Smile lines (a.k.a. nasolabial folds) are one of those things most of us notice sooner or later. They come from years of laughing, smiling, and living life — which is beautiful! But if you’d like to soften them a little, you don’t have to go straight to Botox.
There are many gentle, non-invasive methods to restore your skin's plump, bouncy appearance and smooth out smile lines.
1. Try Wrinkle Patches Designed Specifically to Address Smile Lines
Although wrinkle patches are not new, the latest hydrogel patches are far superior to the traditional silicone ones.
Take Honeydew Labs Smile Line Wrinkle Patches. They don’t just cover lines, they deliver skin-loving ingredients deep into the skin while gently restricting movement (so lines don’t get deeper as you sleep). Inside, you’ll find:
- Retinal (a gentler retinol) to boost renewal
- Multi-peptides to encourage collagen
- Hydrolyzed collagen for plumping
- Niacinamide + panthenol for hydration and soothing
Pro tip: Wear them 30–60 minutes before makeup, or overnight for maximum hydration.
2. Maintain Hydrated Skin
Smile lines appear more severe when dehydrated. Smoother lines are the result of plump, hydrated skin.
Look for ingredients that help your skin retain moisture (glycerin), draw water into your skin (hyaluronic acid), and strengthen your skin barrier (ceramides).
Our recommendations:
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
3. Use Hypochlorous Acid to Calm and Repair
Although it is most commonly used for wound care, Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) is also a fantastic anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, and barrier-supporting agent. This is essential if dryness or irritation exacerbate your smile lines.
Honeydew Labs Hypochlorous Acid Spray is:
- pH-balanced and natural
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Anti-inflammatory + antibacterial
Mist it on before your serum or moisturizer, morning and night, for calm, plump, happy skin.
4. Facial Massage or Gua Sha
Constant stress and use of the muscles around your mouth that can deepen your smile lines. Regular facial massage helps increase blood flow and relax the muscles.
Gua sha or jade rollers can also encourage collagen production, support with lymphatic drainage and help loosen tension in your smile lines area.
If you spend 3–5 minutes a day massaging with a facial oil in an upward motions. It makes a difference over time.
5. Change Your Sleeping Position
Night after night, as you sleep on your side or stomach, your skin creases where there is pressure. This eventually turns into permanent lines.
Try switching things up.
- Sleep on your back if you can
- Use a silk pillowcase to cut down on tugging
- Pop on wrinkle patches overnight to double as “crease guards”
6. Never Skip SPF
The #1 thing that breaks down collagen? UV rays. Without protection, smile lines deepen faster than they should.
How to go about it:
Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, rain or shine; reapply if you spend a lot of time outside; and use mineral sunscreens if you have sensitive skin.
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is the best option. It's cult favorite for good reason—it's lightweight and non-greasy.
7. Consistently Use Peptides + Retinoids
Peptides tell your skin to produce more collagen. Retinoids, such as retinal and retinol, accelerate renewal. Over time, they become firm and smooth together.
Not ready for prescription retinoids? Try retinal (like what’s in Honeydew Labs patches). It’s gentler than retinol but still packs results.
Final Reflections
Smile lines are a sign of happiness, but there are safe, natural ways to make them softer. You can see noticeable, long-lasting results without the need for injections with regular hydration, protection, and targeted treatments like Honeydew Labs Wrinkle Patches and HOCl Spray.
Consistent, gentle care always comes first.
Once you’ve tackled forehead wrinkles, the next step is addressing another common concern — how to get rid of smile lines without Botox using natural, effective alternatives.
While exploring gentle, non-invasive ways to care for your skin, it’s also helpful to understand how your skincare ingredients behave — like whether hypochlorous acid can cause rust.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). How to reduce premature skin aging. https://www.aad.org
- Torigoe, T., et al. (2020). Effect of hypochlorous acid solution on human skin microbiota and barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Science, 97(3), 210-216.
- Farris, P. K. (2005). Topical vitamin C: A useful agent for treating photoaging and other dermatologic conditions. Dermatologic Surgery, 31(7), 814–817.
There are many gentle, non-invasive methods to restore your skin's plump, bouncy appearance and smooth out smile lines.
Written by
Honeydew Labs Team
