Wrinkles By Age Group: Types Of Fine Lines + Derm-Approved Tips

Perhaps a shocking opinion by today's standards, but I think wrinkles are so damn sexy. (I didn't always feel this way, but as I've earned a new decade, I've really started to embrace their appeal.) There is something so enticing about a face that looks lived in, no? I want to see people with lines that show they've been laughing, smiling, feeling their emotions, and you know, living. 

And as a diligent skin care professional and devotee, I care for my skin as best I can. I want it to look luminescent and glowing now, and for many years to come. And (stay with me on this one) using skin-enhancing products and embracing how your skin ages aren't competing concepts. You can appreciate the beautiful signs of maturing skin—and at the same time, use topicals that keep your complexion plump, firm, and lively. 

There are many subcategories that fall under the umbrella of fine lines and wrinkles. If you are interested in caring for your skin and its wrinkles, then it's important to understand what types there are, how they form, and what makes them unique. 

With the types of wrinkles in mind, we can better understand the sort of changes you might see in your skin with each decade. Of course, I must also present a very important caveat: How your skin ages is dependent on many factors that are unique to you—from lifestyle choices and skin care habits to genetics and more. In this article, I am speaking in broad terms (i.e., what many people generally experience), so take that into consideration: Your skin may not follow these exact patterns. 

If you see fine lines in your 20s, the culprit is less likely aging and more to do with skin hydration (or lack thereof). Board-certified and holistic plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., explains that ​​if you are in your 20s, fine lines on the forehead, under eyes, and in the nasolabial folds are usually the result of dry skin, rather than aging. 

In this decade, you'll start to notice your skin simply doesn't bounce back like it used to. And thus, more permanent wrinkle formation has begun.

It's important to note that everyone's skin wrinkles and folds when moving the face—no matter the age. These are referred to as dynamic lines. "Examples include the frown lines (often referred to as the 11s) between the brows, forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, lip lines (when you drink from a straw or purse your lips), and smile lines on the mid-cheek," says board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care. "Over time, these lines will deepen and etch into the skin, similar to the way folding paper will leave a crease." 

And what we see in the 30s is that these lines slowly start to take a more permanent position, due to the collagen and elastin decline. Additionally, these are exacerbated by any less-than-stellar lifestyle habits we may have had in our younger years such as sunbathing and lack of sleep. 

"In your 40s, signs of sun exposure may show up more prominently with decreased skin elasticity," board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., previously told us. "Hormones may be shifting, which means more dryness, irritation, and sensitivities."

Because of these changes, you'll likely see the formation of static wrinkles. Remember those dynamic wrinkles that slowly start to deepen in your 30s? Well by your 40s, they'll become static wrinkles. This means that they are present even without moving your face.

Due to hormonal changes in this decade, most people experience a significant drop in collagen. For example, those who experience menopause see a 30% drop in collagen production2 in a few years, which then levels off to about a 2% drop in production every year thereafter. Similar to collagen, hyaluronic acid, squalene, elastin, and ceramide production also continue to decline. These changes are natural, normal, and in a lot of ways, unavoidable.

Knowing these decline more rapidly at this stage of life, we can better understand the changes that we might experience in our skin. Half the battle is anticipating and understanding what's happening in our bodies, then we can make informed decisions to care for it more thoughtfully. 

In addition to topicals to support your skin function, you can invest in smart supplements to provide your skin with nutrients that can encourage collagen production, hydration, tone improvement, and overall appearance.* 

Collagen peptides are a fantastic place to start for adults at any stage of their journey. Collagen supplements can help promote your body's natural production by supporting the cells' fibroblasts; studies show that when taken regularly, people may see a reduction in fine lines and improved hydration7.* (Check out our favorite collagen supplements here.) 

Antioxidant support is essential, too. Antioxidant supplements are dietary products containing nutrient, phytonutrient, or bioactive antioxidants, or substances that neutralize free radicals.* There are also many different types of antioxidants to choose from that all come with their own unique benefits: We love ubiquinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, astaxanthin, polyphenols, turmeric, resveratrol, and omega-3 fatty acids for skin support.*

Finally, look for nutrients that can support moisture retention and skin hydration, such as phytoceramides, hyaluronic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.*