I’m rather shy. Ask me about aesthetic treatments, however, and I’m quite chatty. I’m fascinated by, and a major beneficiary of, the likes of Botox Cosmetic, which temporarily smooths expression lines; lines created after years of furrowing, frowning, and smiling. Anti-aging skincare is immensely helpful, too — but the idea that topical products can provide identical results to those of an injectable, administered in a professional’s office, is, frankly, unrealistic. That said, the Dr. Brandt N​​eedles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is pretty damn close to embodying the proverbial “Botox in a bottle.”

One of the best-sellers for the injectables-inspired skincare brand, founded by late cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Frederic Brandt, the formula is designed to work similarly to neuromodulators (e.g. Botox). The cream is typically $89  — cheaper than ‘tox treatment, but pricey nonetheless — but you can snag it 40 percent off for a limited time during the brand’s Cyber Monday 2023 sale. Simply use code BF23SALE at checkout.

Dr. Brandt

The Needles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a lightweight face lotion that temporarily smooths the appearance of expression lines — including crow’s feet, “eleven” lines, and horizontal forehead lines — in as little as an hour. Aside from speedy line-smoothing, the formula touts additional anti-aging benefits, including increased collagen production and a stronger skin barrier — and thus, increased hydration — over time.

As for its Botox-adjacent, wrinkle-whittling claims? Peptides are key; specifically, a class of anti-aging proteins known as neuropeptides. Nicole Ho, cosmetic chemist for Genie Supply, tells InStyle that “neuropeptides are used to target the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by addressing muscle contractions and [inducing] relaxation.”

Similar to how injectables like Botox target nerve signals responsible for muscle contractions, “[topical] neuropeptides work by interfering with the signals between nerves and muscles,” Ho says. More granularly: ”Neuropeptides reduce muscle contractions by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction.” In doing so, these ingredients “can help relax facial muscles, leading to the temporary reduction of wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions.” Moreover, this inhibitive effect can “lead to a smoother face over time,” Ho shares — ostensibly in the same preventative vein as Baby Botox. 

According to one shopper, who called the cream “magical,” it has “vanished fine lines within three weeks of use.” Another customer said their “lines actually looked less deep” after using the formula, while someone else said it “tightened their skin.” 

If you’re interested in harnessing the power of neuropeptides to visibly fade wrinkles — either in addition to, or in place of — cosmetic injectables, snag the next-best thing to Botox in a bottle, Dr. Brandt’s Needles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, while it’s 40 percent off. Hurry — the sale ends soon.

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