Anti-ageing skincare is a big business.
According to a report from Research and Markets, “The global market for anti-ageing products was estimated at US$38.9 Billion in the year 2022” and “is projected to reach a revised size of US$60 Billion by 2030”.
The market is awash with brands making wild claims about their transformational ingredient line-ups and promising to turn back the clock on signs of ageing, from laugh lines and crow’s feet to hyperpigmentation and age spots.
Injectables have seen a similar boom: the market size for dermal fillers “was valued at USD 5.01 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 5.32 billion in 2023 to USD 9.00 billion by 2030”, according to Fortune Business Insights.
So, imagine you could combine the two: create skincare that mimicked that of fillers, replacing the need altogether. Well, that would be a very lucrative idea.
Wrinkle filler skincare has been around for a while, but the technology is constantly evolving. Harnessing anti-ageing hero ingredients like retinol and peptides and plumping hyaluronic acid, these products bring it back to basics to offer a literal filling effect that minimises the appearance of fine lines in one swipe.
The first thing to know – and it’s a big one- these products will never rival Botox or dermal fillers in their effect. But if all you see when you look in the mirror are lines that are taunting and mocking you, these targeted treatments may work to boost your confidence. They’re also a good option if you’re looking to delay injectables, give you more time between sessions or if you are reluctant to go down what is considered by many to be a slippery slope.
Unlike professional treatments, there are no downsides or bank-busting price tags and provide a pain-free experience with no bruising or swelling. There is also no fear of it going wrong with the possibility of filler migration totally out of the question.
These wrinkle fillers instead provide an immediate effect – not necessarily a long-lasting one. Some even temporarily freeze the skin to stop you from contracting the muscles, thus creating expression lines.
With clinical trials to back up their claims, we have dove headfirst into the world of injection-free wrinkle fillers. Shop the best below.
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StriVectin Peptide Plump Line-Filling Bounce Serum
This velvety gel serum is packed with a unique Alpha-3 peptide, designed using AI to interact best with the cell receptors that uptick the production of our own collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. The peptide, a smaller fragment of larger growth proteins, can precisely target these three building blocks essential to the volume, shape and strength of the skin that help keep it smooth, supple and firm.
With added moisture-boosting red algae and protective, illuminating turmeric root extract, it’s particularly good at improving lines on the forehead and ramping up glow. Used day and night under moisturiser, it also has a subtle line and pore-blurring effect as well as a delicate, uplifting rose scent.
Buy now £69.00, StriVectin
111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Contour Gel
One of the best parts of this product from 111SKIN is the cooling applicator tip. This allows the product to work like a targeted treatment for areas of concern like crow’s feet or laughter lines to bring a concentrated hit to ease deep-set lines.
From the science-backed label, it coats the complexion in a high-performance gel that contains a combination of anti-ageing components like Argireline, a form of hexapeptide that is compared to botulinum extract (botox) in the way it can freeze muscle contraction - no needles necessary - as well as the complex Matrixyl3000 that is rich in peptide goodness. There’s also retinol and antioxidant-rich rosehip.
Buy now £110.00, Space NK
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
We don’t blame you if you’re sceptical about ‘instant wrinkle fixes’ as described by this wrinkle corrector from Murad and while we agree it should be taken with a pinch of salt, this product has an impressive blurring effect right from the get-go.
It’s applied using a metal tip that has a lovely cooling effect on the skin. The formula then gets to work with filling and hydrating properties. The ingredient line-up includes the wonder that is hyaluronic acid for plumping, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to boost elasticity and Plant-Derived Squalane to mimic the skin’s natural production of moisture. The brand reveals that in testing “100 per cent showed visible improvement in wrinkles”.
Buy now £70.00, Murad
Goldfaden MD Needle-Less Line Smoothing Concentrate
This is a potent alternative to needles and a non-invasive way to smooth fine lines using natural ingredients. The Needle-Less Line Smoothing Concentrate is made up of pure hyaluronic acid, chosen for its ultra-hydrating and plumping properties.
Alongside it is Acetyl-Hexapeptide 3, a powerful amino peptide that relaxes facial muscle contractions and thus over time should minimise creases as well as firming seaweed extract and antioxidant-rich red tea.
Buy now £80.00, Space NK
Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Booster
Teaming with skin-supporting ingredients, the Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Booster is said to plump out the look of fine lines in just 15 minutes of use. But unlike the typically targeted treatments in this product type, it’s a serum, which means you can apply it liberally on the face and over a long period of time, where the fine line plumping benefits become more visible with consistent use.
This is down to the six varieties of peptides contained in the supercharged serum. These building blocks are selected to penetrate the upper layers of skin to boost suppleness. There is also hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Buy now £55.00, Cult Beauty
Fillerina 12 Densifying-Filler Day Cream - Grade 4 50ml
The prescription-like exterior of this wrinkle-filling cream is a clue about its efficacity. The Fillerina 12 Day Cream should be applied each morning to restore density and elasticity to the complexion – namely the cheekbones and lips.
The number 12 in the title refers to the quantity of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, a huge variety that shows the intense hydration that this cream provides. There are three different concentrations available with Grade 4 linked below.
Buy now £51.00, lookfantastic
Dr Dennis Gross Derminfusions Fill and Repair Serum
Dr Dennis Gross has formulated his eponymous at-home skincare range to mimic dermatology procedures. The Derminfusions Fill + Repair Serum is the filler dupe. It’s a potent formula that is created to act in the same way as the injections, tackling fine lines and a loss of elasticity.
It calls on a peptide complex and four different weights of hyaluronic acid to achieve the plumped appearance as well as ectoin to support the skin’s barrier. In clinical trials, 94 per cent attested to an immediate improvement in the condition of the skin and glow-giving results, while 91 per cent saw firming.
Buy now £78.00, Cult Beauty
Shiseido Exclusive Vital Perfection Intensive WrinkleSpot Treatment
Reach for the Vital Perfection Intensive WrinkleSpot Treatment for a potent hit of science-backed ingredients. The spot treatment is designed to give a powerful hit to stimulate the sensory receptors in the skin with an approach that takes inspiration from Neuroscience research.
By overriding a potential de-sensitivity to skincare, the idea is that you are then able to better absorb the anti-ageing hero vitamin A, which is also contained within the formulation, to minimise the appearance of even the deepest set wrinkles as well as dark spots.
Buy now £95.00, lookfantastic
freezeframe Wrinkle Block 50ml
freezeframe has called on the expertise of scientists and the world’s leading peptide research facilities to create its Wrinkle Block formula. The label claims that in just 30 minutes, you can block expression lines by 82 per cent with results that last for two days.
With a stick applicator, you simply apply to areas showing signs of ageing to paralyse the muscles. It is also said to reduce the appearance of eye bags and improve skin radiance.
Buy now £41.95, lookfantastic
