10 At-Home Botox Alternatives—from Argireline to Silicone Patches—and How Well They Actually Work

Since Botox got FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2002, it’s been the gold standard for treating wrinkles. It works by blocking nerve signals to the injected muscle, temporarily paralyzing it so it cannot contract, which smoothes existing lines and delays new ones from forming. As with any drug, there are, of course, risks and side effects, but Botox is widely considered to be extremely safe when administered by a qualified injector. 

However, despite its efficacy and safety, many people are resistant to getting neuromodulators. For some, it’s simply the price tag; for others, a fear of needles or of looking frozen. A common misconception is that it’s best reserved for “old” people. (On the contrary, says board-certified New York City dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “You should start in your early 20s. By your mid-20s, your rate of cell turnover and collagen production starts to decline.”) 

But cosmetic treatments are an entirely personal decision— and if you’re not willing or ready to get Botox, there are plenty of other topical products and treatments on the market that promise wrinkle reduction. We asked top derms to weigh in on what works and what’s a waste of money.

1. Retinol

Studies show—and derms agree—that vitamin A is the most crucial active skin-care ingredient for fighting signs of aging, and it works even better at improving skin tone, smoothing fine lines, and aiding collagen production, the earlier you start using it. The most potent form, Retin-A (aka tretinoin or retinoic acid), requires a prescription, but there are plenty of effective over-the-counter retinols in the form of retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate. “The strength and efficacy [are] dependent upon the form of the vitamin A derivative and how the skin converts it to retinoic acid,” says Dr. Green. Retin-A, she explains, is a pure form of vitamin A that the skin doesn’t need to convert to retinoic acid, so you see results more quickly, “but the pros of using [retinols] are less irritation, redness, and peeling.”

If you’re someone who has yet to really see visible signs of aging and is debating whether to get preventative Botox, adding retinol into your routine will keep your skin line-free for longer and deliver significant collagen-boosting benefits. If you already have visible lines and wrinkles, a retinol serum or cream can help soften them and slow the formation of more, but it won’t treat them nearly as quickly and effectively as Botox. “I do believe retinols are incredible topical medications that can help keep skin youthful, but you have to use them nightly and for the rest of time,” says Dr. Rabach.

Does retinol really work? It’s the most effective topical skin-care product (along with sunscreen) for fighting the signs of aging.

2. Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol, an extract derived from the babchi plant that has long been used in Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine to treat hyperpigmentation, is being called “nature’s retinol.” Despite having no structural similarities to retinoids, Dr. Green says that studies have shown that it does have similar effects on skin, without the irritation associated with retinol, potentially making it worth a try for sensitive skin types. “It hasn’t been studied as rigorously as retinols as a category, and the strength, overall, is not as strong as [that of] prescription-strength retinol—but it will help reduce some fine lines and wrinkles, as part of an everyday routine for life,” says Dr. Rabach. One big downside of the ingredient? The babchi plant is rare and endangered, so it’s important to make sure the product you’re buying is sustainably harvested.  

Does bakuchiol really work? This is a promising but not proven retinol alternative, with some ethical sourcing concerns.

3. Argireline

Considering it’s being marketed as “Botox in a bottle,” argireline has surged in popularity lately, turning up on TikTok and in recent launches like BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer ($72) and The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% ($10). Unlike other topicals on this list, argireline actually works to minimize muscle movement rather than treating the overlying skin and wrinkles, making it as close to neurotoxins as you can get without injections. It’s a synthetic peptide that addresses how your facial muscles contract. “Argireline inhibits the release of neurotransmitters called acetylcholine, which is responsible for muscle contraction,” explains Dr. Idriss. “By limiting its release, argireline reduces the intensity of muscle contractions.” In addition to helping to soften the appearance of fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles, studies show that it may also help prevent transepidermal water loss, though more research is needed. Generally speaking, this ingredient is well tolerated and is considered safe to use while pregnant, though you should always ask your OB/GYN to err on the side of caution.

Does argireline (aka “Botox in a bottle”) really work? “The mechanism by which it works mimics that of Botox, but nothing is going to replace Botox,” explains Dr. Idriss. However, if neurotoxins really aren’t for you, it’s certainly an option to try.  

4. Matrixyl 3000

This patented complex combines two different peptides: palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. “Palmitoyl oligopeptide helps stimulate the production of collagen, while palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is known for its anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Dr. Idriss. It’s often touted as an alternative to botulinum toxin because it can help firm the skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (It’s worth noting that many skin-care products frequently feature both Matrixyl 3000 and hyaluronic acid, such as The INKEY List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum, $16, for a double whammy of line-smoothing and skin-plumping benefits.) Matrixyl 3000’s ability to reduce inflammation also offers anti-aging benefits by treating inflammaging, a form of low-grade, chronic inflammation that builds over age, accelerating skin deterioration.

Does Matrixyl 3000 really work? If you’re looking for a very gentle ingredient that will help to smooth wrinkles over time, you might like Matrixyl 3000, but don’t expect miracles.

5. Silicone patches

Reusable silicone patches, like the popular products by SiO, claim to treat signs of aging by sealing in moisture and increasing hydration levels in the skin, thereby plumping and filling in existing forehead lines, frown lines, and other expression lines, and preventing new creases from forming, while tightly compressing against the skin to smooth it in the interim. But both derms agree that any wrinkle-reduction benefits they may provide are fleeting. Plus, says Dr. Rabach, “most of the research surrounding silicone is based on scar revision.”

Does SiO really work? “These patches will offer only temporary anti-wrinkle benefits but can be an extra pampering [step] in your skin-care routine,” says Dr. Green.

Related: The Treatments and Ingredients Actually Proven to Reduce Wrinkles

6. Microdart patches

The thinking behind microdart patches—which feature pointy “darts,” which then supposedly pierce skin on a very superficial level—is that they get key ingredients where they need to go. “The idea is that the microdarts will help deliver the active ingredients more readily to the superficial layers of the skin,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kim. You can usually find them made with actives like hyaluronic acid and peptides, as with Depology Deepcare+ Serum-Infused Micro Dart Patches.

They have the potential to work in two ways, first by delivering actives to fine lines and deeper wrinkles that would otherwise be challenging for a liquid serum to reach. Then, Dr. Kim says, there’s the matter of the patches themselves. “Because microdarts are usually attached to a patch, it occludes the areas that the patches are applied to—and this can enhance delivery of active ingredients,” he explains.

Does Depology really work? “It can help your skin look hydrated to reduce the appearance of superficial signs of aging,” but is unlikely to have a long-term effect, says Dr. Kim.

7. Facial acupuncture

The idea behind facial acupuncture, says Dr. Green, is similar to that of microneedling: “Multiple needles are used on the face, to cause precise micro injuries to the skin. Through these micro injuries, the skin is able to boost collagen production, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles as it heals.” However, unlike microneedling—which involves more rapid, allover pricks—acupuncture needles are simply placed in pressure points on the face and do not go as deep. The anecdotal evidence supporting it abounds, but the scientific studies aren’t there, says Dr. Rabach. “It may decrease stress, which helps with overall aging, but I do not put much stock in this treatment for the reduction or prevention of wrinkles.”

Does facial acupuncture really work? Science doesn’t support its efficacy as a wrinkle treatment, but it can have other wellness benefits.

8. Facial exercises

Working out your face, either through kneading and massage or performing repeated expressions aimed at toning the muscles, “actually has the opposite effect” advocates of it claim, says Dr. Green. “Instead of tightening the skin, exercises can pull and stretch the skin, causing the formation of new wrinkles and exacerbating the onset of premature aging. One of the contributing causes of wrinkle formation is excessive muscle movement, therefore, facial exercises are not ideal.” The reason Botox is so effective and seen by many as preventative is that it freezes the muscles and, over time, can train us not to make certain expressions that overwork the muscles. 

Do facial exercises really work? Exercises exacerbate the effects of aging.

9. Facelift tape

Facelift tape is exactly what it sounds like: highly adhesive, medical-grade tape used to mechanically lift the skin around the neck, jowls, and eyes and hold it taut. Unlike silicone patches, which are designed for use while sleeping, tape is typically worn during the day and for big events. Dr. Green says it actually delivers “dramatic wrinkle reduction” in the short-term but notes that it can be difficult to apply and can cause irritation and discomfort. Once it’s removed, the skin returns to its normal state, and “there is no long-term effect on the wrinkles,” says Dr. Rabach. 

Does face tape really work? The tape delivers an instant and often radical wrinkle fix, but it offers no lasting benefits.

10. Microcurrent devices

At-home devices, like NuFACE Fix and ZIIP, that use gentle electrical microcurrents to stimulate cells can be effective at tightening the skin and reducing wrinkles by increasing collagen and elastin production, both derms agree. But you’ll see the best results of “long-term wrinkle reduction when you use them in conjunction with other in-office treatments, such as dermal fillers and lasers like Thermage,” explains Dr. Green.

Do at-home microcurrent devices really work? Use these before and after in-office wrinkle treatments, to extend your results.