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People / Brian Kopinski
When someone calls an ingredient “Botox in a bottle,” it’s understandable that everyone’s ears perk up. That’s the case for argireline, a synthetic peptide that’s popping up in creams, serums, and TikTok videos.
The More You Know
Argireline prevents the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian. The lack of muscle contraction can reduce dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement, like crows’ feet around your eyes or the "11s" between your brows.
Like all other peptides — which are a string of amino acids that are the building blocks for important proteins in the skin — argireline promotes collagen and elastin production as well as moisture retention, resulting in anti-aging benefits such as a minimized appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm explains. But argireline has some more unique qualities that make it a superior skincare ingredient for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re convinced you need to add this viral skincare ingredient in your regimen, check out the best argireline serums, according to dermatologists.
Best Overall
Asterwood Triple Repair Serum
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“If you’re going to go the peptide route, you might as well use a product that has different peptides to help stimulate collagen, add plumpness to the skin, and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Mian.
This does exactly that, combining argireline with another well-known peptide, Matrixyl 3000. The cherry on top is the addition of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that also has collagen-boosting and line-smoothing benefits, not to mention helps fade dark spots, too. Long story short, this is an all-around excellent anti-aging pick — and one that's less expensive than many competitor products, too.
Size: 29 mL | Skin Type: All except sensitive
Pro Tip!
Argireline is actually just a brand name for the ingredient; you’re more likely to see it listed as either acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8.
Most Hydrating
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum
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Dr. Dennis Gross makes some of the most effective formulas we’ve tried — and this peptide-enriched serum is no exception. The formula utilizes the power of four weights of hyaluronic acid plus the benefits of peptides (including argireline) to plump, firm, and even fill in lines for a more supple-looking complexion.
The argireline serum is also formulated with the brand’s MicroCelle Delivery system, which can actually shrink water molecules, making it easier for hydrating ingredients to sink into the skin on a deeper level. This helps ensure that the product effectively nourishes the skin in a noticeable way.
Since the formula is enriched with so much moisture-attracting properties, it’s an excellent choice for dry skin types (or those who reside in dryer climates), but it’s lightweight enough to use on all skin types.
Size: 1 oz. | Skin Type: All, especially dry
Best Drugstore
Bliss Pro Youth Serum
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Nab this serum during your next Target or drugstore run. Argireline is just one of six different peptides in the mix, all of which work synergistically to deliver some serious youth-boosting benefits.
It contains antioxidants, too (vitamin E, goji berry), making it a great choice to layer underneath your face sunscreen in the morning as an added layer of protection. (That being said, it can be used morning and/or evening.) We also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free — a win if you have sensitive skin.
Size: 29 mL | Skin Type: All
Best Under Makeup
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro
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Dr. Palm is a fan of this formula, lauding it for the fact that, along with argireline, it also contains sodium hyaluronate, a plumping and hydrating ingredient that helps create a smooth, even base. The quick fix benefits don’t stop there. This offers a blurring effect, too; use it on areas with fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Palm notes that it works particularly nicely around the eye area.
Size: 15 mL | Skin Type: All
Best Targeted Treatment
StriVectin High-Potency Wrinkle Filler
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The hard truth of the matter is that there’s no way of permanently eliminating wrinkles immediately. What you can do is make them appear way less noticeable, at least for the short-term. That’s exactly what this wrinkle filler — a silicone-free formula that utilizes several different types of peptides — achieves.
It is a smaller bottle than most, but it is meant to be used just on specific spots where you have more noticeable lines (think crows’ feet, lines around your mouth, forehead lines, and the like). The best part? Not only will it provide those immediate benefits, but all of those peptides work for the long-term, too.
Size: 14.8 mL | Skin Type: All
Best Moisturizer
Derma E Advanced Peptides and Collagen Moisturizer
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Dr. Mian says this argireline cream is a can’t-miss: “It combines this peptide with antioxidants, including vitamin C and green tea, and has a rich and hydrating texture.” It’s also free of synthetic fragrance. It’s no surprise that it consistently pulls in rave reviews from Amazon shoppers.
Size: 60 mL | Skin Type: All
Best Value
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
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Scoring a 10 percent concentration of argireline for less than $10? Yes, please. Like all of the other products this brand offers, this serum rings in at an amazing value and packs a potent concentration of the star ingredient so you can feel confident that you’re getting your money’s worth.
The only downside? This is great to use if you want to reap the benefits of straight-up argireline — just keep in mind that, unlike many of the other products on this list, it doesn’t contain any other notable skincare actives.
Size: 30 mL | Skin Type: All
Best Eye Cream
Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Eye Creme
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Okay, so this may not be a serum per se, but both experts we spoke with recommended this product so we felt it deserved a spot on our list. “I like that this formulation combines argireline with other effective peptides to target fine lines around the delicate eye area,” says Dr. Palm.
Dr. Mian echoes her sentiments, adding that there’s also a retinoid in the formula for additional line-smoothing benefits. As the name suggests, it’s also deeply hydrating, the kind of eye cream you want to slather on with abandon at bedtime.
Size: 22.5 mL | Skin Type: All
Best for Dry Skin
Depology Peptide Complex 10% Serum
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Argireline is the star of the show in this serum, but it also earns our vote for containing hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, alongside skin-strengthening ceramides too. The benefits are legit; third-party testing showed that this reduced wrinkle depth by over seven percent and increased hydration levels by over 45 percent after 28 days of use.
Size: 30 mL | Skin Type: All, especially dry
Best Investment
La Mer The Regenerating Serum
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This heritage brand may be best known for its fan-favorite cream, but don’t sleep on this excellent anti-aging serum, too. It’s definitely expensive, but a worthy investment given that it targets not only fine lines and wrinkles, but also dullness, dryness, and uneven texture.
In short, it's a total powerhouse, thanks to both the peptides in the mix, which are coupled with botanical extracts. And yes, it does all of that with a lovely and luxurious feel and scent that makes the experience of using this feel oh-so special.
Size: 30 mL | Skin Type: All
What to Know About Argireline Serum
Complementary Ingredients
Our experts point out that argireline plays very nicely with other peptides; Dr. Mian specifically calls out tripeptide-10 citrulline as one that can help it penetrate deeper into the skin, while Dr. Palm suggests looking for Matrixyl 3000, another complementary peptide. It also works well hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, she adds.
Concentration Level
As with any other skincare active, concentration matters. Dr. Mian says that most argireine studies looked at a 2 percent concentration, but products on this list go up to 10 percent. While many products won’t list the actual amount, a significant amount is in the formula if it's toward the top of the ingredient list.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohols can be drying to the skin and cause irritation, negating the hydrating effects of the argireline, says Dr. Palm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does an argireline serum do?
By helping to relax the muscles, it can help smooth out dynamic wrinkles (those created by muscle movement). Those effects are more short-term, while in the long-term it can also help to stimulate collagen production over time, Dr. Mian explains.
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How does argireline serum compare to Botox?
Argireline serum is not unlike the way Botox and other injectable neuromodulators work, hence why this ingredient earned its unique comparison and viral status on social media. By applying serums with argireline, you can up the ante on anti-aging efforts, especially when targeting the more dynamic wrinkles — which are often the same ones we wish to target with injectables — caused by movement.
Here’s the thing: Topical skincare ingredients can’t deliver the same results as injectables. So, as much as argireline is a good Botox alternative for those who don’t wish to incorporate injectables in their regimen, it can’t smooth wrinkles as quickly or effectively.
However, including argireline serums in your skincare routine can help support wrinkle reduction, and with regular use help prevent them from worsening overtime. Additionally, argireline is a type of peptide, so it supports collagen production which can improve skin elasticity.
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Is argireline better than retinol?
It’s not so much that one is necessarily better than the other; rather they just work a little bit differently and have slightly different effects.
“Both ingredients target different skin concerns. It’s also possible for them to co-exist in an effective anti-aging skincare routine,” says Dr. Palm. “Generally, I like retinol for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration from sun damage or acne scars and overall anti-aging. Argireline is more suitable for targeted treatment in specific areas, like around the eyes, the ‘11’s,’ and around the mouth.”
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What can’t be used with argireline?
“I advise against using argireline with AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid, and BHAs like salicylic acid, as this can result in irritation or inflammation of the skin,” Dr. Palm advises.
Take Our Word For It
Melanie Rud is a beauty and lifestyle writer who covers a wide array of topics and has over 15 years of experience writing about skincare. For this story, she interviewed Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California, as well as Dr. Kiran Mian, a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City. She also conducted extensive market research, and relied on her own personal and editorial experience.
Our Expert Panel
- Dr. Melanie Palm is a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in San Diego, California.
- Dr. Kiran Mian, is a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City.
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