As beauty treatments go, very few have received the kind of rock star status of Botox. It enjoys the same single name recognition as the likes of Cher and Beyoncé — it needs no other introduction, and has come to stand for an entire category of excellence. It’s the little neurotoxin that could. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that it has remained the number one minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S. for the past few years, hovering around 4.4 million procedures performed a year — and that includes when the country was shut down for almost half the year in 2020. But what if you are unable, or unwilling, to try Botox, yet would still enjoy its myriad benefits (more on that in a bit)? Luckily, there are still a few alternatives to Botox for you to consider.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Botox alternatives: Exploring other wrinkle treatments, alternative to botox for forehead, laser alternative to botox, and cheaper botox alternative.
Botox alternatives: Exploring other wrinkle treatments
Wrinkles not your thing, but Botox isn’t either? We hear you. Fortunately, it’s far from the only choice out there. The hard part is wading through the many lotions, potions, and miracle workers on the market that are touted as Botox backups. What’s real, and what’s too good to be true? We’ve rounded up eight expert-approved, science-backed alternatives to Botox below. And although there are plenty of other wrinkle-busting injectable options (other neurotoxins like Dysport, Xeomin, and Myobloc, as well as hyaluronic acid fillers) for the sake of this list, we’re focusing on the “notox” treatments that don’t involve so much as a single syringe. But first…
What to Know About Botox
Botox is a prescription medication made from a toxin called bacterium clostridium botulinum. It’s injected by a licensed medical professional into specific facial muscles, in order to partially paralyze them. By relaxing those muscles, it ultimately causes wrinkles in the area to soften or disappear. The most popular areas of injection are the forehead and around the eyes.
Downsides of Botox
Well, for starters, you’re injecting your body with a neurotoxin, which doesn’t sit well with everybody. Although it’s generally considered quite safe, there are some side effects, including a decrease in range of emotions, and more rarely, double vision, breathing issues, and rashes.
Beyond that, it’s also pretty pricey, and results only last about six months).
Botox Alternatives
Whether you’re on a budget, you’re allergic, or you simply prefer a less invasive, more natural alternative to Botox, we’ve got you covered:
Retinoids
You’ve probably heard of retinol, Retin-A, Differin, or another one of the many siblings in the retinoid family of vitamin A derivatives. Retinoids are far and away from the most extensively studied and proven wrinkle zapping ingredients on the market. They’re known to strengthen, firm, and tighten the skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles—and there’s no shortage of science to back them up. Retinol is one of the most common over-the-counter retinoids. Weaker than the prescription varieties, it takes a bit more time to show results, but it works just as effectively—and causes less irritation, too.
Facial Massage
Ditch the chemicals altogether, and go for something totally natural. If a massage is transformative for the rest of the body, why wouldn’t it be for the face? Research supports that massaging the facial muscles is a promising alternative to more mainstream anti-aging treatments. As a bonus, proponents say it may even stimulate the circulatory and lymphatic systems to promote immunity, too. Whether you pop into a celebrity fave facial spa or you opt for a DIY at-home session, you’re sure to see plumping, lifting, and toning of the face over time with regular facial muscle stimulation. As with any other skincare routine, the key is to stick with it.
Silicone Face Patches
If you love a good sheet mask, you’re in for a real treat. Meet its medical-grade, mess-free, and reusable cousin, the silicone face patch (check out the full range by SiO Beauty). With a wide variety of shapes and sizes to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, or all of the above, the face patch is highly convenient and simple, yet delivers serious results. Made from 100% medical grade silicone, these handy pads adhere to the skin, creating a microclimate that pulls moisture from the deepest layers of the skin, melting away creases and grooves at the surface for a smooth, hydrated complexion overnight (or any time your skin could use a little perk-up). Don’t take it from us; in clinical studies (Bioscreen 2017, CRL 2016), 85% of participants reported that they would choose this product over a medical procedure like injectables or lasers.
Microneedling
Look, when they’re this tiny, they hardly count as needles! Microneedling can be traced all the way back to 1995, although it’s making more headlines now than ever, likely thanks to social media influencers’ singing its skin-transforming praises. Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with teeny-tiny pinpricks using a tool called a dermaroller, which is composed of needles measuring between 0.5 and 2.5 millimeters in diameter (read: minuscule). The process is a little bloody, if we’re being honest, and you may experience some discomfort afterwards—but it’s a small price to pay for the results. In fact, one study reported a 400% boost in collagen and elastin after six months following a series of four microneedling sessions.
Chemical Peels
Chemical exfoliators like alpha-hydroxy acids work well to keep wrinkles at bay, and you can readily find them in night creams and serums at the beauty or drugstore. But as they say, go big or go home; for more substantive results, you’re better off visiting the dermatologist’s office to reap the benefits of a high-strength professional peel, which uses the same AHAs as the medicine cabinet versions (usually glycolic acid) but in supercharged, prescription-level concentrations. A licensed professional can adjust the strength and target specific areas of application for a customized experience that’s hard to recreate at home. Research has demonstrated impressive results, particularly when it comes to fine lines. And as a bonus, it can also treat dark spots and acne. Expect a day or two of recovery time, though, and know that you may need a repeat down the line.
Laser Resurfacing
Like chemical peels, laser resurfacing is an in-office treatment that works by deeply exfoliating, removing the outer layers of skin and jumpstarting the skin’s healing mechanism for a renewed complexion. Granted, it’s not an in-and-out, back-to-work kind of procedure. For most laser resurfacing options, be it CO2, Erbium, or otherwise, you can expect to encounter significant redness and peeling, requiring as many as seven to ten days of downtime. That said, it’s highly efficient and relatively long-lasting, especially when treating shallower lines (loose skin and deep wrinkles may require a do-over or two).
Frotox
Instead of injecting those wrinkles away, how about freezing them out? Deemed safe and effective by the experts, a professional “Frotox” cryo-facial procedure involves using liquid nitrogen to shock the nerves that control muscle contractions in the face, ultimately relaxing those muscles, and thawing wrinkles while they’re at it. Although results may last you a few months, cryo-facials do tend to cost a pretty penny. If it’s not in the cards for you, you can DIY a more cost-effective cryofacial with ice cubes, frozen tea bags, an ice roller, or a more sophisticated treatment like the SiO Cryo System, a handheld cryo device that uses magnetic energy to help infuse its partner product: a powerful cooling diamagnetic energy serum to chill those fine lines and wrinkles way, way out. Finish off the Cryo System with our SiO Cryo Fill to freeze time and reduce the appearance of expression lines to reveal smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Acupuncture
Okay, this one’s not so much for the needle-averse, either—but hear us out. It’s all-natural and has the clout of literally thousands of years behind it as an ancient form of Chinese medicine. Known for a wide variety of healing benefits, acupuncture has recently become a buzzworthy anti-aging solution, too, with preliminary studies citing such benefits as improved elasticity and boosted hydration in the skin. Of course, you’ll want to go to a licensed acupuncturist who specializes in facial work, and as with almost anything, you’ll have to put in some time to see a difference.
What It All Means
Blame the “selfie” phenomenon all you want, but the fact of the matter is that Botox use is at an all-time high, securing a spot as the number one minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment in the United States. But that doesn’t mean that everyone has caved into the pressure. Botox is not for everybody, as indicated by the vast number of viable wrinkle-fighting competitors out there. Science has proven time and again that the best skin aging solution is a well-rounded regimen that includes regular at-home use of antioxidants, exfoliants, and retinoids along with the occasional more intensive procedure, like microneedling, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing. Whichever route you choose, know that you’re well on your way to a glowing, youthful complexion—with Botox or without.
alternative to botox for forehead
If you’re looking for alternative ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, there are many different creams, serums, topical treatments, and natural treatments on the market. From traditional Botox to Botox alternatives, here are some proven ways to treat wrinkles:
Read on to learn more about these wrinkle treatments.
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is one of the most well-known methods for warding off wrinkles and other signs of aging. It’s a prescription medication that’s injected into the muscles of the face.
Botox works by stopping the muscle that it’s injected into from contracting, so it appears relaxed and smooth. Botox is effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and preventing new wrinkles from forming. This treatment may be considered expensive, however. Prices vary by provider and state, but you can expect to pay $100 to upwards of $500 per treatment depending on the areas you treat.
The effects are temporary, so you need repeat treatments to maintain the effects. One study also found that people who used Botox reported a decrease in their range of emotions, because emotions are tied to the brain through facial functions.
1. Other injectables
Dysport, like Botox, is a neurotoxin. It’s made of the same type of bobotulinum toxin A as Botox, but has slightly different dosing technique and structure. Results seem to be about the same for both Dysport and Botox, but Dysport seems to work slightly faster. No official studies from the company have been conducted, however.
Also, while Dysport seems less expensive, it takes more units of Dysport to achieve the same results as Botox. In the end, the cost is usually about the same.
Myobloc is another injection. It’s made from botulinum toxin type B. Because it’s also a neurotoxin, it works the same way as the other injectable options. However, it’s not as effective, and the effects don’t last as long. According to the FDA labelling, Myobloc effects lasts approximately 3 to 4 months, as opposed to the 5 to 6 months of Botox.
Pros: The effects of these other injectable treatments are similar to those of Botox.
Cons: These treatments may be considered expensive. They also work in a similar way to Botox, so if you’re looking for an alternative that is very different, these won’t be the best options for you.
2. FaceXercise
If exercise can help ward off aging in the body, why not in the face, too? A method reportedly used by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford, FaceExercise uses cupping and facial massage to improve blood flow and circulation. It’s also said to work the lymphatic system to clear out toxins in the tissues.
Pros: FaceXercise is all-natural and does not require any injections or needles.
Cons: It may be considered expensive, averaging around $380 for just the initial visit. Providers are limited, too.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture as an anti-aging treatment is a relatively new procedure, but it’s a promising one. One study has shown that it can help improve facial elasticity and skin hydration, both of which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Pros: It’s all-natural and appears to be effective, though studies are limited.
Cons: It may be difficult to find a licensed acupuncturist who specializes in facial treatments. It also may be expensive, and results are temporary. If you have an aversion to needles, acupuncture is not for you.
4. Face patches
Face patches, or Frownies, are sticky patches you can place on the areas where you’re prone to wrinkles. The patches are supposed to help smooth out wrinkles.
Pros: The patches are easy to find and inexpensive, staring at around $20 for a box. Plus, no injections are necessary.
Cons: One small-scale study showed that while users reported an improvement, plastic surgeons were not able to detect any real difference in the skin.
5. Vitamins
Would you believe you could improve your skin just by taking vitamins? Key nutritional supplements may help improve collagen production. They may also have an antioxidant effect that helps prevent damage from free radicals. The best supplements to take include vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids.
Pros: Vitamins are easily accessible and affordable for most. They also provide important nutrients to your body as a whole.
Cons: You have to be careful when buying supplements. Look for high-quality supplements from a reputable source. Results are more preventative in nature, so you won’t get as dramatic of a decrease in wrinkles as you’d see with Botox. It’s also possible to take too many vitamins, so talk to your doctor about recommended dosage.
6. Facial creams
Many facial creams on the market claim to treat wrinkles. Look for antioxidant creams or cell regulators, which have a direct effect on collagen production and metabolism in the facial skin cells.
Pros: They’re easy to use and find, and they’re also available in a range of prices for every budget.
Cons: With so many types of anti-aging creams on the market, it can be hard to know what will actually work. It’s a good idea to talk to a dermatologist about recommended creams. Some creams may require a prescription or be quite expensive.
7. Chemical peels
Chemical peels are used to treat acne, reduce the appearance of discolored skin, and reduce signs of aging. Chemical peels require some recovery time, ranging from 24 hours to 2 to 3 weeks. You’ll start to see results in as little as one day, however.
Pros: Chemical peels are considered safe and effective. Your skin will continue to age, however, so you may need another chemical peel in the future as more wrinkles develop.
Cons: You need to see a skin care specialist for the procedure. The results are not instantaneous and may take 1 to 14 days to be fully seen. Recovery following the treatment varies depending on the chemical peel used. Your skin may look red and swollen, with peeling varying from minimal to severe. For deep peels, you may need a surgical dressing on the wound.
laser alternative to botox
If neurotoxin injections aren’t your thing, here are six other options.
As beauty treatments go, very few have received the kind of rock star status of Botox. It enjoys the same single name recognition as the likes of Cher and Beyoncé — it needs no other introduction, and has come to stand for an entire category of excellence. It’s the little neurotoxin that could. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that it has remained the number one minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S. for the past few years, hovering around 4.4 million procedures performed a year — and that includes when the country was shut down for almost half the year in 2020. But what if you are unable, or unwilling, to try Botox, yet would still enjoy its myriad benefits (more on that in a bit)? Luckily, there are still a few alternatives to Botox for you to consider.
Read more: The Real Pros & Cons Of Injectables, From Women Who’ve Used Them For 5+ Years
First, in case you have somehow managed to dodge countless mentions of it by pretty much everyone, a little recap: Botox is an injectable neuromodulator called botulinum toxin that temporarily paralyzes your muscles to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are other variations on the market called Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, but Botox is far and away the most popular and well-known of the bunch.
Read more: Should You See A Dermatologist Or A Plastic Surgeon For Fillers & Injectables? Here’s What Experts Say
“Botox is a protein that attaches to the muscle and lasts for a period of three to four months, but for some people it can last up to six months,” says Dr. Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey. “It’s best for people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are just beginning to show age and don’t have any lines or wrinkles that are too deep. However, I do use it on patients in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, but they won’t see as appreciable of a difference.”
Why Botox Has Surged In Popularity
Botox has made plenty of fans out of dermatologists and plastic surgeons during its almost two decades of use as a cosmetic treatment. “There is no question why Botox is one of the most successful therapeutics ever in medical history,” says Dr. David Shafer, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in NYC. “Botox weakens the underlying muscle, which reduces the overlying dynamic wrinkles. Over time, the reduction of dynamic wrinkle treatment also improves the static wrinkles in the same area. For this reason, the use of Botox helps prevent static wrinkles from forming as we age.”
For those not up on their derm-speak, static wrinkles are those that are age-related and caused by things like collagen loss and environmental factors, while dynamic wrinkles are caused by muscle movement. Static wrinkles are always visible once they show up, while dynamic wrinkles only appear when you move those muscles or make that expression; however, with repetitive movement, dynamic wrinkles will eventually become static wrinkles.
Botox’s reputation as a cosmetic magic wand extends past just wrinkle smoothing and prevention — it also has a few lesser-known uses that might surprise you. “We can do a ‘Botox Brow Lift’,” says Dr. Sarmela Sunder, a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, “wherein the side of the brows can be lifted.” This technique can also be used around the mouth to pull up the corners of a downturned mouth, says Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “We can alter the way we smile by using neuromodulators underneath the tip of the nose and around the mouth. We can change the shape and the border and prominence of the lip line, by using neuromodulators on the lip border, commonly known as a lip flip.”
But, that’s not all, says Dr. Frank. “We can alter the shape of the nose, and we also use it for slimming of the face in people who have overgrown masseter or chewing muscles. We can also help with the shape and tightness of the jawline and the neck by using it in that area as well.” Another use people may not be aware of, according to Dr. Bruce Katz, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York, is Botox’s use on the neck. “By injecting Botox into the platysmal bands — those little vertical cords that develop under the neck as people get older — we can get that to go away temporarily in about 80% of patients.”
The Root Of Botox Hesitancy
With that kind of pedigree and laundry list of benefits, you might be asking yourself why anybody wouldn’t want to get Botox. Well, there are some people who still aren’t all that jazzed about injecting a toxin into their system, despite the FDA approval and rigorous safety standards. Then there are a small percentage of people who can’t either due to their career (some actors and comedians who rely on their facial expressions for their work), a physical inability, or a medical issue.
“For the most part, there aren’t a lot of medical contraindications,” notes Dr. Katz. He cites a few medical conditions, like dystonias or multiple sclerosis, as reasons a potential patient wouldn’t be able to receive Botox (although it depends on the individual and should involve a discussion with their doctor). And, of course, there are the people with needle phobias. Adds Dr. Sunder, “The main reason that patients report for not wanting Botox is a fear of ‘looking frozen or unnatural.’ In those situations, I spend some time educating patients that Botox can look quite natural if performed with the right dose and using artful placement.”
So, are those individuals left to face the world au naturel? Not quite: While all these dermatologists reiterate that nothing compares to Botox when it comes to the treatment and prevention of those dynamic wrinkles, there are some Botox alternatives that come pretty close on diminishing the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles — as well as a few that can also perform some of those ancillary Botox benefits, such as lifting and slimming. They all have their pros and cons, from being beaucoup bucks to multiple treatments needed before any noticeable results, but they still get the M.D. stamp of approval as the best Botox alternatives for those who can’t (or won’t) get the injection.
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The 6 Best Alternatives To Botox
Fractional CO2 Laser
Of all the alternatives on the list, this one bears the distinction of being “the next best thing to Botox” in terms of wrinkle reduction, according to dermatologists. “It’s a laser that resurfaces the skin to take away dark spots, scars, wrinkles, and lines,” says Dr. Katz. It’s called fractional because it only treats a fraction of the skin — it leaves microscopic columns of untreated tissue within the treated areas, which help speed up your healing time and minimize your chance of side effects. Dr. Katz notes it is one of the most popular treatments in his office and that he performs five to six per day.
While Fraxel was one of the first fractional CO2 lasers on the market, the technology has since evolved, and Dr. Katz says the more popular devices now include SmartXide DOT and SmartSkin. Side effects include redness and puffiness for a few days, and there is a chance of developing herpes simplex virus around the mouth, which is why many patients are prescribed oral antivirals to fight infection prior to their treatments.
Expect to undergo multiple treatments over the course of a few months in order to see best results and to have to repeat the treatment every five years or so, depending on your age, skin type, genetics, and how good you are at staying out of the sun and taking care of your skin. Laser treatment prices will vary depending on your doctor and location, as well as the areas you have treated, but expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 per session.
Injectable Fillers
If you’re in the needle-phobic category, this one isn’t for you. For everybody else, facial fillers also came in high on the Botox alternatives list with derms. While fillers are typically used to fill in deep lines in the mid-face area or add back lost volume, Dr. Frank says that you can somewhat mimic that “Botox Brow Lift” effect using fillers. “While we can easily lift and raise the brow using neuromodulators, every now and then we have a patient who does not want to use Botox around the eyes because of an anatomical issue. We find we can use a little bit of filler placed above the brow bone to give that natural arch, and it does a nice job of supporting it, but it does not lift enough where it will prevent those crows feet from being pronounced.”
Another Botox adjacent use for fillers is jawline slimming, which seems counterintuitive but is actually quite effective. By adding filler along the jawline, it creates structure, which in turn gives the illusion of a slimmer jaw and can even visually elongate the neck. Typically for the brow lift, you’ll want either Restylane or Voluma, while for the jawline you’ll opt for Voluma or Radiesse. Fillers can last anywhere from five to 24 months, depending on the person and the filler used. The price can range from $500 to $2,000 depending on where you live and how much is needed for your treatment.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
Also known as microneedling RF, this treatment is more geared towards fine lines rather than dynamic wrinkles. It’s a combination device that uses microneedles to both create tiny injuries to the skin and promote collagen production, but also deliver radiofrequency energy into the dermis, which encourages collagen growth and has the added benefit of tightening skin tissue as well.
“Vivace Microneedling RF does have added treatment benefits, such as reducing the appearance of dull and uneven texture, enlarged pores, fine lines, and loose skin,” says Dr. Frank, “but again, those deeper lines and creases aren’t going to be solved with only Vivace. We offer a treatment called ‘tech neck’ that uses Vivace Microneedling RF to address the fine lines and crepe-y skin in your neck from looking down at your phone.” It will run you anywhere between $700 and $2,000 per session, depending on where you live and the areas you need treated. Typically, three sessions are recommended to see the best results, spaced a few months apart, and the effects can last about a year.
Ultrasound
For skin tightening and lifting (and, to a degree, wrinkle reduction), another option dermatologists recommend is ultrasound technology in the form of a device called Ultherapy. It can also have an effect on those pesky neck bands. “Through ultrasound technology, Ultherapy helps to lift areas such as the neck, jawline, chin, and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles,” explains Dr. Frank. “However, we do like to use it in conjunction with neuromodulators, especially if those platysma bands are starting to become too pronounced. Ultherapy will not address those platysma bands in the same way that Botox will; however, we still use Ultherapy as an alternative, but prefer to use it in conjunction with Botox when the platysma bands are an issue.”
Typically you can do one treatment and the results will last for a year — after that, it’s recommended you do it every two years for maintenance. Depending on the areas treated, it can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 per treatment.
Red LED
On the at-home front, there are some beauty treatments and devices on the market that have been shown to have an effect on fine lines and wrinkles, although you definitely need to manage your expectations and recognize that no product used outside of a doctor’s office is going to give you the kind of transformative effects as Botox — or even the procedures described above.
Now that that’s out of the way, one area that’s shown some promise in the anti-aging category is light-emitting diodes, aka LED technology. Specifically red lights, which, according to Dr. Katz, have been shown to have some effect on fine lines and wrinkles. “You need a lot of treatments, you need to do them every day or every other day, and those benefits will fade; however, we’ve looked at it over the years for skin rejuvenation in something we call photobiomodulation.”
The key is to be sure you are getting a device that is using a beneficial wavelength and not just a red lightbulb — Dr. Katz says it should be in the infrared light zone (which is 700 to 1,000 nanometer wavelength). Try the LightStim for Wrinkles, a handheld device that emits four different wavelengths simultaneously, including one that’s 855 nm.
Argireline
Also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3, argireline is a type of peptide that — unlike its short-chain amino acid brethren — has been shown to have an impact on muscle movement by impacting the nerve-to-muscle communication, meaning it is often billed as helping to target expression lines and wrinkles.
“It’s touted to have ‘Botox-like’ effects in a cream form,” says Dr. Sunder. “While that is hyperbole, it has been reported to have some wrinkle-fighting benefits.” So, again, any sort of effects you would see with a topical argireline cream is going to be minuscule compared to actual Botox, but if you aren’t looking to spend thousands of dollars on in-office treatments and want to do something at home, this is the ingredient that is said to give you the most Botox-like bang for your buck.
As our dermatologists all pointed out, at this time there isn’t really a true comparable Botox alternative, because no other treatment targets muscle movement in the same way. “Dynamic lines — lines which are caused by repetitive muscle movement — will only be treated adequately by treatments that limit muscle movement,” says Dr. Sunder. “Short of doing that, there will not be a true competitor to Botox. While creams, lasers, devices, and microneedling can superficially erase any lines that have formed, they are only serving as a bandage. They are not addressing the root cause like Botox is; therefore, the results will never be as impressive or as long-lasting as targeting the muscle movement.”
That said, innovation has come a long way since Botox was first introduced almost two decades ago, with new technologies and ingredients being introduced each year. Many of these alternatives are either new to the scene or advanced evolutions of older technologies, meaning for those that are Botox hesitant, there may be even more advanced alternatives on the horizon.
cheaper botox alternative
Although I’ve spent many years as a beauty writer, I’ve only recently dipped my toes into the Botox waters, having just tried the invasive wrinkle treatment at the ripe old age of 32. I must say, I’m a little disappointed I didn’t do it earlier—I honestly felt like I looked incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated without feeling stiff or plastic-like.
If you’ve been entertaining the idea of Botox, but don’t have the cash to splurge on the procedure, are pregnant (ICYDK, it’s not safe to do if you’re expecting), or are just plain freaked out by needles, there are alternative solutions to combat those pesky fine lines or forehead wrinkles. These noninvasive, dermatologist-approved Botox alternatives are not only way more affordable but are also 100 percent pregnancy-safe and prick-free. (
Exuviance HA Micro-Filler
Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist based in New York City, loves these innovative cone patches that smooth hard-to-treat expression lines. “The cones are designed to dissolve into skin overnight, plumping the look of lines with surface hydration thanks to 100 percent pure hyaluronic acid—a moisture magnet for wrinkles,” says Dr. Fusco.
Environ Focus Care Youth Plus Enriched Peptide Serum
“When applied topically over time, lines are visibly reduced with this serum,” says Dr. Fusco. “It works especially great on crow’s feet, lipstick lines, and even ‘bunny’ lines (the fine wrinkles that appear when you scrunch up your nose),” she adds, thanks to the peptides, which are broken-down amino acids—also known as collagen—that help to restore wrinkled skin. (
Wrinkles Schminkles Forehead Smoothing Kit
Hadley King, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist, recommends silicone pads like Wrinkles Schminkles. “They’re a great noninvasive option for lines coming from facial expressions or from folding and compression of the skin during sleep,” says Dr. King. “The pads help prevent transepidermal water loss, locking in moisture so the skin will be better hydrated and better able to repair itself and produce collagen.” As a bonus, the pad keeps the skin flat to help prevent the creases that form during sleep, she adds. (
Frownies Forehead and Between Eyes Facial Patches
Frownies are adhesive patches that are designed to be applied to the skin to help relax the muscles on your forehead and between your eyebrows. “In theory, they can help ‘re-train’ the muscles on your face, but results may vary and will take a longer time,” says dermatologist David Lortscher, M.D. He notes that the use of these types of products may cause irritation when used with topical medication, so proceed with caution. (
Rodial Bee Venom Night Gel
Bee venom is a popular—yes, you could even say buzzworthy—ingredient in masks and night products, notes dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D. “The bee venom is thought to relax the skin to give a ‘Botox-like’ effect while also slightly swelling the skin to make it appeared less wrinkled.” Dr. Ilyas likes Rodial Bee Venom Night gel, but advises a patch test first, and also notes that those with bee-sting allergies should be particularly cautious.
Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum
Although plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., admits that nothing works quite the same as Botox, he’s a fan of Sudden Change’s Under-Eye Serum to treat pesky fine lines and wrinkles around your peepers. “This inexpensive product acts like shrink wrap for the skin around the eyes, causing the skin to smooth after just three minutes and lasts a couple of hours,” says Dr. Youn. “The product isn’t permanent, but works in a pinch.” (
Peace Out Microneedling Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Patches
With more than 33,000 “loves” from Sephora customers, these self-dissolving adhesive patches are packed with powerful ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides to boost collagen production and smooth fine lines around your mouth, eyes, and forehead. Each patch features 450 microneedles, which help those good-for-your-skin ingredients to be able to better penetrate to give you a brighter, youthful-looking complexion.