Botulinum toxin has been used for many years to lessen the appearance of signs of aging such as expression lines. Applying argireline skin care on a daily basis is a less invasive but equally effective alternative for reducing expression lines.
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Argireline, Better Than Botox?
Summary
- Expression Lines, in a Few Words
- What Is Argireline?
- What Active Ingredients Can Be Used With Argireline?
- In Which Skin Care Products Is Argireline Found?
- Sources
Published June 14, 2022,
updated on January 29, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Expression Lines, in a Few Words.
Expression lines are caused by repeated muscle movements. They are the first marks that appear over time. They are common in areas of the face that are particularly solicited, such as around the eyes (crow's feet), between the eyebrows (11), on the forehead and around the mouth. They are also called dynamic wrinkles.
To eliminate dynamic wrinkles, it is undeniable that injectable neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport, Juveau) are a solution. By paralyzing the muscles, they prevent movement and “freeze” the skin. Nevertheless, injections are not pleasant and can cause undesirable effects (pain, itching, swelling, skin rashes). So, what if you don't want to go under the needle? Adopt a routine containing argireline skin care, which might not be better than botox, but equally effective.
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What Is Argireline?
Argireline is a synthetic peptide that has several potential effects in fighting wrinkles and skin aging.
Argireline is actually the trade name of a peptide, acetyl hexapeptide-3. As a reminder, peptides are short sequences of amino acids. Argireline is the first isolated peptide to demonstrate efficacy on dynamic wrinkles. It affects the communication between the nerve and the muscle, so that the muscles cannot contract optimally. In addition to its muscle paralysis effects, this peptide stimulates collagen production, which helps to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle-free.
What Active Ingredients Can Be Used With Argireline?
One study suggests that it works well in conjunction with another peptide, tripeptide-10-citrulline, which increases the permeability of argireline so that it penetrates to a depth that allows it to target the muscles that cause wrinkles. This peptide is also often used with hyaluronic acid (HA) to increase the hydration benefits. You can thus use it in combination with argireline skin care. Perfect are the hydrating serum or the nourishing cream, both enriched in HA.
In Which Skin Care Products Is Argireline Found?
Under the INCI name “Acetyl hexapeptide-8”, argireline is a recent active ingredient on the beauty market. The argireline skin care formulas that contain it are most often an acetyl hexapeptide-8 serum, day or night creams or eye care products. Some foundations can also be enriched with argireline. Non-photosensitizing, products that contain argireline can generally be used in the morning as well as in the evening (as long as there are no photosensitizing ingredients).
In order to get the better-than-botox result, ensure that the product you choose contains a significant amount of argireline, check that it is among the first ingredients listed on the INCI list.
Note that argireline can be difficult to formulate, and some manufacturers mix the ingredient with alcohols, which thwarts its moisturizing function!
Sources
Raikou V, Varvaresou A, Panderi I, Papageorgiou E. The efficacy study of the combination of tripeptide-10-citrulline and acetyl hexapeptide-3. a prospective, randomized controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol. (2017).
An JH, Lee HJ, Yoon MS, Kim DH. Anti-wrinkle efficacy of cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patch with Acetyl hexapeptide-8 and epidermal growth factor on Korean skin. Ann Dermatol. (2019).
Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao XS, Huo J, Zhang WD. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline. J Cosmet Laser Ther. (2013).
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