Innovations in technology are all part of the growing uptake in tweakments and cosmetic procedures like Botox and filler, but if there’s one trend we’ve noticed in 2023, it’s that they’re now starting to impact product development, too. A new generation of skincare products are blurring the lines between in-salon and at-home treatments, allowing consumers to replicate the effects of professional cosmetic procedures, minus the cost and downtime. These tweakment product dupes are all about fast results and instant gratification, often targeting dull skin and fine lines, and harnessing the latest ingredient technologies.
“Tweakment products have been gaining popularity with consumers because they offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional Botox and fillers,” says Dimitra Davidson, President and COO of Indeed Labs. “Today’s tweakment products include ingredients that work in a similar way to more traditional treatments but are much less evasive. They’re safe to use at home, can be used daily, and are often formulated with additional ingredients for added benefits.” Of course, one major factor in the growing popularity of tweakment products is affordability in comparison to in-salon treatments—as the cost-of-living crisis cuts down our disposable incomes. In-salon treatments with a reliable practitioner can cost hundreds of pounds, and with the commitment needed to maintain results, this cost can easily add up into the thousands. “Price conscience consumers and those looking for needle-free alternatives are definitely gravitating to tweakment products as alternatives,” adds Davidson. “But that doesn’t exclude the consumer who also uses traditional treatments such as Botox and filler who turns to tweakment products for added benefits and to prolong the effectiveness of their treatments.”
Like the treatments they replicate, tweakment products are predominantly aimed towards those who want to address or prepare for signs of ageing, like loose skin, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles. “At Medik8, our bestselling products consistently fall within the youth renewing and boosting category,” says Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8. “Purchasing trends include sculpting, firming, tightening, plumping and glowing skin benefits for fast, tweakment-like results. With new breakthroughs and innovation in science skin tech, consumers are reaping the rewards with advanced formulas delivering long-term, long-lasting results that are easily available.”
Of course, if you’ve ever looked into booking an in-salon cosmetic procedure, you’ll know that they’re not without their risks. “In today’s society we are a lot more clued up about the realities of invasive skin and facial procedures and that damage they can cause to us in the longer term,” says Inge Theron, founder of FaceGym. “I know this all too well. During my time as a journalist, I tried and tested multiple procedures which left me suffering the impact of injectable abuse. It wasn’t until one particular face-lifting procedure left me housebound, that I realised enough was enough, and I decided there must be a better way to age confidently and beautifully.”
For Theron, this was her eureka moment and the start of FaceGym. The brand has pioneered a workout-inspired approach to facial massage, and now has eleven global studios, a product line, and offers digital workout appointments. “We provide a natural, non-invasive alternative that delivers the instantly visible results but also provides lasting benefits for both the skin and muscles,” she explains. “I think the fact that we are now able to produce so many devices which offer the professional results of a spa or aesthetic treatment but from home has been the biggest game-changer in this area over the past few years. At FaceGym we are creating tools and devices that deliver high-end results and making them accessible to the consumer wherever they are.”
Another brand to capitalise on the tweakment trend is Indeed Labs, whose ‘Botox in a bottle’ serum Snoxin II went viral on TikTok last year and was, for months, impossible to get hold of. “Snoxin II improves skin’s elasticity and smoothness, revealing fresher and more vibrant skin. This targeted solution provides instant and long-terms results as it softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Davidson. “The star ingredient is a biomimetic peptide, XEP-018™. This peptide blocks signals sent from the brain to the facial muscles to contract and relax the muscles instantly. As the peptide accumulates, this active provides both instant and lasting effects as it continuously works to help the skin repair itself by allowing new collagen to grow and mature, increasing skin elasticity.” It’s easy to see why this has been hailed as a ‘Notox’ treatment, since Botox itself works by preventing muscles from contracting.
While the pros of topical tweakment products range from their affordability and convenience to the fact you can take a much safer approach to targeting your concerns, you will just have to wait a little longer for those results to show. It’s also worth remembering that no product can ever truly replicate the exact effects of a cosmetic procedure, particularly when it comes to face-altering treatments like filler and Botox. “It is only worth investing in tools and tweakment products if you will use them regularly and consistently (often, this means daily),” says esthetician and skin expert Katie Onyejekwe. “Otherwise, save your money.”
Interested? Scroll down for the 15 tweakment products that will upgrade your skincare routine.
The original ‘Botox in a bottle’ serum first launched in 2011, received a formula upgrade in 2017, and went viral on TikTok last year thanks to its impressive ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Using microcurrent technology, this device works by stimulating the facial muscles, resulting in a tighter, more ‘lifted’ appearance.
Inspired by professional microneedling treatments, Face Gym’s Active Rollers combine the collagen stimulating benefits of needling with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides. “Why would you just tap in your hyaluronic or vitamin C serum when you can roll your actives onto your skin with direct penetration which means the good stuff gets straight to where it needs to go much faster,” says Theron. “I’m all about multi-functional products, and these rollers are so clever.” If you’re concerned about using a needling device at home, don’t be. These are no ordinary needles—instead they dissolve into skin for instant and long-lasting results that target skin tone and texture.
The latest of The Ordinary’s products to achieve viral fame—and with good reason. The brand label this peptide-based serum as ‘a non-injective solution for dynamic lines’, based on its ability to improve the appearance of crow’s feet and smile lines. “I’m half way through a bottle and the frown lines between my brows have gone completely and the deep set lines on my forehead have significantly reduced,” says one reviewer.
“Containing ten peptides with drone-delivery technology, this serum penetrates the skin at different layers,” explains Isaacs. “It targets deeper set wrinkles and stimulates collagen production for smoother, bouncier skin delivering youth-renewing results.”
Another peptide-based formula, this one created specifically to target lip volume and texture—a perfect solution if you’re after a low-key (and more affordable) alternative to lip filler. “If you want to look like you’ve obviously had fillers, you should just go ahead and get fillers because this product won’t give you that blown-out effect,” says one reviewer. “However, if you love the shape of your lips, and just want a bit more fullness and definition, this is definitely the product for you.”
Massaging the face may not have quite the same dramatic results as a face lift, but by draining excess fluid (which leads to puffiness), it is possible to achieve a more sculpted complexion. “This contouring tool has six unique edges designed specifically to work on different areas of the face,” explains Theron. “It helps to define, drain and depuff, iron out fine lines, reduce facial tension, release blockages in the muscles, aid lymphatic drainage all whilst working to sculpt and lift the face too.”
Fine lines always appear near the eyes and mouth first—the skin here is thin, fragile, and exposed to a lot of movement. This device was designed specifically to target smile lines and crow’s feet. It uses microcurrent to stimulate skin’s collagen and elastin production, resulting in plumper, firmer skin.
The latest sell-out serum from No7 is powered by a peptide technology which is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Trial results prove that after just one week skin looks younger.
Innovative new facial treatments like Morpheus 8 and mesotherapy work to give the complexion an overall boost, targeting a combination of tone and texture, and resulting in a radiant, youthful appearance. These sheet masks, created by plastic surgeon Yannis Alexandrides, are designed to invigorate tired and dull-looking skin. They brighten and depuff with the help of ingredients like caffeine and peptides.
Face Gym is built around the premise that face massage should be a workout for your face. The Face Ball is designed to be a warm-up session for your skin, relieving tension, stimulating circulation, and toning muscles, for an overall sculpted effect. Oh, and it’s super fun to use, too.
Since it promises 20% of visible line reduction after just eight weeks of use, it’s easy to see why this serum keeps selling out. It contains a unique belnd of peptides specifically chosen to target the most common lines and wrinkles—forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds.
Used consistently (the brand recommends 3-5 uses per week of 10 minutes each), this mask is clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and redness. What’s more, it does so without any pain, side effects, or downtime.
The neck is often one of the first areas of the body to show signs of skin ageing—its looser, thinner skin is prone to lines and wrinkles. This thick cream contains prickly pear and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and kombucha and daisy extracts to target the appearance of dark spots.
Designed to be used on the often neglected areas of the neck and bust, this rich and luxuriously-textured cream firms, smooths, and restores elasticity.
Next Up: I’m a Skin Expert, and These Are the Tweakments That Are Worth Knowing About