What are marionette lines?

Marionette lines are vertical facial wrinkles that run from the corners of the mouth towards the chin. They’ve earned their moniker from their resemblance to the over-exaggerated lines on the chin of a marionette puppet.

Marionette lines typically form in your 40s, however, you may notice faint lines as early as your thirties and twenties depending on your lifestyle habits.

What causes marionette lines around the mouth?

Most people will develop marionette lines as a result of multiple factors: including the skin’s natural ageing process, gravity, and years of facial expressions. This is completely normal.

However, there are several additional contributing factors that can accentuate or accelerate the appearance of marionette lines around the mouth, such as:

• Collagen and elastin production decline: These two proteins are responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness, but production begins to slow down each year once you reach your mid-20s. 

• Age-related dehydration: Mature skin produces fewer natural oils and struggles to retain moisture, which can accentuate the depth of fine lines.

• UV damage: UV rays cause free radicals to form on the skin, which leads to oxidative stress – a process that breaks down collagen and elastin.

• Lifestyle habits: Smoking, vaping, chronic stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and rapid weight loss can all affect the depth of marionette lines and the rate at which they appear.

The best way to get rid of marionette lines with skincare

Preventative skincare is one of the most effective strategies for marionette lines – but it’s never too late to take a targeted approach to help soften their appearance.

We recommend a combination of collagen-stimulating skincare ingredients and known hydrators to help firm and plump the skin.

Read on as we take you through four powerful anti-ageing ingredients for marionette lines around the mouth: retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C.

Retinol

Renowned for its capacity to stimulate skin cell turnover and collagen synthesis, retinol is a star player in anti-ageing skincare routines. 

To help smooth skin texture and diminish the appearance of marionette lines, consider adding the Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum to your skincare practice. This powerful serum combines pure retinol (instant release) and gradual retinol (progressive release) for optimal tolerance – even on sensitive skin types.

Peptides

Peptides are integral in anti-ageing skincare, since they act as signal receptors that encourage the body to produce more collagen. 

Incorporate peptides into your daily skincare routine with the Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Hydrating Serum – a peptide-rich serum designed for sensitive, allergy-prone skin. This serum also helps fortify the skin moisture barrier, which improves your skin’s ability to retain moisture – a key factor in maintaining skin plumpness and elasticity.

Hyaluronic acid

Known for its hydrating prowess, hyaluronic acid's benefits are well documented – but they still bear repeating. Hyaluronic acid works by attracting moisture to the epidermis, which plumps and smooths skin while softening the look of marionette lines.

For your daily dose of hyaluronic acid, we recommend the Hyalu B5 Suractivated Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This potent anti-wrinkle serum combines four forms of hyaluronic acid to deliver intense, lasting hydration.

Vitamin C

Like retinol and peptides, vitamin C has the ability to stimulate collagen synthesis – making it a powerful asset for getting rid of marionette lines. Vitamin C also neutralises free radicals, which contribute to photodamage and other visible signs of ageing.

Apply the Vitamin C 12 Brightening Serum in the morning to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and offer photoprotection during the day.

Other tips to prevent marionette lines

You can support the work of your anti-ageing skincare routine with a healthy, balanced lifestyle to help prevent marionette lines from forming.

• Wear sunscreen every day: Without SPF, any anti-ageing skincare routine is all for naught. So, be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen like our Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ every morning at the end of your morning skincare routine – and reapply as needed throughout the day.

• Avoid smoking and vaping: These habits commonly cause dynamic wrinkles to form – which eventually become static wrinkles. Both smoking and vaping can also dehydrate skin, which may exacerbate the look of marionette lines.

• Drink plenty of water and eat a nutrient-rich diet: Well-hydrated skin starts from within, so be sure to drink at least two litres of water per day. It’s also important to eat plenty of vitamin- and antioxidant-rich foods to support your skin.

• Maintain stable weight: Rapid weight fluctuations can impact the skin’s natural elasticity and contribute to loose facial and neck skin.

We know that prolonged sun exposure is a major contributing factor of marionette lines, so learn all about UVA and UVB protection next.