10 Botox-Alternative Skin Care Products to Smooth and Plump Your Skin, Needle-Free

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Scoop up a skin-plumping serum, nourishing moisturizer, and intensive night cream, from $10.

Real Simple / Reese Herrington

In a world that is bombarded by unrelenting and unattainable standards, women of all ages are reclaiming their confidence by investing in self care that amplifies natural beauty. This change in skin care priorities is redefining and transforming aging into something beautiful that’s worth celebrating, rather than an unfortunate part of reality that is commonly frowned upon. “Beauty is no longer defined by wrinkle-free, shiny, or ‘plastic’ appearances, but rather by the idea of being whole, healthy, and vibrant—inside and out,” Dr. Nicole Lee, MD, MPH, FAAD, owner of Epoch Dermatology, tells Real Simple.

The popular “notox” trend exemplifies this dramatic shift. If the word “notox” isn’t in your vocabulary yet, it refers to, “non-invasive treatments or procedures that offer similar results to botox but without the use of neuromodulators (like Botox and Dysport) or needles,” says Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center.

“Notox” or “botox alternative” treatments can come in a variety of forms, including laser resurfacing treatments and other kinds of light therapy, but you can also get botox-like results with the use of common topical skincare products, including serums, night creams, facial moisturizers, and more. “There is no true topical substitute for Botox,” Dr. Lee explains, adding, “however, there are certain topical ingredients that can help achieve a similar effect by improving skin firmness and hydration, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles during movement.”

With this in mind, we rounded up 10 skincare products with dermatologist-recommended ingredients, as well as the personal recommendations of Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Lee, to help you achieve natural, botox-like results without the needle. Shop retinol serums, night creams, and more from top-loved brands like Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, and Estée Lauder from just $10.

Ulta

“The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is designed to target fine lines and expression wrinkles, especially around the eyes and forehead,” Dr. Shirazi explains. The serum is made with Argireline, a powerful peptide that “can help minimize muscle contractions and smooth fine lines over time,” says Dr. Lee. It’s also formulated without sulfates, silicones, parabens, and alcohol, so you can feel good about incorporating this skin-friendly product into your normal routine. To use, add it to areas that are more prone to lose elasticity, like your forehead and around your eyes, for a firm and plump look.

Sephora

For a product that targets a number of different skincare concerns, this serum from Drunk Elephant “is designed to brighten and firm the skin while combating signs of aging and environmental damage,” Dr. Shirazi says. This powerful serum is filled with ingredients that help enhance natural beauty and improve your overall skin health, including vitamin C. “Packed with 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), ferulic acid, and vitamin E, this serum helps neutralize free radicals, even out skin tone, and boost collagen production for a radiant complexion,” she shares. You can also pair this with other Drunk Elephant products, including the C-Luma Hydrabright Gentle Hydrating Vitamin C Serum, too.

Amazon

This shopper-favorite is loved for its ability to prevent wrinkles from worsening and deeply moisturize the skin. Retinol, a common ingredient found in many anti-aging products, is the star of the show here. Retinol is a retinoid—a vitamin A derivative well-known for its “ability to speed up cell turnover, increase collagen and hyaluronic acid production, boost circulation, reduce discoloration, and improve skin texture,” Dr. Shirazi shares. In addition to retinol, the moisturizer also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and smooth the skin, as well as SPF, which helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

These are just a few skincare products that can help you achieve botox-like results without the needle. Below are a few other dermatologist-recommended products, as well as shopper-favorites that can help brighten and tighten your skin.

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Ulta

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Amazon

Amazon