Lip lines and wrinkles are a common sign of aging, often caused by factors like sun exposure, dehydration, and the natural loss of collagen and elastin; however, there are effective ways to improve or even reverse the appearance of these lines. From skincare ingredients that hydrate and boost collagen production to lifestyle changes like using sunscreen, it’s possible to reduce the depth of lip lines and restore a smoother appearance.
Chris Gibson, an esthetician, recently shared three tips that can “immediately improve the way this whole area looks” for a youthful pout. According to him, focusing on hydration, lip massage, and exfoliation are the best hacks. Read on to learn more.
1. Hydration
Gibson starts by noting that "some people call these smokers lines, fine lines, and wrinkles that happen on the lips and around the mouth, really common after 30." Plus, after you "get through your late 20s [and] into your 30s, they start to stick around, often around the eyes and especially around the mouth and lips."
In order to "help you prevent and even reverse" these lines, Gibson says to start by focusing on hydrating this area. When the skin is properly hydrated, it appears more supple, which can reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
Use "a product that contains hyaluronic acid because hyaluronic acid is able to draw moisture in from the air and keep your lips hydrated throughout the day. Also oligopeptides; these are peptides that are chain amino acids that go on the skin. Your skin cells know what to do with them; they're able to spark some collagen production and give your lips back some fullness, and then, of course, ceramides to help your lip skin repair itself and provide an extra boost to that lipid layer, protecting your skin from the environment and dryness."
2. Lip Massage
You've probably heard of facial massage or facial yoga, but there's lip massage! Many people tend to ignore this part of the face when it comes to anti-aging face yoga, but Gibson raves over its benefits for a plump pout!
"By using your fingers and a facial oil, or you can use olive oil or almond oil, you just place a little bit of that on your fingers, and then you're going to apply that to the lips, and then pinch your lips and roll them through your index finger and thumb by massaging the lips this way," he says. "You increase circulation, bringing oxygen and more blood into the vessels of the lips, providing plumpness and firmness, and bringing nutrients that your lips actually need to help them look better over time. Now this is something you can do right after brushing your teeth or before brushing your teeth as a part of your morning routine. Two to five minutes is really what I recommend to get that full effect, but your lips will really benefit from this increased stimulation on a daily basis."
3. Exfoliation
By removing the dry, flaky outer layer of skin, exfoliation reveals fresher, smoother skin underneath, making fine lines appear less noticeable.
"I'm a big-time lip exfoliator. I like to keep that dead, dry skin layer off my lips, and I do that by using e.l.f.'s lip exfoliator. This is the brown sugar one. It's a clear one. It doesn't leave any color on your lips, but it does an incredible job of getting that dead skin cell layer off the lips. It tastes pretty good too, although you're not supposed to eat it, but not only will this improve the texture and look of your lips, it also helps bring out that lip line that tends to fade as we get older," he reveals.
He also emphasizes the importance of using SPF on your lips. Gibson says it's a better idea to buy an SPF specifically designed for the lips rather than the one you use on your face, as you don't want those ingredients in your mouth.
