This $8 ‘Botox in a Bottle’ Nixes Fine Lines and Wrinkles Without Any Needles
We’re all looking for a magic potion that will keep our skin looking eternally youthful. According to skincare aficionados on social media, we should be picking up something called argireline to nix pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
One brand in particular is being raved as the latest “Botox in a bottle” miracle worker: The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% (Buy on Sephora, $7.90). Similar to the injectable, this peptide is said to have muscle-inhibiting effects that improve the appearance and texture of facial lines when applied topically. But can something so affordable really be as effective?
Well, we can’t guarantee that you’ll see quite the same instant results as Botox, but research has found argireline can significantly reduce wrinkles. A study from 2002 saw up to 30 percent reduction in lines after participants applied argireline for 28 days. Another had mixed results, but study authors speculated that their subjects were too young and that this particular peptide works better on older skin.
Beauty influencer Sarah Palmyra decided to see for herself and shared her results after trying the product for four weeks. Take a look:
@sarahpalmyra Reply to @e.michele7 #botox #beforeandafter #skincarehack #antiaging #tutorials #theordinary
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As Palmyra says in the video, she used a combination of the argireline solution and another peptide, The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA (Buy on Sephora, $11.50), based on info from another study. You can find products that include both ingredients and other skin-boosting elements, like the Asterwood Naturals Matrixyl 3000 Argireline Peptide Vitamin C Serum (Buy on Walmart, $21.78). Either way, there’s no denying how well it worked for the frown line Palmyra was focused on diminishing.
Dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom explained on his TikTok page that although argireline can show promising results, it won’t have quite as long-lasting an effect as something that penetrates deeper into our skin like a Botox injection. Consistently applying it should help maintain a wrinkle-free appearance, though. He also pointed out another benefit similar to Botox: warding off excess sweatiness. Another user backed this up by sharing how the argireline solution not only reduced the lines on her face, but kept it dry as she worked out at the gym.
Considering most argireline products seem to be a lot cheaper than cosmetic injectables or other pricey topical remedies, it definitely seems worth giving a try!
