Do you also hate dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth?
Why does that actually happen?
As we age, our skin changes naturally. For many of us, these changes are most noticeable around the mouth.
Wrinkles, dryness and sagging can make this delicate area look older faster than we would like. This is a common problem, and while you can’t turn back the clock, you can make some changes to your daily routine to slow the change and keep this area looking and feeling its best.
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 on other parts 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, leading to thinner skin and loss of firmness.
Decreased 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 feels drier overall, but the skin around your mouth is more likely to show that dryness. Less oil also means flatter, less thick 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.
Environmental exposure
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 may 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 quickly 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 harder for your skin to protect itself from irritants. You may notice dry skin, small 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 are allergic to. The most likely culprit around the mouth is a lip product (lipstick, gloss or balm), facial product, cream or cleanser.
Lifestyle habits
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and poor sleeping habits can also contribute to dryness and wrinkles around the mouth.
Improper skin care
Excessive scrubbing or using harsh products can damage the skin around the mouth, accelerating aging.
Gender
Women often develop deeper wrinkles around the mouth as they age than men, probably due to the difference in the number of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (pores) around the mouth.
Women tend to have fewer sebaceous glands, which means they have less oil around the mouth to moisturize the skin. They also have fewer blood vessels there, meaning less blood is delivered to the area. The muscles in women are also closer to the skin than in men, which can cause the skin to become tighter and wrinkles to become visible more quickly. Hormonal changes during menopause also play a role.
7 solutions to prevent and treat dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
If you smoke, do your best to quit. More than anything, smoking significantly accelerates aging, especially around the mouth, where the effects of nicotine constrict blood vessels.
1. Hydrate inside and out
Drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your skin cells hydrated from within. Top it off with a good moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration to the skin around the mouth. Our Calming Moisture is a great choice because it contains protective antioxidants, natural oils, aloe vera and other nourishing ingredients that sink into the skin, rejuvenating the skin while retaining moisture.
2. Gently exfoliate to reduce dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing your moisturizer and anti-aging creams to penetrate more effectively. However, be careful with the sensitive skin around the mouth. A harsh scrub can do more harm than good. Look for gentle exfoliants that contain lactic acid, glycolic acid, or mandelic acid, or those that use enzyme-based exfoliants that help remove dead cells without causing irritation.
3. Apply a nourishing lip treatment
While it is common to use lip balm, if you opt for a treatment with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and castor oil, it will deeply moisturize and protect both your lips and the surrounding skin. Our Restorative Lip Balm contains both ingredients and more to protect the moisture barrier and help heal and regenerate the skin.
4. Use a targeted skin care product to reduce dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth
An anti-aging serum with retinol, peptides or vitamin C can help boost collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol in particular helps accelerate cell turnover, which can soften wrinkles over time.
All CV Skinlabs formulas are enriched with biocompatible antioxidants, nutrients and concentrated actives that help stimulate cell regeneration, stimulate collagen and accelerate the healing of damaged skin. When used regularly, Calming Moisture and Restorative Skin Balm can help improve skin texture and tone, strengthen the skin barrier and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Protect
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. Also take precautions in windy weather. Use scarves to cover the lower part of your face.
6. Apply night cream
Quality night creams can help deeply hydrate the skin around the mouth, making it look plumper in the morning while creating a stronger skin barrier. Choose a night cream with deeply penetrating ingredients. Our Calming Moisture is a good option: apply it thicker than usual before going to bed and wake up with more hydrated skin.
7. Other treatments
There are many treatments you can try to smooth out lines and sagging around the mouth. These include the following:
- Microneedling: This is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses small needles to puncture the skin, causing micro-injuries that stimulate the skin to repair itself. This can increase collagen and elastin production, making the skin look and feel younger. You can have this done professionally, but there are also some over-the-counter products available that can provide gentle microneedling.
- Chemical peels: 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 receiving professional treatment, tell your esthetician about your sensitivities. If you use over-the-counter products, always look for products made for sensitive skin and test them before use.
If you opt for cosmetic surgery, make sure you have a tube of our Repairing Skin Balm on hand. It is the non-toxic, dermatologist-recommended choice after cosmetic treatment to help restore healthy and radiant skin.
Do you suffer from dry skin and wrinkles around the mouth?
