Creams and Serums that Work Like Botox in a Bottle

Ready to feel more confident when reading your beauty products' ingredient labels? Enter, the ishonest Ingredient Index. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the most in-demand (and under-the-radar) ingredients in your favorite skin-care products.In the quest to get rid of fine lines and plumping lax skin, going under the needle — whether for neuromodulator or filler — reigns supreme. That being said, if you wince at the thought of sharp objects (no shame) or don't have hundreds (or thousands!) to drop on in- office treatments, there are pain-free, subtle, and relatively inexpensive topical solutions that can certainly 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, M.D., a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist.

For instance, she recommends topical retinoids, peptides, and growth factors to help support skin cell turnover, increase collagen fibers, and hydrate the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Luckily, there are myriad brands on the market that are using the aforementioned ingredients, as well as innovative technologies, to make their formulas ultra-effective.

Below, feast your eyes on 23 skin-care products — including moisturizers, serums, and treatments — all guaranteed to help iron out lines and fill in creases. No needles required, my friend.

Isdin Melatonik Recovery Night Serum

"Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum is a great treatment that contains the plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol," says New York City-based board- certified dermatologist Robert Finney, M.D. "In a clinical trial, [it] reduced wrinkles as significantly as retinol, but is pregnancy safe and without the classic irritation that comes with retinol."

In addition to bakuchiol, this featherlight serum also contains vitamin C, a powerhouse antioxidant that helps to brighten and firm the skin. "I always tell patients a little goes a long way, so start off with a few drops on your entire face at night underneath your moisturizer," advises Dr. Finney.

Erasa Xep 30 Extreme Line Lifting and Rejuvenation Concentrate

Don't be fooled by the pearly pink bottle. Erasa's Xep 30 Extreme Line Lifting and Rejuvenation Concentrate is drill-sergeant-tough on fine lines and wrinkles. The proprietary hero ingredient, XEP 30, is a neuropeptide that — similar to Botox — actually communicates to tensed-up facial folds and tells 'em to relax. Another all-star ingredient, niacinamide, restores elasticity. Best of all, this stuff actually starts to work within two weeks. As Amy Forman Taub, M.D., a Chicago-area board-certified dermatologist previously told ishonest, "I haven't seen anything else act this quickly."

Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Moisturizer

As the name implies, the Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Moisturizer is formulated with fine line-smoothing collagen and peptides to plump up skin over time. There's also moisturizing glycerin and nourishing niacinamide to hydrate and smooth texture simaltaneously. It's no wonder this drugstore find earned itself a 2021 Best of Beauty Award.

Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum

Peter Thomas Roth's Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum is like a multivitamin for aging skin. Infused with vitamins A, C, and E, it brightens and tightens, while hyaluronic acid and squalane plump skin for youthful dewiness. This formula also contains neuropeptides, which are thought to increase skin's collagen production.

Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment

"This cream can be used twice daily and contains lots of powerful ingredients, including peptides to boost collagen production and skin elasticity, [as well as] niacinamide, squalane, and plant extracts," she says. "It also contains darutoside, which is one of my favorite [ingredients] to help with puffiness, fine lines, and dark undereye circles."

No 7 Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler

If instant gratification is your thing, look no further than No 7's Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler. The creamy formula works as a primer would (i.e. it blurs), but unlike a primer, this stuff is meant to be used after you've applied foundation. Simply pat over deep-set lines, et voila! Light-reflecting particles make wrinkles take a back seat to smooth skin.

Laneige Time Freeze Sleeping Mask

Skin care that works while you sleep is undeniably appealing, especially when it actually gets the job done. Laneige's Time Freeze Sleeping Mask is laced with collagen (i.e. the structural components skin loses with age) plus polymers designed specifically to tighten and plump skin. The result: a visible perk come morning.

Skinbetter InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye

If you're looking for an eye cream that offers results comparable to Botox, Dr. Finney recommends Skinbetter's InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye. "It contains a peptide that mimics Botox to relax muscle contractions and smooth lines and wrinkles," he says. "On top of that, it also has caffeine to reduce puffiness and vitamin C to help brighten dark circles."

With consistent nightly use, you'll notice the eye area begin to look brighter, smoother, and firmer.

Bareminerals Ageless 10% Phyto-Retinol Night Concentrate

A plant-based retinol alternative is the powerhouse ingredient in BareMinerals' Ageless 10% Phyto-Retinol Night Concentrate. Not only does the treatment smooth fine lines, but it does so without causing irritation, redness, or drying skin out. Like many others on this list, the formula also has hyaluronic acid for added plumping benefits. If you need even more proof of why we love this product so much, take note that we gave it a 2021 Best of Beauty Award.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum

It's no secret that Shiseido knows a thing or two about skin care, and it really did its homework for its Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum. First, the brand identified an enzyme that triggers wrinkle production; next, it studied more than 20,000 ingredients to find the best ones to fight that enzyme. Chlorella and gambir extracts — which suppress wrinkle formation — both made the cut, as did hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Dr. Lara Devgan Skincare Retinol + Bakuchiol Resurfacing Serum

"This ultra-concentrated serum combines the two powerful ingredients of retinol and bakuchiol to smooth fine lines and wrinkles without irritation," says board- certified plastic surgeon Lara Devgan, M.D., of her namesake Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum. "Say goodbye to the redness and peeling associated with retinol, as bakuchiol, a red wine derivative, helps deliver anti-inflammatory effects and tempers the retinol."

It's also worth noting that this serum comes in three different concentrations — 2.5, 5, and 10 percent — allowing you to customize the strength based on your skin type and needs.

U Beauty Resurfacing Compound

The U Beauty Resurfacing Compound has many of the brightening, smoothing ingredients to look for, including vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, and retinol, plus clarifying witch hazel and hydrating vitamin E. This serum left no tingling or tightness on our testers, which definitely makes it a new serum for glass- skin goals.

Dr. Brandt Needles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

If the volatility of the last year etched a few furrow lines between your brows, chill 'em out with Dr. Brandt's Needles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream. The minty-smelling cream features a blend of top-secret wrinkle fighters, which literally relax the underlying muscle — similar to the way Botox would (albeit not as dramatically). The best part: This formula gets to work within a mere 30 minutes to reveal softer forehead lines and crow's feet.

Ling New York Freeze & Uncrease Serum

It's all about the peptides, people. Ling New York's Freeze & Uncrease Serum relies on them to fade current lines and protect against future etches. Plus, this serum-like cream is infused with ingredient-of-the-moment, Centella asiatica, which calms inflammation.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel

"Adapalene is a prescription-strength retinoid but has been available over the counter for a few years now, making it accessible to the masses," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, M.D., who highly recommends La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Adapalene Gel (a product he uses himself nightly). "Retinoids like this one can even out skin tone, increase collagen production, and even treat acne and acne scarring."

As with any retinoid, you won't notice any major changes in your skin overnight, but with continued use, you'll start to see fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration fade significantly. This non-greasy option is also a great one for folks with oily skin who dislike heavy night creams.

Kate Somerville 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum

If you're diligent with moisturizer but forgetful about applying serums, consider Kate Somerville's 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum. Spiked with three different sizes of hydrating hyaluronic acid molecules to target different layers of the skin, this stuff works its plumping magic in a mere 30 minutes. The formula is in it for the long haul, too, thanks to collagen-triggering amino acids, which iron out lines over time.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment

Estée Lauder's Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment boasts a blend of patented peptides formulated to boost collagen and elastin production. This formula absorbs faster than you can say adios to sagging skin, and goes to work almost as quickly. Within two weeks, prepare to notice skin that looks more lifted — particularly around the jawline and cheekbones. Plus, this product is spiked with alpha hydroxy acids for gentle-yet-noticeable skin resurfacing. Sculpting and smoothing sans needles? We'll take it.

Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Another recommendation from Finney is Alastin's Restorative Skin Complex, which is a lightweight lotion-like serum packed with research-backed peptides that perform different functions for the skin.

"Instead of just making wild claims, [Alastin] backs its claims up with studies that include skin biopsies to show that they improve collagen to help plump up the skin, as well as elastin to help it have that youthful snapback," says Dr. Finney. "This product also contains a peptide to help keep our fat pads healthy to maintain and restore volume, as well as antioxidants to help reduce redness."

Fillerina Dermo-Cosmetic Filler Treatment

Fillerina's Dermo-Cosmetic Filler Treatment may look scary, but rest assured — the syringe-esque tools are merely applicators for the topical formula (we repeat: no needles). That said, this stuff is made to mimic the effects of injectable hyaluronic acid fillers (albeit on a subtler scale). Though you're not literally injecting HA into your skin, the formula contains six different types of HA, shaped and sized specifically to penetrate the skin as deeply as possible without sticking a physical needle in your face.

Depending on which kit you snag (there are three, which vary by concern) the total treatment takes about a week, but the plumped-up results can last up to four months.

La Prairie Rapid Response Booster

Aside from its sleek packaging, the first thing you'll notice about La Prairie's Rapid Response Booster is its delicate floral scent and rosy hue (both will make you feel as if you're frolicking in a flower garden). Aesthetics aside, this formula packs a powerful line-fighting punch, thanks to gentle skin resurfacers and a peptide delivery system that targets line-laden areas. With one use, skin actually looks smoother. After two weeks, skin becomes ever so slightly — yet noticeably — more taut.

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