What can I use for wrinkles around my mouth?

Which mouth lines are you treating?

Fine surface lines, vertical upper lip wrinkles and deeper folds need different approaches. Folds running from the nose to the mouth are nasolabial folds, often called smile lines; marionette lines run from the mouth corners toward the chin. Marionette lines take their name from string puppets, an unusually theatrical choice for a skin crease. Aging, sun exposure and smoking contribute to wrinkles, so prevention remains useful alongside treatment.34

How to start at home

1. 1Test a new skincare product on your inner forearm twice daily for 4 to 5 days before applying it to your face.
2. 2Each morning, use moisturizer and broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin. Moisturizer traps water in the skin; sunscreen helps limit further sun damage.
3. 3If a retinoid is suitable, choose the lowest strength retinol formula you can find. Start every other night and increase gradually as tolerated, following the product directions.
4. 4Avoid adding several wrinkle products at once. Use each product as directed rather than applying extra.

Moisturizer can soften the appearance of fine lines, which is a more realistic job description than deleting them. The plumping effect can be immediate, but most wrinkle products need at least six weeks, sometimes three months. Retinoids are vitamin A based treatments that increase surface cell turnover and boost collagen, helping reduce fine lines.12

Would prescription tretinoin help?

Tretinoin can reduce fine wrinkles, but it does not remove them. Improvement can take 3 to 4 months, or up to 6 months, and can fade after stopping. Use it exactly as prescribed, usually at bedtime. Wash with a mild cleanser, let the skin dry as directed, and apply a thin layer with clean fingertips. Keep tretinoin out of your mouth and away from the corners of your nose; do not apply it to sunburned skin or eczema.5

Who should be careful?

Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. If you are planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, discuss tretinoin with your prescriber. Skin allergies, dryness or substantial redness make retinoids a less suitable starting point. Irritation can trigger dark marks in darker skin. Starting slowly and using moisturizer help reduce irritation; daytime sun protection matters because retinoids increase sun sensitivity.25

Stop an ordinary skincare product that stings or burns. For prescribed tretinoin, contact your doctor about severe or persistent dryness, peeling, redness or burning. Call immediately for rash, hives, itching, or pain at the treated area. Check with your prescriber before combining tretinoin with other topical medicines, including benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.15

What if creams are not enough?

A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can match treatment to the line. Botox weakens muscles contributing to wrinkles and can be used for vertical upper lip lines, sometimes alongside filler. Fillers temporarily add volume and can help mild to moderate marionette lines. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion are options for early wrinkles; microneedling stimulates collagen production. Deeper marionette folds sometimes call for a facelift, with longer recovery than injections.346

Book an assessment if consistent skincare has not delivered the change you want, or if wrinkles seem to be appearing unusually early or quickly. Ask which treatment fits your line depth, what recovery involves and whether repeat sessions will be needed. Choose an injector who understands facial anatomy, because weakening an unintended muscle can cause unwanted effects.346