How to Smooth Wrinkles Around the Mouth
Have you noticed small wrinkles around your mouth? You're not alone. Over time, this particularly mobile and delicate area of the face is often one of the first to show signs of aging.
In this article, we explain why these wrinkles appear, what types of folds can form, and above all, how to permanently reduce them with the right actions and care.
Why do wrinkles appear around the mouth?
Wrinkles around the mouth are among the first visible signs of skin aging. Just like forehead wrinkles , they can appear in different forms and are often perceived as unsightly, although they are a natural and universal phenomenon.
Repeated facial expressions
The mouth is used extensively to express our emotions on a daily basis. These repeated movements can cause wrinkles. This is particularly the case when we laugh, smile, purse our lips, pout, etc. There's no question of giving up laughing to protect our face from the signs of aging, but it's not uncommon for certain wrinkles to speak volumes about our most common expressions.
Factors related to age and collagen production
With age, the production of collagen and elastin slows. These proteins are essential for skin firmness, elasticity, and suppleness. This gradual loss leads to sagging skin, which is particularly noticeable around the mouth, an area where the skin is thin and under high stress.
The impact of smoking
Smoking has a doubly harmful effect: through the sucking action, which accentuates the famous smoker's wrinkles, and through the harmful effects of nicotine. Nicotine impairs microcirculation, destroys collagen, increases oxidative stress, and dehydrates the skin. The result: wrinkles appear earlier and deeper.
Sun exposure and oxidative stress
UV rays accelerate skin aging by generating free radicals that damage skin cells. Prolonged, unprotected exposure accentuates the appearance of wrinkles, especially in sensitive areas such as the lip contour.
The different types of wrinkles around the mouth
There are different forms of wrinkles and fine lines that can appear around the mouth.
Barcode Wrinkles
Fine vertical lines located above the upper lip, they are often accentuated by tobacco but can also result from frequent expressions or dehydration.
The folds of bitterness
These folds run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, giving a sad or tired appearance. They are caused by sagging skin.
Nasolabial folds
They connect the wings of the nose to the corners of the lips. These deep wrinkles are caused by the loss of volume in the cheekbones and by certain facial expressions.
Chin wrinkles
Often accompanied by an "orange peel" effect, they reflect muscular and skin weakening in the lower part of the face.
Dryness lines
They appear when the skin lacks hydration. They are generally superficial but can become more pronounced over time if the skin remains undernourished.
The best active ingredients to reduce wrinkles around the mouth
To effectively smooth wrinkles around the lips, opt foranti-aging treatments highly concentrated in targeted active ingredients. Integrated into a regular routine, they offer visible results in the short and long term.
Hyaluronic acid: the ultimate plumping moisturizer
Naturally present in the skin, hyaluronic acid has the unique ability to retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It acts like a sponge, plumping the skin from within and filling in fine lines caused by dehydration. When applied topically, it immediately smooths superficial wrinkles and improves skin texture with repeated applications. For maximum effectiveness, choose skincare products containing low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which is able to penetrate deeper.
Retinol (or bakuchiol): the anti-aging regenerator
Retinol is one of the most studied anti-aging active ingredients for its effectiveness. It stimulates collagen production and accelerates cell renewal, which helps visibly reduce the depth of wrinkles. In its plant-based version, bakuchiol offers similar effects without the risk of irritation, making it a perfect alternative for sensitive skin. These active ingredients are particularly effective as nighttime treatments, when the skin naturally regenerates.
Vitamin C: the radiance antioxidant
Powerful and versatile, vitamin C protects the skin from oxidative stress induced by UV rays, pollution, and even tobacco. It helps prevent the appearance of wrinkles while revitalizing the complexion. By also stimulating collagen synthesis, it strengthens skin firmness and helps reduce fine lines around the mouth. For optimal results, choose a stabilized formula (such as ascorbic acid) and store it away from light.
Peptides: skin structure boosters
Peptides are protein fragments that act as messengers to stimulate cell regeneration and strengthen the cohesion of collagen and elastin fibers. By promoting denser, more resilient skin, they help smooth existing wrinkles while delaying the appearance of new ones. They are particularly effective when combined with other hydrating and repairing active ingredients.
These ingredients are essential not only for smoothing wrinkles around the mouth, but also for improving the overall quality of facial skin.
What routine should you adopt to reduce wrinkles around the mouth?
To reduce wrinkles around the mouth, it is important to implement an anti-aging routine complete for action both outdoors and indoors.
Prevention: the key to delaying the appearance of wrinkles
While knowing how to reduce wrinkles once they've set in is essential, prevention remains one of the best ways to maintain smooth, firm skin around the mouth. Adopting the right habits from your thirties, or even earlier, can make all the difference in the long run.
Food and healthy lifestyle
Diet, hydration, and sleep quality play a fundamental role in skin quality. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods. Incorporate antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, green tea) and collagen supplements to boost skin firmness from within.
Gentle cleansing and exfoliation
Double cleanse your skin every night (oil + gentle cleanser), especially if you wear makeup. Exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell renewal.
Targeted and effective care
Apply an anti-aging serum enriched with plumping active ingredients every morning, followed by a moisturizer with sun protection. In the evening, opt for richer treatments: night serum , regenerating cream and, once or twice a week, an anti-aging mask to firm the skin .
Finally, don't forget to moisturize your lips throughout the day. Ideally, opt for a lip treatment. with solar filter.
Massage and facial gymnastics
Stimulate microcirculation with gentle massages using beauty tools like a Gua Sha or jade roller. Complement with facial exercises to tone muscles and prevent sagging.
Cosmetic treatments to reduce wrinkles around the mouth
For those who want to take their fight to the next level against wrinkles around the mouth, aesthetic medicine now offers a range of increasingly accessible solutions. But be careful: before considering any of these cosmetic treatments, it's essential to consult a qualified cosmetic doctor or dermatologist.
Hyaluronic acid injections
This is undoubtedly the most common treatment for filling wrinkles around the lips, particularly the so-called "barcode" wrinkles above the mouth or the bitterness folds. Hyaluronic acid, already naturally present in our skin, is injected in gel form to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and deeply rehydrate the skin. The results are immediately visible, with a very natural effect when properly dosed.
Microdermabrasion
This technique gently exfoliates the surface layer of the epidermis using microcrystals or a diamond tip. It helps reduce superficial fine lines, smooth skin texture, stimulate cell regeneration, and improve the penetration of cosmetic treatments.
Fractional laser or pulsed light
Laser treatments (such as non-ablative fractional laser) or intense pulsed light (IPL) stimulate collagen production by heating the deeper layers of the skin without damaging the surface. They are particularly effective at improving elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and tightening pores.
Discover the effectiveness of Day+ anti-aging treatments
At Day+, we're committed to offering a comprehensive, natural, and effective approach to anti-aging skincare. To visibly reduce wrinkles around the mouth, our formulas combine highly concentrated active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant-derived retinol, vitamin C, and peptides, known for their plumping, smoothing, and collagen-stimulating properties.
Thanks to melting textures, rapid absorption and an uncompromising formulation (without silicones, parabens or controversial ingredients), each application becomes a gesture of deep and sensory care.
Results: smoother skin, reduced fine lines, a redefined mouth and a radiant, youthful smile.
