Do you shudder at the thought of a needle, but delight at the prospect of a forehead that refuses to crease? The best “Botox in a bottle” skincare might be just what the doctor ordered—no actual doctor required.
Our Top Picks:
In This Article:
As the category of over-the-counter skincare products promising to deliver similar-to-Botox benefits grows, Vogue editors have been putting masks and serums to the test, not without some healthy skepticism.
But to our surprise, we’re getting glowing (if not exactly frozen) results. Ahead, find the line-defying salves that can all be used on their own or in conjunction with in-office procedures to make the skin appear smooth as silk.
Best Overall: The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% and Matrixyl 10% + HA
- Why We Love It: We discovered this duo by The Ordinary in our TikTok scrolling, where users share that it helps soften facial creases and inhibit facial muscle movement, particularly atop the forehead and crow’s feet, just like Botox.
- Key Ingredients: These combine 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 line formation.”
- How to Apply: According to The Ordinary, a few drops of these can be applied twice daily—just avoid pairing them with acids, vitamin C, and resveratrol.
Editors’ Pick: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox
- Why We Love It: SkinCeuticals’ wrinkle-defying innovation is said to be one of Hailey Bieber’s secrets for supple skin—and it’s had pleasing results on Vogue contributor Deanna Pai, too. After testing the neuropeptide-infused serum, Pai noticed an immediate change in her skin texture. “I have oily skin with breakouts and the dark spots that often follow, and saw that my typically large pores looked less noticeable after just several days of using the serum,” she wrote. “My skin looked smoother, too—not necessarily in terms of wrinkles, but in its overall consistency and feel—and my hyperpigmentation appeared less noticeable,” she said.
- Key Ingredients: Advanced peptide complex, 5% polyhydroxy acid, 5% niacinamide, 1% laminaria extract
- How to Apply: Rub four to six drops of the serum between your palms twice a day, then apply the product to the forehead, cheeks, and chin. In the morning, apply SPF afterward.
Best for In Between Appointments: Revision Skincare Revox Line Relaxer
- Why We Love It: Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut and New York, recommends Revision’s peptide-powered serum to minimize the appearance of expression lines. “The formula includes acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) and pentapeptide-18, which theoretically work by limiting muscle contraction signals, similar to how Botox functions, but in a much milder way,” she notes. Though Rambhia notes that the results of the serum are significantly more subtle than injectable neuromodulators, “The product may offer some benefit as part of a comprehensive skincare routine, particularly for those who want to delay or complement injectable treatments,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, inulin, hyaluronic acid
- How to Apply: Apply the serum to clean skin two times a day. Use the metal tip to massage the serum into fine lines and wrinkles, taking care to avoid eye contact. Use a thin layer of the serum, and follow it with moisturizer.
Best for Smoothing Expression Lines: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma
- Why We Love It: Dr. Jason Diamond, a facial plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, designed the Instafacial Plasma as a bottled stand-in for his skin-tightening InstaFacial—or better yet, a complement to it. With smooth-skinned loyalists like Nicola Peltz-Beckham, the serum aims to mimic the wrinkle-reducing effects of platelet-rich plasma injections, so it’s no coincidence that it has a unique blood-red tint. (Don’t worry, it sinks in without a trace of color.) The formulation also contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, which promises Botox-life effects for smoothing expression lines around the forehead, eyes, and mouth. I’ve been testing the Plasma for the past two weeks, and it’s had a noticeable impact on my skin’s texture and radiance. My face feels brighter and smoother—a bit glassier, if you will—and makeup applies more smoothly as a result. As for expression lines, I’ve noticed that the wrinkles in my forehead are a smidge less noticeable… perhaps. But if the product doesn’t exactly stop expression lines from forming, it’s worth using for that glass-skin glow.
- Key Ingredients: Bioactive growth factor complex, Nicotiana benthaminana hexapeptide-50 sh-Oligopeptide-1, Nprolyl palmitoyl tripeptide-56 acetate, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1
- How to Apply: Apply the serum to clean, dry skin morning and night by gently pressing it into the face and neck. The brand recommends following the plasma with a layer of the hydrating InstaFacial Emulsion for stronger results.
Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
- Why We Love It: While you can expect to see the smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, this works beneath the skin’s surface too to promote healthy skin function, boost collagen and elastin levels, and hydrate.
- Key Ingredients: SkinMedica’s serum is infused with a growth factor blend, peptide complex, and marine extracts to wave goodbye to sagging skin.
- How to Apply: According to SkinMedica, this can be applied morning and night post-cleansing and toning.
Best Retinol: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
- Why We Love It: This promises to visibly fill fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting a firm, supple complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Shirazi calls this a “high-value serum with retinol and multiweight hyaluronic acid that spreads nicely and absorbs quickly.”
- How to Apply: According to Shirazi, this is best applied under moisturizer at bedtime.
Best Plumping Serum: Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
- Why We Love It: So, paired with squalane, this formula promises long-lasting moisture to visibly plump skin.
- Key Ingredients: “Copper peptides play a role in supporting skin structures by stimulating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the skin,” Dendy explains of the ingredient that powers this Biossance serum.
- How to Apply: According to Biossance, apply this serum morning and night to cleansed skin.
Best for the Neck: Reserveage Beauty Firming Neck Cream
- Why We Love It: According to Libby, this promises “to help improve skin’s tone and elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”
- Key Ingredients: “Reserveage’s Firming Neck Cream is a velvety, hydrating antiaging cream that harnesses the power of microencapsulated copper peptides,” Libby says. “The exclusive microencapsulated copper peptide technology helps penetrate the skin to help maintain the look of collagen-rich skin, and reduces sagging.”
- How to Apply: According to Reserveage Beauty, apply morning and night for best results.
Best Serum with Peptides: Biba de Sousa The Plant Stem Cell Serum with Peptides
- Why We Love It: Remember that keeping skin hydrated and plump is key in achieving a Botox-level effect. One such stellar salve is The Plant Stem Cell Serum. Concocted by celebrity esthetician Biba de Sousa, this lightweight elixir delivers a dose of moisture through peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid to support skin’s look and feel.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides are the star in this formula—specifically Tripeptide-38 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, which boost the skin barrier and stimulate the production of collagen respectively. Hyaluronic acid and panthenol are featured too, for the aforementioned hydration benefits. On preventing fine lines and wrinkles, the formula utilizes 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 post-cleanser and toner.
Best for Fine Lines: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Activating Serum
- Why We Love It: The Skinfix Barrier+ Activating Serum is one of those beauty products you wish you had tried sooner. Not to worry, it’s never to late to give it a go. Clinically proven to visibly plump, firm and reduce fine lines in 28 days, the formula blends the industries most effective anti-aging ingredients—think lipids, niacinamide, ceramides, and peptides, into a cushiony non-irriating formula designed to supercharge the effectiveness of your retinol, vitamin C, and exfoliating acids.
- Key Ingredients: Skinfix’s B-L3 Complex leads the formula to boost your skin’s natural lipids and strengthen the skin barrier. Next are six peptides, which as we know, supports skin renewal for firmer, plumper 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 a first step in your routine. This can be used morning and night.
Best Smoothing Serum: Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum
- Why We Love It: With consistent use of this editor-favorite serum, fine lines and wrinkles become smoother, as skin’s elasticity improves. Skin appears more radiant, even, and hydrated, and firm.
- Key Ingredients: Hydrators, as described by Engelman, are instrumental in bouncy, youthful skin. Two of her most recommended ingredients, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, are featured in Ourself’s HA+ serum alongside 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.
Best Exfoliating: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
- Why We Love It: Expect smooth, luminous skin with consistent use of this Drunk Elephant serum.
- Key Ingredients: “Formulated with an AHA glycolic acid blend to renew and resurface the skin for a smoother complexion,” Shirazi says. “Salicylic acid helps loosen sebum and unclog pores, while antioxidant-rich fruit extract helps hydrate and soothe the skin.”
- How to Apply: Shirazi recommends applying this serum once per week.
Best Face Cream: Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Cream
- Why We Love It: “With consistent use over time, it also strengthens the skin barrier, providing longer-term benefits,” Dendy says.
- Key Ingredients: “Formulated with vegan EGF, bio-recovery peptides, and a blend of three phyto-retinols, it hydrates and repairs, so you wake up with plumper, healthier, and more youthful skin,” Dendy says.
- How to Apply: After cleansing and toning, apply this cream up to twice daily to see results.
Best Mask: Chantecaille Bio Lifting Mask+
- Why We Love It: This well-loved mask is known for its instant tightening effect, particularly targeting expression wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
- Key Ingredients: Chantecaille’s mask is enriched with plant stem cells, four peptides, tensing agents, and nourishers to smooth and lift the skin.
- How to Apply: According to Chantecaille, this mask is best applied two to three times per week. Rinse off after 10 minutes, or leave on overnight for an intensive treatment.
Best for Plumping: Goldfaden Needle-Less Line Smoothing Concentrate
- Why We Love It: Gary Goldfaden, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Florida, designed this concentrate with his own needle-adverse patients in mind. With the aim of reducing the depth of facial lines, the product is made with hyaluronic acid to plump the skin. It also contains acetyl-hexapeptide-3, an amino-peptide designed specifically to make wrinkles appear less visible. Finally, seaweed extract helps moisturize the skin and give it a brighter glow.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, seaweed extract, acetyl-hexapeptide 3
- How to Apply: The product can be used twice a day to the forehead, crow’s feet, and around the mouth—and a little goes a long way. One to two drops will suffice. Apply the concentrate to clean, dry skin, and follow with a moisturizer and with SPF in the morning.
What is “Botox in a Bottle”?
“The phrase ‘Botox in a bottle’ is a term popularized on TikTok for topical products with antiaging properties that aim to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face,” Libby explains. Essentially, these promote wrinkle-reducing, plumping, and firming benefits to reveal smooth, radiant skin. According to Shirazi, topicals work at the cellular level to enhance skin’s natural biology. “They boost vital structures like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid as well as hydrating skin cells, enhancing cell turnover, and supporting the skin barrier,” she says.
What ingredients should you look for?
To start, Engelman suggests that maintaining skin barrier hydration is essential to retaining plump, bouncy skin, as dehydrated skin exaggerates signs of aging. “Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide are key, as are ingredients that improve the skin’s ability to hold onto moisture, like ceramides and peptides,” she instructs.
Aside from hydrators, our experts emphasize the importance of utilizing ingredients that spur 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 it’s not said enough, Shirazi shares again the importance of daily sun protection.
