Aging Eyes 101: Let’s Talk About What’s Really Going On After 45—and What Helps

If you’re over 40 and noticing more eye wrinkles, a crepey look under the eyes, dark circles, or puffiness, you’re in excellent company. The eye area has the thinnest skin on the face, so it shows change first. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common eye-area issues after 45, how to tell one from another, what causes them, and what actually helps—from daily skincare (including our Abad Face Algae Eye Serum in the Age Annihilating Collection) to non-surgical and surgical options your dermatologist or oculoplastic surgeon might recommend. We’ll also touch on everyday habits—such as sleep, sun exposure, and diet—that make a real difference.

Crow’s feet vs. crepey under-eye: what’s the difference?

Let’s start with the two things people often mix up. Crow’s feet are those expression lines that fan out from the outer corners when you smile. Over time, they stick around even at rest because of repeated movement and sun exposure. Crepey under-eye skin is different: it’s that delicate, tissue-paper texture that stretches across the lower lid, usually from thinning skin, less collagen and elastin, and dryness. Both are common after the age of 45, but they require slightly different strategies. Crow’s feet respond really well to prevention (daily sunscreen and sunglasses), hydrating and peptide-rich eye serums, and in-office neuromodulators for the lines caused by movement. Crepey texture benefits from steady hydration, ingredients that help your skin hold onto water, and treatments that nudge collagen—things like fractional lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, or ultrasound, if you and your doctor decide they’re right.

Dark circles: pigment, vessels, or shadows?

“Dark circles” isn’t just one thing. Sometimes it’s extra pigment in the skin (think browner or grayer tone that doesn’t change with lighting). Sometimes it’s vascular—thin skin showing bluish or purplish vessels (which may improve slightly with gentle pressure). And sometimes it’s a shadow from hollowness at the inner corner (the tear trough) or bags from fat pads. Why does this matter? Because the fix depends on the cause. Pigment tends to need sun protection every single day and careful brightening with professional guidance. Visible vessels or thin skin may respond to lasers specifically designed for treating vessels or improving texture. Hollows often require volume (expert-placed hyaluronic acid filler), whereas true bags typically require surgical intervention. Skincare helps overall tone, hydration, and smoothness, but it’s honest to say that not all dark circles can be “creamed away.”

Puffiness and under-eye bags.

Morning puffiness that fades as the day progresses is often due to fluid retention—caused by factors such as sleep position, salt intake, allergies, or irritation. Things like better sleep, managing allergies, moderating sodium and alcohol, and a cool application of your eye serum can help. Caffeine in eye products can also temporarily reduce the appearance of puffiness. If you’ve got bulging that never goes away, that’s often herniated fat pads. Non-surgical devices have limits here; lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is typically the definitive option. A good consult can help you understand which one you’re dealing with.

Tear troughs (hollows)

Suppose you see a groove from the inner corner moving toward the middle of the under-eye. In that case, that’s likely due to tear trough hollowing resulting from volume loss. You can test it by gently lifting the cheek and seeing if the shadow improves. Skincare (yes, even the best eye serum for crow’s feet) won’t replace volume. In carefully selected cases, an experienced injector can use hyaluronic acid filler to soften the hollow. In others, fat repositioning during surgery is the better call. Safety and the right hands matter more than anything else here.

Dryness, irritation, and sensitive eyes

The eye area has fewer oil glands and a more delicate barrier, so dryness and stinging happen easily—especially if you’re enthusiastic with retinoids or acids or you’re using fragranced products near the eyes. If makeup looks patchy or the skin feels tight, simplify. Choose a fragrance-free algae eye serum designed for sensitive, mature skin, pace your actives, and add a barrier-supportive moisturizer. Often, calmer skin looks younger because it’s less red, less tight, and better hydrated.

Where our Algae Eye Serum fits (and what it can realistically do)

This is where Abad Face’s Algae Eye Serum comes in. It’s part of our Age Annihilating Collection, designed for mature, sensitive eye areas that require hydration, soothing, and a smoother appearance to fine lines. The star is Macrocystis pyrifera—giant kelp—because it naturally brings minerals that support the skin barrier, unique antioxidants (phlorotannins and fucoxanthin) to help defend against daily stress, and polysaccharides (like alginates, laminarin, and fucoidan) that bind water and create a breathable, comfortable microfilm on the skin. We pair that with Argireline Amplified peptide, which is designed to support a more refined look to expression lines with consistent use. If your goals are eyes that look better hydrated, a little calmer, and a bit smoother around crow’s feet—without sting or stickiness—this is the sweet spot. What it won’t do is replace procedures for deep hollows or true fat pads, and I want to be straight about that.

Non-surgical options your doctor might suggest.

If you’re curious about in-office treatments, here’s how dermatologists and oculoplastic surgeons usually think about them. For dynamic crow’s feet (lines from movement), small doses of neuromodulators can soften the muscle activity for three to four months at a time. For texture, pigment, and fine static lines, lasers can be beneficial. Fractional non-ablative lasers are gentler, with less downtime. In contrast, fractional ablative lasers (such as CO2) can penetrate more deeply, requiring longer recovery times. Radiofrequency and RF microneedling work by creating controlled heat in the dermis to stimulate collagen growth, which can be particularly beneficial for addressing crepey texture with minimal downtime. Vascular lasers may help if vessels are contributing to that purplish tone. Chemical peels around the eyes must be chosen carefully and performed by experienced clinicians; however, very superficial options can still smooth and brighten the area. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is another tool some physicians use to improve fine lines and texture; protocols vary, and results can be subtle but worthwhile for the right person. For hollows or tear troughs, an expert injector may recommend hyaluronic acid filler—again, experience and anatomy play a significant role here. For true under-eye bags caused by fat pads, lower blepharoplasty is the most definitive option.

Lifestyle upgrades that actually move the needle

Daily sunscreen and UV-blocking sunglasses are the most underrated anti-aging “treatments” for crow’s feet and dark circles—less sun, less squinting. Sleep matters for reducing puffiness; aim for seven to nine hours whenever possible. If allergies are a factor, treating them and avoiding eye rubbing can go a long way. Hydration helps, but also consider moderating salt and alcohol if you wake up puffy. A diet with enough protein, vitamin C, and flavonoids (berries, leafy greens, citrus) supports collagen and vascular health; omega‑3s can help if dryness is an issue. In dry climates, a bedside humidifier can make a surprising difference. And if you love your actives, go slow around the eyes: fewer products, more consistency.

How to use Algae Eye Serum in a 40+ routine

Please keep it simple. Use a rice‑grain amount of Algae Eye Serum on clean, dry skin morning and/or evening. Tap from the inner to the outer corner and along the crow’s feet, but skip the immediate lash line. Follow with your moisturizer, and don’t forget sunscreen in the morning. If you also use retinoids or acids, alternate nights if you start to feel dry. If you prefer a cooling sensation, store the bottle in the refrigerator.

A quick word on expectations

Here’s what most people notice first: a more comfortable, hydrated feel and a smoother surface—makeup tends to apply better. With steady use over several weeks, the eye area often appears more refined around fine lines, and the skin appears calmer. Results vary from person to person, but the goal is consistent, realistic improvement—no “miracle” promises.

Our approach at Abad Face 

We keep our formulas fragrance-free for the delicate eye area, use responsibly sourced ocean ingredients, and manufacture in small batches in Canada for quality control. The Algae Eye Serum occupies a unique space between everyday care and clinical expertise, offering honest ingredients, clear benefits, and a focus on what helps mature skin look and feel its best.

When you’re ready to explore procedures, bring this guide to your consult. And if you’re building a daily routine for eye wrinkles over 40 and want something gentle and effective to anchor it, start with Algae Eye Serum from our Age Annihilating Collection. It’s a simple, steady step that supports everything else you do.

 

*Important reminder and community note: I’m not a scientist, dermatologist, or medical expert—I’m a curious skincare lover just like you. This blog is an exploration of the truth about skincare and an attempt to debunk some of the myths surrounding it. We would love to hear about your experiences and the solutions that have worked for your skin. This is a conversation for all of us to find the best habits for aging skin. Please keep it respectful—rude or derogatory comments will not be responded to and will be deleted.