Don’t you hate that dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth?
Why is this happening anyway?
As we age, our skin naturally changes. For many of us, these changes appear most noticeably around the mouth.
Wrinkles, dryness and sagging can make this delicate area look older than we’d like. This is a common struggle, and while you can’t turn back the clock, you can make some changes in your daily routine to slow the change and help this area look and feel better.
Dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth: Why it happens
The skin around the mouth is naturally thinner and more prone to dryness and wrinkles than the skin in other areas of the face, such as the cheeks. As we age, several factors cause this area to deteriorate.
Loss of collagen and elastin
Collagen and elastin fibers provide structure and firmness to the skin. As we age, our bodies produce less of these important proteins, which leads to thinner skin and a loss of firmness.
Reduced oil production leads to dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
Over time, the skin’s natural oil production also decreases. This is why your skin may feel drier overall, but the skin around your mouth is likely to show that dryness more. Less oil means flatter, less greasy skin, especially around the mouth where oil glands are already sparse.
Repetitive movements
Every smile, laugh and sip from a straw adds up over the years, creating “dynamic” wrinkles around the mouth. These lines deepen as the skin loses its elasticity.
Exposure to the Environment
UV rays, pollution and even wind can damage the skin’s natural barrier, contributing to dehydration and the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Genetics can lead to dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
Your genes can play a role in how quickly wrinkles and sagging appear around your mouth. Facial structure and skin type, inherited from your parents and grandparents, can affect how soon this area starts to look older.
Dermatitis
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and allergic contact dermatitis can also cause dry skin around your mouth. Eczema is a genetic condition that makes it difficult for your skin to protect itself from irritants. You may see dry skin, small raised bumps and cracks around the mouth.
Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that causes a red, itchy rash anywhere your skin has come into contact with something you’re allergic to. The most likely culprit around the mouth would be a lip product (lipstick, gloss or balm), face product, cream or cleanser.
Lifestyle habits
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and poor sleeping habits can also contribute to dehydration and wrinkles around the mouth.
Improper skin care
Excessive scrubbing or using harsh products can damage the skin around the mouth, accelerating the appearance of aging.
Genus
Women often develop deeper wrinkles around the mouth as they age than men, possibly because of the difference in the number of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (pores) around the mouth.
Women typically have fewer sebaceous glands, so they have less oil around the mouth to moisturize the skin. They have fewer blood vessels there as well, so less blood is delivered to the area. The muscles are also closer to the skin in women than in men, which can pull the skin tighter, causing wrinkles to appear earlier. Hormonal changes in menopause also play a role.
7 Solutions to Prevent and Treat Dry Skin & Wrinkles Around the Mouth
If you smoke, do your best to quit. More than anything else, smoking significantly accelerates aging, particularly around the mouth, where the effects of nicotine constrict blood vessels.
1. Moisturize inside and out
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day keeps your skin cells hydrated from within. Top it off with a good moisturizer that provides lasting hydration to the skin around the mouth. Our Calming Moisture is a great choice as it includes protective antioxidants, natural oils, aloe vera and other nutrients that sink into the skin, helping to revitalize the skin while locking in moisture.
2. Exfoliate gently to reduce dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing your moisturizer and antiaging cream to penetrate more effectively. However, be careful with the sensitive skin around the mouth. Scrubbing hard can do more harm than good. Look for mild exfoliants that include lactic acid, glycolic acid, or mandelic acid, or that use enzyme-based exfoliants that help remove dead cells without causing irritation.
3. Apply a nourishing lip treatment
While it’s common to use lip balm, choosing a treatment with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and castor oil will deeply hydrate and protect both your lips and the surrounding skin. Restorative Lip Balm contains these ingredients and more to protect the moisture barrier and help skin heal and regenerate.
4. Use a targeted skin care product to reduce dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
An antiaging serum with retinol, peptides, or vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol, in particular, helps speed up cell turnover, which can soften the appearance of wrinkles over time.
All CV Skinlabs formulas are enriched with biocompatible antioxidants, nutrients and concentrated active ingredients that help stimulate cell regeneration, strengthen collagen and accelerate the healing of damaged skin. With regular use, Calming Moisture and Restorative Skin Balm can help improve skin texture and tone, strengthen the skin barrier and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Protect yourself
UV rays break down collagen and elastin, accelerating the development of wrinkles and dryness. Use a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher daily, even in winter, to protect the skin around your mouth. Take precautions in windy weather too. Use a scarf to cover the lower part of your face.
6. Slather On Night Cream
Quality night creams can help to deeply hydrate the skin around the mouth, helping it look firmer in the morning, while creating a stronger skin barrier. Choose a night cream with deep penetrating ingredients. Our Calming Moisture is a good choice—apply more than usual before bed and wake up with more hydrated skin.
7. Other treatments
There are many treatments you can try to smooth lines and sagging around the mouth. These include the following:
- Microneedling: It is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses tiny needles to puncture the skin, creating micro-traumas that stimulate the skin to repair itself. This can increase collagen and elastin production, making skin look and feel younger. You can have this done professionally, but there are also some over-the-counter products available that can provide mild microneedling.
- Chemical Peeling: These are minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that use a chemical solution to cause controlled damage to the upper layers of the skin. The skin then regenerates itself, resulting in smoother, brighter skin with fewer wrinkles. There are also some mild chemical peels available over the counter.
Be careful with these and other cosmetic treatments, especially if you have sensitive skin. When getting a professional treatment, let your esthetician know about your sensitivities. If using over-the-counter products, always look for those made for sensitive skin and do a patch test before use.
If you opt for a cosmetic procedure, be sure to bring a tube of Restorative Skin Balm with you. It is the non-toxic, dermatologist-recommended choice after cosmetic treatment to help restore healthy and glowing skin.
Struggling with dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth?
