Let’s admit it: botox is the holy grail of wrinkle-minimizing treatments. The neuromodulator is often excellent for “freezing” the muscles and muscle contractions and can then soften wrinkles and fine lines for softer-looking skin. But no one cosmetic procedure is right for everyone, as Dr. Shereene Idriss explains.
If you’ve tried Botox and feel like the result made you “look off,” you’re probably right. Perhaps you aren’t used to seeing your eyebrows positioned so much higher, or maybe Botox created too frozen a look on your face and you prefer more natural results. Whatever the case is, Botox doesn’t have to be the sole solution for you if you’re trying to achieve smoother-looking skin. Dr. Idriss suggests trying these three skincare ingredients, thought she warns: “Nothing is Botox in a bottle — that’s just marketing.”
1. Argirelene
Argirelene is a peptide that works by minimizing muscle contractions and lasts anywhere between eight to 12 hours. This non-invasive Botox alternative is considered gentle and safe on most skin types, plus it can be found in a slew of creams and serums, including the relatively affordable serum by The Ordinary called Argirelene Solution 10%.
2. Matrixyl 3000
This peptide has “collagen-promoting properties,” according to Dr. Idriss. The bonus with it is, unlike with retinol, you can use this ingredient on your upper eyelids and it won’t make your skin sensitive or irritate it. Peter Thomas Roth offers a popular eye cream that contains this sought-after ingredient.
3. Retinol
There are few lists of wrinkle-minimizing ingredients that won’t include retinol. This vitamin A derivative is a powerful ingredient to help skin cell turnover occur faster and boost collagen production for smoother skin. There are different levels of retinol, starting with those you can find in OTC creams and eye creams and working all the way up to more potent serums that have to be prescribed by your dermatologists. Retinol can be irritating though, so make sure you are wearing a hydrating moisturizer over your retinol cream and follow up with sunscreen in the morning.
