The Best Botox & Filler Alternative Products (Needle-Free!)
As an elder-ish millennial (born in 1989, just like our girl Taylor Swift), my interest in anti-aging skin care has sadly piqued. Unfortunately I don't have the same bank account as Taylor, so I have found all the ways to hack getting botox and filler on a budget!
But budget alone isn't the only reason you may not want to go all-in on cosmetic treatments like botox injections or dermal fillers. Whether it's the cost, the fear of side effects, or just personal preference, there are a lot of reasons to skip injectable treatments.
I’ll admit I've done Botox once (did not really even love my results!) and I've never done filler, but I’ve found some great alternatives that give me a similar look with no needles and no downtime!
If your aesthetic goals include reducing the appearance of wrinkles, smoothing forehead lines or crow’s feet, or just getting more youthful-looking skin, this post is for you.
These are the best Botox alternatives I’ve personally tried (or were recommended by a professional once I'm done breastfeeding!) to fake that smooth, plump, lifted look at home using affordable skincare products and simple techniques.
How To Fake the Look of Botox at Home
The goal with Botox cosmetic is to reduce muscle contractions in areas like the forehead and glabella, where expression lines and dynamic wrinkles show up the most. Over time, facial expressions can lead to forehead wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet. These are the noninvasive treatments I’ve found that deliver real results when used consistently.
1. Face Taping at Night
Face taping helps train facial muscles to stay relaxed, especially during sleep. I tape above my brows and across my forehead to limit movement in larger areas like the glabella region. This minimizes wrinkle formation caused by repeated expressions.
Me with my Frownies tape for my number 11 lines.
With regular use, I’ve noticed a much smoother appearance in my number 11 lines. It’s an effective treatment if you’re patient and consistent. And don’t mind your significant other laughing at you every night before you go to bed.
2. Peptide Serums with Argireline
Argireline is often referred to as "Botox in a bottle" for good reason. It works on a cellular level to reduce facial muscle movement, leading to fewer expression lines and a more youthful complexion. This active ingredient mimics the effects of botulinum toxin type A, the gold standard in wrinkle reduction.
If you use it consistently, you should see noticeable results in the appearance of fine lines, especially around your eyes and forehead. Apply a few drops morning and night before moisturizer.
3. Exosome Serums and Growth Factors
Exosomes support cell turnover and boost collagen production. Adding a serum with growth factors to your nighttime routine helps with skin texture and makes your skin look more even and radiant. It’s especially helpful for dark spots and acne scars too.
It’s a great option if you want smoother skin and fewer fine lines without any cosmetic procedures.
4. Retinol or Tretinoin
Retinol is the gold standard of topical treatments for aging. It increases cell turnover, stimulates elastin production, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, static wrinkles, and dark spots.
I have used over-the-counter retinol with good results and will restart once I am done breastfeeding! But if you're die hard, you can get tretinoin with a prescription from a board-certified dermatologist. You have to be consistent and wear sunscreen daily, but the long-lasting results are worth it.
Pro tip: You can get a prescription for tretinoin quickly and easily online using Nurx.com!
5. Red Light Therapy (LED Face Mask)
Red light therapy supports the production of collagen and elastin. You can simply use your LED mask (five times per week is what derm docs recommend!) while watching Netflix. It helps improve skin tone, reduces inflammation, and gives you that natural glow. With regular use, you should see improvement in skin texture and a reduction in forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet.
This is a noninvasive treatment that works best with consistent use, just like cosmetic dermatology treatments but without the recovery time!
6. Oral Collagen + Vitamin C
I drink hydrolyzed collagen peptides every day with a source of vitamin C, which helps with absorption. This combo supports youthful skin, improves elasticity, and strengthens the skin barrier.
My morning coffee always has 2 scoops of Vital proteins collagen peptides in it!
Over time, it’s helped my skin feel firmer, look more hydrated, and reduced the appearance of facial wrinkles. It also helps with the production of collagen from the inside out.
I also always add these electrolyte packets to my water everyday- helps with hydration and the vitamin C helps with the absorption of the collagen.
Botox On a Budget: Exact Product Recommendations
TLDR- you can quickly check out the exact product recs from the tips I mentioned above!
How To Fake the Look of Filler at Home
Dermal fillers add volume to facial tissues and are often used for areas like lips, cheeks, and under the eyes. I’ve found a few great alternatives that give similar results without needing injectable treatments.
1. Face Tape (Again!)
Some wrinkles just can't be fixed with Botox! Your smile lines, for example are best treated with filler instead. By keeping your facial muscles relaxed overnight and the skin taut, the tape helps prevent new lines from forming and existing ones from deepening.
2. Overlining with Lip Stain or Liner
Instead of lip filler, I overline my lips slightly using a neutral lip stain. I focus on the center of the lips to give them more fullness. When blended out and topped with a balm, it gives the appearance of smoother, fuller lips with a more youthful appearance.
I love these peel and stick lip stains that went viral on TikTok so that your faux lip filler lasts all day!
3. Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Hyaluronic acid is an active ingredient known for attracting and holding moisture. I apply it on damp skin every morning. It plumps the skin, smooths fine lines, and gives a more youthful complexion. It’s not permanent, but it gives a quick improvement to your skin’s look and feel.
4. Under-Eye Concealer
Using a brightening concealer with a peach tone can make under-eye areas look fuller and more awake. This reduces the look of fine lines and hollowing that some people treat with filler.
This simple topical treatment is one of my favorite skincare products because it gives natural-looking results with no downtime. Personally, I use the Tarte SEA Powerflex concealer and apply with a damp makeup sponge to prevent it from creasing under my eyes.
Faux Face Filler: Exact Product Recommendations
TLDR- you can quickly check out the exact product recs from the tips I mentioned above!
A Few Things That Help All of This Work Better
These aren’t necessarily Botox or filler alternatives on their own, but they boost the effectiveness of everything else.
You gotta stay hydrated! I fill up one of these 40 ounce Stanley cups multiple times per day to help me stay on track with hydration.
Sunscreen daily: This protects the skin’s surface from free radicals and UV damage, which can speed up wrinkle formation.
Facial massage: Doing lymphatic drainage facials at home once a week. It boosts blood flow and reduces puffiness.
Stay hydrated: It helps maintain skin elasticity and supports smoother skin texture.
Everyone’s skin type and aesthetic goals are different. What works for me might not be the best option for you, but if you’re looking for non-invasive treatments that give similar results to Botox and filler, these tips are a great place to start.
With consistent use, you can reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, smooth fine lines, and get that youthful skin look without stepping into a cosmetic dermatology clinic. Whether you're in New York City or a small town, achieving natural beauty at home is more possible than ever.
And if you ever want to try botox injections or laser skin resurfacing down the line, these habits will only make those results better and longer-lasting. In the meantime, I'm happy with my at-home routine. It works for me, fits my lifestyle, and gives me results I can actually see.
Let me know if you try any of these! I love hearing what works for others too.
Loved these skin care tips and want to save them for later? Be sure to pin one of the images below on Pinterest!
