It happens to the best of us: You wake up one morning, bleary from sleep, and spot tiny wrinkles—or the beginnings of them—at the corners of your eyes. And while it may look good on Mrs. Doubtfire or Santa, you’re less than thrilled.

First of all, you should know that they weren’t caused by rubbing your eyes. This is a common myth, and although the skin around your eyes is very thin, simply rubbing them will not give you wrinkles.

So, the good news is that you can keep rubbing your eyes, if you want to. The bad news is that there are other factors that are less in your control that do, in fact, contribute to crow’s feet. Many of these elements also affect your eyesight, so these tips can help with more than just wrinkle prevention.

Smoking

If you ever needed another good reason to quit, consider this: Smoking is proven to promote premature aging, as it impairs blood flow to your face—speeding up the normal aging process of your skin. There are also more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes that damage the essential collagen and elastin that keep your skin looking youthful.

Sleep

Getting plenty of sleep helps your skin, by encouraging a healthy oxygen flow. But studies have shown that people who sleep in certain positions can end up with wrinkles on their face or chest. The suggested solution is to sleep on your back. But if that’s out of the question, try a silk pillowcase, which will reduce friction and tugging on your skin.

Processed foods

You know what they say—garbage in, garbage out. If your lunch usually consists of a Snickers and a Coke, it might be time to re-evaluate your diet. Foods that are high in sugar, or that contain margarine, can cause inflammation in your body, accelerating the formation of wrinkles. Opt instead for natural foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as avocados, salmon, or that contain flaxseed or olive oils. They’ll help your skin retain its natural beauty.

Gravity

Sorry, this one can’t be helped, until we’re able to colonize the moon. Gravity works its own wonders, keeping us on the ground (most of the time), but over time, it can break down the collagen in your skin and create wrinkles. Your best bet is to moisturize daily, preferably with fragrance-free lotion, pay attention to your diet, and quit any unhealthy habits that may be affecting your skin and your eyes.