Reviewed by Dr Nurul Aishah Jamaludin and Physician Kelvin Goh
Can Crow’s Feet Improve with Skincare?
Published | 5 min read
Crow’s feet are a natural sign of ageing, though some of us may prematurely get these wrinkles around the eyes. Discover ways to help reduce their appearance.
Crow’s feet are wrinkles that appear in the most delicate and expressive part of your face – the eyes. While ageing is a natural process that happens to all living things, it can affect your confidence. Due to hectic lifestyles and sun exposure, some people may see
Fortunately, skincare has come a long way in addressing early signs of ageing. Let’s review how
Two Types of Crow’s Feet: Dynamic vs. Static Lines
Crow’s feet, appearing in the outer corners of the eyes, are a part of the ageing process. As we age, our body’s cell production and renewal slow down. This also means our skin produces less collagen, a protein that gives the skin its structure and elasticity.
With less collagen, the middle layer of our skin, called the dermis, thins out. This leads to depressions in the outermost layer of our skin, the epidermis. These epidermal depressions are the wrinkles you see when you examine your skin in the mirror.
Crow’s feet can be categorised into two types — dynamic and static.
Dynamic
Meanwhile, static
Anti-ageing Topical Skincare for Crow’s Feet: Do They Work?

Aside from living a healthy and balanced life, topical skincare is a go-to option for many of us. But do they work? The good news is some of them do. However, topical treatments only reduce the appearance of wrinkles rather than remove deep wrinkles altogether.
Over four decades of research have shown retinoids can effectively improve wrinkles, including
Some retinoids, like tretinoin, work more quickly than others but may be too harsh for some people. Luckily, even milder over-the-counter retinoids like retinol can reduce wrinkles. The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published a study in 2015 showing a significant reduction in facial wrinkles among study subjects following 12 weeks of retinol application.
Recently, skincare ingredients on pharmacy shelves include vitamin C and peptides. While less studied than retinoids, these molecules also hold some promise in reducing
In a recent study published in 2020 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, peptides were shown to stimulate collagen production at the basement membrane. This internal structure connects the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin.
Reduce Crow’s Feet with Facial Acupuncture

More recently, many
Rejuvenate ageing skin with facial acupuncture
TCM physician Kelvin Goh explains that the outer corners around the eyes are the meeting point of the gallbladder and Triple Burner meridian (san jiao, 三焦). “If these meridians’ qi (vital life force) and blood energy levels are
He agrees that facial acupuncture can help reduce
Support the effect of facial acupuncture with exercise and herbs
In addition to facial acupuncture, Physician Goh recommends regular exercise and following the right diet. “According to TCM, the Lungs oversee the skin. By having a pair of strong lungs from exercising regularly, the Lungs will regulate qi, essence, and body fluids on the body’s surface. This helps strengthen the skin’s elasticity,” he advises.
Physician Goh also explains that the proteins responsible for skin elasticity, such as elastin and collagen, are considered yin (cooling) foods. The herbs that fall in this category include goji berries (gou qi, 枸杞), rose buds (mei gui hua, 玫瑰花), bird’s nest (yan wo, 燕窝), white fungus (yin er, 银耳), and peach gum resin
A 2022 study on edible bird’s nest published in Frontiers of Pharmacology demonstrated improved skin elasticity in the treatment group compared to that in the placebo group. As with all TCM regimens, it is important to work with a certified TCM physician before consuming these herbs.
Ultimately, there is nothing clinically wrong with having
References
- Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Wrinkles. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Crow’s Feet. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2015. A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- Nutrients. 2017. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2021. Effectiveness of a formulation containing peptides and vitamin C in treating signs of facial ageing: three clinical studies. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020. Anti-Wrinkle Benefits of Peptides Complex Stimulating Skin Basement Membrane Proteins Expression. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Effect of Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture on Facial Elasticity: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study. [Accessed on 7 September 2022]
- Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022. Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Edible Bird’s Nest Extract: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Comparative Study. [Accessed 7 September 2022]
Share this article on