As we age, our skin loses elasticity and begins to form wrinkles, and the forehead is usually first in line. It's a double whammy: the forehead gets more sun exposure than almost anywhere else on the body, and the muscles beneath it are constantly moving every time you raise your eyebrows or squint. Some lines are simply part of having an expressive face, but there's a lot you can do to slow them down. Here's what actually works, roughly in order of impact.
1. Wear sunscreen every day
The single most effective thing on this list. UV exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, and it's responsible for the majority of visible skin aging. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on your face every morning, even on cloudy days, even in winter. If you do nothing else from this article, do this. Here's why SPF matters so much.
2. Use a retinoid
Retinoids (retinol, retinal, or prescription tretinoin) are the best-evidenced topical ingredients for wrinkles, full stop. They increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, which both prevents new lines and softens existing ones. Start with a low concentration once or twice a week at night, build up slowly, and always pair with morning SPF since retinoids increase sun sensitivity. Expect results over months, not weeks. Our guide to retinol and why you should use it covers getting started.
3. Moisturise daily
Hydrated skin is plumper, and plumper skin shows fine lines less. Moisturiser won't remove a wrinkle, but a well-maintained skin barrier ages visibly better than a dry, compromised one. A daily moisturiser with hyaluronic acid is an easy win.
4. Don't smoke
Smoking degrades collagen, constricts the blood vessels that feed your skin, and reliably accelerates wrinkling. Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your skin and, obviously, everything else.
5. Get enough sleep
Skin does its repair work overnight. Chronic short sleep raises cortisol, which breaks down collagen. Aim for 7 to 9 hours. Your sleeping position matters too: pressing your face into a pillow night after night creates sleep lines that eventually stick around. Here's how your sleeping position causes fine lines, but the short version is that back-sleeping is best for your face.
6. Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water keeps your skin cells plump and functioning. It won't erase lines, but chronic dehydration makes every fine line look deeper. Around eight glasses a day is a reasonable target, more if you're active.
7. Handle your skin gently
Avoid tugging or pulling at your skin, especially when removing eye makeup. Pat your face dry rather than rubbing, and skip aggressive scrubbing. Repeated mechanical stress on skin adds up over decades.
8. Mind your facial expressions (within reason)
Repetitive frowning and squinting are what etch forehead lines in the first place. You can't (and shouldn't) stop expressing yourself, but you can fix the avoidable triggers: wear sunglasses so you're not squinting into the sun, and sort out your glasses prescription if you're squinting at screens.
9. Consider Botox for prevention
Botulinum toxin (Botox) relaxes the forehead muscles so they can't crease the skin, which both softens existing lines and prevents new ones from being etched deeper. It's the most effective option for expression lines specifically, it's temporary (around 3 to 4 months per treatment), and increasingly people start it preventatively in their late twenties and thirties. Go to a qualified medical practitioner, not the cheapest option on Groupon.
The bottom line
Preventing forehead wrinkles comes down to daily SPF, a retinoid at night, decent sleep and not smoking, with Botox as the heavy-duty option for lines driven by muscle movement. If you already have forehead lines, don't panic: retinoids and consistent sun protection visibly soften them over time. And if you're unsure where to start, a consultation with a dermatologist beats guessing.