Do you shudder at the thought of a needle, but delight at the prospect of a forehead that refuses to crease? The best “Botox in a bottle” skincare might be just what the doctor ordered—no actual doctor required.
Best for Smoothing Expression Lines: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma
Why We Love It:
Dr. Jason Diamond, a facial plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, designed the Instafacial Plasma as a bottled stand-in for his skin-tightening InstaFacial—or better yet, a complement to it. With smooth-skinned loyalists like Nicola Peltz-Beckham, the serum aims to mimic the wrinkle-reducing effects of platelet-rich plasma injections, so it’s no coincidence that it has a unique blood-red tint. (Don’t worry, it sinks in without a trace of color.) The formulation also contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, which promises Botox-life effects for smoothing expression lines around the forehead, eyes, and mouth. I’ve been testing the Plasma for the past two weeks, and it’s had a noticeable impact on my skin’s texture and radiance. My face feels brighter and smoother—a bit glassier, if you will—and makeup applies more smoothly as a result. As for expression lines, I’ve noticed that the wrinkles in my forehead are a smidge less noticeable… perhaps. But if the product doesn’t exactly stop expression lines from forming, it’s worth using for that glass-skin glow.
Key Ingredients:
Bioactive growth factor complex, Nicotiana benthaminana hexapeptide-50 sh-Oligopeptide-1, Nprolyl palmitoyl tripeptide-56 acetate, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1
How to Apply:
Apply the serum to clean, dry skin morning and night by gently pressing it into the face and neck. The brand recommends following the plasma with a layer of the hydrating InstaFacial Emulsion for stronger results.
What is “Botox in a Bottle”?
“The phrase ‘Botox in a bottle’ is a term popularized on TikTok for topical products with antiaging properties that aim to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face,” Libby explains. Essentially, these promote wrinkle-reducing, plumping, and firming benefits to reveal smooth, radiant skin. According to Shirazi, topicals work at the cellular level to enhance skin’s natural biology. “They boost vital structures like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid as well as hydrating skin cells, enhancing cell turnover, and supporting the skin barrier,” she says.
What ingredients should you look for?
For those interested in this idea of “liquid botox”, Engelman suggests that maintaining skin barrier hydration is essential to retaining plump, bouncy skin, as dehydrated skin exaggerates signs of aging. “Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide are key, as are ingredients that improve the skin’s ability to hold onto moisture, like ceramides and peptides,” she instructs.
Aside from hydrators, our experts emphasize the importance of utilizing ingredients that spur the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, as well as agents that protect and repair skin damage. Retinol, retinol alternatives, matrixyl, argireline, peptides, exfoliants, and antioxidants should be incorporated to see lasting results. And if it’s not said enough, Shirazi shares again the importance of daily sun protection.
With this guidance in mind, discover an edit expert-recommended skin care products that work like “Botox in a bottle.” Use them as a preventative treatment or to prolong results in between injections.
Who should use “Botox in a Bottle” products?
“We lose approximately 1% of our collagen production in our skin each year starting in our 20s, so generally, I recommend starting to add in preventative skin care products with retinols and peptides around [that age],” Libby says.
Does “Botox in a Bottle” skincare really work?
While it sounds like little pots of potion with magically dissolved syringes inside, Botox in-a-bottle skincare is not, alas, exactly what it claims to be. “Products marketed as ‘Botox in a bottle’ often contain peptides like Argireline or other neurotransmitter-targeting ingredients that claim to reduce muscle movement,” says Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut and New York. “While these ingredients can provide a mild smoothing effect, their results are limited compared to injectable neuromodulators like Botox. The key difference lies in their mechanisms of action.”
Botox works by blocking nerve signals to muscles, Rambhia explains, which prevents contractions that cause dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles. “While Argireline is thought to work similarly, topical neuropeptides act only on the skin’s surface, with a decreased ability to penetrate deeply,” she adds. “Thereby, they produce a much weaker effect on muscle activity. It’s like the difference between unplugging a lamp versus slightly dimming it.” That said, Botox-in-a-bottle skincare can complement the effects of Botox injections, or be used on their own to improve skin texture. “They also provide temporary smoothing when the face is at rest,” Rambhia notes. To reap these benefits, be sure to bolster the skin firming and smoothing efficacy with a thoughtful skin-care routine and daily sunscreen wear.
