You know that moment when you catch your reflection after a long phone call, and there they are—those tiny vertical lines around your mouth that weren’t there last year? They have a way of sneaking up on you, especially when you’re mid-laugh or sipping an iced coffee. But here’s the thing about perioral lines: you have more control over them than you think. Unlike the wrinkles that come from sun damage or plain genetics, the ones around your lips are often scored by your own daily routines. The good news? Most of those routines are completely fixable, and you don’t need a single fancy cream to start seeing a difference.
Think about how many times a day you pucker. Drinking from a straw, yes. But also pursing your lips when you’re concentrating, whistling along to a song, blowing out birthday candles, or even applying lipstick with that classic “kiss-kiss” motion. Every time you contract those tiny muscles around your mouth, you’re folding the skin like a piece of paper. Over time, the creases stop bouncing back. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s just physics. Your skin has a memory, and it gets better at holding onto the lines you make on repeat. The fix isn’t to stop smiling (please don’t). It’s to catch the unnecessary puckers and swap them for something gentler.
The biggest culprit for most women in their twenties and thirties? The humble straw. Whether it’s a daily cold brew or a protein shake after the gym, that little tube forces your lips into exactly the wrong shape over and over again. It’s the same motion as smoking, minus the nicotine and tar. So here’s the challenge: try a cup instead. Yes, you might spill a little. Yes, it’s slightly less convenient. But your lips will thank you in ten years. If you’re truly a straw loyalist, at least position the straw so it rests against your teeth rather than pulling your lips inward—that tiny adjustment makes a surprising difference.
Beyond straws, think about how you drink from bottles and cans. That tight-lipped seal you use to avoid spills? It’s another pucker in disguise. Tilt your head back and pour instead of sucking. It feels awkward for a week, then becomes second nature. Same goes for lipstick application. Instead of pressing your lips together with a dramatic smack, use your fingertip to gently pat the color in. Not only does it spare your skin from extra creasing, but it also gives you a softer, more modern finish.
What about the less obvious habits? Sleeping on your side with your face pressed into a pillow can mash the skin around your mouth into squashed folds. After eight hours, that’s a lot of folded time. Switch to sleeping on your back if you can, or at least use a silk pillowcase—it lets your skin slide instead of crumple. And then there’s the way you talk. Some of us are natural talkers who animate every word with expressive mouth movements. That’s not something to suppress, but you can be aware of it. The goal isn’t to look like a robot; it’s to stop over-pursing when you’re just making a point.
Your skincare routine can help, too, but not in the way those expensive serums promise. Start with the basics: moisture and sunscreen. The skin around your lips is thin and doesn’t have a lot of oil glands, so it dries out fast. When it’s dry, it creases more easily and those lines look deeper. A simple layer of moisturizer morning and night, plus a lip balm with SPF, can go a long way. Don’t forget the small patch right below your nose—that area gets sunburned and forgotten. If you want to get a tad more serious, a gentle retinol cream applied at night can encourage your skin to produce fresh collagen, which helps plump up shallow lines. Just ease in with two or three nights a week and always pair it with sunscreen the next morning.
Above all, don’t obsess. Lines around the mouth are a normal part of having expressions. The goal isn’t to look expressionless—it’s to stop inviting unnecessary wrinkles to the party. So ditch the straw, pour your drink, pat your lipstick, and sleep on a smooth pillow. Your future self will look in the mirror and wonder what you did right. And you’ll smile, knowing it was just a few small habits that made all the difference.
