A dermatologist says this serum mimics the effects of Botox—and you can buy it for $10

A dermatologist says this serum mimics the effects of Botox—and you can buy it for $10

A story as old as time: One of the main concerns in skin care is the suppression of wrinkles and fine lines. From small steps like maintaining hydration and applying moisturizers to larger steps like Botox and laser treatments, many people have their own anti-aging methods to keep their skin looking young.

And thanks to TikTok – or #BeautyTok in particular – there are now tons of resources, products, trends, and ingredients available to beauty lovers. One of the most popular ingredients making waves on the app is Argireline, a synthetic peptide that some even call “Botox in a bottle.” Scientifically known as acetyl hexapeptide-8, it is known for its anti-aging properties that mimic the effects of Botox without invasive procedures.

Sounds too good to be true, right? To find out if Argireline lives up to its reputation, we reached out to a dermatologist to learn more about the powerful peptide. Read on to find out if this skincare ingredient can really prolong your next Botox treatment.

What is Argireline and how does it work?

“Argireline is a peptide that mimics the effects of neurotoxins by restricting the communication of your nerves with your muscles at the sites of use, thereby limiting the muscles’ ability to contract,” explains Dr. Geeta Yadav, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. In practice, Argireline can temporarily relax facial muscles when applied topically. By dampening muscle activity, it can smooth the surface of the skin and reduce the appearance of expression lines such as crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles.

“Although its effects are not nearly as strong as Botox or other neurotoxins, especially considering that the molecule size is very large and can have difficulty penetrating the skin, it is a nice topical option for those who want the results “If you want to support your injectable treatments or incorporate a non-invasive, topical alternative into your routine,” says Dr. Yadav. (Basically, it’s not as effective as Botox—which makes sense since it’s an over-the-counter ingredient—but it has the same effects on the skin, just at a lower strength.)

What are the benefits of Argireline?

The main benefit of Argireline is that it can temporarily relax facial muscles, which ultimately reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By relaxing muscles (similar to Botox), it can help prevent future wrinkles from forming while smoothing lines from previous wrinkles.

Aside from its main benefit of temporarily relaxing the facial muscles, Argireline also has other benefits. The synthetic peptide can promote collagen production, which is essential for overall skin health. When your skin produces more collagen, it has a better chance of maintaining its firmness and elasticity – which ultimately leads to the reduction of wrinkles. In addition, collagen helps improve skin hydration as it plays a key role in moisture retention. This not only makes the skin firmer, but also plumper and more supple.

Are there any side effects when using Argireline?

As with all skin care ingredients, it’s important to understand the risks. The side effects of Argireline are much less intimidating than those of, say, Botox. “The risks are very low, although some people may experience irritation or potential contact dermatitis, particularly if the formula used has a high concentration of the ingredient,” says Dr. Yadav. To avoid this, people with known allergies or sensitivities to certain skin care ingredients should patch test before using Argireline products to avoid possible reactions. You should also check the label to see how much Argireline is in the product. (As a rule of thumb, about 10 percent Argireline is safe for all skin types.) In general, the ingredient is safe for people with all skin types, including sensitive skin.