Lines and wrinkles are part of the natural story our faces tell. Over time, the expressions we make every day, like laughing with friends, raising our brows in curiosity, and widening our eyes in surprise, leave lines behind. In many ways, these changes are nothing more than evidence of a life that’s been fully lived.
But it’s also perfectly normal to wish certain lines looked a little softer, especially if forehead creases are starting to stand out more than you’d like.
Believe it or not, small everyday habits can make a difference, and sometimes the issue isn’t aging itself but a few common mistakes that may be deepening those lines over time. If your forehead wrinkles have been catching your attention lately, dermatologists say these four habits are worth knowing about and rethinking.
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1. Not Starting Retinol
Retinol is one of the most dermatologist-recommended ingredients for smoothing fine lines because it helps speed up skin cell turnover and supports collagen production. If you’re skipping it entirely, forehead lines may gradually become more noticeable as collagen naturally declines with age. Starting slowly with a gentle retinol product (or a lower dose prescription) can help soften the appearance of existing lines over time while helping prevent them from becoming more deeply etched.
2. Sleeping on Your Stomach
Your sleep position can actually affect your skin more than you might realize. Sleeping on your stomach presses your forehead into the pillow for hours, which creates repeated compression and creasing in the same areas night after night. Over time, those temporary folds can become more permanent lines. Switching to sleeping on your back—or even using a smoother pillowcase—can help reduce that constant pressure.
3. Skipping SPF
Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin aging because UV rays break down collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. When those structures weaken, lines on the forehead can deepen quicker. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day—even when it’s cloudy—helps protect your skin and can go a long way toward keeping those lines from becoming more exaggerated.
4. Over-Raising Your Brows
Our facial expressions give us character, but frequently lifting your eyebrows—whether from surprise, concentration, or habit—can fold the skin across the forehead. Over time, those expression lines can settle in and become visible even when your face is relaxed. Becoming a bit more aware of this movement, especially when you are deep at focus doing things like working at a computer, can help reduce how often you raise your brows.
