Crow’s feet arouse positive feelings only in relation to the chicken-legged hut present in Slavic folklore. In other words – there is no place for them in the real world and we don’t want to see them in the form of wrinkles. What are the crow’s feet? What causes them and how to prevent and cure them? Read on to check!

What are crow’s feet?

This is nothing more than wrinkles around the eye. By some they are often referred to as ‘laugh lines’. Why do they create in such a visible place on our faces? This is related to the amount of sebum and squalane in the skin. In the eye area, the epidermis is extremely thin and delicate, and therefore gets old more quickly. Neither sebum nor hydro-lipid layer can protect it. What is more, the skin around the eyes is constantly moving. In fact, it is the eye and the area around that reveal the most emotions – our facial expressions are the most intense in this area. The movement of our muscles lead to wrinkles. They are visible when our gentle and vulnerable skin loses its elasticity.

We all know that our skin changes over time. The amount of collagen decreases with age. Also, its ability to synthesize decreases as well, which results in around-eye wrinkles – crow’s feet. This is because collagen maintains the smoothness of the skin. To put it simply: the skin loses its most important building material (collagen) and some wrinkles are created on its surface.

In addition to the aging processes and facial expressions, wrinkles and collagen decline take place because of increased radiation, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, lack of hydration and skin dryness. A frequent reason for collagen decline is a diet low in amino acids and proteins that are necessary just for the production of collagen.

Also, the skin becomes dry and flaccid when our diet is low in fats (essential fatty acids) and protein. It becomes flabby, dry, and loses its elasticity.

How to get rid of crow’s feet?

First of all, start with ‘feeding’ your skin: drink a lot of mineral water during the day (ideally – 2.5 – 3 litres), take vitamins – A, E, K and beta carotene. To reduce premature skin aging you will also need amino acids and proteins so that the skin can synthesise and produce collagen.

The skin dries very quickly when exposed to frost, wind and high temperatures. Dry air from radiators also deteriorate its condition. In order to protect it, reach for a good cream that protects and moisturises but also creates a microscopic layer on your skin. Before the bed time, apply natural oil to the skin around the eyes (strong anti-aging properties have raspberry seed oil, argan oil and shea butter).

If your wrinkles are not very visible, it’s a good idea to try some treatments at beauty salons which will help to cover the tiny wrinkles. For example, microdermabrasion stimulates cell renewal, which strengthens the collagen fibres and contributes to the synthesis of collagen.

Home remedies to remove crow’s feet:

1. Cow’s milk compress (choose the least processed, preferably bio) contains amino acids and lipids, for example: arginine, glycine, proline. Those substances take part in the process of collagen formation. Especially proline plays an important role in maintaining the collagen stability in the skin. Choose high-fat dairy, which contains vitamins A and E that restore the epidermis and help the substances to be quickly absorbed.
   Put the towel or your facial cleansing brush in milk, preferably slightly warm, and apply to your face. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash your face with water. If your skin is dry, add a tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil to the milk.
2. A poultice of egg white – a treatment with the use of amino acids. Egg white, just like cow’s milk, contains arginine, glycine and proline as well as magnesium, which is necessary for the skin detox and muscle relaxation. Magnesium is quickly absorbed into cells. Whisk egg white, apply a thin later under the eyes (if you like, you can cover the whole face). After about 15 minutes, once it dries, was your face with warm water.
3. Green tea is full of catechins that are powerful antioxidants that can reduce premature skin aging. It’s an intensely hydrating face mask that also reduces redness and soothes the skin.

For even better results, instead of ‘traditional’ green tea you can use matcha, i.e. green tea powder. You can mix it with spiulina or chlorella to enhance the anti-aning properties. Brew it in 80 degrees (add the appropriate amount of water to form a paste), and then cool it. You can also add almond milk. Soak cotton pads and put on your eyelids. After 15 minutes, remove it with the use of micellar water.