Wrinkles around the mouth – including lip lines, smile lines, and marionette folds – often appear due to repetitive facial expression, collagen loss, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits. Many clients ask, “How to get rid of folds around mouth naturally?” and whether professional treatments are necessary.
The good news? With proper skincare, lifestyle changes, and targeted aesthetic treatments, you can significantly reduce fine lines, restore volume, and maintain smoother, youthful-looking skin around the lips and lower face. Below are expert-approved strategies and tips for reducing fine lines around the mouth safely and effectively.
1. Use Retinoids to Boost Collagen Production
Retinoids like retinol and tretinoin are gold-standard ingredients for softening vertical lip lines and improving skin texture around the mouth. They stimulate collagen production and accelerate cell turnover, visibly reducing wrinkles and preventing deeper folds.
Start slowly – 2-3 nights per week – and pair with a nourishing moisturizer to avoid irritation. With consistent use, retinoids help plump the skin and soften fine wrinkles around the lips.
2. Add Peptides for Firmness and Smoothness
Peptides support collagen synthesis and help restore elasticity, making them ideal for treating early lip lines and preventing marionette folds from deepening. Copper peptides and signal peptides work especially well in serums and creams.
If your skin is sensitive or retinoid-naive, peptides offer a gentle yet effective path to smoother skin and visibly firmer lip contours with continued use.
Read more: Simple Anti-Aging Routine Without Retinol: Gentle Results, No Irritation
3. Exfoliate with AHAs for a Smoother Texture
Alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid help remove dead skin cells, brighten skin tone, and smooth fine creases around the mouth. Regular gentle exfoliation improves absorption of anti-aging products and enhances skin firmness.
Exfoliate 1–2 times weekly to maintain softness and glow without irritation.
Pro Tip: AHAs are a great answer for those searching for ways to get rid of folds around mouth naturally at home.
Read more: How to Choose and Use an Exfoliator for Your Face at Home
4. Deeply Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides
Loss of moisture exaggerates fine lines and makes the skin look deflated. Hyaluronic acid plumps the skin from within, while ceramides and squalane reinforce the skin barrier and lock in hydration.
Apply HA serums under a rich moisturizer and consider overnight hydrating lip masks. Deep hydration keeps the lip area supple and helps smooth fine wrinkles around the mouth naturally.
5. Wear SPF Daily – Including Lip SPF
UV exposure breaks down collagen and accelerates wrinkle formation, especially around the lips. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30-50 daily, and reapply lip SPF when outdoors.
This is one of the simplest – yet most powerful – ways to prevent lip lines and protect your results from skincare and cosmetic treatments.
Pro Tip: Take the Complete SPF-Guide and discover how to choose your protection.
6. Try Professional Microneedling
Microneedling boosts natural collagen and elastin production, making it highly effective for softening marionette lines, vertical lip wrinkles, and texture irregularities.
Most clients see noticeable improvement after 3-6 treatments. It’s an excellent treatment choice for those looking to rejuvenate the mouth area without fillers.
7. Choose Dermal Fillers for Volume Restoration
If wrinkles form due to volume loss, hyaluronic acid fillers can lift the corners of the mouth, smooth deep folds, and restore youthful structure.
When performed by a skilled injector, results look subtle, natural, and harmonious – lifting the lower face and instantly refreshing the smile area.
8. Consider Botox for Dynamic Lip Lines
Small doses of Botox relax the muscles that cause pursed-lip wrinkles and smoker’s lines. This treatment works beautifully for dynamic lip lines that deepen when talking, drinking through a straw, or puckering.
Botox in this area must be done carefully to maintain natural expression – choose an experienced aesthetic provider.
9. Explore RF and Laser Skin Tightening
Radiofrequency microneedling, fractional CO₂ laser, and erbium resurfacing stimulate collagen remodeling and tighten loose skin around the mouth.
These treatments are especially effective for deeper lines and skin laxity. When combined with topical skincare, they deliver dramatic rejuvenation with long-lasting results.
10. Support Results with Healthy Habits
Lifestyle choices play a major role in lip aging. Avoid smoking, drink plenty of water, prioritize sleep, and add antioxidant-rich foods to support skin health and elasticity.
Healthy daily habits boost the effects of skincare and professional treatments while helping prevent future fine lines around the mouth naturally.
Read more: Anti-Aging Habits That Actually Work: Beyond Hype and Quick Fixes
Treating wrinkles and lip lines around the mouth is most effective with a combined approach: consistent skincare, targeted anti-aging ingredients, and professional treatments when needed. With time and the right routine, you can achieve smoother skin, fewer lines, and a more youthful smile.
If you’re ready for a customized plan, I offer 1:1 personalized skincare consultations. Book a session and I will help you build a tailored routine and treatment strategy based on your skin type, age, and goals – for smoother, firmer, more radiant skin around the mouth.
