Argireline For Anti-Aging: Benefits, Side Effects, And More

Aging is regarded as a dreaded part of life, and while society must endeavor to eliminate the shame associated with it, there is nothing wrong with minimizing its signs. This is where the use of Argireline for skin care comes into the picture. Among the thousands of anti-aging products on the market, Argireline is rising high in popularity due to its Botox-like effects.

Interested in learning more? Let’s find out how Argireline works to fight the signs of aging, how it works, and side effects. Keep reading!

Know Your Ingredient: Argireline

What Is It?
A synthetic peptide that exhibits Botox-like effects

What Are Its Benefits?
It inhibits muscle movements to reduce wrinkle formation, boosts elastin and collagen production, and helps the skin retain moisture and stay hydrated.

Who Can Use It?
Argireline is suitable for all skin types, especially people with dry skin. However, a patch test is recommended before topical application.

How Often?
It can be applied twice daily.

Caution
People allergic to it should avoid using Argireline.

Understanding Argireline

Argireline is commonly known as ‘Botox in a bottle’ because it mimics the function of botulinum toxin, the substance Botox is made of.

Unlike Botox, Argireline does not need to be administered via a needle or a skilled physician. It is a topical formulation, and can thus be applied to the areas of concern by the user themself.

Argireline is actually a synthetic peptide that is chemically called acetyl hexapeptide-8. This is great because peptides help build the proteins that are needed by the skin to keep it supple and healthy (1).

With age, people get lines around the mouth – the area where they frown – and around the eyes. Argireline peptides work by inhibiting this movement of muscles for facial expressions, similar to Botox. The solution relaxes the area, therefore decreasing the formation of wrinkles.

Botox is an anti-ageing treatment done by needle because the formulation needs to penetrate the upper layer of skin and offer a more prolonged and effective result.  Argireline solutions, on the other hand, have a much lower ability to get absorbed deep within the skin to give you Botox’s level of result (2).

Fun Fact

Celebs like Kate Middleton and Jennifer Lopez swear by Argireline serum, which is often dubbed as “natural Botox,” to keep wrinkles at bay!

How Safe Is Argireline?

The safety of cosmetic ingredients is determined through extensive testing, multiple studies, and reviews over the years. Argireline, being a relatively new substance in the market, needs more research to support the claims of it having no adverse effects.

A study has found that it is non-toxic and serves as a bio-safe alternative to botulinum (Botox) neurotoxins (3). As is the case with any product, Argireline in large doses may affect your health but is shown to cause no harm in small concentrations.

While current studies state that Argreline in skin care is safe to use, there is no information about its long-term effects as it was first used in the 2000s. So, be sure to do your research and ask your dermatologist for their recommendation.

Products that contain Argireline are said to slow down the signs of aging. Additionally, the solution can also help your skin in other ways. Read on to learn about the other benefits of Argireline.

Benefits Of Argireline For Your Skin

1. Fades Wrinkles

As you age, your facial movements and expressions start causing lines and wrinkles on your face. Reducing the appearance of wrinkles is a major function of Argireline in skincare. Studies have found that people using Argireline twice a day for 40 days have noticed up to a 48% decrease in their wrinkles (2).

A blogger tried Argireline for her skin and shared her experience in her blog. After using it along with other skin care products daily and writes, “This remarkable peptide has not only smoothed my wrinkles but has also effectively prevented new ones from forming, all without the need for invasive procedures (i).”

2. Boosts Collagen Production

Collagen is essential for the skin as it keeps it supple and makes it stretch. This protein also forms a network within the skin on which new cells can grow. Collagen also helps repair the skin by replacing the dead cells.

A study conducted in China found that using Argireline twice a day for 6 weeks increased the number of collagen fibers in the participants’ skin (4). You can use collagen products or undergo certain procedures to get your skin to produce these collagen fibers (5).

Note that studies are still limited due to the novelty of Argireline, and more research is needed to further back this ingredient’s ability to increase collagen.

3. Hydrates The Skin

Hydration is key when it comes to preventing premature aging. The skin has certain substances that help hold on to water, giving it a plump and refreshed look. But with age and certain factors, these molecules diminish and decrease the moisturizing ability of the skin. So, over time, wrinkles begin to form (5).

Argireline can tone and improve the moisturizing function of the skin. Argireline can work along with the other skin care ingredients you use to support moisturization (6).

Quick Tip

Apart from treating wrinkles and fine lines, Argireline also manages dull and dry skin by improving moisture levels.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Argireline?

Since it is a relatively new product in the market, there is no extensive information on Argireline’s side effects.

However, be sure to check the ingredient list of the product you are using. This is because while you may not be allergic to Argireline itself, your skin may react to another ingredient. Hence, it is best to carry out a patch test.

For a patch test, apply the product to a small area on your forearm and let it sit for 24 hours. If it does not cause any adverse effects like redness or irritation, you may consider it safe to use on your face.

When applying Argireline, you may experience a slight tingling or redness in the area. But, this depends on the product you are using and how you use it. Note that the side effects stated here are not from any verified source. They are purely from the observation of reviews and notes of physicians.

Find out how to use Argireline correctly so you do not miss out on its true potential.

How To Use Argireline

Each product comes with specific instructions on how to use it. Keep these pointers in mind when applying them.

Type Of Solution

First, identify what kind of Argireline solution you are using. Is it oil-based or water-based? Determining this can help you know at what point in your routine you should apply it.

Water-based solutions mostly use water and hyaluronic acidⁱ  A lubricating substance produced in the body that is widely used as an anti-aging product for its hydrating properties. as their base and penetrate the skin easily. Oil-based serums use oils as their base, making them occlusive in nature. This means that they create a seal around the skin and do not allow moisture to escape. But, this also prevents penetration of any other ingredient applied over it.

To make sure that most of the Argireline serum you apply is absorbed, it is best that you choose a water-based solution. You can use it before or after other water-based solutions and only before any cream or oil moisturizer.

Ingredients Or Products It May Interact With

It is generally considered best not to mix acids with peptides as they may reduce the efficacy of peptides. Certain ingredients require a particular pH for the skin, which is a measure of how alkaline or acidic a product is. Certain acids can change the pH of the skin and neutralize the effect of Argireline. It can also damage your skin’s barrier. This is more of a preventative measure, so it is best to consult with a beauty expert or a dermatologist.

The Application

Apply Argireline directly onto the problem areas, rather than taking it on your hand and then transferring it to your face. Dab it on your skin (e.g., around the eyes, the forehead, the crease between the eyes) like a spot treatment.

Aid From Tools

The one place that Argireline fails is its permeability. Since it is a topical treatment, to achieve the best results, you have to ensure that it properly penetrates your skin and goes deep. For this, you may use various tools like electroporation and micro-needlingⁱ  A cosmetic procedure in which affected areas of the skin are gently wounded with sterilized needles to enhance collagen production. tools to push the product deep into your skin (2).

Micro-needling comes with added benefits of stimulating more collagen and improving the overall appearance of your skin (2). However, it runs the risk of skin damage and infection in case you are not careful.

A non-invasive alternative can be electroporation via micro-current devices. These work by delivering tiny currents to the skin to make it firm. The currents can also direct the product into the target area, increasing its ability to get absorbed by the skin (8).

Infographic: The Anti-Aging Benefits Of Argireline

The anti-aging skin care market is vast and competitive, with many products vying for a piece of the pie. These products make many enticing claims, from boosting collagen production to minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Argireline is one such ingredient that makes some pretty big promises. But does it live up to expectations? Take a look at the infographic below to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, argireline or retinol?

It depends on your skin concern and age. While retinol can improve pore function and fade discoloration from sun damage, argireline is a quick-absorbing compound that is gentler on the skin and works effectively on fine lines and wrinkles.

Does argireline cause the skin to sag?

Maybe. Anecdotal evidence suggests that extended use of argireline may cause skin sagging in some individuals. However, more research is warranted to prove this claim.

How long does argireline take to work?

Argireline may start showing results within the first month of use.

Can you mix niacinamideⁱ  A type of vitamin B3 that reduces inflammation, redness, aging, and acne when applied topically as part of skin care. and argireline?

Yes. It is considered safe to mix niacinamide and argireline as their pH levels (above 5) are similar.

Does argireline extend botox?

Yes. Argireline has been shown to extend the effect of botox treatments.

How do you use matrixyl and argireline?

You can mix argireline with matrixyl (another peptide that works great on wrinkles and fine lines). Consult your doctor to learn about the ideal mixing ratios.

Can you apply argireline around the mouth?

Yes. You can apply argireline around the mouth to smoothen the lines appearing around it.

Discover the excellent anti-aging benefits of Argireline cream. Click on this video to know more about how to get youthful skin without spending a lot of money.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Sanober Pezad DoctorMD

   

Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor is a double-board-certified dermatologist with 6 years of experience. She is the founder of 'Baby SkinWise™' and 'AGEnesis™-The Holistic Aging Blueprint'. She is also a Certified Clinical Homeopath and Holistic Health Practitioner.

Read full bio of Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

Read full bio of Swathi E