The Top 13 Botox Alternatives in 2024, Recommended by Dermatologists

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Regardless of how you feel about injections, the skin-smoothing benefits of Botox can't be denied. Nothing else on the market wipes away fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, and frown lines quite like it. “Neuromodulators are great for treating the lines and wrinkles that come from repeated contractions of the muscles of facial expression,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. 

While there are many other injectable options out there that have similar results (such as Xeomin, filler, or Juvaderm), finding the best Botox alternatives in the form of skincare is easier said than done. After all, so many brands claim to erase wrinkles after one use, but the reality is drastically different. “Topical ingredients will only offer a temporary effect and cannot deliver the long-lasting results of a drug like Botox or Dysport,” says Howard Sobel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

Here, we’re breaking down the best Botox alternatives with the help of top dermatologists and plastic surgeons.  

This oil-free serum features seven unique peptides to help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the face — specifically, forehead lines, glabellar (frown) lines, crow's feet, bunny nose lines, nasolabial laugh lines, lip lines, and marionette lines. “It’s one of the only clinically proven topical products that helps smooth the appearance of expression lines,” Dr. King says. Use twice daily, in the morning and evening, for best results.

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycerin | Size: 0.5 fl oz

This wallet-friendly serum combines two of the most effective skin-smoothing ingredients, peptides (in the form of Matrixyl) and hyaluronic acid. Matrixyl is a pentapeptide that has been scientifically proven to stimulate collagen production in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that holds 1,000 times its weight in water. The lightweight water-based formula targets fine lines by hydrating the skin and boosting collagen production. This Botox alternative has even gone viral as part of a popular Botox hack on TikTok.

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Matrixyl, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 fl oz

This medical-grade silicone patch is among the best non-invasive Botox alternatives to keep forehead wrinkles and frown lines at bay. “The patches keep the skin taut so it can't crease or wrinkle while locking in moisture,” Dr. King says. These patches are designed to sit across the forehead and in between the brows to rehydrate and smooth the area. Wear them for one to two hours for a quick boost or sleep with them on to avoid friction-based creases when you wake up.

Type: Patches | Key Ingredients: Medical-grade silicone | Size: 2 patches

Microneedling, a.k.a. collagen induction therapy, is a professional procedure that helps plump and smooth the complexion by creating micro-wounds in the skin (it's also a popular hair loss treatment option). These adhesive patches employ a similar logic — without the needles or pain. Each patch features 450 hyaluronic acid-based 'microneedles' that dissolve over the course of six to 12 hours to help powerful ingredients like encapsulated retinol, vitamin C, and peptides penetrate deeper into the skin. These actives boost collagen production and smooth fine lines around your mouth, eyes, and forehead.

Apply before bed and wear the patches for a minimum of six hours for best results. If you have sensitive skin, the combination of retinol and vitamin C may be irritating. Patch test one in a more discreet area (think: under your chin) to see how your skin responds.

Type: Patches | Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, peptides | Size: 6 patches

Simultaneously target frown lines, crow’s feet, and smile lines with this multi-purpose pack. “Wrinkle patches can effectively soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “I love SiO Beauty Patches, which are made with medical-grade silicone — making them safe for all skin types.” The occlusive environment created by the patches deeply hydrates the skin to visibly smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The gentle compression also helps to temporarily flatten out existing wrinkles and prevent newer ones from deepening.

Type: Patches | Key Ingredients: Medical-grade silicone | Size: 5 patches

Inspired by Dr. Diamond’s signature Diamond InstaFacial, his Plasma and Emulsion serums are formulated to be professional treatments in a bottle. The Plasma serum features human-identical bioactive growth factors to support the skin’s ability to repair and regenerate, while acetyl hexapeptide-8 and copper tripteptide-1 help diminish the appearance of expression lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth. In the Emulsion serum, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-38 work to restore firmness and soften visible lines and wrinkles.

“In our clinical trials, 91 percent of subjects reported their skin texture was smoother, firmer, and lifted at four weeks,” Dr. Diamond says. “Objectively, a clinical investigator assessed a 94 percent improvement in the crow’s feet lines at week eight.”

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Peptides, growth factors | Size: From 1 fl oz

If you're interested in the never-ending benefits of retinol and retinoids but are concerned about your skin's acclimation process that comes with introducing them to your routine, this mild formula from dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, is a good place to start. “This is a gentle way to introduce a retinoid into your regimen with retinaldehyde plus peptides and lipids,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

While retinaldehyde is the most potent vitamin A you can get without a prescription, the skin-soothing lipids in this formula make it tolerable for most skin types to use two to three times a week. Dr. Kobets also likes the product because it is hypoallergenic, clinically tested, and refillable.

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, peptides, lipids Size: 0.95 fl oz

Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury bottled up her go-to anti-aging moisturizer, featuring a blend of skin-smoothing peptides, brightening antioxidants, hydrating humectants, and lots more, after years of whipping up small batches to get her celebrity and runway clients red carpet-ready. “A good moisturizer contains humectants to hydrate, emollients to support the skin barrier, and occlusives to lock in the moisture — and this product contains all three,” Dr. King says. The hydrating ingredients are paired with a bionymph peptide complex to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles, so there is very little this multitasking moisturizer doesn’t do.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Peptides, vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid Size: 1.7 fl oz

This targeted treatment plumps deeper expression lines thanks to varying weights of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and other skin-smoothers. “It has injectable-grade hyaluronic acid, peptides, and a collagen nourishing complex of amino acids and vitamin C for the fine and deeper lines,” Dr. Kobets says. The injectable-grade HA instantly fills the expression lines for a smoother effect, while four additional HA molecules lock in moisture. Two neuro-calming peptides are also employed to soften lines and wrinkles over time.

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides Size: 1 fl oz

What happens when you combine vegan epidermal growth factors (EGF) with bio-recovery peptides and a blend of three phyto-retinols? You get this skin-smoothing, soothing, and strengthening cream that Dr. Engelman helped formulate to repair the skin barrier and reduce signs of aging over time without sensitizing skin. The 1% vegan EGF mimics human protein to boost collagen and elastin production, a plant-based retinol complex imparts all the firming and smoothing benefits of the vitamin A-derivative without the irritating side effects, and peptides work to strengthen maturing skin from within.

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides Size: 1.7 fl oz

If you're interested in the benefits of at-home skincare devices without cluttering up your vanity, this multitasking wand is just what the doctor ordered. “A multifunctional device like Solawave uses combination therapy of LED, microcurrent, heat, and massage to promote collagen production, calm, and firm the skin,” Dr. Sobel says.

Red light therapy minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while a galvanic current (electrical current emitted from the device) boosts the absorption of topical skincare products, and a low-vibration facial massage improves contour and radiance. What's more, the therapeutic warmth emitted from the wand temporarily depuffs. “When used as a follow up to a professional dermatological or medi-spa treatment, it can help to prolong skin firming benefits at home,” says Dr. Sobel.

Type: Device | Key Features: LED therapy, galvanic current Size: 1 wand

Popular on TikTok, these press-on patches help smooth frown lines on the forehead and between the eyes while you sleep (packs that target lines around the mouth are also available). Made of kraft paper and a starch-based adhesive, Frownies look similar to regular sheet masks except they intensely harden up to target the muscles of the face and to keep your skin from moving. You'll need to wear them consistently for noticeable improvements in your skin, FYI.

Type: Patches | Key Features: Unbleached kraft paper, starch-based adhesive | Size: 144 patches

There's a lot of buzz around at-home red light therapy masks and other high-tech skincare tools — and for good reason. Many of the models have impressive results, often eliminating fine lines and acne over time with consistent use. The Omnilux LED Contour Face Mask is FDA-cleared and uses light-emitting diodes (LED) to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to firm and tone the face.

Although this is quite a splurge, it offers a blend of both red light and near-infrared light which can lead to results after about a month. The flexible silicone mask is lined with LEDs and fits around your face comfortably enough for 10-minute treatments. Initially, it's recommended to use three to five times per week for a period of four to six weeks. After this, use it for maintenance treatments as needed (but still five times per week max).

Type: LED mask | Key Features: 633nm (red light) and 830nm (near-infrared light ) | Size: Covers face

Meg Storm is a freelance writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience covering the beauty and aesthetics industry. She is a biannual Botox devotee with a tightly curated skincare and device routine that has been informed by the hundreds of dermatologists and plastic surgeons she has worked with and interviewed over the years. The best anti-aging advice she’s ever received: Never leave the house without sunscreen.