These Dermatologist-Recommended Products Work Like Botox in a Bottle

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When it comes to looking younger and preventing wrinkles, there are very few treatments as effective as Botox. But for those who want to age gracefully without undergoing cosmetic procedures, Botox in a bottle skincare products can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Botox (a.k.a. Botulinum toxin type A), known as a neuromodulator, “is a protein that is extracted from a bacteria that previously caused paralysis,” explains Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. “It is essentially a muscle relaxant, and it was through the treatment of muscle spasms that we discovered that by relaxing the muscles responsible for a lot of the dynamic lines that you see in people’s faces, it was softening wrinkles as well.”

Meet the experts: Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; Laura Scott, M.D., board-certified dermatologist; Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City

The term “Botox in a bottle” refers to topical products, like anti-aging serums and creams, that aim to emulate the results of an in-office, injectable treatment. And “while there is nothing in the world that can truly replace Botox,” according to Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in NYC, “These products feature ingredients that contribute to overall skin health and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Our top picks

Since there are so many anti-aging products on the market that claim to work skincare miracles or even rival professional treatments, it can be difficult to tell what products truly deserve the title of Botox in a bottle. Ahead, find the best dermatologist-approved options, including powerful peptide serums, hydrating serums, and retinol-containing creams.

Argireline Solution 10%

“If I were to call anything ‘Botox in a bottle,’ it would be the Argireline serum from The Ordinary,” says Dr. Lal. “Argireline is a neuropeptide that works very similarly to Botox. It softens fine lines, reduces pore size, and gives the skin a nice taut and firm appearance.” It also comes recommended by board-certified dermatologist Laura Scott, M.D. for its simple formula and ability to “smooth out fine lines.”

User review: “This is truly Botox in a bottle, if you use it consistently. I have definitely noticed a decrease in my forehead lines. Highly recommend,” wrote one Sephora shopper.

Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body and Face Lotion

Retinol benefits abound, especially for those looking to reduce visible signs of aging. This affordable face and body lotion contains not only retinol but firming peptides and hydrating ingredients as well. Dr. Scott says this product is a “great option” and can usually be found in drugstores. “It’s formulated with retinol, peptides, urea, and niacinamide to smooth skin,” she explains. Plus, “93% of users had visibly smoother skin in three days,” she says.

User review: “Love this stuff! I use it every day on my face and neck and after about a month, the deepest wrinkles on my face and neck have noticeably diminished! I honestly did not think I would see such a difference! Also, it doesn’t burn my face like some of the other retinol brands I have used,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

TNS Advanced+ Serum

“Along with peptides, this product also has essential growth factors to really help rebuild that structural support in the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “This next-generation, skin rejuvenating formula improves the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone, and texture in as little as two weeks.” Dr. Lal is also a fan of the serum, noting that it helps with providing a smoother, more tightened appearance.

User review: “I’ve used this product for several years. It has done more to improve the texture of my skin than any other skin product I’ve used. My skin is smoother and the texture has improved! Fine lines are lessened. I feel more confident going without makeup because my skin looks so much better. Highly recommend,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 6

If you’re looking to hold off or avoid Botox around the eyes, try this Vitamin A-enriched eye cream. Dr. Englman says this formula “is great for targeting the eye area to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, wrinkles, crepiness, and puffiness.” It contains retinaldehyde, a more gentle form of retinol, as well as ceramides and hyaluronic acid to smooth the skin with less risk of irritation.

User review: “Love this product, had zero irritation which was a huge surprise as I have sensitive eyes. My eyes went from crepey (I’m 58) to smooth which I never thought would happen! Will definitely be a permanent addition to my skincare routine,” wrote one Medik8 shopper.

Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener

If you’re looking for instant results, Dr. Lal recommends this cream that has earned high praise from all corners of the internet. It works differently than other “Botox in a bottle” products in that it forms a film on the skin thanks to the silicates in the formula, giving the skin a taut appearance and drastically softening lines, wrinkles, and texture, says Dr. Lal.

User review: “The instant results are truly remarkable. Upon application, the Eye Tightener works its magic, visibly tightening and lifting the delicate skin around my eyes. Fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness seem to vanish, leaving a smooth and revitalized appearance. It's like having an instant facelift specifically tailored for the eyes,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Revox Line Relaxer

Dr. Lal recommends this serum from Revision Skincare for its ability to not only help soften lines around the eyes, but to help maintain the results of in-office Botox should you choose to go that route. It’s formulated with a variety of peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, making it a standout product for smoothing the skin with or without injectables.

User review: “I am 58 years old and stopped using Botox five years ago. Since stopping, I have had a lot of deep wrinkles around my eyes and forehead. I was reluctant to invest a lot of money on a product like this, but I am seeing some dramatic results. Yes, the wrinkles are still there, but the creases are much smaller, finer, and I think are suitable for a woman my age,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Bio-Renew EGF Cream

This cream is a favorite of Dr. Engelman’s for its advanced formula that contains vegan epidermal growth factors (EGF), peptides, and phyto-retinol (plant-based retinol alternatives like bakuchiol). “EGF triggers the production of collagen and elastin, which makes our skin barrier stronger and helps our skin stay more youthful looking,” says Dr. Engelman. “This cream is great for any skin type because it moisturizes, repairs, and gently combats aging signs without being irritating or occlusive.”

User review: “I’ve been really impressed by this cream. I’ve been using it for about three weeks, and I have definitely noticed improvements in my skin’s texture and coloring. It’s reduced fine lines and has fixed discoloration. It’s rich but not greasy; it smooths into the skin nicely,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

DermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum

Formulated with bakuchiol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), this serum helps to “smooth lines and plump skin,” says Dr. Scott. The serum is formulated to provide immediate and long-term results with a variety of ingredients designed to deeply hydrate the skin while boosting collagen production with continued use.

User review: “I’m impressed with how lightweight this moisturizing lotion is. It goes on smoothly and gets absorbed by the skin in no time. It’s great for sensitive skin and a great choice for moisturizing my face. Since I’ve been using it regularly for a few weeks now, I’ve noticed a remarkable difference in how smooth and healthy my skin looks and feels. I couldn’t be happier with the results,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

“Formulated with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and squalene, this serum is another great option to help smooth fine lines and plump skin,” says Dr. Engelman. Specifically, this product contains copper peptides, which help brighten the skin and aid in collagen production for an overall smoother, more radiant complexion, per the brand.

User review: “It does everything it says. Truly a miracle product. I see the lines on my face melt away when I put it on. I've used it for a week and I'm hooked!” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum

Recommended by Dr. Engelman, this serum uses retinol to boost collagen production—which may result in smoother, healthier skin. The formula also contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides which help with providing “smooth, glowing skin without irritation,” says Dr. Engleman.

User review: “I started using this product about three months ago. Since I’ve started using it I get so many compliments on how great my skin looks. My skin has a nice even, glowy look and it visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines. So glad I introduced this into my skincare routine,” wrote one Ulta shopper.

How does Botox in a bottle work?

“Botox in a bottle products are those that mimic the effects of Botox in terms of helping to smooth out fine lines and help the skin look more plump and youthful,” explains Dr. Scott. The way that each product works to improve the appearance of the skin depends on the active ingredients in each product.

How do the results of Botox in a bottle compare to regular Botox?

“Botox does a couple of things. It shrinks your pores, softens fine lines, and gives your skin a nice taut appearance. And Botox, for the most part, we’re injecting it into the muscle,” explains Dr. Lal. “The muscle is very deep in the skin, so nothing you put on your skin is going to penetrate that muscle. But there are a few products that provide great results, and temporarily may provide some of those effects.”

These topical products, in many cases, provide similar, albeit less drastic, results. Additionally, traditional Botox tends to work more quickly than Botox in-a-bottle products, which take longer to provide the expected smoothing, and lifting results. Plus, these products need to be applied regularly.

How to choose the best Botox in a bottle product

✔️Focus on ingredients. “The biggest ingredients to look for are retinol and peptides (that help stimulate the skin to produce collagen), followed by humectants like hyaluronic acid and/or urea for example (that help plump the skin by holding onto water),” Dr. Scott explains. Growth factors, which work similarly to peptides, are also worth looking for in a product, says Dr. Lal.

✔️Consider price. Luckily, there are many amazing and affordable products on the market, like the expert-recommended Argireline serum from The Ordinary. So don’t feel like you need to splurge on a product if it’s not in your budget.

✔️Think about your goals. If you want long-term results that you’re willing to wait for, consider a formula that contains ingredients proven to reduce fine lines and smooth the skin. But, if you’re looking for a temporary fix, a product like the Temporary Face Tightener by Peter Thomas Roth might suit your needs better.

How we chose the best Botox in a bottle products

We spoke with Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; Laura Scott, M.D., board-certified dermatologist; and Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologic surgeon. We also conducted our own research and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best Botox in-a-bottle products available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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