The idea that a sub-$10 skin care serum could offer the same benefits as an expensive in-office injectable sounds too good to be true. So, you can imagine my skepticism when a video came across my TikTok feed suggesting The Ordinary’s 10% Argireline Solution could do just that. My research did present me with some pretty undeniable testimonials by those who tried the serum. One Amazon reviewer flat-out touted it as “Botox in a bottle, no joke,” while others went so far as to call it a “miracle serum,” a budget-friendly replacement for $300 skin care products and an incredible serum that “plumps up deep wrinkles and makes them less visible.” And today, the already-affordable skin care potion is on a very rare 20% off discount — the lowest price it’s been all year.
Read more I Was So Blown Away By This Cleaning Gel, I’m Never Shopping Another Brand Again
As convincing as the bold statements are for regular beauty users, I wanted to ask the professional opinion of a board-certified dermatologist.
According to New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, neurotoxins, the active ingredient in Botox, “interfere with the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, into nerve synapses.” This temporarily freezes the muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic lines and prevent new ones from forming.
The Ordinary’s lightweight and water-based solution features a 10% concentration of Argireline, otherwise known as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, “a skincare ingredient that may reduce the appearance of expression lines by working as a neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptide,” Camp said.
One Sephora reviewer corroborated Argireline’s temporary muscle-freezing potential by claiming they could finally relax their over-active forehead muscles after using the serum for just a week.
The Ordinary — a brand that I’ve always loved for its longstanding reputation of offering simple and effective skin care at accessible price points — suggests using this serum after cleansing but before heavier solutions and moisturizers.
Camp reminds us that, topical serums will not deliver the same type of results as in-office procedures like neurotoxin injections. And, as someone who regularly receives Botox injections, I doubt this serum will be able to achieve that desired lift that can sometimes occur when neurotoxin is placed in areas like the outer corners of the brow or along the forehead.
That being said, I think this is a great supplementary product to possibly extend the life of my Botox and help me go longer in between treatments.
Take a look at even more promising reviews down below or grab yourself a bottle from Amazon for under $8.
“So I’ve been using this Argireline Solution for a littleinute and honestly? It’s giving main character energy. For $10.99, scentless, it’s a total steal—we love a budget-friendly glow-up that actually puts in the work.
I’ve been tapping this onto my forehead and around my eyes, and the fine lines are basically exiting the chat. It’s like a ‘Botox in a bottle’ moment but without the needles or the scary price tag. It’s super lightweight, not sticky at all, and doesn’t mess with my vibe when I layer other products on top.
If you’re trying to keep that youthful skin on lock and stop the wrinkles from spawning, you need this in your rotation. Myy skin looks way more low-key filtered. 10/10, highly recommend for the besties on a budget. Thank you The Original!!” — Anthony Coletti Jr
Read more This Insulated Water Bottle Has A ‘Secret Stash Spot’ For Pills And It’s 15% Off Right Now
“What can I say Botox in a bottle? They’re not joking. I’ve been using this twice a day for the past probably two years or more and my forehead wrinkles maybe are there but not visible. It’s gentle on your skin. I even use it under my eyes with no burning. And I have sensitive eyes. It might be something that you’ve not heard of or you think you don’t need but I would like to challenge you to try it for a week or two I’m telling you you’ll never stop buying it.” — K. Dietrich
“Love this stuff. It was my first time trying this type of peptide and it really works. It’s probably the closest thing to Botox you will find in the skincare aisle” — Kimberly Money
“I love this! It really softens my deep forehead lines. I use twice a day. Keep in mind, I am 55, so I also use tretinoin cream twice a week at night, and regular otc retinol on the other nights. I moisturze in layers and do the same with sunscreen. My skin is incredibly dry due to Sjogren’s Syndrome. However, if I skip a few days of this, my skin reverts back to deep wrinkles. So, for me, it is a plumper, not a repair or renew serum. But I love it for what it does and will repurchase forever 🤩” — bookworm
Looking for more dermatologist-recommended products? Check out these best toners for acne, as reported by Lourdes Avila Uribe.
Thayers rose petal and witch hazel facial toner with aloe vera
There’s a good chance you’ve spotted this popular toner out in the wild — it’s long been used to keep skin smooth, hydrated and balanced. But just because it’s often found in health food stores doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful. This toner’s effective ingredients make it a Shokeen must-have, and it’s especially great for teens and people in their early 20s who don’t want to drop a lot of cash on a toner but want to see results. It’s made with witch hazel and aloe vera, which work together to balance oily skin, keep it hydrated and smooth and neutralize bacteria.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid exfoliant
This leave-on exfoliating toner is not for the faint of heart. It has a high percentage of salicylic acid that can help to slough away dead skin cells and unclog pores — it even has anti-aging benefits and can help to smooth out the look of wrinkles. It also uses green tea to soothe irritated skin and methylpropanediol to hydrate, so you don’t have to worry about this powerful formula leaving your skin drier than the desert.
PCA SKIN Nutrient toner
PCA Skin is one of those relatively under-the-radar brands that people with acne-prone skin need to familiarize themselves with immediately. I find its Blemish Control bar to be an absolute lifesaver and am keen to try the Nutrient toner as well. It’s made with those highly-coveted and recommended AHAs that can help to refine pores and keep them fresh and clear, while vitamins, enzymes and amino acids nourish the skin, so it’s ready to receive the rest of your skin care products.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
Read more Netanyahu Refuses To Withdraw From Gaza Until Hamas Completely Disarms
Leave a Reply