Your mirror tells the truth—but your habits hold the pen. Even in your 20s, small, repeated behaviours can draft early wrinkles & fine lines across the forehead, eyes and mouth. This guide spotlights ten everyday culprits and shows you how to swap each one for a skin-friendlier ritual. 

You’ll see how to calm skin wrinkles under eyes, what to do about wrinkles on the forehead at 20, and how to choose the best cream to get rid of wrinkles without guesswork. If timing puzzles you, this short primer on when to start using anti-ageing products sets the scene.

#Mistake 1:

Skipping SPF (Even on Cloudy Days)

UV is the prime accelerator of texture change and deeper wrinkles & fine lines—yes, through window glass.

• Seeing wrinkles on forehead at 20? Daily sunscreen plus a gentle retinoid at night is a smart start.

• If you’re curating a routine, browse a focused anti-ageing range to keep protection front and centre.

Tackle it: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning; reapply outdoors every 2–3 hours. Pair with antioxidants (vitamin C, niacinamide) for extra defence. Sunscreen is your most effective anti-ageing step.

#Mistake 2:

Sleeping on Your Stomach or Side

Mechanical pressure and fabric friction can “press” lines into skin that later read as wrinkles & fine lines.

Tackle it: Switch to silk or satin pillowcases to cut drag. Train a back-sleeping position (a knee pillow helps). If you wake with creases, apply a cool compress, then a humectant serum.

Make your bed skin-friendly; your pillow shouldn’t be printing on your face.

#Mistake 3:

Overusing Facial Expressions (Frowning or Squinting)

Repetition carves lines—squinting speeds crow’s feet and wrinkles under eye when smiling, while frowning etches “11s”.

Tackle it: Wear UV-blocking sunglasses; increase screen brightness to reduce squinting. Hold devices at eye level to ease brow strain. Take hourly “face breaks”: relax jaw, smooth brow for 30 seconds. Cushion the eye area with a light hydrator to soften movement lines.

Keep the smiles—just lower the strain and support the skin.

#Mistake 4:

Neglecting the Under-Eye Area

The thinnest skin on your face shows changes first, so skin wrinkles under eyes deepen faster.

• Day: SPF around (not into) the lash line + sunglasses.

• Night: if you want the best cream to get rid of wrinkles, look for retinol/retinal with ceramides—this retinol formula is a focused option: Āpna Ayurveda Advanced Wrinkle Reduction & Anti-Ageing Cream.

Tackle it: Choose an eye product with humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid) and peptides. Tap—don’t drag—using your ring finger; apply before face cream.

Treat the eye zone like silk—gentle, protected, and consistently hydrated.

#Mistake 5:

Dehydration, Poor Diet & Lack of Sleep

Low fluids, high sugar, and short nights flatten bounce so wrinkles & fine lines look louder—even in your 20s.

• Start your PM routine with a barrier-friendly cleanse—this one’s gentle: Āpna Ayurveda Hydrating Daily Cleanser: Rose, Chamomile & Ceramides—then lock in the benefits of moisturising daily.

Tackle it: Sip steadily; add water-rich foods (berries, cucumber). Prioritise protein and healthy fats; dial down added sugar (glycation stiffens collagen). Anchor 7–9 hours’ sleep at regular times.

 Fuel, fluids, and rest are visible on your face—stack them in your favour.

#Mistake 6:

Harsh Cleansing & Over-Exfoliation

Stripping surfactants and frequent scrubs damage the barrier, inviting tightness, dullness, and etched wrinkles & fine lines.

• Cap leave-on acids to 2–4 nights a week, max; never mix multiple strong activities in one go.

• Follow with ceramides and lipids to replenish.

Tackle it: Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser; avoid squeaky-clean feels.

Gentle wins. A resilient barrier softens the look of fine creases.

#Mistake 7:

Constant Screen Time & Blue-Light Squint

Hours of close-up viewing trigger squinting and tech-neck creasing, worsening wrinkles under eye when smiling and brow lines.

• Add sunglasses outdoors to ease eye strain and protect peri-orbital skin.

• For quick habit wins, skim our practical guide to reduce fine lines.

Tackle it: Increase font size and viewing distance; use a matte screen protector. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Ergonomics aren’t just for your back—your eye skin benefits, too.

#Mistake 8:

Dry Indoor Air & Long, Hot Showers

Central heating/AC and steamy showers dehydrate skin, making wrinkles & fine lines appear more pronounced.

Tackle it: 

• Keep showers warm, not hot; limit to ~10 minutes.

• Run a bedroom humidifier (40–50% humidity sweet spot).

• Apply moisturiser to damp skin to trap water—the benefits of moisturising daily are amplified post-shower.

Balance your environment and your moisturiser will go further.

#Mistake 9:

Aggressive Make-Up Removal & Rubbing

Tugging at mascara or scrubbing base make-up stretches delicate fibres—especially around the eyes—deepening skin wrinkles under eyes.

Tackle it:

• Use an oil or balm cleanser to melt make-up; then a gentle second cleanse.

• Press, hold, and sweep—never rub—when removing eye make-up.

• Pat dry with a soft towel; avoid rough cloths.

Friction is the enemy; dissolve, don’t drag.

#Mistake 10:

Stress, Teeth Grinding & Jaw Clenching

Chronic tension keeps facial muscles switched on, etching expression lines and accenting wrinkles & fine lines.

Tackle it: 

• Practise micro-relaxers: unclench the jaw, drop shoulders, smooth the brow.

• Consider a night guard if you grind.

• Layer calming steps at night—cleanse, a retinoid if tolerated, then a soothing moisturiser. If you’re building a simple active-plus-moisture duo, this retinol cream pairs well post-cleanse: Āpna Ayurveda Advanced Wrinkle Reduction & Anti-Ageing Cream.

  

Relaxed muscles, softer lines. Your routine should help your face off-duty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1) What causes wrinkles & fine lines to appear early?

A) Mainly UV exposure, repetitive expressions, poor sleep, dehydration, and a weak barrier—daily SPF + the benefits of moisturising daily slow them down.

Q2) Why do I have skin wrinkles under my eyes when I smile?

A) Thin, delicate under-eye skin creases with movement; dryness and sun make wrinkles under eye when smiling more visible.

Q3) Can I prevent wrinkles on my forehead at 20?

A) Yes—use SPF every day, avoid frowning/squinting, keep screens at eye level, and moisturise consistently .

Q4) What’s the best cream to get rid of wrinkles naturally?

A) Look for gentle retinol/retinal, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides—no cream “erases,” but these visibly soften wrinkles & fine lines with consistency.

Q5) Are under-eye wrinkles reversible with skincare?

A) Dehydration lines can improve; dedicated eye hydrators, sunscreen, and a mild eye-safe retinoid help smooth skin wrinkles under eyes over time.

Q6) Does sleeping position affect facial wrinkles?

A) Yes—side/stomach sleeping compresses skin and deepens wrinkles & fine lines; back-sleeping and satin/silk pillowcases help.

You don’t need a 12-step routine—just ten smarter habits. Protect with SPF, be gentler with cleansing, hydrate inside and out, and support activities consistently. That’s how wrinkles & fine lines soften, skin wrinkles under eyes look fresher, and even wrinkles on forehead at 20 start to calm. If you’re curating a small, effective set, explore a focused anti-ageing collection and keep your core trio simple: cleanser, sunscreen, and a night active.

Making these small changes in your lifestyle can help you achieve healthy and youthful skin. Remember that consistency is key, so eat, sleep, skincare, and repeat!