and décolletage lines: Vertical or horizontal lines caused by thinning skin, sun exposure, and repeated movement.

Understanding the difference between fine lines and wrinkles helps you target them more effectively with skincare and lifestyle routines.³

Fine Lines: 

• Shallow, subtle creases
• Often appear around the eyes and mouth
• First visible signs of ageing
• Form in areas of frequent facial movement

Wrinkles:

• Deeper folds or creases 
• Caused by loss of Collagen and Elastin, reduced elasticity, and thinning skin
• Commonly appear on the forehead, around the eyes, mouth, neck, and décolletage
• More pronounced and long-lasting than fine lines³

As we age, natural changes in the skin cause fine lines to deepen into more noticeable wrinkles. Collagen and Elastin levels gradually decline, reducing firmness and elasticity, while Hyaluronic Acid decreases, leaving skin less hydrated and voluminous. Research shows ⁴ that lower Collagen synthesis weakens skin structure, contributing to deeper wrinkles, especially in areas exposed to repeated facial movement and sun.

Other contributing factors include:

Thinning skin: Age-related loss of fat and structural support makes wrinkles more visible.

Environmental exposure: UV radiation, pollution, and lifestyle habits accelerate Collagen and Elastin breakdown.

Facial expressions: Repeated movements like frowning, smiling, or squinting deepen existing lines.

While wrinkles cannot completely disappear, dermatologist-recommended skincare can visibly smooth fine lines, support elasticity, and help maintain resilient, youthful-looking skin. Products like Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Serum target the 10 signs of ageing by:⁴ 

• Hydrating the skin to plump fine lines 
• Supporting Collagen and Elastin production for firmer skin
• Maintaining skin resilience to slow further wrinkle formation

Regular use of such products, combined with sun protection and healthy lifestyle habits, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.⁴

Skincare can help slow visible ageing and provide effective wrinkle treatment by hydrating the skin, supporting Collagen production, and protecting against environmental damage. While wrinkles cannot be completely reversed, targeted products can help smooth fine lines, improve elasticity, and maintain youthful-looking skin.⁵

Epicelline is a patented active ingredient in Eucerin’s epigenetic range that helps skin appear more youthful. While many skincare ingredients work at the surface level, Epicelline supports skin processes associated with youthful‑looking skin. When combined with Hyaluronic Acid, it helps the skin appear firmer, smoother, and more youthful in just four weeks*.

Clinical studies* show that the combination of Epicelline, Glycine Saponin, and Enoxolone:

• Supports hydration
• Stimulates Collagen and Elastin production
• Prevents Hyaluronic Acid degradation

This multi-targeted approach helps reduce visible signs of ageing and strengthens skin structure over time.

_{*Clinical studies over 2 weeks and 4 weeks with 43 volunteers respectively. Product-in-use test over 4 weeks with 160 volunteers.}

Using the right ingredients ensures skincare effectively smooths fine lines and supports skin structure. Key ingredients include:^7,8,9,10

• Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Gently exfoliate dead skin cells, improving texture.
• Glycine Saponin: Stimulates Hyaluronic Acid production, enhancing hydration and plumping wrinkles.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates at multiple levels, restoring volume and smoothing fine lines.
• Enoxolone: Prevents Hyaluronic Acid degradation and supports DNA repair, improving resilience.^7,8,9,10

A proactive skincare and lifestyle approach can slow the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, keeping skin smoother and more resilient over time. Consistently protecting and nourishing your skin helps maintain its structure and youthful appearance.^11,12

• Sun protection: Daily SPF, such as the Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Ultra-light Day SPF 50, helps prevent photoaging and Collagen loss.
• Hydration: Regular use of moisturisers supports skin elasticity and prevents dryness.
• Cleansing: A gentle routine removes impurities and prepares skin for treatment products.
• Lifestyle habits: Avoid smoking, limit alcohol, and maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants.^11,12

To help maintain smoother, more youthful-looking skin, here are two dermatologist-backed routines designed to target wrinkles and fine lines. One focuses on early signs of ageing and hydration, while the other supports deeper wrinkles and improves elasticity. Both routines start with a gentle cleanser to prep the skin for active ingredients.

This routine targets early signs of ageing and wrinkles, smooths fine lines, and supports skin hydration for a more youthful-looking complexion:

• Cleanse: Begin with a gentle facial cleanser to remove impurities.
• Serum: 
  Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Serum: contains Epicelline to help skin appear more youthful and visibly smooth fine lines.
  Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler +3x Effect Firming Serum: Intensively firms the skin, plumps wrinkles, and strengthens the skin barrier.
• Moisturiser:

• AM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Day Care SPF 30: for hydration and sun protection. This formula contains Epicelline to help work on visible signs of ageing supporting the skin’s structure and leaving it smoother and more resilient. 
• PM: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Longevity Epigenetic Night Care: to support overnight skin renewal. Also enriched with Epicelline, it hydrates and nourishes the skin while supporting natural repair processes.

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

This routine is designed to target deep face wrinkles, boosting visible elasticity, and protecting against environmental damage for a firmer, smoother appearance:

Cleanse: Start with a gentle facial cleanser to prep the skin for active ingredients.

Serum: Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity 3D Serum - visibly reduces deep wrinkles, improves skin elasticity, and helps reduce age spots and prevent their reappearance with Thiamidol.

Moisturiser & Protection:

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day SPF 30 - locks in moisture, supports elasticity, and visibly plumps wrinkles.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Ultra-light Day SPF 50 - prevents photoaging, boosts Collagen production, and helps reduce dark spots caused by sun exposure.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Eye Care - plumps wrinkles around the eyes, improves elasticity and reduces the appearance of dark circles.

A qualified dermatologist or healthcare professional should always perform wrinkle-reducing procedures that involve invasive techniques in a clinical setting. These treatments may be considered when topical skincare alone is not sufficient to address more pronounced wrinkles and volume loss.¹⁴

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments designed to restore volume and smooth the appearance of wrinkles. They most commonly use Hyaluronic Acid, a substance naturally found in the skin that helps maintain hydration and fullness.¹⁵

Cosmetic surgery offers a more permanent approach to treating deeper facial lines and skin laxity. Procedures may target specific areas such as the forehead lines or jowls. However, surgery is more invasive and typically requires longer recovery time.¹⁶

Laser resurfacing uses targeted energy to improve skin texture and reduce visible wrinkles. Ablative laser treatments remove or damage the outer layers of skin while gently heating deeper layers. This stimulates Collagen production, supporting smoother and more even-looking skin as the skin heals.¹⁷

Invasive treatments are often used for more pronounced wrinkles, including nasolabial folds and marionette lines, where structural changes in the skin are more visible.¹⁷

Clinical research suggests that skincare products containing Hyaluronic Acid may help support skin hydration and overall skin quality following certain professional treatments, particularly when used consistently over time.¹⁸ Hyaluronic Acid is a key ingredient in the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler range, which is designed to support moisture balance and improve the appearance of fine lines, especially in delicate areas such as around the eyes.

Maintaining youthful-looking skin means understanding what causes wrinkles, following a consistent skincare routine, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits. While wrinkles cannot be completely prevented or removed, early intervention can help smooth fine lines, and there are routines that can support elasticity and reduce the appearance of deeper wrinkles.

Using products with clinically proven ingredients that support Collagen and Elastin and protect skin structure can further help maintain a smoother, firmer, and more resilient complexion.