7 Effective Ways to Reduce Smoker’s Lines
If you’re like me, you’ve noticed that fine lines and less volume around the lips—those pesky smoker’s lines—become more noticeable as we get older.
They form for a bunch of reasons: collagen production decreases, skin loses elasticity, and things like smoking and dehydration don’t help.
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But don’t worry! There are natural ways we can bring some fullness back to our lips and smooth out those lines.
Let me walk you through some simple methods I’ve found that can help plump up our lips and make them look healthier.
Staying Hydrated for Lip Volume and Smoothness
We all know hydration is key for our skin, and it’s no different for our lips.
When our lips are hydrated, they look fuller and feel smoother, which helps minimize those fine lines.
According to some research I came across, dehydration can actually make our skin look dull and cracked—especially noticeable on our lips (source).
What I Do to Keep My Lips Hydrated:
- I aim for eight glasses of water a day to keep everything hydrated, not just my lips.
- I use lip balms with hyaluronic acid, which can hold tons of moisture (up to 1,000 times its weight—crazy, right?).
- I keep a moisturizing lip balm handy all day, especially in dry or cold weather.
My Favorite Product for This:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Treatment
This one is my go-to for hydration; it’s packed with hyaluronic acid and leaves my lips soft and smooth.
Using Essential Oils for a Natural Lip Plump
I love a little natural plump, and essential oils like peppermint and cinnamon are great for this.
They increase blood flow, giving lips a nice, temporary plump that makes them look fuller.
According to some cosmetic science research, peppermint oil especially is great for creating that subtle, fuller effect (source).
How I Use It:
- I mix one drop of peppermint or cinnamon oil with a little coconut oil or petroleum jelly.
- I apply it gently to my lips and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Just a heads up, it can tingle, so a little goes a long way!
My Pick for This:
Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
This is a strong oil, so I make sure to dilute it before using it on my lips. It gives a nice, refreshing plump!
DIY Hydrating Lip Masks
For deep hydration, I love doing DIY lip masks with ingredients like honey, aloe vera, and even avocado.
Honey is a humectant, so it locks in moisture, while aloe vera is soothing and healing.
Studies back this up—honey is known for being amazing at improving skin hydration (source).
My Favorite Mask Recipes:
- Honey and Aloe Mask: I mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and apply a thick layer for 10–15 minutes.
- Avocado and Olive Oil Mask: A bit of mashed avocado and a few drops of olive oil make a great hydrating mask.
Favorite Product:
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Lip Mask
When I’m short on time, this lip mask is a lifesaver. It’s got hyaluronic acid and squalane for a serious hydration boost.
Facial Exercises for Toning Lip Muscles
Yes, you can actually exercise your lips! I’ve found that a few simple facial exercises can really help tone the muscles around my mouth, making my lips look naturally plump and smooth.
Research shows that regular facial exercises can improve skin firmness and even add a bit of fullness (source).
Exercises I Swear By:
- “Whistling” Exercise: I purse my lips like I’m whistling, holding for about 10–15 seconds. I repeat this about 10 times.
- “Fish Face” Exercise: I suck in my cheeks and purse my lips, holding for a few seconds before repeating.
- Lip Stretch: With my fingers at the corners of my mouth, I gently stretch outwards while trying to pucker—great for toning.
Helpful App for This:
Face Yoga Exercises App
This app is fantastic for guided facial exercises. I use it for toning and love the results!
Beetroot and Coconut Oil for Natural Lip Color
A touch of color makes lips look fuller, and beetroot juice gives a natural flush that’s gorgeous!
Coconut oil is a great addition because it’s super moisturizing, which helps with fullness.
Plus, research shows coconut oil is great for plumping up dry skin (source).
How I Make a DIY Beetroot Lip Tint:
- I grate a small piece of beetroot and mix the juice with a few drops of coconut oil.
- I apply this to my lips as a tint and let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then wipe off any extra.
Go-To Product:
Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil
This coconut oil is perfect for mixing with natural tints like beet juice for a hint of color and hydration.
Ice Massage for an Instant Plump
This one is super simple but really works. Running an ice cube over my lips boosts circulation, giving them a quick plump look.
It’s especially great when my lips feel a little puffy, as it reduces inflammation.
How I Do It:
- I wrap an ice cube in a cloth and rub it gently over my lips for 1–2 minutes.
- Then I pat my lips dry and follow up with a hydrating balm to lock in moisture.
Handy Tool:
IcyMe Ice Roller for Face and Lips
This ice roller is perfect for lips and face, and it’s a quick way to wake up my skin.
Collagen-Boosting Foods
Eating foods that boost collagen has made a difference in my skin and lips.
Things like berries, greens, and lean proteins are packed with nutrients that support collagen production.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these foods play a big role in keeping skin firm and lips looking full (source).
What I Eat for Collagen:
- Fish, for amino acids
- Citrus fruits for vitamin C
- Leafy greens and berries, loaded with antioxidants
My Pick:
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder
I add this powder to my smoothies, and it’s easy and tasteless—a great way to get extra collagen support.
Sun Protection for Long-Lasting Lip Health
We often forget to protect our lips from the sun, but it’s so important! Sun damage can cause collagen loss, pigmentation, and dryness.
Using SPF lip balm has made a huge difference in keeping my lips smooth and full.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 30 or higher to protect against UV damage (source).
My Sun Protection Routine:
- I use a lip balm with SPF 30 or more and reapply every few hours.
- I also wear a hat on really sunny days for extra protection.
My Favorite SPF Balm:
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm
This balm is moisturizing and protective, and it’s a beach bag essential for me!
Conclusion
If you’re looking to reduce smoker’s lines and get fuller lips naturally, these methods are great to try.
With regular hydration, some DIY care, and good products, I’ve found that my lips look healthier and more vibrant.
It’s all about finding what works best and sticking with it for long-term results. Let’s keep our lips looking fabulous, naturally!
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.