Botox in a Bottle: 15 Best Wrinkle Serums and Creams (Tested and Reviewed for 2024)
Including my favorite smoothing, tightening Peach & Lily Retinal for All Serum.
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As a veteran beauty editor, I’m no stranger to Botox. I’ve it injected into my forehead and around my eyes twice a year since 2018. That was until I got pregnant and had to quit cold turkey. Cut to me, endlessly researching and testing needle-free Botox alternatives and “Botox in a bottle” products to help smooth my forehead lines and crow’s feet. And let me tell you, I found some good ones.
Now, before we go any further, I want to make it clear that these “Botox in a bottle” products aren’t actually Botox...and they won’t give you the same level of results. “Topical products can never compete with a neuromodulator like Botox,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, “because they’re not injected directly into the muscle to decrease movement like neuromodulators are.” But topical products can be incredible at increasing collagen production and smoothing skin, which can soften fine lines and wrinkles over time, explains dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD.
IMO, “Botox in a bottle” products—like the 15 below—are great for anyone who isn’t a candidate for a real neuromodulator (like Botox, Daxxify, Xeomin, or Jeuveau) but still wants to help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our top picks for the best “Botox in a bottle” products of 2024:
Botox in a Bottle: Best Makeup Primer
Lawless Forget The Filler Skin-Plumping Line-Smoothing Moisturizer + Makeup Primer
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Keep reading for more intel on my favorite “Botox in a bottle” products—plus a ton of helpful info on how they work and how to shop for one like a pro.
Pros
- Helps slow down wrinkles and fine lines with argireline, a gold-star peptide
Cons
- Have to use daily for three to four months to notice a difference
TikTokers constantly call this serum “Botox in a bottle.” Why? Because it’s filled with argireline, “a synthetic peptide that can potentially help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by disrupting the signal between your nerves and muscles,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, “which can slowly—and on a much smaller scale—reduce muscle movement, similar to a neuromodulator.” Plus, argireline boosts collagen and elastin to give your skin a firmer, more even look over time. Just massage it into your face and neck once or twice a day to help firm your skin and slow down the production of wrinkles over time.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Argireline (peptide)
- Size: 1 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “This is truly Botox in a bottle. I have definitely noticed a decrease in my forehead lines after using it consistently. Highly recommend.”
Lawless Forget The Filler Skin-Plumping Line-Smoothing Moisturizer + Makeup Primer
Pros
- Helps keep makeup smooth and crease-free
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic
- Has a blurring effect that minimizes the look of pores and fine lines
Cons
- Some testers with dry skin say it’s not hydrating enough
Face makeup often exacerbates the look of lines and wrinkles, which is why I love prepping with this Botox-like primer. It deeply moisturizes to give your skin a smooth canvas for whatever makeup you layer on top—plus, it helps minimize the look of lines thanks to a blend of peptides. I’ve used this as my base under foundation for numerous weddings and all-day events and my forehead always looks glass-like and my makeup crease-free for hours.
- Product type: Moisturizer
- Key ingredients: Peptides
- Size: 1.7 oz.
- Usage: Morning, evening, or under makeup
Glowing customer review: “I have been using this for a few weeks now and I wish I had taken before and after pictures ’cause it’s made a huge difference. My crow’s feet were pretty noticeable and now you can hardly see them.”
Pros
- Has a silky texture that absorbs into skin quickly
- Has immediate and long-term skin plumping benefits
Cons
- Testers say you don’t get a ton of product for the price
My face loves this anti-aging serum. I used it during my entire pregnancy and it really helped soften the horizontal lines on my forehead and the crinkles around my eyes. It’s pricey, so I only used it on the top half of my face and around eyes (pretty much anywhere I’d typically get injected with Botox), but the way it helped immediately tighten my skin and also soften any static lines with continued use makes the $$$ worth it, IMO.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Argireline, amino acids, soy and wheat proteins
- Size: 1 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “I have been using this product for two weeks and can already see a difference! It’s expensive, yes, but so much better than botox or fillers! Highly recommend.”
Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Moisture Infusion Cream
Pros
- Comes in a refillable jar
- Testers (myself included) say it wears well under makeup
- Keeps skin deeply hydrated for hours after application
Cons
- Some reviewers with oily skin said it clogged their pores
This is an excellent everyday moisturizer for anyone who is looking to smooth and plump their skin. It is super hydrating (thanks to humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) without being too heavy and contains an assortment of peptides and amino acids that target fine lines by improving skin elasticity and firmness. The formula is super versatile too—it can be used in the morning under SPF and makeup and at night over serums.
- Product type: Moisturizer
- Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, cactus flower extract, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1.7 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “Peter Thomas Roth has done it again!! This is by far the best anti crepe lotion I have used! It is thick enough to spread on evenly, it makes your skin so soft and has changed the appearance of my skin for the better.”
Pros
- Has the National Eczema Association Seal
- Helps reduce redness and inflammation
- Clean beauty formula is made with mostly plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers say the texture can end up leaving a greasy film on skin
This Botox in a bottle-type cream has a rich, pudding-like texture that makes my forehead lines look barely noticeable as soon as I massage it into my skin. The magic? A blend of eight different smoothing and firming peptides along with skin-strengthening ceramides, moisturizing plant oils, and plumping hyaluronic acid. It’s also the best anti-aging cream on this list for sensitive skin types, thanks to the presence of soothing ghostberry extract.
- Product type: Moisturizer
- Key ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, ghostberry, squalane, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1.7 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “This moisturizer is rich and hydrating! I’ve been using it at night for a couple of weeks and my skin feels so lush! It’s the last product I apply, after the toner and serum. I apply to my face, neck and décolletage.”
Pros
- Formula is super concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
- Ideal for using on crow’s feet and 11s
Cons
- Some reviewers say the texture is a bit thick and takes more time than expected to soak in
Think of this “Botox in a Bottle” as a spot treatment for wrinkles. You don’t use it all over your face, but instead, dab it on specific areas with fine lines—like around your eyes or the corners of your mouth. The formula is packed with a combo of peptides and hyaluronic acid that, when dispensed via the targeted metal applicator, create instant plumpness to fill in lines and soften any uneven texture. Personally, I think it’s fantastic for using under and around the eyes. I’ll apply it in place eye cream in the morning and it gives my eye area a nice firm, taut look that *almost* looks like I have actual Botox.
- Product type: Spot treatment
- Key ingredients: Peptides, silicone, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Usage: As needed
Glowing customer review: “I’ve been using this on targeted spots of wrinkles for about a month. I’ve noticed some welcome improvement! My crow’s feet have always made me self conscious, so I am happy to have this tool to firm and fill those trouble spots up.”
Pros
- Uses strongest OTC retinoid, retinal, to increase cell turnover and churn out fresher, smoother skin
- Filled with ectoin, which downregulates the inflammation receptor in your skin to eliminate nearly all irritation, per my testing
Cons
- Leaves a slightly yellow tint on my skin afterward
Of all of the over-the-counter retinoids I’ve tried, Peach & Lily’s Retinal for All is my absolute favorite for how gentle it is. But why do you even need a retinoid anyway? “Retinoids are the single most effective component of a skincare regimen for preventing signs of aging that is also backed by science and research,” says Dr. Hartman. Essentially, “retinoids regulate cell turnover, which encourages your skin to shed faster to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, potentially prevent acne, and even fade discoloration,” he says.
The downside? Retinoids—especially retinaldehyde, the strongest over-the-counter retinoid that's found in this Peach & Lily serum—is quite sensitizing, leading to dryness and irritation. But this formula is legit cool, because it uses a compound called ectoin to essentially pause the receptors in your skin that trigger inflammation, allowing your face to handle retinaldehyde with virtually none of the usual burning, itching, or flaking. Seriously—the Cosmo beauty team is obsessed with this stuff.
Still, just to test for reactions, I started slowly, massaging a pea-size dot all over my face twice a week for two weeks, then three nights a week for three weeks, and now every other night to smooth out the uneven skin texture on my forehead and fade dark spots.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Retinal (retinaldehyde), ectoin, ceramides
- Size: 1.01 oz.
- Usage: Evening
Glowing customer review: “Another Peach and Lily product I’ll forever have on hand. I’ve tried several other retinol products, and this has been the best for my sensitive skin. I can see and feel a difference with my skin, and it hasn’t had any adverse reactions!”
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Activating Serum
Pros
- Leaves my skin feeling v hydrated
- Uses niacinamide to help increase collagen production and firm skin
Cons
- A few reviewers wish the bottle were bigger
Niacinamide is considered a miracle ingredient by many because it practically does it all: Smooths texture, plumps and firms skin by boosting collagen, and soothes irritation. But I’ll be honest, I never saw the hype…until I tried this hydrating serum from Skinfix. It, obviously, uses niacinamide to help keep my skin tight, along with MVP collagen-boosting peptides, skin-barrier-supporting ceramides, and moisturizing topical collagen to really make my skin look and feel so hydrated and ~bouncy~.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, collagen, peptides, ceramides
- Size: 1 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “Fantastic product. Soft, nongreasy texture. I saw plumping results the next day when I used it as a serum under my night cream.”
Pros
- Helps fight environmental damage that causes wrinkles
- Tons of testers with sensitive skin reported no irritation (!)
Cons
- Some reviewers said it felt a bit sticky after applying
Dr. Hartman recommends incorporating this vitamin C serum into your daily routine if you’re concerned with slowing down wrinkles, because it’s the GOAT for fighting against free-radical damage that leads to fine lines, dulling, uneven tone, and sagging skin. Plus, it increases collagen production to keep skin firm and tight. This lightweight formula actually uses three different forms of vitamin C but is still surprisingly gentle on sensitive-skin testers (likely due to the moisturizing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E mixed in).
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Size: 1 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “Love the consistency of this vitamin C serum! It leaves a nice glow on my skin. I use it before I put on my sunscreen every day. It’s so affordable compared to other brands that I trust. I reorder this every time I run out.”
Pros
- Filled with growth factors to build new elastin in your skin and smooth fine lines
Cons
- Most expensive product on this list (but worth it, IMO)
I don’t have any static wrinkles yet—i.e., wrinkles that stick around even when you’re not moving your face—and I’m hoping to keep it that way for as long as possible, which led me to start smoothing this award-winning (seriously) anti-aging serum every night. It’s filled with peptides and 450 growth factors—sounds weird, I know, but keep listening—that essentially jump-start your skin’s renewal process to promote elastin production and tighten your skin to help prevent fine lines. Plus, it’s got loads of hydrating botanicals that leave my skin feeling v moisturized and soft.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Growth factors (repairing), peptides
- Size: 1 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “My friend is an aesthetician and gave me a bottle as a gift while I was visiting her, and OH MY GOSH,” writes one tester. “I am a week in, and my skin looks drastically better. It’s smoother in appearance and looks hydrated, and my laughter lines are almost nonexistent. The overall texture and appearance is so good so early on, I can’t wait to purchase more when the time comes and see what my face looks like in about a year! Definitely buy it.”
Pros
- Uses retinol to help smooth under-eye wrinkles over time
- Widely available at most all drugstores
Cons
- Some testers wished the tube were bigger
Instead of injecting Botox around my very sensitive bb eyes, I dab on this retinol eye cream three nights a week to help boost collagen and trigger cellular turnover, leaving me with smoother, brighter under-eyes over the course of a few months. Dr. Garshick also loves this cream because it’s “specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes with hydrating panthenol and glycerin.” Translation: It lightly hydrates while doing ~work~ on your wrinkles.
- Product type: Eye cream
- Key ingredients: Retinol, panthenol, glycerin
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “I use this under my eyes daily, and I think there's a notable difference in preventing under-eye wrinkles and fine lines,” writes one reviewer. “It applies smoothly, and the cream does not have any scent.”
Pros
- Helps smooth lines by encouraging collagen production
- Highly recommended by dermatologists
Cons
- Works best when combined with in-office neuromodulator treatments
One of Dr. Hartman’s favorite formulas for getting a Botox-like effect is this cult-favorite serum from Revision Skincare. It uses a combo of five potent peptides (including argireline, which he loves for slowly softening wrinkles) as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid to make your skin look a bit fuller and plumper after tapping it on. Dr. Hartman says he even recommends it to his patients who receive Botox and neurotoxins because it can “help maintain their procedure results,” he says.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “I have purchased this product three times now. It’s great at reducing fine lines and plumping fine lines if used daily. I use it at night under my other serums and really notice a difference.”
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Temporary Face Tightener
Pros
- Temporarily “blurs” skin to make your fine lines look smoother and softer
Cons
- Only lasts a few hours in my experience
Winner of a 2023 Cosmo Holy Grail Award (nbd!), this makeup primer/serum hybrid temporarily smooths out fine lines with a blend of silicates (a powder found in clays and granite that “fill in” the cracks and ridges on your skin to create a blurring effect). Legit, the second I press it into my tech-neck lines, I start to feel the product firming and tightening, and my lines practically disappear. The firmness and smoothing only lasts for two to three hours, but it’s great in a pinch when my skin looks super dull or when I want to feel extra fresh before a special event.
- Product type: Lightweight lotion
- Key ingredients: Silicates (temporarily tightening), glycerin, panthenol
- Size: 3.4 oz.
- Usage: As needed
Glowing customer review: “This product is incredible,” one review reads. “It really does pull the eye bags tight, reduces puffiness, and smooths out the fine lines and crow’s feet. I have fairly noticeable forehead lines, so I decided to apply it to those, and wow! It really does help reduce their appearance, especially in photos.”
Pros
- Boosts collagen to help soften fine lines with peptides
- Has a lightweight texture I seriously *love*
Cons
- Some testers wished they saw a more noticeable difference
Fact: I massage on this peptide-rich serum twice a day, and it has made my skin look so freaking plump and healthy. It’s full of neuropeptides, which “block the release of chemicals that make your muscles contract and create expression lines, giving somewhat of a Botox-like effect,” says Dr. Garshick. No, it won’t “freeze” your muscles, but it can help slowly soften fine lines and wrinkles and firm up your skin to prevent them from forming in the first place. FWIW, this plumping serum is also full of other skin-loving ingredients, like collagen-boosting peptides and niacinamide, as well as hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
- Product type: Serum
- Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
- Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “I’ve been using this for about six months and cant believe the results,” writes one reviewer. “My skin looks so youthful. The dullness is gone, and I will never be without this.”
Pros
- Combines retinol and glycolic acid to majorly smooth my skin
- Great for anyone dealing with acne and early signs of aging
Cons
- Can be v intense, so start slow (especially if you have sensitive skin)
Being in my early 30s, I’m still treating the cystic acne on my jawline while also targeting the fine lines on my forehead. It’s exhausting, tbh. But SkinBetter’s AlphaRet treatment has legit been my go-to product for the past few years, because it combines anti-aging and pore-clearing retinol with an exfoliating AHA (glycolic acid) to help smooth, treat, and firm my skin at the same time. I just smooth on a pea-size dot once or twice a week (because it’s quite potent), and I get far fewer breakouts while simultaneously staving off wrinkles. Easy, peasy.
- Product type: Night cream
- Key ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
- Usage: Evening
Glowing customer review: “I have never used a retinoid that hasn't majorly irritated my skin by leaving it flaky for days after one use that I wasn’t even sure I wanted to try AlphaRet Overnight Cream,” writes one tester in a review. “But I’m so happy I took the chance because I haven’t had any irritation, flaking, or redness and started using it every single night right from the beginning. It has majorly improved fine lines, texture, and overall brightness of my face.”
Does Botox in a bottle really work?
“Botox in a bottle” skincare products work to help soften fine lines and wrinkles over time, but they don’t have the same powerful and long-lasting smoothing effect as a neuromodulator, says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. “Patients can see changes in a matter of a few days to a week with a neuromodulator, and those changes continue to improve in the weeks following the procedure,” he says.
Meanwhile, at-home products “can take weeks to months to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles,” says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. Still, that doesn’t mean these so-called “Botox in a bottle” products aren’t worth it. “In general, these products tend to help reduce the appearance of static wrinkles by helping to boost collagen production,” says Dr. Garshick, "while in-office Botox injections help to rapidly address dynamic wrinkles” (i.e., wrinkles you only see when you make specific facial movements, like squinting or scrunching).
The TL;DR: While Botox temporarily paralyzes your muscles to limit wrinkles, skincare products boost collagen and elastin production to help soften fine lines over time. And when used in conjunction, you’re basically guaranteed to get good results both quickly and over time.
What does Botox do?
Botox—and all neurotoxins—temporarily freezes your muscles to prevent you from making expression lines. “Botox works by preventing the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine to prevent muscle movement,” says Dr. Garshick, “which relaxes certain facial expressions and reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles” (i.e., wrinkles that appear when you move your face).
While topical products may help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production, “even products containing neuropeptides that act on muscle-relaxing neurotransmitters [Editor’s note: like The Ordinary’s Argireline 10% Serum] still won’t have the same effect as Botox,” she says, even though these products can still be highly effective at home.
How to choose the best “Botox in a bottle” serum:
Look for active ingredients
Sadly, there isn’t a single anti-aging ingredient that works as well as—or can replace—Botox (or neurotoxins/neuromodulators in general). Instead, you should opt for a mix of active ingredients throughout your routine to help soften and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Here are the top recommendations to look for, according to Dr. Garshick and Dr. Hartman:
- Retinoids, like Peach & Lily Retinal for All Serum and Skin Better Science’s AlphaRet, speed up cell turnover to smooth out skin texture and fine lines, as well as boost collagen production to help firm skin over time
- Vitamin C increases collagen and elastin production, and also helps protect your skin from damaging and irritating free radicals. (Fyi: Our testers loved the Naturium’s Vitamin-C Complex for this purpose)
- Peptides—like the ones in PCA Skin’s ExLinea Serum, Peter Thomas Roth’s Skinjection Moisturizer, and the Revision Skincare Revox Line Reducer—increase collagen and elastin production, which helps soften fine lines and wrinkles, as well as helps temporarily soften muscle contractions to slowly (and subtly) reduce expression lines
- Niacinamide boosts collagen to help plump and tighten skin, as well as smooths texture and soothes irritation (my go-to pick ist Skinfix’s Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Serum
- Growth factors, like the ones packed into SkinMedica’s TNS Serum, kick-start your skin’s natural healing process and help encourage collagen production
- Hyaluronic-acid-spiked products, including Drmtlgy’s Needle-less Serum, help to draw moisture into your skin, resulting in a light plumping effect that can potentially soften lines and wrinkles
- AHAs exfoliate your skin to reveal brighter, smoother, softer skin, along with helping to produce collagen (I personally swear by Skin Better Science’s AlphaRet, which uses both retinol and AHAs).
Manage your expectations
If you have fine lines you want to reduce RTFN, try a temporary-smoothing treatment like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm-X. No, it won’t increase collagen production or have continued results, but it will give you two to three hours of “blurred” and tighter-looking skin. Or if you’re in it for the long game, try a peptide-rich product that will slowly build your collagen. Cosmo’s beauty team agreed The Ordinary’s Argireline 10% Serum is the best inexpensive-yet-effective product to incorporate on a daily basis.
Meet the experts:
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. He is currently on the board of directors of the Skin of Color Society.
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MCDS Dermatology in New York, NY. She is also a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best retinol eye creams to the best pore minimizing treatments. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to products and treatments for smoothing lines and wrinkles.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from neck-firming creams to microdermabrasion at home. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to “botox in a bottle,” thanks to years of slathering on topical treatments to avoid her fear of injectables. She regularly tests and analyzes anti-aging skincare for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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