Are Products Like Strivectrin Better Than Botox?

Consider the so-called “alternatives” to BOTOX. Perhaps the best-known product out there is STRIVECTIN. Klein-Becker, the company that makes the product, slyly asks in its marketing: “Better than BOTOX?” Suggesting that STRIVECTIN must be at least as good. Other companies have piled on to this marketing strategy. At best this is confusing to the public. There are now scientific studies that have directly compared StriVectin-SD (Klein-Becker USA, Salt Lake City, UT,... more

There is no question that BOTOX is vastly superior in efficacy for wrinkles than is Strivectin, and in fact there was a scientific study that showed just this. 

Dr. Steinsapir is absolutely correct. Most of the products which claim to be better than Botox are simply moisturizers which in clinical studies have not proven to be better than Botox. Unfortunately because these products do not have to get US FDA approval for their claims, they can claim whatever they want without having to show well controlled scientific studies to back up their claims. If you are looking for an alternative to Botox to help decrease fine lines and wrinkles, moisturizers... more

Unfortunately, many cosmetic claims by products sold over the counter are completely unsubstantiated, and Strivectin's claim to be "Better than Botox?" is simply false. Strivectin is a moisturizer that does not penetrate the skin to affect dynamic facial muscles. Botox is a tried and true cosmetic injectable that works well for softening of certain facial wrinkles. Someday soon, Botox will be available in a cream formulation, but until then, save your money... skip the Strivectin. more

The marketing approach with strivectin made an ingenious glancing analogy between two products that have very little similarity. The obvious goal was to associate the product with a very effective, time tested minimally invasive procedure. Analogous questions I would ask: Is an old moped better than a Bentley? Is Timex better than Rolex? Is an old rag better than Versace?

Hi there- Strivectin and similar products help with skin smoothness by helping to hydrate the skin, and possibly by boosting collagen production. Botox works by relaxing the muscles under the skin to help soften the wrinkles caused by contraction of that muscle- helping also to slow the development of future wrinkles.

Beware of marketers of creams of dubious values on TV, Radio, or online. Most if not all of the over-the-counter promoted creams offer not much more than moisturization. No topical marketed creams (including Strivectin, Hydroxatone, and the likes) have the proven clinical efficacy of wrinkle reduction and collagen production as topical retinoid such as tretinoin or tazoratene, which have gone through the rigor of double-blinded randomized clinical trials that confirmed efficacy over placebo... more

I notice that we no longer see the ads with the tagline "Strivectin: Better than Botox?" The reason is that someone actually did a study comparing the two products with Botox the clear winner. The thing is that Botox has a very specific effect on the muscles that cause winkles, while strivectin is a skin cream that might be nice but doesn't do what Botox does. It would be great if there was something that was less expensive and didn't involve injections, but worked as well as... more

Strivectin is a cream that is purported to work like Botox. I have been underwhelmed by iits effects.  Botox is injected and gets right into the muscle to take effect.

Creams do not work better or in place of Botox. I have never seen a cream have the affect on the muscles with the subsequent cosmetic result that a Botox injection causes. I would be weary of any claim of a cream to be better than Botox.

Nothing that you can purchase in a store or that you apply to your skin will give you the results that you see with Botox treatments. It simply isn't possible, and don't believe anyone who tells you it is true. You will be wasting your money on these products. The only way to get the results that you see with Botox is to get Botox.

We have many patients that have used Strivectin in the past that are now very loyal Botox patients. If Strivectin were really a good alternative to Botox, then Allergan, the makers of Botox would have a huge pricing issue on their hands. The fact is that Botox is the MOST WIDELY administered cosmetic treatment in the US because it is a great product and is excellent for smoothing wrinkles, especially around the eyes. We believe if you tried Strivectin and Botox, the decision about which to... more

Unless you enjoy repeatedly wasting your money on one failed marketing claim after another - do NOT waste your money on strivectrin. It does not come close to what Botox does and it is way over price for what it really is.