According to an October 2024 Exploding Topics report, searches for “'The Ordinary botox serum' have grown by 3,471% over the past two years," pointing not only to the popularity of the product but also to its core ingredient, argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3), a popular material in Botox alternatives. These alternatives highlight consumers' desire for non-invasive (p)rejuvenation across age ranges, from Gen Z to boomers.
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According to an October 2024 Exploding Topics report, searches for “'The Ordinary botox serum' have grown by 3,471% over the past two years," pointing not only to the popularity of the product but also to its core ingredient, argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3), a popular material in Botox alternatives. These alternatives highlight consumers' desire for non-invasive (p)rejuvenation across age ranges, from Gen Z to boomers.
Top Skin Care Brands Benefiting from Argireline's Popularity
Argireline is beloved for its effective anti-wrinkle functionality, the report points out, and not only boosted the popularity of The Ordinary's Argireline 10% for Facial Wrinkles serum, but also general searches for argireline oils, solutions and serums.
The Ordinary's serum in particular, derives its benefits from its namesake ingredient, targeting "areas prone to dynamic folds, including around the eyes [and] forehead," per the brand.
Other brands have also tapped the ingredient, including Hey Honey's Stand Firm Argireline and Nemeko Mushroom Ageless Revitalizing Firming Cream, which also features bio-peptides to boost the skin's moisture barrier.
The formulation is said to hydrate the skin "at 6x the potential of hyaluronic acid," while boosting collagen production and diminishing the apperance of fine lines and wrinkles, per Hey Honey.
Argireline Ingredient Roundup
A number of ingredient firms have launched their own takes on argireline, including:
- Lubrizol/Lipotec Active Ingredients' “all-in-one” peptide for anti-aging, Argireline Amplified (INCI: water (aqua) (and) acetyl hexapeptide-8 (and) sodium benzoate) is an evolution of its original argireline peptide (INCI: water (aqua) (and) acetyl hexapeptide-8 (and) caprylyl glycol). Specifically, this new peptide targets expression wrinkles with activity toward post-expression relaxation and other anti-aging effects.
- Lubrizol Life Science (LLS), meanwhile, offers a suite of argireline technologies, including argireline peptide solution NP (INCI: water (aqua), acetyl hexapeptide-8, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate) for first-to-appear wrinkles and the oil-soluble Argireline YOUth peptide, which addresses the prejuvenation anti-aging concerns of younger consumers by slowing the onset of the signs of aging in a way that mimics botulinum toxin. The Argireline YOUth peptide benefits from the LipoClear inverse micelle delivery system, which allows for the creation of an oil soluble active ingredient. As a result, the new peptide can reportedly be expanded to new applications, including oil-based skin care, especially transparent serums, oils and sticks.
Botox Alternatives Beyond Agireline
Beyond argireline, there are other Botox alternatives, including Ashland's Perfectyl biofunctional (INCI: Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower/leaf extract), an organic Oregonian chamomile extract that relaxes facial lines without the intervention of injections.
Elsewhere, SILAB's Myoline is a anti-stress mineral concentrate derived from locally and sustainably sourced watercress that offers a simultaneous "Botox" effect and boost to well-being.
Designed to address skin impacted by psychological stress, Myoline tackles the impacts of tensed facial muscles and the secretion of stress mediators in the skin, both of which result in the premature appearance of expression wrinkles and a dull complexion.
Per in vitro testing, Myoline acts on the neuromuscular junction to impart a myorelaxing, or skeletal-muscle-relaxing, action. After five days of treatment with Myoline, the technology reportedly smooths the appearance of expression lines in young skin, while "blurring" the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin.
Givaudan Active Beauty, meanwhile, offers Zanthalene (INCI: oleyl alcohol (and) Zanthoxylum alatum fruit extract), an active said to mimic Botox-like properties to combat wrinkles as well as ease skin discomfort.
The ingredient is extracted from the fruit husks of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, or Sichuan pepper, using supercritical CO2. It reportedly acts on neuromuscular communication within the skin structure, providing well-aging effects and soothing benefits depending on its concentration in formulas.
