To get rid of fine lines, smooth skin texture, and plump lax skin, injectables — like neuromodulators and fillers — reign supreme. However, there are certain products that work like Botox, which, for the record, is a brand name (of several, including Xeomin, Dysport, and Jeuveau) for the neuromodulator botulinum toxin, which works by relaxing the muscle contractions responsible for creating expression lines and wrinkles.
It’s not too good to be true: If you wince at the thought of sharp objects or don’t have hundreds (or, more often, thousands) to drop on in-office treatments, there are pain-free, subtle, and relatively inexpensive topical products that are considered “botox in a bottle.” Add these to your skin-care routine and help stave off early signs of aging.
“The best line-fighting creams are those that help build our skin’s own building blocks, namely collagen and elastin fibers,” explains Deanne Robinson, MD, a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist. She recommends topical retinoids, firming peptides, brightening vitamin C, and growth factors to help support skin cell turnover, increase collagen fibers, and hydrate the skin to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and frown lines.
Certain peptides, like neuropeptides, also serve as neurotransmitters in the skin, which work similarly to botulinum toxin by limiting muscle movement — although it’s to a much lesser degree than that in injectables. With that, consider these skin-care products, including moisturizers, serums, and treatments, your best bet for products that work like Botox injections — just without the pinch.
