When it comes to skin care, lips are often neglected, but they're one of the first spots that start to show your age.
Whether you're hoping to fend off fine lines or reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles around your pout, there are several ways to treat your lips to some TLC.
From lip balms and serums to masks and scrubs, dermatologists swear by a plethora of products to keep their clients' lips looking hydrated and smooth. Lucky for you, we got seven skin care pros to name names and share their favorite treatments for aging lips.
What skin care challenges do women with aging lips encounter?
Much like the rest of the skin on your face, your lips experience a range of changes over time. "With age, women develop wrinkles, lose volume and frequently experience dryness of the lips," says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s department of dermatology.
These signs of aging are typically a result of a number of factors, including repeated pursing of the lips, the use of straws, smoking cigarettes, etc.
"As part of the natural aging process, the lips lose volume, which means you see less of the red part of the lip. The border becomes less defined, so lipstick may easily bleed onto the skin around the lips," Zeicher explains.
Dryness is also a major factor in aging lips. "The pH of the skin tends to become more alkaline and UV damage over a lifetime means that the barrier is not functioning optimally, leading to dryness," Zeichner says.
“We are seeing an increase of skin cancer and precancerous conditions that happen with excessive sun exposure and typically show up around the corners of the mouth,” Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a cosmetic dermatologist and author of “The Pro-Aging Playbook,” previously told Shop TODAY, noting that using an SPF lip product is vital for overall protection.
Ingredients to look out for in products for aging lips
Since dryness is a big concern for aging lips, it’s critical to look for hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant and draws in water to keep the lips hydrated.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist and author of the book “Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist,” also lists shea butter, jojoba oil and grape seed oil as other great hydrators.
To make sure the lips stay hydrated, keeping them from going dry is a key step too and Zeichner mentions using sugar for gentle exfoliation, on a periodic basis, to prevent irritation. “Sugar is extra gentle on the skin, which is why it is used for the lips. It can help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin to soften the skin without causing skin irritation,” Zeichner says.
When it comes to volume loss, hyaluronic acid and pro-collagen peptides are a few go-tos to keep on your mind while shopping, per Zeichner. Peptides have been a buzzy ingredient in a variety of skin care favorites, but they've made their way into the lip care sector too because it is a gentle ingredient that may help improve collagen production.
How to build your lip care routine for aging lips
Before you start building your anti-aging lip product collection, consider these tips from Zeichner to make sure you're using the right product to treat your lips' unique needs.
- Lip balms: "Lip balms are great for daily use and can be applied multiple times per day as needed. They offer a variety of benefits that depend on the specific formula," Zeichner says. "Benefits on the skin include hydration, protection, smoothing of lines, plumping and even cosmetic benefits, like providing color."
- Lip masks: "Lip masks are designed for long wear and benefits overtime. They're great to use before bed and typically focus on a single benefit like soothing, hydration and repair," the skin care savant notes.
- Lip serums: "Lip serums are designed for an intensive treatment, depending on the effect of the active ingredient. Most lip serums help plump and improve the appearance of lines," Zeichner says.
- Lip scrubs: "Lip scrubs are best for removing rough cells on the surface of the skin to soften the lips and help other products coat the lips better," the pro notes.
Expert-approved balms for aging lips
"Sometimes the simplest choice is the best," Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, says. The skin care savant touts this age-old skin care standby's affordable price and accessibility as two of its best characteristics. "It can work wonders in a short time," she says.
The bestseller is formulated with 100% pure petroleum jelly and can be used as a lip balm or moisturizer for dry skin.
Hirsch is a fan of this lip butter and says it offers "incredible value for the price" and "intense moisture." It is formulated with soothing and nourishing ingredients and offers a "non-sticky finish" while offering a "subtle glossy sheen," per the brand.
“Made with raw, organic and fair-trade ingredients, this balm provides deep moisture and protection, making it ideal for nourishing and soothing aging lips,” Dr Liia Ramachandra, the CEO of skin care brand EpiLynx, says.
Per the brand, the product has an "extra thick, creamy" formula, a calming vanilla and peru balsam scent, and several moisturizing ingredients, including meadowfoam seed oil and rosehip seed oil.
"This stick conditions the lips and improves texture," Zeichner says, noting that the cocoa butter works to protect your pout.
According to the brand, the lip butter offers "intensive care" and "deep hydration." Whether you're using it on dry or chapped lips, its hydrating and smoothing abilities will come in handy.
"Peptides are really great at supporting collagen and as lips age, we lose fullness and the ability to hold onto moisture. With hydrating vitamin E and shea butter, you have the ultimate lip plumping combo," says Dr. Kiran Mian, a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
This unique balm treatment leaves lips looking nice and glossy while treating your pout to plenty of hydration to smooths lines, according to the brand.
Best lip masks for aging lips
Hirsch counts this among her go-to lip solutions, calling it a "lovely product" that offers "great value."
Ideal to apply right before bedtime, the sleep mask works overnight to hydrate, condition and smooth lips. Per the brand, it also improves the look of fine lines on and around the lips.
Jaliman recommends this lip mask for aging lips, citing its “hydrating” ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter. According to the brand, the mask offers “24-hour moisture” and can be applied right before bedtime. Other powerhouse ingredients include nourishing papaya oil, antioxidant-rich basil leaf extract, hydrating watermelon seed extract and hydrating squalane.
Hirsch, Jaliman and Zeichner are fond of this Sephora bestseller, which has an 81% recommendation rate. Because of the gentle finish, Hirsch notes that it's "good for all ages," while Jaliman touts its key ingredients.
"It contains shea butter and murumuru seed butter from Brazilian palm trees for hydration," she says.
Meanwhile, Zeichner likes its multitasking abilities, adding that "This overnight mask is designed to hydrate, protect and repair the skin."
"Infused with Japanese peach extract and squalane, this lip mask deeply conditions while calming irritation. It’s ideal for aging lips with signs of thinning or dryness, especially in colder climates," Badreshia-Bansal says.
Additionally, per the brand, the mask plumps and adds volume to lips, all while smoothing lines.
"This product is known for being vegan, cruelty-free and formulated with natural ingredients to deeply hydrate lips," Ramachanda says. Similar to other powerhouse products experts have mentioned, this one utilizes shea butter and jojoba to lock in moisture and keep them smooth.
The mask works overtime to soothe and plump lips while keeping them hydrated and smooth. Formulated without parabens and phthalates, the mask can be used overnight or during the day.
"Aging lips start to lose hydration, volume and fullness. I really like this mask because not only does it have hyaluronic acid for plumping and locking in moisture, but willow bark will gently exfoliate to smooth out dry, scaly lips," Mian says.
The mask can be applied as needed during the daytime or overnight, per the brand, and can also be used over or under lipstick.
Best lip serums for aging lips
"It contains a combination of hyaluronic acid plus a pro-collagen peptide to plump, hydrate and volumize," Zeichner says.
Per the brand, the topical lip filler is a substitute for lip injections and offers 48-hour hydration.
Jaliman adores the diverse ingredient list this lip serum has to offer.
"This contains peptides and vitamin C, which stimulate collagen and help improve fine lines. It also contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which are incredibly hydrating," the derm explains.
Per the brand, the antioxidant-rich, long-wearing product hydrates and plumps lips while smoothing lines and wrinkles.
Jaliman is fond of this serum's multitasking formula.
"It contains peptides to stimulate collagen production and improve fine lines and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the lips," she says.
The antioxidant-rich formula tackles lip lines and fends off free radical damage, while hydrating ingredients provide instant relief to dry lips.
"Made with plant-based collagen, this serum helps visibly smooth lip lines and plump the lips without irritation," Dr. Angela Lamb, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the Director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Practice, says.
Perfect for all skin types, this multitasker offers lips a fuller, smoother look while tackling the appearance of lines, according to the brand.
Best lip scrubs for aging lips
“This lip exfoliator is very convenient as it comes in a lipstick tube. It contains sugar crystals to exfoliate the surface skin,” Jaliman says.
Available in six flavors, the scrub leaves lips feeling smooth and conditioned, per the brand, and features several hydrating oils, including avocado, jojoba and grapeseed oil.
"This is a budget-friendly, natural option that exfoliates with honey crystals and conditions with responsibly sourced beeswax. It’s especially helpful for smoothing lip texture before applying lipsticks or serums," Badreshia-Bansal says.
Per the brand, the scrub can be gently massaged into the lips two to three times a week using circular motions.
Both Zeichner and Jaliman are fans of this scrub that exfoliates with the help of sugar. Meanwhile, Jaliman is a fan of the powerhouse ingredients. "Shea butter, jojoba oil and grape seed oil are responsible for the excellent hydration," she adds.
Ideal for normal, dry, combination and oily skin types, the scrub tackles dryness and dullness and leaves skin "silky smooth," per the brand.
Lamb is a fan of this product's "mild exfoliation" and simultaneous hydration, which she says "makes it perfect for mature lips that can’t tolerate harsh scrubs."
The product can be reapplied as needed, per the brand, and offer long-term hydration with the help of its ingredients, including sea succulent, hyaluronic acid and prickly pear.
How we chose
To find out ways of treating aging lips and what products can make a difference, we spoke with seven dermatologist about what what makes the lips age and how to address the concern.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon.
- Dr. Ranella Hirsch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston. Her specialties include laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology and she often leads lectures on those topics.
- Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and author of the book “Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist.”
- Dr. Angela J. Lamb, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She regularly appears on TODAY to share her skin care tips.
- Dr. Kiran Mian, FAAD, is a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
- Dr Liia Ramachandra is the CEO of EpiLynx, a clinically and dermatologically tested skin care brand.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s department of dermatology.
