The choice to use injections or not is a personal one. I’ve tried botox, but it doesn’t work for me – at least not right now. I personally didn’t like the way it made me feel. Over the past year, I’ve tried a handful of at-home techniques, and these are the ones that have earned a permanent place in my skin care routine. Of course, none of the tools below are direct alternatives to injectables, but they can help prevent or slow down the formation of wrinkles.
Facial tape
Facial tape, when I remember to use it, has become one of my favorite injectable alternatives. It does not treat wrinkles, but helps train the face to relax normal expression lines and can give a temporary smoothing effect. Think of it as a little reminder to stop rubbing your forehead or clenching your jaw.
i have used this product and this product; the former is stiffer and more expensive, but my personal favorite.
Microneedling pen
Last spring I bought a microneedling pen and discovered how amazingly easy it is to use at home – and how nice it is to control both the amount of needles and the depth for a personalized recovery time. At-home microneedling is intentionally shallower than an in-office treatment for safety reasons, but is still incredibly effective at enhancing skin texture and radiance over time. I learned so much from lessons from a creatorand thanks to her, microneedling is now part of my monthly routine.
Here it is microneedling pen I use. For needle cartridges, I alternate between 12, 18, and 36 needles depending on how strong a treatment I want (fewer needles equals a more aggressive session).
Chemical peeling at home
For gentle exfoliation, mandelic acid in 22% and 40% is my passion. It’s mild, beginner-friendly and perfect for shine. If you want something stronger, there are also glycolic, lactic and even TCA peel options depending on your skin’s comfort level and resilience. Consistency matters more than strength here, so start slowly at low concentrations and listen to what your skin likes.
I use this brand for my chemical peels.
Wrinkle prevention pillow
I like to sleep on my side and stomach, which unfortunately means I get wrinkles while I sleep. Switching to a wrinkle prevention pillow was a game changer. I removed some of the padding to get the neck brace on properly, but once I dialed it in, it became an essential part of my nighttime routine. If you’re a fellow side sleeper, this is one of the easiest long-term habits to help minimize those sleep lines.
love this pillow but adjust the filling to suit the needs of your throat.
Red light therapy
I have been using red light therapy for years and am completely hooked. Red light therapy works by stimulating collagen production and improving circulation, which can help support overall skin health and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines over time. I’ve written more about this here if you’re interested in the details.
You can find mine favorite device here.
I hope this helps you narrow down your list of more natural ways to keep your skin glowing as you age. Remember, what works for me may not work for you – listen to your skin and enjoy the process.
Your skin isn’t just shaped by external factors – it reflects what your body needs internally too. If you haven’t tested your vitamin and mineral levels lately, consider it a small gift for your future skin. Knowing what your body is missing can make everything else you do work even better. Start here.
References:
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Alqam, A., Hitchcock, M., Jones, R., Akgul, S., Kenkel, K., & Wamsley, G. (2023). Efficacy and tolerability of a microneedling device for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35403786/
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Alqam, A., Hitchcock, M., Jones, R., Akgul, S., Kenkel, K., & Wamsley, G. (2022). Efficacy and tolerability of a microneedling device for the treatment of neck wrinkles. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 42(10), 1154-1163. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35397167/
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UCLA Health. (2025). 5 Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/5-health-benefits-red-light-therapy
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Allure. (2025). How to do a chemical peel at home safely. Retrieved from https://www.allure.com/story/at-home-chemical-peel
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Anson, G. (2016). Sleep wrinkles: Facial aging and facial distortion during sleep. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(7), 815-820. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329660/
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Poljsak, B., Godic, A., Fink, R., Oder, M., Lampe, T., & Dahmane, R. (2015). Sleeping on an anti-wrinkle pillow reduces facial wrinkles: Results of an anatomical study. Forensic Medicine and Anatomy Research, 3(2), 48-56. Retrieved from https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=55294
