Stars in their 50s and beyond still have the unlined complexions of 20- and 30-somethings thanks to injectables, lasers and the best skincare products money can buy.
But there is one area of the face that is very tricky to de-age, even if the rest of your visage is perfectly smooth.
Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and Jennifer Aniston have fallen victim to the curse of ‘tired eyes’, which makes them look as if they’ve missed out on some crucial shut-eye, despite their collective youthful glow.
According to aesthetic experts, treating the eye area is ‘tricky’ for even the most talented practitioners.
The under-eye area is one of the thinnest areas of skin and is constantly moving when we blink, smile, or squint.
This means it’s often the first place where ageing becomes visible, even when the rest of the face looks smooth.
Not only does it age the fastest, but this delicate facial region is also ‘uniquely challenging to treat’, Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a medical aesthetician at Longevita, told the Daily Mail.
‘The under-eye region is very delicate. Botox, for example, can’t be applied directly under the eye, only at the outer corners. This means the fine lines beneath the eye often remain untouched.’
Stars in their 50s and beyond still have the unlined complexions of 20- and 30-somethings thanks to injectables, lasers and the best skincare products money can buy. Pictured: Jennifer Aniston in 2024
But there is one area of the face that is very tricky to de-age, even if the rest of your visage is perfectly smooth. Pictured: Jennifer Lopez, who has previously denied getting Botox treatments
These celebrities have fallen victim to the curse of ‘tired eyes’, which makes them look as if they’ve missed out on some crucial shut-eye, despite their collective youthful glow. Pictured: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2026 BAFTA LA Tea Party
According to Dr Devine, an aesthetic doctor and founder of Devine Clinic in London, as we age the skin becomes even thinner due to the loss of collagen and elastin – giving the under-eyes a ‘crepey’ appearance.
Dr Gizem instead noted that mild dehydration can make fine lines and wrinkles more visible, particularly under the eyes.
‘If the skin is slightly dehydrated, and then layered with foundation, concealer, or anything similar, it can create a slightly uneven or textured appearance,’ she explained.
Recent photos of J Lo revealed signs of mild dehydration in the under-eye region, Dr Gizem said.
‘She may have had typical Botox in some areas, but the under-eyes might not have received filler or other interventions,’ she noted. ‘This could make fine lines slightly more noticeable, particularly if makeup is layered over the area, which might accentuate texture.’
Explaining why refreshing the under-eye area is so difficult, Dr Gezim highlighted the role of the orbicularis oculi – or the circular muscle around the eye.
‘With Botox, we only relax the outer part of this muscle. Because the rest remains active, this can limit the eye’s natural drainage capacity, meaning fluid is not cleared as efficiently,’ she told the Daily Mail.
This can lead to puffiness – especially in first-time patients – which Dr Gizem described as the eye ‘finding alternative ways’ to manage lymphatic drainage.
According to aesthetic experts, treating the eye area is ‘tricky’ for even the most talented practitioners. Pictured: Uma Thurman, who sparked speculation she had opted for cosmetic surgery in 2015
For those looking to subtly improve the under-eye area, Dr Gizem recommends ‘non-invasive treatments such as microneedling, retinol or salmon DNA therapies’. Pictured: Heidi Klum at the Oscars on Monday, with the supermodel previously having said, ‘I’m all for Botox’
Fillers are also a ‘particularly tricky’ choice, she added. If they are applied superficially or in the wrong location, they can attract water and create puffiness, while the surrounding face may appear gaunt.
According to Dr Devine, when volume is added to other areas of the face – like the cheeks – it can ‘make the under-eye appear more hollow by contrast’.
‘If filler is placed too heavily in the mid-face, it can create a fuller or slightly puffy appearance in the cheeks while the tear trough area remains unchanged. That contrast can make the eyes look more sunken or fatigued.’
The limited fat in this area also makes underlying shadows more visible, which causes an older, more mature appearance.
‘Even if someone doesn’t have dark circles, the thin, translucent skin can make veins and shadows appear more pronounced,’ Dr Gizem explained.
‘This is why modern aesthetic treatments are increasingly focusing on improving skin quality around the eyes rather than simply adding volume elsewhere.’
For those looking to subtly improve the under-eye area, Dr Gizem recommends ‘non-invasive treatments such as microneedling, retinol, or salmon DNA therapies’.
Salmon sperm, also known as salmon testicle DNA or salmon PDRN, is an ingredient that has gained popularity in Korean skincare.
Salmon PDRN, which stands for ‘polydeoxyribonucleotides,’ is sperm DNA most commonly derived from salmon trout or chum salmon.
Research claims that the beauty ingredient research has regenerative, anti-inflammatory effects such as increased skin elasticity and stronger collagen levels.
Meanwhile, Dr Devine said: ‘For patients with crepey under-eye skin, treatments that stimulate collagen can be very effective.
‘Fractional CO₂ laser, for example, works by resurfacing damaged skin while heating the deeper layers of tissue to stimulate collagen production.’
Over time, this helps rebuild the skin’s structure and improve texture, which can also help makeup sit much more smoothly.
