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Cancel your tweakment appointment asap: this wrinkle serum has got you
Needles or a serum? IDK, the choice is pretty simple for me
As a veteran beauty editor, I’m no stranger to Botox. I’ve had 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 products aren’t actually Botox... and they won’t give you the same level of results as an anti-wrinkle injection. “Topical products can never compete with a neuromodulator like Botox,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, “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.
IMO, these wrinkle smoothing products — like the ones below — are great for anyone who isn’t a candidate for actual anti-wrinkle injections but still wants to help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our top picks for the best anti-wrinkle products of 2025:
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Keep reading for more intel on my favourite anti-wrinkle serums — plus a ton of helpful info on how they work and how to shop for one like a pro.
"Bouncy, plump and juicy... No I'm not describing anything in my fruit bowl, I'm describing my skin after road testing this as my night cream for a month. My skin looked more rejuvenated and any crepey-ness that can occur around my mouth and smile lines looks less prominent than normal." - Keeks Reid, COSMO UK BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Product type: Moisturiser
Key ingredients: Collagen + Peptides
Usage: Morning and night
Glowing customer review: "The texture and formula of this cream are just perfect - it gives long-lasting hydration and leaves my skin incredibly soft. I’m already seeing amazing results in how plump and healthy my skin looks. My complexion looks more even and radiant, and fine lines seem less noticeable. It has a subtle, pleasant scent that makes the application feel luxurious. Using it daily has quickly become a part of my skincare ritual, and I genuinely look forward to applying it every morning and evening."
"This brand is incredibly spenny, but I have never tried a product from U Beauty that I didn't like. But if you buy anything from them, it has to be the Resurfacing Compound. It finds a way to blend traditionally unmixable skincare ingredients in a potent lightweight serum thanks to their proprietary SIREN Capsule Technology. I genuinely have glass skin after a few weeks use." - Keeks Reid, COSMO UK BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Product type: Serum
Key ingredients: Vitamin C + Multi-Hydroxy Acids + Stable Retinol Ester
Usage: Evening
Glowing customer review: "I decided to try this product on a trial basis. I've been using it for two weeks now and already see a positive difference in my skin tone and texture; it looks healthier, more radiant, and feels dewy. Not at all dry. I will be buying a larger bottle of this!"
She's not a genie in a bottle but botox in a bottle... shh! The best kept beauty secret is Skinceuticals latest launch, P-TIOX anti-wrinkle serum, formulated with an advanced peptide complex to help improve the appearance of fine lines. In 12 weeks (give it time to work, people!), your skin will be as firm, plump and radiant as ever!
Product type: Serum
Key ingredients: Hexapeptide + Dipeptide
Usage: 4-6 drops, twice daily
Glowing customer review: "I've been using Skinceuticals P-TIOX for about a month now, and my skin is definitely seeing the benefits. The texture feels smoother, and the fine lines around my eyes have softened. My complexion also looks brighter and more even. The serum absorbs super fast and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed—no greasy residue at all."
"I trust Dr David Jack implicitly, and I have never left his clinic without looking and feeling so refreshed so naturally I gravitate towards his science-backed formulas. I've been road-testing this new cream prior to launch and it has vastly improved the look of my undereye wrinkles and darkness." - Keeks Reid, COSMO UK BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Product type: Eye cream
Key ingredients: Polypeptide Complex + Granactive Retinoid
Usage: Daily PM
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)
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.”
"It took the team at Nivea 15 years to research and develop the incredibly clever ingredient that this serum hinges on, epicelline, and boy, are we glad that they perfected it. It helps reverse ten signs of ageing in just two weeks. From first used, my skin looked smoother and more radiant, and the longer I used it, the better my skin looked and and felt. It's quite a creamy texture for a serum so I prefer using at night but it can be used twice daily." - Keeks Reid, COSMO UK BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Product type: Serum
Key ingredients: Epicelline + Hyaluronic Acid
Usage: Daily AM + PM
Glowing customer review: "I thought that my skin looked brighter and more radiant after use. I often think it looks dull so this helped. I'm 35 so not particularly ageing YET, but it's good to start somewhere!"
Face makeup often exacerbates the look of lines and wrinkles, which is why I love prepping with this wrinkle-smoothing primer. It deeply moisturises to give your skin a smooth canvas for whatever makeup you layer on top—plus, it helps minimise 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: Moisturiser
Key ingredients: Peptides
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.”
My face loves this 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
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
This is an excellent everyday moisturiser 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: Moisturiser
Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, cactus flower extract, hyaluronic acid
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.”
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
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.”
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 moisturising topical collagen to really make my skin look and feel so hydrated and ~bouncy~.
Product type: Serum
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, collagen, peptides, ceramides
Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “Fantastic product. Soft, non-greasy texture. I saw plumping results the next day when I used it as a serum under my night cream.”
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 moisturising hyaluronic acid and vitamin E mixed in).
Product type: Serum
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
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.”
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
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.”
Do anti-wrinkle serums really work?
While nothing will actually give you “Botox in a bottle”, anti-wrinkle 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. “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. 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 paralyses 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-ageing 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 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 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 kick-start your skin’s natural healing process and help encourage collagen production
- Hyaluronic-acid-spiked products (all our faves are here BTW), 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.
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.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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