As we grow older, there are signs that our bodies and skin are aging—and some are more noticeable than others. One change you may spot immediately is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While these markers of seniority and wisdom are beautiful, you may have questions about why your smile lines and crow’s feet can suddenly appear more noticeable.

I tapped an expert in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab and a dermatologist to weigh in on the key factors that can cause these changes in your looks. Plus, if you want to smooth or slightly reduce some of those lines, we have tips for that too.

Fine lines popping up on your face aren’t as sudden as you may think. In fact, their appearance has been a slow progression over years. “Wrinkles form and progress as a result of intrinsic and extrinsic aging,” explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. “Intrinsic aging is the natural progression of skin as we age and is often influenced by our genetics. Beginning in our late 20s, collagen production gradually starts to decline. Since it is the protein that gives our skin structure and support, the skin begins to feel less firm and wrinkles may start appearing.”

Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, points to external factors such as environmental elements. “UV exposure and lifestyle habits like smoking can speed up the aging process,” Wnek says, which are also causes for fine lines.

If you’ve thought that fine lines you’ve had are starting to look deeper or more noticeable recently, there could be a few reasons for that. “Dehydration and dryness make existing lines look worse temporarily, which is why they can seem to appear overnight,” says Christina Marcelus, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Honeydew.

Taking preventive steps is always useful no matter your age. “Even if fine lines have already begun, protective habits will slow their progression,” Dr. Marcelus says.

She suggests wearing daily sun protection (SPF 30 or higher), avoiding smoking, following a simple skincare routine, and developing consistent lifestyle habits. “Stay hydrated, wear sunglasses to cut down squinting (which contributes to crow’s feet), avoid tanning beds entirely, and prioritize sleep—your skin literally repairs itself overnight,” she says. “Managing stress and eating a diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fats helps too.”

Here is a simple routine Dr. Marcelus says to start with:

Morning: “Cleanse gently, apply vitamin C, then sunscreen—and reapply if you're outside for a while,” she says.

Evening: Cleanse as normal, then “apply a retinoid or retinol, then moisturizer,” she says. “That's it. You don't need 10 steps.”

Treatments for fine lines are wide-ranging these days. According to Wnek and Dr. Marcelus, there are multiple ways to tackle them.

“Start with sunscreen every single day—broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, rain or shine—this is the single most effective thing you can do,” Dr. Marcelus says. Since dryness can contribute to emphasizing fine lines, she adds that skin hydration should not go overlooked. “A good moisturizer matters more than people think,” she says. “Well-hydrated skin simply looks more plump, which softens fine lines visually. Vitamin C in the morning is a nice bonus—it protects against daytime environmental stress and brightens.”

Retinoids are helpful in countering fine lines as well. “I'm a huge fan of over-the-counter retinol for most people,” Dr. Marcelus says. “It's the most evidence-backed anti-aging ingredient we have: it boosts collagen production and smooths the texture of skin over time. Start a few nights a week, and build up.”

While consistency is required to see results from these treatments in the long term, for more temporary remedies, Wnek says you may also want to consider “an instant wrinkle filler for a temporary blur or concealer for around the eyes.”

More stubborn fine lines, however, may require a different approach. “For lines that don't respond to topicals, we have great [in-office] options,” Dr. Marcelus says. “Microneedling is gentle, safe for all skin tones, and stimulates collagen without much downtime. Chemical peels and laser treatments can smooth texture beautifully. And of course, neurotoxins like Botox are the gold standard for dynamic lines—the ones that appear when you move your face, like crow's feet or forehead lines.”

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