Surely This Trending Skincare Ingredient Can't Actually Replace Botox? I've Asked the Experts

If you’re looking for a less invasive alternative to aesthetic tweakments, there’s a good chance that during your research, you’ll have come across argireline, a skincare ingredient often touted as ‘Botox in a bottle’. Most commonly found in serums, the ingredient may not yet be as popular as the likes of vitamin C and retinoids, but it’s certainly becoming a skincare secret for those looking for effective but non-invasive anti-ageing products.

In fact, as an esthetician, one of the topics I discuss most frequently with my clients is how to address key signs of ageing, like fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin, without the need for needles. I find that most people are open to the idea of trying Botox and fillers eventually, but want to see what they can achieve with their at-home skincare routine first. If that sounds like you, then a peptide like argireline can be a great addition to your routine. What’s more, if you’ve previously found that ingredients like vitamin C and retinoids have caused irritation to your skin, peptides are often more easily tolerated by those with skin sensitivity.

Of course there’s a lot of hype in the skincare world and not everything lives up to its lofty promises, so it’s easy to become cynical when faced with claims like ‘miracle cream’ and ‘Botox in a bottle’. We tapped the expertise of dermatologist Sonia Khorana to find out everything there is to know about argireline. From exactly what it is, to its benefits and side effects, keep reading for everything you need to know about the ingredient.

What is argireline?