Most of us have heard of Botox and know about its purported benefits. Botox is injected into the face and blocks specific chemical signals from nerves. When these signals are blocked, it limits muscle contractions, which can cause facial wrinkles and frown lines. Botox may also smooth the appearance of wrinkles on the face.
However, many of us aren’t keen on having injections or keeping up with the maintenance of going in every three to four months.
Fortunately, there are alternatives, and one of them is Argireline peptide in skincare. Argireline is a peptide-based, anti-aging ingredient that is said to have similar effects to Botox because it prevents muscle movement that can lead to wrinkles. It may even promote collagen production, which helps to fight fine lines and wrinkles and increase the skin’s moisture levels, creating a softer, plumper effect.
But what does research show about Argireline? Keep reading to learn more about this potent skincare ingredient and what scientists are discovering about it.
Argireline Research and Benefits
One of the most fascinating studies on Argireline studied its effects on reducing the degree of existing facial wrinkles and preventing their development. This study noted that previous research found Argireline to be safe, well tolerated, and to have a significant anti-wrinkle effect on human participants. To further test this, researchers applied Argireline twice daily to aged mice for six weeks and studied changes in their skin tissues.
Amazingly, they found a massive improvement in the structure of skin tissues, and the amount of collagen fibers increased! Researchers concluded that Argireline may improve the structure of skin tissues, rejuvenating aging skin.
Anti-Wrinkle Effect
Another study on 60 human participants found that those who applied Argireline to their periorbital wrinkles (wrinkles that move with the skin, like lines on the forehead that move when you smile or frown) experienced significant improvements.
After four weeks, researchers reanalyzed the participants’ skin.
Researchers discovered that the Argireline group had an anti-wrinkle efficacy of 48.9% compared to the 0% improvement the placebo group had. The Argireline group also had decreased roughness, which the placebo group didn’t experience either.
Long story short — the placebo group experienced no changes or improvements in their skin’s appearance. In contrast, the Argireline group had a huge improvement in anti-wrinkle efficacy and skin roughness, which is fantastic!
Argireline and Hyaluronic Acid
A 2023 study investigated how Argireline and hyaluronic acid affected the skin. The Argireline was delivered in a skin serum containing hyaluronic acids and then analyzed using the Visia camera system specifically designed for facial image capture.
This study followed nineteen female participants and captured photos of their faces from all sides before and after. Participants applied the Argireline and hyaluronic acid serum twice a day — once in the morning and once at night, particularly around the eye area.
To keep the study unbiased, participants were given two containers: one for the left and one for the right side of their faces. Only one container contained the Argireline. Neither participants nor researchers knew which container contained which formula.
After four weeks, researchers took more photos of the participants’ skin. No participants experienced noticeable skin irritation or adverse reactions to the product, and the wrinkle score decreased across the board. While not the most impactful of the studies we found in terms of results, we wanted to note that this study showed that Argireline was well tolerated among participants.
For more information about hyaluronic acid, read our article about whether hyaluronic acid is really worth it and the amazing research behind this skincare ingredient.
Muscle Relaxation
Argireline is often compared to Botox because of its purported muscle relaxation effects. Studies on peptides like Argireline have shown that they mimic Botox by inhibiting neurotransmitter release and causing muscle relaxation.
One early study comparing Botox and Argireline notes that Botox has remarkable antiwrinkle activity, but its high neurotoxicity severely limits its safe usage. This is why developing non-toxic molecules that mimic Botox’s results is critical. This study followed healthy women volunteers applying a skincare emulsion containing 10% Argireline for 30 days.
Wrinkle depth was reduced up to 30% after only a month! Researchers also found that Argireline significantly inhibited neurotransmitter release at a similar potency level to Botox. While it wasn’t quite as potent as Botox (after all, it’s not being injected into the skin), scientists concluded that Argireline is a “non-toxic, antiwrinkle peptide that emulates the action of currently used BoNTs (Botox).”
All in all, the study shares that Argireline is a biosafe alternative to Botox and demonstrated that it has strong effectiveness, which is an incredible find.
Lastly, we found a fascinating article interviewing Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, and Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
They shared some fascinating findings. We’ve summarized them here for you:
- Argireline is one of the first topical ingredients to demonstrate an effect on muscular contractions
- Dr. Zeichner called it “the closest ingredient that we have to Botox in creams.” (While not as powerful as Botox, it may be a good alternative for those who are scared of needles or against Botox use for one reason or another).
- Dr. Engelman shares that it typically has very few side effects, if any, and some studies have shown it decreases wrinkles by 10 to 30%, depending on the study you’re looking at.
We found the current Argireline studies so inspiring that we incorporated Argireline into a new skincare product. Our Lifting Peptide Serum contains Argireline, Hyaluronic Acid, and Collagen, Sea Buckthorn Oil, and Olive Squalane to encourage wrinkle prevention and nourish the skin, plumping it and making you glow from the inside out.
We hope you found this article and the studies on Argireline as interesting as we did!
Well Wishes,
Herbalist Natalie
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Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting Herbalist with over 27 years of hands-on experience and the owner of The Herb Stop. |