As you get older, your skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, the fibers that promote dermal strength and elasticity. This can result in wrinkles, sagging, and loss of tissue density—not only on your face and body but also on the sensitive skin on your lips. However, if you've noticed that yours have begun to lose their plump, youthful appearance, there's no need to pout. Experts say there are several natural ways to pump up the volume and get fuller-looking lips as you age—no fillers, needles, or doctors required. Read on to learn the eight best lip-boosting tips from beauty experts and makeup artists.
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How to Get Fuller Lips Naturally
1. Exfoliate your lips.
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Exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub or silicone brush can help them appear fuller as you age. This comes with the added benefit of smoothing your lips for more even application of other lip products.
"Getting rid of the dry skin on the lip will allow moisture to penetrate. Also, the act of exfoliating will help to stimulate collagen production," says Margina Dennis, a makeup artist and beauty expert.
In particular, she recommends Skinn Dermappeal Lip Scrub, which she says "not only helps the lips to be smoother and look fuller but also helps with the vertical lines around the mouth."
2. Moisturize deeply and often.
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Incorporating a well-formulated lip balm is another way to get fuller-looking lips as you age, says Valerie Aparovich, a biochemist and certified cosmetologist-aesthetician at OnSkin.
"Deeply moisturized skin appears thicker and plumper and delicate skin on the lips is no exception," she tells Best Life. "Emollients are the primary group of active ingredients to look for in a lip product formula for this purpose. They soften and nourish the lips and help restore the skin's hydrolipid balance, preventing water escape and replenishing lipid deficiency."
Aparovich says there are many natural products derived from plant-derived ingredients to choose from, including karité shea butter, canola, almond, coconut, avocado, and castor oils.
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3. Use lip liner.
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Next, you can try creating an optical illusion of fuller lips by slightly overdrawing your pout with lip liner.
"Using a lip liner the same color as your own lips or slightly darker than your lip color, then using lipstick and putting a lighter lip gloss in the center, will create the illusion of a fuller lip shape," Dennis says. "Makeup by Mario has great lip liner options. Trinny London has a great split-pot lip and gloss option with shades that look great on everyone."
Kelly Martinez, a paramedical permanent makeup artist, agrees that you can get fuller-looking lips by creating an ombre effect: "The subtle contrast adds depth and dimension. Graduating the lip color from darker on the outer edges to lighter toward the center can also give the impression of fuller lips."
4. Avoid certain lipstick shades and finishes.
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Some lipstick shades and finishes add volume, while others make the lips appear smaller. "Steer clear of overly dark and matte lip products. These draw attention to dryness and any lines around the mouth," Dennis tells Best Life.
"Matte lipsticks can absorb moisture from the skin, inducing the risk of dryness and making the lips appear tight and wrinkled," agrees Aparovich. "On the contrary, products with creamy textures or coloring lip glosses with high concentrations of nourishing oils and plant-derived extracts will help the skin maintain its balanced moisture contents, thus making the lips look plumper and fuller."
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5. Try a plumping device.
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If you're looking for a temporary boost to your pout, a lip-plumping device can give you fuller-looking lips in minutes.
Non-surgical and non-invasive, these devices use suction to smooth lines and add volume. Dennis recommends PMD's Kiss Lip Plumping Collagen Boost System, which uses vacuum suctioning along with a lip serum to help increase collagen production resulting in fuller lips.
6. Try lip plumping products.
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Dennis says that lip-plumping products can also transform the look of your lips. "A lip plumper helps to increase the blood flow to the lips which can create a fuller-looking pout. Luckily, there are some innovative choices that aren't painful like previous options," she explains.
Asked about her favorite products, the makeup artist shared two options: City Beauty’s City Lips Plumping Lip Gloss and Nakery Beauty's Plumping & Line-Smoothing Lip Treatment. She says they provide immediate results, treating lines and plumping the lips.
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7. Try peppermint or menthol lip products.
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Aparovich also suggests trying lip balms or serums formulated with menthol and other peppermint derivatives.
"Peppermint essential oil delivers soothing, cooling, refreshing, and moisturizing properties and provides volumizing effects. Thanks to its menthol content, peppermint promotes circulation and dilates the blood vessels, naturally making the lips look brighter and plumper," she says.
In particular, she recommends Novexpert Lip'Up Balm: "This vegan and toxic-free balm is enriched with hyaluronic acid, natural oils, and menthol that complement each other in moisturizing and plumping effects."
8. Don't forget UV-protection.
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Protecting your lips from the sun can also help ensure that they stay free of damage and wrinkles. "Balms and glosses containing UV filters will support the lips against free radical damage induced by ultraviolet radiation. Oxidative stress compromises the skin's health and provokes dehydration and dryness, accelerating the signs of aging," Aparovich notes.
She suggests using a broad-spectrum product with at least 15 SPF, enriched with plant-derived, fat-soluble vitamins (like E, K, and A). "These are fortifying antioxidants, helping the skin combat free radicals, enhancing its water content, and promoting cellular regeneration," she explains.
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