How To Prevent (and Manage) Forehead Lines and Wrinkles

Raising your eyebrows in surprise or furrowing your brows when concentrating are natural human expressions that help you convey how you’re feeling. However, the repetition of these movements over time can lead to forehead lines and wrinkles. While these lines are a natural part of aging (and one that we fully embrace), it’s normal to want to keep your skin looking youthful for as long as possible.

Though you can’t prevent forehead wrinkles entirely, adopting a consistent anti-aging skincare routine can help to keep premature creases at bay. The right skincare routine can also help existing forehead lines appear less pronounced. Ahead, we’re explaining the facts you should know about forehead wrinkles, including what causes them and which products to use for smoother, firmer-looking skin.

What Are Forehead Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are lines and creases that form on the skin’s surface. They typically appear on the face and neck, but they can be found anywhere on the body (especially areas that see a lot of sunlight). You can get wrinkles as early as age 25, but they tend to become more visible between 40 and 55, per the Cleveland Clinic. Once you hit 65, you can expect fine lines and wrinkles to become deeper and more pronounced.

What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?

Certain habits, environmental factors like sun exposure, and genetics can all contribute to the development of wrinkles. Read on to learn more about the common causes of wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead.

1. Aging

As you get older, it’s normal to develop wrinkles on your forehead, around your eyes, and by your mouth—it’s a natural part of aging. According to the Mayo Clinic, your skin gradually produces less sebum (natural oils) with age, which can lead to thinner, drier skin with more pronounced wrinkles. Your skin also loses its natural elasticity as you get older, which can make wrinkles more noticeable.

2. Sun damage

We’re sure you know that sun exposure can lead to sunburns, but it’s also a primary contributor to wrinkles. In fact, some research suggests that ultraviolet (UV) exposure is responsible for up to 80% of all visible skin aging (which encompasses everything from forehead wrinkles to sun spots and dullness). Of course, avoiding the sun entirely is impossible. But you can help protect your skin from these harmful rays by wearing SPF daily, year-round. One great sunscreen option is our L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion. With this lightweight formula with vitamins C and E, you can enjoy glowy, hydrated skin in addition to UV protection—win-win.

3. Repeated facial movements

As mentioned above, repeated facial expressions—think squinting, frowning, or smiling—can contribute to the development of wrinkles. When you make an expression, you’re contracting your muscles, and your skin creases as a result. When you’re young and your skin is elastic, it “bounces back” into its original shape as soon as you’re finished making the expression. But as you age and your skin loses its elasticity, it becomes less able to bounce back, and those temporary creases eventually become permanent lines and wrinkles.

4. Skin type

While many factors that can contribute to forehead wrinkles are at least partially within your control (sun exposure, for instance), others aren’t. Your skin type falls into the latter category. Research suggests that those with drier skin tend to wrinkle earlier and have more noticeable wrinkles than those with naturally oily skin. While you can’t change your skin type, following a skincare routine designed specifically for your needs can help ensure your skin looks and feels its best.

Can You Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles?

Once a forehead wrinkle is formed, you can’t completely get rid of it. However, there are a few things you can do to help make lines on your forehead less noticeable. Plus, there are also steps you can take to help delay the formation of wrinkles in the first place (more on that ahead).

Which Ingredients Are Good for Forehead Wrinkles?

Adhering to a skincare routine is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. If forehead lines and wrinkles are your primary concern, consider seeking out products with these ingredients:

Retinol

Retinol is one of the most popular anti-aging skincare ingredients, and for good reason. This ingredient is a form of vitamin A that can help combat forehead lines and several other signs of aging, such as uneven skin tone and texture. Products with this ingredient can help plump, smooth, and exfoliate the skin, revealing a more youthful appearance over time.

Try It: One of our favorite retinol products is the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol and Niacinamide. It’s suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to use every day on your face, neck, and décolleté. With consistent use, the lightweight, deeply moisturizing formula delivers firmer, brighter, and smoother skin.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient to look out for when managing forehead wrinkles. Products with this naturally occurring humectant moisturizer can help hydrate, plump the skin, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some research even suggests hyaluronic acid skincare products may help boost skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Try It: If you’re looking to add hyaluronic acid to your routine, we recommend trying the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This anti-aging serum with pure hyaluronic acid helps replenish hydration, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and promotes visibly plumped, younger-looking skin. We also love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Midnight Serum, a luxe serum that helps replenish skin overnight for a smoother, more youthful appearance over time.

Peptides

Peptides are another naturally occurring ingredient found in anti-aging products. Different peptides may have different benefits, but anti-aging products with peptides can help smooth, firm, and plump your skin to help reduce the depth of visible wrinkles (including forehead lines).

Try It: Hydrate your skin and address fine lines and wrinkles with the L’Oréal Paris Wrinkle Expert 45+ Moisturizer. This powerful day cream designed specifically for aging skin helps visibly reduce wrinkles and firms the skin.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. They’re used in skincare formulations to smooth the skin’s surface, which can improve skin texture and help make forehead wrinkles appear less pronounced. Two of the more popular AHAs used in anti-aging products include glycolic acid and lactic acid.

Try It: If you’re seeking smoother, brighter-looking skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum. This resurfacing facial serum helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and smooths wrinkles for more even, youthful-looking skin over time.

Vitamin C

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), vitamin C is an effective anti-aging ingredient that can reduce visible signs of aging and dark spots. This ingredient is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the skin against damaging free radicals from environmental sources (like UV exposure and pollution).

Try It: We love using the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum as a daily forehead wrinkle treatment. The serum with pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and salicylic acid helps brighten the skin while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. For best results, apply it every morning and evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that offers many benefits for aging skin. Using skincare products with this ingredient regularly may help with a range of concerns, from dryness to unevenness. And yes, products with niacinamide may also help improve the appearance of wrinkles and forehead lines when used as part of a consistent skincare routine.

Try It: All skin types can try niacinamide with the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. This non-greasy serum is suitable for sensitive skin and is formulated to instantly reveal more luminous and fresher-looking skin.

How To Reduce Forehead Wrinkles: 3 Tips

While you can’t completely make forehead lines vanish, there are a few ways you can reduce their appearance and help prevent deeper forehead wrinkles from forming. We suggest starting with these tips below but remember to consult with your dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns about the best wrinkle treatment for your skin.

1. Keep your skin hydrated

As we mentioned above, wrinkles may look more pronounced if you have dry skin, so moisturizing is key. During the daytime, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Collagen Expert Day Moisturizer with SPF 30. It contains both collagen peptides and niacinamide, as well as broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun.

At night, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants. The luxurious-feeling cream helps repair the skin barrier while targeting fine lines and wrinkles, delivering visible anti-aging results in a non-greasy, lightweight formula.

Editor’s Tip: Beyond using moisturizer to enhance skin hydration, you can also use a targeted anti-wrinkle moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Wrinkle Expert 55+ Moisturizer. This day and night moisturizer for ages 55+ helps strengthen thinning skin and enhances smoothness for a more youthful appearance.

2. Start a preventative skincare routine

It’s never too soon to start an anti-aging skincare routine. If you’re worried about fine lines and forehead wrinkles, it may be a good idea to start early with the right anti-aging skincare for your skin’s needs. This proactive approach can help keep existing forehead lines at bay and potentially delay the formation of new wrinkles. At a minimum, your skincare routine should feature a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, but additional products (such as toners, serums, and eye creams) can be used to help target specific concerns you may have.

3. Don’t skip SPF

As mentioned above, exposure to the sun’s UV rays can result in premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles on the forehead. To help prevent sun damage (and subsequently, wrinkles), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends applying sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 15 (or higher) every day in addition to taking other sun protection measures (like wearing protective clothing). It’s also important to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours during the day for adequate sun protection.

You can use a standard face sunscreen or a daytime moisturizer with built-in SPF. We recommend the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion for a lightweight daily sunscreen.

Next Up: Is There a Difference Between Fine Lines and Wrinkles? 

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris