This summer, instead of going under the needle, try these fantastic alternatives to Botox and fillers
If you’re a grown-up, you’ve probably wondered if Botox or dermal fillers would be a good idea to either stave off the visible signs of ageing, to plump-up tired/saggy skin, or to make wrinkles and fine lines less obvious.
Injectables can look amazing with great results, but they don’t last forever and can be expensive – and if the sight of a needle makes you squeamish, you might not be able to face the procedure.
If needles turn you off, don’t stress: ingredients and technology have leapt forward in recent years and our favourite skincare brands now offer amazing alternatives to injectable beauty treatments.
The results may take a little longer to appear (weeks rather than days) but skincare solutions are affordable and non-invasive, so there’s no downtime or injections.
If you’re up for giving skincare a whirl, rather than booking a trip to the salon for a Botox top-up, look out for two must-have ingredients: hyaluronic acid (a sugar molecule that naturally occurs in connective tissue throughout the body, giving skin its full and bouncy look) and retinol (a vitamin A derived ingredient that can significantly improve the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, dark spots and wrinkles).
And if you’d rather not turn to Google, or pour over ingredient labels, here’s a handy round-up of Botox and filler alternatives, available at Beauty Flash:
Dermalogica PowerBright TRx Pure Light SPF50 – this advanced broad spectrum treatment shields skin from UV-induced hyperpigmentation and contains cross-linked hyaluronic acid to fortify the skin’s natural moisture barrier, reducing the appearance of fine dehydration lines.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 – designed to help you rediscover youthful skin, this product is fortified with 0.1 percent encapsulated retinal, an advanced derivative of vitamin A. An overnight serum-cream, it works faster than retinol to visibly diminish wrinkles whilst promoting radiant skin.
Dermalogica Age Smart Overnight Retinol Repair – just for use at night, this concentrated customisable treatment cream accelerates skin renewal and reduces the appearance of skin ageing overnight. It contains active microencapsulated pure retinol to help increase collagen production and cell turnover.
Heal Gel Face – Heal Gel Face is designed to smooth, firm and replenish to give instantly plumper skin. Initiating a soothing and collagen boosting process, its unique blend of omega oils replenish dehydrated skin and restore elasticity, while a powerful three-part hyaluronic acid complex provides a plumping and tightening effect.
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum – designed to improve moisture levels within the skin, this serum contains skin softening vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and moisture-enhancing hyaluronic acid to quench your skin and provide 24 hours of nonstop hydration. Restoring critical moisture to dehydrated skin, it increases skin’s suppleness and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Decleor Youth Lotion – a light anti-ageing toner helping to soften and plump mature skin types.
Ren Skincare Bio Retinoid Anti Wrinkle Concentrate Oil – combating the appearance of wrinkles, imperfections and age spots, this oil leaves the complexion visibly younger, smoother and brighter without the irritating effects of synthetic retinol.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift – this 4-in-1 eye masque firms, de-puffs, energizes and brightens. It contains a hyaluronic acid blend to enhance skin’s elasticity and youthfulness. Strengthening the skin’s natural barrier for an overall lifted effect, use this product for a quick boost, or daily to address the signs of eye fatigue.
Elemis Pro Collagen Hydra Gel Eye Masks – get instant, salon-style results with these clinically proven hydra-gel eye masks, formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fast. Potent plankton extract provides a skin tightening effect, whilst hyaluronic acid hydrates the fragile eye area. Eye contours are left looking visibly smoother and feeling intensely moisturised.
