How to get rid of frown lines

Published: March 2025

Frown lines are a natural part of ageing and it’s normal to wonder why they appear, how to reduce them, and what can be done to prevent them from becoming more prominent. These lines, often found between the eyebrows or on the forehead, develop due to repeated facial expressions, loss of skin elasticity, and lifestyle factors. While they are entirely normal, there are many ways to smooth their appearance for a more youthful look.

Read the article below to discover the common causes of frown lines, effective ways to reduce their appearance, and preventive measures to keep them from deepening over time.

Frown lines are vertical creases between the eyebrows that appear after repeated facial movements, such as frowning, squinting, or concentrating. Muscle contractions cause frown lines, becoming more prominent as the skin loses elasticity.

They are a natural part of the ageing process but can also develop due to sun exposure, genetics, or lifestyle choices. Frown lines typically appear as two parallel lines, resembling the number 11, or a single deep furrow.

Various factors, including lifestyle and genetics, can cause frown lines. However, they are primarily caused by ageing and the loss of skin elasticity, which prevents the skin from returning to its original state.

The most common factors contributing to frown lines include:

• Ageing & loss of collagen: Our skin produces less collagen and elastin as we age, making it less firm and more prone to wrinkles. The skin begins to lose moisture slowly when you’re in your 20s, and from age 40, a visible deepening of frown lines can be expected.  
• Genetics: Some people are naturally more prone to developing frown lines due to their DNA.
• Sun exposure: UV rays break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. Frequent exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can lead to sagging, deeper wrinkles, and premature ageing (known as photoageing). Research shows that up to 90% of all symptoms of premature skin ageing are caused by UV exposure*.
• Facial expressions: Repeated expressions like squinting, frowning, smiling, or concentrating create furrows between the brows. Over time, as the skin loses its ability to bounce back, these lines become more pronounced.
• Stress: Chronic stress can lead to facial tension, which causes repetitive frowning and eventually results in permanent frown lines.
• Smoking: Smoking damages collagen and elastin, reduces moisture levels in the skin, and restricts blood flow due to nicotine. This leads to dull, less elastic skin that wrinkles more easily.
• Lifestyle: Poor skincare and lifestyle habits can accelerate wrinkle formation. Neglecting moisturisers, skipping sunscreen, and engaging in unhealthy habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can accelerate wrinkle formation.

*Ramos-e-Silva et al., ‘Anti-ageing cosmetics: Facts and controversies’. Clin Dermatol. 2013 Nov-Dec; 31(6): 750-8.

Reducing the appearance of frown lines requires a combination of skincare, lifestyle changes, and treatments. Establishing a proper skincare routine and regularly incorporating anti-ageing products is the most effective and manageable frown line treatment. This can help improve skin texture and reduce the formation of fine lines over time.

Here’s a step-by-step routine to help reduce the appearance of frown lines:

Use a gentle, hydrating, mild cleanser day and night to remove dirt, makeup, pollutants, and excess oil without stripping moisture. 

Eucerin DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel is a mild yet effective facial cleanser for normal to combination skin. It removes impurities, makeup, and excess oil without drying out the skin, allowing it to breathe more easily. Formulated with key ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, APG complex, and Gluco-Glycerol, it helps maintain the skin's natural moisture balance, leaving it feeling clean, soft, and refreshed. This cleanser is suitable for daily use, even on sensitive skin.

Exfoliation is an essential skincare routine that helps smooth the skin, increases collagen production, and enhances product absorption, all of which reduce the appearance of frown lines. Make sure to exfoliate your skin using a chemical exfoliant two to three times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. 

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Peeling & Serum combines an exfoliating AHA complex and Glycine Saponin to promote skin renewal while plumping up even the deepest wrinkles. AHA, commonly known as Fruit Acids helps to exfoliate the skin, while Glycine Saponin supports the production of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and plump the skin. Designed for nighttime use, the serum is formulated to refine skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Learn more about how to exfoliate your skin. 

Using anti-age serums containing active ingredients that target skin ageing at a deeper level can restore collagen production, and hydration can help eliminate frown lines and keep the skin youthful. 

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Epigenetic Serum reduces frown lines by reactivating youth genes with Epicelline®, deeply hydrating with Hyaluronic Acid, and stimulating collagen and elastin production with Glycine Saponin. Enoloxone helps preserve skin structure, promoting firmer, smoother skin. Together, these ingredients work to visibly support the skin’s function while reversing signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and fine lines. 

Clinical studies* show improvements within four weeks of regular use. Incorporating this serum into your skincare routine can help restore skin resilience and minimise frown lines over time.

*Clinical study over 2 and 4 weeks with 43 volunteers, respectively. Product-in-use test over 4 weeks over 160 volunteers.

Using anti-ageing night and day creams helps reduce frown lines by providing continuous hydration, nourishment, and targeted active ingredients throughout the day and night. 

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day and Night Creams have been specifically formulated to tackle the first signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. The unique blend of high and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid, Glycine Saponin, and Enoxolone activates the skin’s own Hyaluronic Acid production, delivering a targeted approach to deeply moisturise and visibly plump even deep wrinkles. 

• Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day SPF 30 also provides broad-spectrum sun protection to prevent further sun damage.
• Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream, designed for overnight use, features Enoxolone to help calm and repair the skin overnight.

Together, these products provide long-lasting moisture, protection, and rejuvenation, smoothing and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and frown lines, leaving the skin feeling revitalised and nourished. 

If you’re looking for anti-ageing creams that target deeper wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and age spots for mature skin, the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity range is a perfect choice for you. With a powerful combination of both high and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid and Arctiin, the Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity products have been clinically and dermatologically proven to deliver multiple anti-ageing benefits, such as plumping deep wrinkles, improving elasticity, and nourishing mature skin.

Excessive sun exposure can damage your skin’s ability to repair and break down elastin and collagen, making you more prone to wrinkles, such as frown lines. You can prevent premature ageing by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays daily. 

Ranging from SPF 30 to SPF 100, Eucerin’s sun protection range offers comprehensive protection against sun-induced skin damage, helping to prevent premature ageing and pigmentation. Key ingredients include Licochalcone A (an antioxidant), Glycyrrhetinic Acid (supports skin's natural repair), and broad-spectrum UV filters (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays). These ingredients work together to maintain hydration and protect from environmental damage. If you're looking to prevent premature ageing, the Photoaging Control Sun Fluid SPF 50 is an excellent choice for reducing the first signs of ageing.

Other than having an effective skincare routine, a healthy lifestyle and avoiding repetitive facial movements like frowning or squinting can also help you prevent or delay the formation of frown lines, and even reduce their severity. Here are some lifestyle tips to help prevent frown lines:

• Healthy diet: Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, supports skin health by protecting your skin from damage caused by free radicals that can contribute to skin ageing like wrinkles and frown lines.
• Avoid repetitive facial movements: Being conscious of frowning or squinting unnecessarily can help prevent frown lines, as these lines are formed by repeated muscle contractions over time.
• Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated and avoiding excessive alcohol helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents dehydration, which can lead to wrinkles.
• Stop smoking: Limit tobacco consumption, as it accelerates skin ageing. Smoking also damages the DNA structures in the skin and impairs its ability to repair itself.
• Get enough sleep: Ensure adequate sleep to allow the skin to repair and regenerate. During sleep, the body produces collagen, supporting skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles.
• Manage stress: Reducing stress through meditation or yoga can alleviate muscle tension that contributes to frown lines.
• Regular exercise: Regular exercise boosts blood circulation, promoting healthier, more youthful skin.

By understanding the causes of frown lines and taking proactive steps to care for your skin, you can maintain a smoother, more youthful appearance for years.