If you want to get serious about skincare, it's all about choosing the best face serums. If you're looking to properly target major skin concerns and problems, a serum is the most effective product in your routine to help you see a difference in your skin. Made with concentrated ingredients, a serum is the best way to emulate a professional style facial treatment in your day-to-day routine.
If you didn't know, Botox is an invasive face injection whereby your muscles are temporarily 'frozen' to dramatically reduce the appearance of any lines or wrinkles on the face when making expressions. So, if there's a way to emulate the effect of Botox without the need to visit a doctor, we're all ears.
Closer's best Botox face serums at a glance:
Best hydrating Botox face serum: L'Oréal Paris 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Filler Serum, £24.99 on LookFantastic
Best Botox face serum for all skin types: Olay Super Serum, £19.99 on Boots
Best Botox face serum for glow: Tatcha The Dewy Serum, £86 on Space NK
There are many incredibly powerful ingredients in skincare that have a variety of effects and results on the skin. If you're looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and visibly plump the skin, we recommend looking for ingredients such as retinol and hyaluronic acid. Retinol in particular is known as the anti-ageing ingredient in skincare to resurface and reduce wrinkles by deeply exfoliating the skin.
The one rule to remember: always wear SPF. The sun dramatically depletes the amount of collagen in the skin causing it to lose plumpness and bounce, so wearing SPF is essential. It also is important to protect your skin from sun sensitivity as you use retinol and vitamin C.
Let's get to it, before making that Botox appointment, let us introduce you to the best Botox face serums designed to firm and smooth your skin. Keep scrolling to shop our buyer's guide and discover serums from brands like Tatcha, L'Oréal and Olay.
SHOP: The best Botox face serums
Best hydrating Botox face serum
www.lookfantastic.com
With a range of celeb fans like Molly-Mae Hague and Mary Bedford, L'Oréal's Revitalift Filler Serum uses two sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules to reach and plump different levels of the skin. Not only does this serum hydrate and solve dry skin but it gets to work to boost radiance and fill fine lines. Mimicking a Botox like effect, this serum works over time to smooth the skin to look moisturised and plumped over time - perfect for a great base under make-up. Don't just take our word for it, thousands of reviewers gush about this serum for everyday use, and particularly for dry skin.
Don't forget to check out our full review of the L'Oréal hyaluronic acid serum.
Pros
- Great for dry skin
- Works to plump and hydrate
- Helps reduce fine lines over time
Cons
- As with all serums, product takes time to get to work
Best Botox face serum for all skin types
www.boots.com
A viral launch from iconic skincare brand, Olay. Super Serum combines five powerful skincare ingredients such as activated niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptides, vitamin E and lactic acid. Designed to hydrate, tone, exfoliate and resurface, this serum truly does it all regardless of your skin type. This serum targets a multitude of skin concerns to leave your skin looking more perfected overall.
Don't forget to check out our full review of the Olay Super Serum.
Pros
- Made with five active ingredients
- Great for every skin type
- Can be used day and night
Cons
- Can't be used with other exfoliants
Best Botox face serum for glow
www.spacenk.com
If you haven't heard about Tatcha's Dewy skincare range, now's your chance. Typically Botox is known for leaving your skin with a sought after glow but with this serum, there's no need to endure the painful treatment. With a long list of nourishing, plant-based ingredients combined with gentle, exfoliating AHA's and hyaluronic acid, this wonder serum works to restore radiance and remove any unwanted dead skin cells. What's not to love?
Pros
- Makes your skin look instantly radiant
- Gently exfoliates
- Improves appearance of fine lines
Cons
- Hard to tell when product needs replenish
Best budget Botox face serum
www.lookfantastic.com
Move over retinol, it's all about retinal. If there's one brand that knows about the importance of skincare ingredients, it's The Ordinary. The Retinal 0.2% recently launched and if you're new to the world of antiageing skincare, we're here to break down why you should incorporate retinols and retinoids into your routine. This potent formula is suitable for all skin types but is a stronger form of vitamin A than your typical retinols and retinoids. We would definitely recommend this product after having used retinol to sufficiently prepare you skin. Don't be afraid of it though, this Emulsion emulates a Botox-like effect by rapidly firming and smoothing the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines an wrinkles.
Pros
- Clinically proven results
- Great for all skin types
- Targets any signs of ageing
Cons
- Can be quite strong for beginners
Best plumping Botox face serum
www.spacenk.com
Hyaluronic acid is one of those power ingredients that once applied topically can times the hydration and water levels on your skin by a thousand. The lightweight serum encourages our natural production of hyaluronic acid to deliver instant, long-term hydration in the skin and help diminish any feeling of dryness. We love how hyaluronic acid has the power to plump and firm, making it a great skincare ingredient to use instead of opting for Botox. Reviewers love to rave about this product, going on to say that it is a great option for hydrating and plumping sensitive skin without irritation.
Pros
- Great as a base under make-up
- Treats the skin long-term
- Can be used twice a day
Cons
- Glass bottle not ideal for travel
www.lookfantastic.com
One of the newest launches to Ole Henriksen's skincare portfolio, the new Pro-Grade Retinol Serum is a great alternative to having Botox due to its powerful way it smooths and resurfaces the skin over time. The lightweight texture feels comfortable on the skin and helps to restore any dryness or texture. We love how this formula feels in the skin, as with all Ole Henriksen products - we can trust the hardworking product comforts the skin as it gets to work to resurface.
Pros
- Good introduction to retinol
- Maintains hydration
- Bottle preserves retinol
Cons
- May cause irritation if used with other exfoliants
www.spacenk.com
Rodial's Snake Serum, aptly named as the main ingredient known as 'Syn-ake' delivers a super firming effect to the skin. The brand released this product into the beauty scene dubbing it as 'Botox in a bottle' due to the firming effect it has on the skin. The lightweight texture feels comfortable and can be applied both day and night. We love that this serum is also made with hyaluronic acid to attract moisture to the skin as it firms - perfect to use day or night or before make-up.
Pros
- Firming effect on the skin
- Lightweight texture
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid for moisture
Cons
- Hard to tell when product has ran out
What does Botox do to the skin?
Botox is a non-surgical injection made to temporarily paralyse and weaken the muscles in the face to reduce any appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox can be applied in different areas of the face and results tend to last between 3-6 months making the skin look smoother and firmer.
Can skincare have a similar effect to Botox?
While skincare is not as invasive, powerful or immediately effective as Botox, ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and SPF can definitely help to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and skin elasticity over time.
Georgia Scott is a Beauty & Fashion Product Writer for Bauer Media, writing for Grazia, Closer and heat. Georgia specialises in beauty writing and spends her days hunting for the latest trending beauty products to get her hands on and review.