How To Treat Wrinkles Around The Mouth

Originally published January 20, 2017, updated July 15, 2024.

How to Treat Wrinkles Around The Mouth

What Causes Mouth & Smile Wrinkles?

Mouth and smile wrinkles– often referred to as laugh lines or more technically as nasolabial folds – develop as part of the natural aging process. Over time, the skin in this area loses elasticity and collagen, both of which are essential to maintaining a smooth texture and youthful appearance. The constant and repeated use of muscles around the mouth and cheeks to smile, laugh or talk further contributes to the formation of wrinkles. Other factors that can speed up this process include sun exposure, smoking or simply genetics. 

While developing lines and wrinkles is a natural part of aging that everyone experiences, you may be wondering what you can do to prevent mouth and smile wrinkles, or to at least reduce their appearance. Prevention and treatment can range from simple behaviors or skincare practices to more extreme or invasive measures like injections or surgery. 

Here are some tips to help prevent deeper wrinkles around your mouth or to at least lessen their appearance without going under the knife.

How To Get Rid of Mouth and Smile Lines

Wrinkle Prevention is Key

Wrinkles occur as we age, so you can’t completely stop them from forming. When it comes to prevention, the earlier the better, but preventative measures against wrinkles aren’t just for teenagers. If you already have fine lines around your mouth, preventative behaviors may slow the progression of those lines into deeper creases. Or if you already have significant wrinkles around your mouth area, you may be able to prevent more from forming with a few lifestyle changes. 

If you’re a smoker, kick the habit

Smoking causes wrinkles in two ways. First, the repeated puckering of your lips trains the skin to remain in that creased position. Second, the chemicals in the cigarette dries the delicate skin around the mouth and damages the skin, causing it to break down prematurely.

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to reduce wrinkles around the mouth. It can remove those damaging chemicals from your skin and gives your body the chance to repair itself. Quitting cold turkey is most effective, but if that’s not possible, even cutting back may help lessen the negative impact of smoking on your skin. 

Apply SPF 30+ to the skin around your mouth

Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin damage and, therefore, one of the primary factors that lead to wrinkles around the mouth. To protect against sun damage, always apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of your face, neck, and chest—and especially the skin around your mouth. An SPF 30 protects against 97% of the sun’s wrinkling effects while an SPF 45+ protects against 98%.

Add natural oils to your skincare routine

Olive oil has been used for centuries as a skin reparative and wrinkle preventer. Alternatives like coconut oil or petroleum jelly can also be used to achieve similar results. 

Natural oils are rife with minerals, fatty acids and vitamins that work to keep your skin looking young, smooth and radiant. To treat and prevent wrinkles around the mouth, rub olive or another oil into the skin and massage with your fingers in a circular motion for 10 minutes before bed. When you’re finished, leave the olive oil on your skin for overnight healing.

Adopt a healthier diet

A healthy diet is the foundation of wrinkle prevention. It provides your body with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to function properly. And when your body is functioning properly, it is very adept at removing toxins from the skin and preventing wrinkles.

A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats like nuts and avocados, as well as small portions of grains and proteins. And don’t forget about water. Staying hydrated with plain water should be the bedrock of any wrinkle-fighting diet.

Best Treatment for Wrinkles Around Your Mouth

 Beyond prevention, there are non-invasive options to help treat wrinkles, and while it may be next to impossible to get rid of lines completely, you can reduce their appearance and improve the smoothness of your skin. 

Establish a solid skincare routine

We all have some level of an existing skincare routine, but whatever products you use, ensuring you hit three crucial steps twice a day can help to smooth the skin around your mouth – cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize. 

Washing your face with a gentle cleanser is a key first step to moving toxins from your skin that contribute to signs of aging. A few times a week follow your cleanse with an exfoliator containing ingredients like lactic or glycolic acid to remove the top layer of skin and trigger cell renewal for a fresh, glowing face. Remember to choose gentle exfoliation over a harsh scrub which can damage your skin. Finally, follow up with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin specific type, as drier skin is more prone to wrinkling. 

Incorporate facial exercises into your daily routine

Just 15 minutes of face exercises each day can help tighten the skin around your mouth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. One of the simplest exercise routines can be done anywhere, anytime—while you’re watching TV, driving, or just sitting at your desk. Here is a simple 4-step process:

1. Stretch your mouth as wide as possible like you’re smiling for a photo and hold for a count of 2. 
2. Stretch your lips forward and up like you’re saying “oooo” and hold for a count of 2.
3. Stretch your mouth back into the first position and hold for a count of 2. 
4. Stretch your lips forward and down like you’re saying “go” and hold for a count of 2. 

That’s one round. Try to complete 20 rounds each day. By exercising the muscles of your face, you effectively tighten the skin that sits on top. This helps to pull stubborn skin back into its proper place and smooth any wrinkles that may have formed there.

Use silicone wrinkle patches regularly 

Mouth and smile lines are primarily caused by repetitive facial movements, making silicone patches an effective remedy for this area of the face. SiO wrinkle patches are made from 100% medical grade silicone and when applied, they prevent movements that contribute to creases and wrinkles in the skin. Even better, they help to deeply hydrate, giving your skin a smoother appearance. 

SiO Super LipLift and kits like Eye & Smile Lift or SuperLift include patches specially designed to target the area around your mouth to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and smile lines. You can steer clear of injectables with these noninvasive options for smoother, younger looking skin.