Forehead lines, the lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows, are one of the most common signs of aging. Forehead lines are so common because they’re caused mostly by simply moving your face. Repetitive, daily facial expressions and movements are one of the main causes of forehead lines (as well as a handful of other culprits, which we’ll discuss below). But if you’d like to address them, there are plenty of simple, at-home solutions to treat the appearance of fine lines. From facial massage to serums, here’s how to reduce forehead lines, once and for all.
What Causes Forehead Lines?
Aging
Time is one of the common denominators for forehead lines. As we age, collagen and elastin production declines, naturally causing the formation of fine lines. Also, over time, continuous facial movements and expressions eventually develop into fine lines and wrinkles. Each time you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, says the Mayo Clinic. As skin ages, it loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back in place, causing these grooves to then become permanent. These repetitive movements, from emoting, speaking, and laughing are proof of a life well lived, but they can also eventually cause fine lines.
Genetics
Skin aging is a complex process with various factors, one being genetics. Genetics can determine skin structure and texture, as well as affect how lines form on our face.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is the primary cause of wrinkles and fine lines, adds the Mayo Clinic. They note that excessive UV exposure breaks down the skin’s collagen and elastic fibers deep in the dermis layer. Without these connective tissues, skin loses its strength and flexibility, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles. This is particularly prominent on the forehead, where sun exposure is more frequent.
Air pollution exposure is also a common issue for forehead lines. Not only is it troubling for the rest of the body, but air pollution alters our skin’s protein and causes inflammation. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
Lifestyle Choices
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can accelerate the skin’s normal aging process rapidly.
Stress and Sleep
Those with moments of high stress and less restful sleep are already experiencing difficulty in their everyday lives. Sorry to add fuel to the fire, but stress reduces your skin’s natural elasticity, leading to potential fine lines — especially on the forehead where the furrowing of your brow is common in stressful situations.
Additionally, it’s been proven that beauty sleep is very real. Cell repair and collagen synthesis occur when you get a restful night of sleep, but don’t happen as intensely overnight when you’re receiving less than six hours of sleep.
How To Get Rid of Forehead Lines
We believe that aging is a gift, and fine lines and wrinkles are not unsightly. But, if you would like to address the appearance of forehead lines, there are a few at-home solutions to consider.
Skincare
Fine lines can see improvement with sun protection (most importantly), antioxidant-boosted serums, and hydrating moisturizers. Also, effectively cleansing the skin is vital, too. See below for a few products that will help you reduce lines on your forehead.
Facial Massage
With the endless announcements of high-tech facial tools, it’s easy to dismiss the ancient art of facial massage. But facial massages, especially techniques perfected in Japan, are one of the most beneficial beauty regimen enhancements. The quick, twice-a-day facial massage technique our founder Vicky Tsai swears by promotes skin circulation, which addresses puffiness, dullness, and fine lines. “I like to incorporate facial massages into both morning and evening rituals,” notes Tsai. She notes there are innumerable ways to perform facial massages, but the one key tip is always to move upward and outward from the center of the face.
Treatment for Forehead Lines
Ask just about any facialist, skin expert, or dermatologist how to prevent forehead wrinkles and they will likely tell you to start implementing a daily skincare routine. Skincare is one of the best first lines of defense. Here are a few products proven to aid in reducing forehead lines.
Sunscreen
It's imperative to protect your skin with sunscreen, wearing it each and every day. Modern sunscreens – whether they are chemical, physical, or a blend of both – are wonderfully advanced and not only protective, but oftentimes have cosmetic benefits that improve the skin’s overall health.
Consider the Silk Sunscreen, which is silky, lightweight, and invisible with 50+ mineral broad-spectrum coverage. The sheer liquid provides 50 broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, with 10 percent zinc oxide for a mineral, reef-safe filter. But it also helps to improve the overall appearance and health of skin while wearing it, too, as well as address forehead lines. The Silk Sunscreen contains niacinamide to visibly even skin tone, reduce redness, and visibly firm the look of pores. Plus it has a hefty dose of hyaluronic acid to immediately boost skin’s natural moisture levels, softness, and skin tone. Plus the SPF has silk, which allows the silky liquid to provide a protective veil of hydration without weighing skin down.
Vitamin C
Antioxidant-boosted skincare, especially products containing Vitamin C, can be wonderfully beneficial for protecting the skin from further damage from free radicals and improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
Try a Vitamin C serum, like the Violet-C Brightening Serum, which has two forms of Vitamin C and antioxidant-rich Japanese beautyberry, to reveal brighter skin and a more translucent glow. Mild fruit AHAs resurface dull, uneven skin and address the look of wrinkles, while Japanese angelica root helps to reduce the look of dark spots, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne scarring.
Moisturizer
Consistently incorporate hydrating moisturizers into your routine twice a day to help plump and lock in healing hydration. This not only allows the skin to look its best, but it helps skin recover and repair properly, and thus helps to plump the appearance of forehead lines and wrinkles.
Those with dry skin should look for products that contain hyaluronic acid and occlusives for all-day hydration. Consider The Dewy Skin Cream, which is a rich, moisturizing formula that plumps skin for a dewy, healthy glow. The cream is wonderful at increasing hydration, radiance, plumpness, and overall texture and firmness, thanks to antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice, Okinawa algae, hyaluronic acid, and our superpowered Hadasei-3 Complex (a trinity of Japanese superfoods that restore healthy radiance).
For those that prefer a lightweight gel moisturizer, consider The Silk Cream, which is perfect for almost any skin type (and fine-line-prone skin will love it!), thanks to a trinity of fermented Japanese superfoods, which restores healthy-looking radiance. The visibly firming moisturizer also has a complete liquid silk protein, which parallels the amino acid structure of human skin to super hydrate your skin’s surface, helping to minimize the appearance of forehead lines.
Sensitive skin? Acne-prone? Extremely dry skin? We’ve got a moisturizer for that, too. Here’s a helpful guide to picking the best moisturizer for your skin type.
Retinol-Alternative Serum
Retinols are the talk of the forehead-line-fighting town — but they’re wildly complicated and difficult to use. Try a proven retinol alternative that can mimic the wrinkle-fighting benefits of retinol, minus the painful side effects.
Consider our newest and most innovative launch yet: The Silk Serum. Unlike Vitamin A derivatives, which must be started slowly to build up a tolerance, The Silk Serum is made to use when you want, up to two times daily starting day one. No ramp-up time or complicated skin cycling is necessary. The Silk Serum also includes silk, which nourishes and softens for a healthy-looking complexion, as well as our beloved Hadasei-3 proprietary complex to hydrate and support the skin barrier. Together, the serum delivers the power of retinol without compromising, making it one of the best serums for diminishing the appearance of forehead lines.
Victoria Tsai
Chief Treasure Hunter