What Really Works for Marionette Lines

We're not going to kid you: marionette lines are not easy to treat. These stubborn wrinkles are caused by a loss of collagen and elastin, which causes skin to sag. Add to this inevitability years of facial expressions and movements, sun exposure, lifestyle habits like smoking and good old genetics and you have the perfect recipe for puppet lines.

Back in 2009, Marta espoused the technology of LED light and its ability to plump the skin as the best option for treating marionette lines, finding topical skin care to be lacking in real results. Fortunately, advances in anti-aging skin care during the last few years have introduced us to potent actives that plump, firm and hydrate the skin such copper peptides, Matrixyl, Syn-tacks, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and growth factors. These actives have helped make topical treatments more and more effective — as is evidenced by the positive feedback from the Truth In Aging community. Our reviewers have called out the following serums for delivering tangible improvement to marionette lines and restoring smoother, plumper skin around the mouth. Try these in conjunction with LED treatments for a winning combination!

Serums for Treating Marionette Lines

Osmotics Lipofill Non-Surgical Filler ($73 in the shop) is designed to increase facial volume and minimize marionette lines by visually plumping and smoothing the skin for a more youthful, contoured appearance. It effectively targets nasolabial folds, puppet lines, cheeks, under-eye hollow and any other areas experiencing facial sag and loss of volume.

"I'm so happy with how it plumps up the folds around my mouth that I also use over my upper lip….those vertical lines are almost gone too." —Anita

Medik8 Firewall ($145 in the shop) is a broad spectrum antioxidant serum that effectively firms and smoothes skin and protects collagen from free radical damage. It combines potent anti-agers, such as copper peptides, Matrixyl 3000, Lipochroman-6 and niacinamide, for a healthy, glowing complexion.

"I have used this for 3 months now. I think it has helped with filling in some around my mouth lines and marionette lines." —Joyce

ReLuma Skin Illuminating Serum ($145) is a potent treatment for repairing wrinkles, using a complex formula of growth factors to signal skin cells and produce new collagen. This serum also contains peptides, amino acids and matrix proteins to diminish wrinkles, tighten skin and reduce inflammation.

"Reluma works on the deeply embedded lines on my forehead and the ever-growing marionette lines from lips to jaw." —Julie

AQ Skin Solutions Active Serum ($149 in the shop) has a concentrated blend of over 40% stem cell derived growth factors that accelerate skin cell regeneration, repair damage and stimulate collagen production for firmer skin. Its GF-technology also fights against free radical damage to prevent premature aging and fade sun/age spots while reducing lines and wrinkles.

"Honestly, I think that the AQ Skin Solutions Serum helped plump out the marionette lines, as well as my routine use of the Ultra Renew." —Karen

Sciote Omni Phyto-Cell Serum ($130 in the shop) is a multi-tasking formula designed to treat lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, dryness and uneven skin tone. Active ingredients such as Matrixyl 3000, Resistem and peptides work to stimulate collagen production and repair damaged skin while nourishing and protecting against aging elements.

"I saw significant plumping in those marionette lines." —Lori

Benir Beauty BV-9 Platinum Provectus Super Serum ($249 in the shop) uses a unique formulation of 7 different peptides, antioxidants and bee venom to target signs of aging where they first develop. The combination of Matrixyl 3000 and Syn-Ake inhibits excessive muscle contractions, which releases and relaxes fine lines and wrinkles.

"By the seventh day of the trial, my marionette lines were so faint that I had to look hard to see where they were. The lines that had developed alongside my nose were completely gone." —Karen

Royal Nectar Face Mask ($68 in the shop) is a hydrating, lifting and rejuvenating treatment with anti-inflammatory bee venom as the key active, which gently firms skin and helps reduce lines. This face mask also contains manuka honey and a soothing blend of waxes and oils to give skin a healthy glow.

"I sleep with this product on almost every other night, and it's SAVED my sleep deprived skin. In the morning, there's a bright, dewy glow, and my nasolabial folds are less pronounced." —Andy

Medik8 Pretox 20 ($100 in the shop) is a Botox alternative that is contained in a liposome delivery system. This hydrating peptide gel targets specific muscle contractions to reduce the formation of new lines and wrinkles and make old ones less prominent for smoother skin. This treatment contains hexapeptide to prevent signs of aging induced by repeated facial movements as well as hyaluronic acid to enhance skin's hydration, elasticity and collagen production.

"It softens the lines around my mouth and eyes and it definitely allows me to use less foundation." —Russie

Hyalogic Episilk Coenzyme Q10 Serum ($39.95 in the shop) combines hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant, to moisturize and protect skin while also reducing the appearance of fine lines wrinkles. It also has wheat protein and lactoperoxidase, an antioxidant enzyme found in milk, and is good for sensitive skin.

"My skin tone is smoother with less discoloration, and the lines around my mouth have noticeably lessened." —Lesley

Your Best Face Define ($70 in the shop) is a longtime TIA favorite that has been newly reformulated to contain even more potent anti-agers, such as Syn-Hycan, coenzyme Q10, Syn-tacks and TEGO Pep 4-Evan. Designed to brighten and contour as well as improve the fullness of the lips, its heavy-hitting ingredients regulate and retain moisture, act as a filler, lighten dark spots and stimulate collagen.

"It helped soften the lines around my mouth. I don't use a separate lip product, but will make an exception for Define." —Bev

Are there any skin care products you've tried from TIA that have successfully diminished marionette lines? Let us know in the comments below!