Every time we open our TikTok app, we’re inundated with a new beauty trend that users can’t stop raving about. While many don’t deserve a second thought, the “Botox in a bottle” videos made us want to learn more. While we fully support people going to a specialist for whatever cosmetic treatments are right for them, we are interested in the fact that there may be a needle-free method at home. So we used three dermatologists to weigh in. Is “Botox in a Bottle” a Real Thing?
What is ‘Botox in a Bottle’?
“The phrase ‘Botox in a bottle’ is a term popularized on TikTok for topical products with anti-aging properties that aim to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face,” explains Libby. Essentially, these promote wrinkle-reducing, firming and firming benefits to reveal smooth, glowing skin. According to Shirazi, topical products work at the cellular level to enhance the skin’s natural biology. “They strengthen vital structures like collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, as well as hydrate skin cells, boost cell turnover and support the skin barrier,” she says.
Our top picks
What ingredients should you look for?
First, Engelman suggests that keeping the skin’s barrier hydrated is essential to maintaining firm, glowing skin, as dehydrated skin magnifies the signs of aging. “Moisturizers like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide are key, as are ingredients that improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture, like ceramides and peptides,” she says.
In addition to moisturizers, our experts emphasize the importance of using ingredients that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, as well as agents that protect and repair skin damage. Retinol, retinol alternatives, matrixyl, argireline, peptides, exfoliants and antioxidants should be incorporated to see lasting results. And if that isn’t said enough, Shirazi again shares the importance of daily sun protection.
With this guidance in mind, discover an expert-recommended skincare regimen that works like “Botox in a bottle.” Use them as a preventative treatment or to prolong the effects between injections.
Best Overall: The usual Argireline 10% and Matrixyl 10% + HA solution
- Because we love it: TikTok users share that this duo helps smooth facial wrinkles and inhibit facial muscle movement, particularly on the top of the forehead and crow’s feet, just like Botox.
- Basic Ingredients: We discovered this duo from The Ordinary on the TikTok scroll, which combines matrixyl and argireline. Of the latter, Libby explains that it works similarly to Botox injections for “its ability to reduce facial muscle contractions and help reduce wrinkles and fine lines.”
- How to apply: According to The Ordinary, a few drops of these can be applied twice a day—just avoid combining them with acids, vitamin C, and resveratrol.
Best for mature skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
- Because we love it: While you can expect to see the smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, this also works below the skin’s surface to promote healthy skin function, boost collagen and elastin levels, and hydrate.
- Basic Ingredients: SkinMedica’s serum is infused with growth factor blend, peptide complex and marine extracts to say goodbye to loose skin.
- How to apply: According to SkinMedica, this can be applied morning and night after cleansing and toning.
Better retinol: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
- Because we love it: This promises to visibly plump fine lines and wrinkles while promoting firm, supple skin.
- Basic Ingredients: Shirazi calls it “a high-value multi-weight retinol and hyaluronic acid serum that spreads beautifully and absorbs quickly.”
- How to apply: According to Shirazi, this is best applied under moisturizer before bed.
The best serum for plumping: Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
- Because we love it: So, combined with squalane, this formula promises long-lasting hydration for visibly plump skin.
- Basic Ingredients: “Copper peptides play a role in supporting skin structures by stimulating collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin,” explains Dendy about the ingredient that powers this Biossance serum.
- How to apply: According to Biossance, apply this serum morning and night to clean skin.
Best for neck: Reserveage Beauty Firming Neck Cream
- Because we love it: According to Libby, this promises to “help improve skin tone and elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”
- Basic Ingredients: “Reserveage Firming Neck Cream is a velvety, hydrating antiaging cream that harnesses the power of microencapsulated copper peptides,” says Libby. “Exclusive microencapsulated copper peptide technology helps penetrate the skin to help maintain the appearance of collagen-rich skin and reduce sagging.”
- How to apply: According to Reserveage Beauty, apply morning and night for best results.
Better serum with peptides: Biba de Sousa The Plant Stem Cell Serum with Peptides
- Because we love it: Remember that keeping the skin hydrated and firm is key to achieving a Botox-level result. One such star serum is plant stem cell serum. Created by celebrity esthetician Biba de Sousa, this lightweight elixir delivers a dose of moisture through peptides, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to support the look and feel of skin.
- Basic Ingredients: Peptides are the star in this formula—specifically Tripeptide-38 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, which strengthen the skin’s barrier and stimulate collagen production, respectively. Hyaluronic acid and panthenol are also featured, for the aforementioned moisturizing benefits. To prevent fine lines and wrinkles, the formula uses echinacea plant stem cells, while CoQ10 protects against free radical damage.
- How to apply: According to Biba de Sousa, apply a few drops of the serum to the face, neck and décolleté after cleansing and toning.
Best for Fine Lines: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Activating Serum
- Because we love it: Skinfix Barrier+ Activating Serum is one of those beauty products you wish you had tried sooner. Don’t worry, it’s never too late to do it. Clinically proven to visibly plump, firm and reduce fine lines in 28 days, the formula combines the industry’s most effective anti-aging ingredients – lipids, niacinamide, ceramides and peptides, in a cushiony, non-irritating formula designed to increase effectiveness of retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids.
- Basic Ingredients: Skinfix’s B-L3 complex leads the formula to boost your skin’s natural lipids and strengthen the skin barrier. Here are six peptides, which we know support skin renewal for firmer, firmer skin. Not to mention, collagen amino acids, 2% niacinamide, three types of ceramides, and botanical oils.
- How to apply: According to Skinfix, apply one to two pumps to clean skin as the first step in your routine. This can be used morning and night.
Best smoothing serum: Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum
- Because we love it: With consistent use of this editor’s favorite serum, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed as skin’s elasticity improves. The skin looks more radiant, even, hydrated and firm.
- Basic Ingredients: Moisturizers, as Engelman describes them, are key to youthful skin. Two of its most recommended ingredients, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, are included in Ourself’s HA+ serum along with peptides and vitamin C to restore skin volume.
- How to apply: According to Ourself, apply one to two pumps of the serum to the face and three to four pumps to the neck and décolleté morning and night before moisturizer.
Better exfoliation: Drunk Elephant TLC Raspberry Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
- Because we love it: Expect smooth, glowing skin with consistent use of this Drunk Elephant serum.
- Basic Ingredients: “Formulated with a glycolic acid AHA blend to renew and refresh skin for smoother skin,” says Shirazi. “Salicylic acid helps loosen sebum and unclog pores, while antioxidant-rich fruit extract hydrates and soothes skin.”
- How to apply: Shirazi recommends applying this serum once a week.
Best face cream: Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF cream
- Because we love it: “With continued use over time, it also strengthens the skin’s barrier, providing long-term benefits,” says Dendy.
- Basic Ingredients: “Formulated with vegan EGF, bio-recovery peptides and a blend of three phyto-retinols, it hydrates and repairs so you wake up with firmer, healthier and younger-looking skin,” says Dendy.
- How to apply: After cleansing and toning, apply this cream up to twice a day to see results.
Better mask: Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask+
- Because we love it: This much-loved mask is known for its immediate firming effect, particularly targeting expression lines, frown lines and crow’s feet.
- Basic Ingredients: Chantecaille’s mask is enriched with plant stem cells, four peptides, firming and nourishing ingredients to smooth and lift the skin.
- How to apply: According to Chantecaille, this mask is best applied two to three times a week. Rinse off after 10 minutes or leave on overnight for intensive care.
Who Should Use “Botox in a Bottle” Products?
“We lose about 1% of our skin’s collagen production every year starting in our 20s, so in general, I recommend starting to add preventative skin care products with retinols and peptides [that age]says Libby.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Deddy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Tiffany Libby is a board-certified dermatologist and dual-trained Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a board-certified dermatologist based in California specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.
