Botox alternatives

[CleverButScatty]

So I am mid 40s. I have always had pretty good skin and mostly it's still fine, but I am getting this quite entrenched frown line in my forehead.

I don't really want to go down the Botox route, but I do only have quite a basic skincare routine at present.

Cheap and cheerful moisturiser (spf25) and eye cream (Aldi, simple etc), Aldi version of cera ve cleanser and super drug eye makeup remover.

I don't have a huge budget but really want to try and improve this.

Any suggestions?

I've started using a couple of products with bakuchiol in them and have noticed a genuine difference in my forehead lines (very similar to yours).

I'm using this eye cream
https://www.boots.com/haruharu-wonder-black-rice-bakuchiol-eye-cream-10352000

And this toner
https://www.boots.com/haruharu-wonder-black-rice-hyaluronic-toner-for-sensitive-skin-10351999

They came in the boots Korean beauty box last month - there were a couple of other things which i have previously used, they were the only brand new to me products so I am assuming they made the difference!

Ooh thanks I might try that, it's in budget too. Some of the suggestions on here can look fab be be way out of my price range.

I started to use a version of this and I was hugely impressed by the effect on my forehead ( and I am a Botox person)

https://www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-redermic-retinol-night-moisturiser-30ml-10259634

This was the one I used which Boots don't seem to carry.

Thanks I'll look at that too

I buy it on Amazon. Two tubes for £14.99 or £8.80 each. Much better value and it’s really good.

Sorry, but there's probably nothing better than the feeling of having a forehead as smooth as a boiled egg and lifted brows - I pay a nurse 120 every 8 months for three areas and nothing comes close to this product wise

It's just not for me. It's not really about the cost. I see people who look fabulous with it though, I get why you would go for it.

Sali Hughes explains the botox v skincare thing really well, and it makes absolute sense to me (mid forties, similar forehead lines to you). Botox is a smooth new mattress with no dips or crevices. Good skincare is beautiful sheets, high thread count Egyptian cotton. No matter how lovely your sheets, a lumpy mattress is a lumpy mattress, and you will feel/see this beneath the sheets. That's why I get both, the botox and the decent skincare.

Just be mindful that Botox doesn’t work for everyone, I tried it and it didn’t make any difference.

To be honest I'm not wanting Botox. I know I could potentially get better results with it but I still don't want to. Just to do the best I can with skincare.

I've also read a couple of things about facial exercises which looks interesting.

Not quite the same advice but grow a fringe.
I started getting some lines like that in my 50s but as I have a fringe they are hidden.

Definitely try a retinol or azelaic acid

What do they do?

Tbh it's Botox or nothing. It's the movement of your facial muscles alone that have created those lines which are not in anyway unsightly by the way. But if you want them to stop getting worse then you need to stop the movement and only Botox can do that.
They are not due to sun damage or lack of moisture or anything else that can be fixed with a potion or even a retinoid. It's habitual facial expressions over many years.

Facial exercises won't make any difference to forehead lines. Skin care won't do much either. Tretinoin is your best bet. It's the next step along from retinol and retinal. You could try 'frownies' or scar tape but again, minimal improvement. A teeny tiny touch of botox is the only thing that truly works but I get that you don't want it. You can get botox that just softens lines though rather than freezes all movement completely if that's your concern.

I must spend far too much time frowning 😂
I am wondering if there just isn't much I can do. I definitely don't want Botox. I am a bit anxious about anything invasive and worry that I would be the person who had horrible results. Also about side effects etc. I do realise that it is very well regulated and a lot of this is my anxiety about it but it's just not for me.

Tretinoin. Costs about £25 a tube and lasts me 3-4 months. I've noticed a great improvement in my forehead lines and overall skin tone and texture. SPF50 every day is a must.

You do need to ease into it and start with a really low dose. It takes a while for your skin to get used to but it's worth it.

My forehead was probably a little worse. I don't want botox either, mainly for animal cruelty reasons.

I started tret probably 18 months ago and static lines are definitely softer. I bought a foreo bear (microcurrent device) a month ago and I swear it's lifted my brows a bit but will need longer to be sure. I also had to sleep on my back for a couple of months after injury and it looks much better from that too.

Its unlikely any cream will improve it much. A friend uses tape overnight on her 11s after having to stop botox and it does work.

I might get a fringe.

I’ve had Botox and I didn’t like it- just felt too unlike myself (despite having a tiny mount by a very experienced doctor, just in 11s). So it’s not for me and my experience is I much prefer the glowing skin at my best thing and when that’s the case no one notices the odd wrinkle. We focus on our perceived flaws but other people take in the whole picture. (This isn’t an argument against Botox- couldn’t care less what other people do- just that you can look good without Botox). Laser on the other hand I love.

How do you buy tretinoin? I can't seem to find it online. Is this what people get prescriptions for?

Yep, prescription only in the UK.

Sorry for jumping in but what do you get laser for or what does it do? Thanks

If you know someone going to Spain they can get a tube in the pharmacy for €25.

I get mine from nutriplex.co.uk