Botox Scaries Got You Down? Use These Alternatives

Nowadays it feels like you can only scroll so far online without running into conflicting advice and questions about how to improve the appearance of your skin: Baby Botox or preventative Botox? Which celebrities have done buccal fat removal? Am I too young for filler?!

So, if you too have ended up in one too many TikTok black holes about navigating the changing elasticity of your face and body or even videos about whether or not it's totally passe to discuss wrinkles at all -- listen up and listen well.

We spoke to Dr. Emma Horton, skincare expert and founder of online dermatology service Uncouth, to get the 411 on why we get wrinkles and what ingredients we can use to improve their appearance sans botox; which, FYI, has an average effect duration of 12-16 weeks.

Scroll below to read Hypebae's guide to improving skin firmness, without injectables.

So, why do we even get wrinkles?

According to Dr. Emma Horton, "Wrinkles develop primarily due to the natural aging process, as the skin gradually loses its elasticity and collagen production decreases over time." Why is this an issue you say? Well "Collagen provides structural support to the skin, maintaining its firmness and resilience, while elastin allows the skin to stretch and bounce back." explains Horton.

Does my diet or lifestyle make me more susceptible to wrinkles?

The answer to this is both yes and no (but mostly yes), explains Dr. Horton, who advises that overall "The main two lifestyle factors to look out for are excessive UV exposure - cough cough Mrs Kardashian with the sunbed - and smoking."  She continues by adding, "Smoking promotes the release of enzymes that break down collagen which can subsequently lead to more wrinkles."

What alternatives treatments can we use rather than Botox to reduce wrinkles?

"One of the most important things is wearing an SPF." says Dr. Horton. "Regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 can help minimize sun damage and reduce the risk of developing wrinkles." If that wasn't enough for you then Topical retinoids, for example the prescription-strength retinoid tretinoin, can stimulate collagen production, helping to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Now that you've heard from the expert, here are some of our favorite product alternatives and treatment options.

TULA Pro-Ferm™ Overnight Complex

[shoppable brand="TULA Skincare" product="Pro-Ferm Overnight Complex" link="https://www.tulaskincare.co.uk/products/overnight-eye-cream" store="TULA " price="$61 USD"]

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Think of your favorite eye cream, but in overdrive. This overnight eye treatment works to combat the look of fine lines and wrinkles, by hydrating and replenishes the delicate skin around eyes while you sleep with botanical retinol alternatives. For those of us with sensitive skin, Pro-Ferm™ overnight complex is also formulated soothing chamomile to help soothe things along.

Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum

[shoppable brand="Natruium" product="Retinaldehyde Cream Serum" link="https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/retinaldehyde-cream-serum-MUK200037842.html" store="Space NK" price="$40 USD"]

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Trust the internet's new favorite all over skincare brand to also be the brains behind one of one of the most accessible retinol options on the market right now. The creamy serum is formulated with sustained-release retinaldehyde, making it a unique, next-generation retinol that works to visibly address the look of fine lines and uneven skin tone and texture. Buy now, thank us later.

111 Skin Repair Serum NAC Y²

[shoppable brand="111 Skin" product="Repair Serum NAC Y2" link="https://111skin.com/products/facelift-repair-serum?variant=43191632232601" store="111 Skin" price="$157 USD"]

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111Skin and its Repair Serum NAC Y² has become the stuff of beauty legends over the past few years but make no mistake, the results you'll get from using this product are far from fantasy. As it's a real "do it all serum," this offering from 111 Skin, works to hydrate and nourish skin as well as crucially, accelerate cellular repair by boosting glutathione, the body's master antioxidant, so its ability to reduce fine lines is a given.

Nakery Beauty's LIFT-TOX Multi-Power Firming Rich Cream

[shoppable brand="Nakery Beauty" product="Lift-Tox Multi-Power Firming Rich Cream" link="https://nakerybeauty.com/products/lift-tox-multi-power-firming-rich-cream" store="Nakery Beauty" price="$44 USD"]

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This multi-powered formula infused with (deep breath) SepiLift, Vegetable Collagen, Argrilene, Pentavitin, two types of Vitamin C, Lilac Plant Stem Cells and Matrixyl 3000 is the perfect option for anyone looking for a AM/PM skin nourishing option that actively supports skin in the natural process of aging.

Erborian Skin Therapy Oil

[shoppable brand="Erborian" product="Skin Therapy Oil" link="https://uk.erborian.com/skin-therapy---multi-perfecting-night-oil-serum-6AA20042.html" store="Erborian" price="$65 USD"]

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Using actives and treatments to improve fine lines and wrinkles may be a choice, but having dry dehydrated skin no matter your skincare routine certainly isn't. This K-Beauty brand's potent overnight oil features 17 plant extracts in oil that work to improve seven aspects of skincare, including bamboo to moisturize and maintain skin hydration, fermented yuzu to encourage a more even tone and red pepper to improve the skin's natural radiance.

Coco & Eve Daily Water Gel SPF50

[shoppable brand="Coco $ Eve" product="Daily Water Gel SPF50" link="https://uk.cocoandeve.com/products/daily-watergel-spf50-sunscreen" store="Coco & Eve" price="$28 USD"]

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Use your SPF everyday! This is not a threat but a promise of supple, healthy skin without the sensitivities that UV exposure -- remember what Dr. Horton said about that? Coco & Eve might have made its name as a go to for textured hair but they make a pretty good SPF, too.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliant Cleanser

[shoppable brand="Murad" product="AHA/BHA Exfoliant Cleanser" link="https://www.murad.co.uk/product/aha-bha-exfoliating-cleanser/" store="Murad" price="$57 USD"]

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We know, we know physical exfoliants have been on the naughty step for a few years, however, there are a few exceptions to rule. In this instance it's Murad's cleverly formulated chemical and physical exfoliation cleanser which works to help clear dull, dry skin from the surface for a fresher appearance and to improve penetration of treatment ingredients that follow. Use 2-3 times a week and bask in your skin.

iS Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion

[shoppable brand="iS" product="Clincial Retinol+ Emulsion" link="https://www.facethefuture.co.uk/products/is-clinical-retinol-emulsion-0-3" store="iS" price="$157 USD"]

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Yes, another retinol because we are big fans of the stuff over here. This is the very cleverly formulated Retinol+ Emulsion from one of the best in the skin game, uses encapsulated bio-identical lipids in order to ensure the nourishing form of retinol is easily delivered to your skin. That and it also protects against the effects free radicals and pollutants, what's not to love?

CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask

[shoppable brand="CurrentBody" product="LED Light Therapy Face Mask" link="https://www.currentbody.com/products/currentbody-skin-led-light-therapy-mask" store="CurrentBody" price="$375 USD"]

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Although the look of this mask when worn feels like the stuff of nightmares, make no mistake the Currentbody mask is most definitely the stuff of skincare dreams. The mask emits Red light waves that accelerate the production of new collagen, calms redness while creating an even skin tone. Use regularly and enthusiastically.

Profhilo Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Treatment

[shoppable brand="Profhilo" product="Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Treatment" link="https://www.profhilo.co.uk/" store="Profhilo" price="Price varies"]

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Not quite a sold on over the counter options? Not to worry for anyone not yet ready to break up with injectables then Profhilo might just be the next best thing. It's a groundbreaking hyaluronic acid moisturizing treatment, injected under the skin, which activates skin cell receptors, addressing skin laxity and enhancing firmness. It's perfect for on the fence clinic lovers who want an added boost to their skin.

THE PERFECT PEEL® SUPERBLEND

[shoppable brand="THE PERFECT PEEL" product="SUPERBLEND" link="https://theperfectpeel.co.uk/the-perfect-peel-superblend/" store="THE PERFECT PEEL" price="Price varies"]

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Now, thanks to that SATC episode and more reality TV shows than we can count, chemical skin peels have become A-Lister's worst kept secret. The one that Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Kerry Washington are all fans of ? The PERFECT PEELof course. It's a hybrid chemical peel that effectively targets both medium and superficial depths in a single treatment and works on all skin tone and types and has an on average one week peel time with full results at day 28. Just make sure to consult your derm first.