The choice to use injectables or not is personal. I’ve tried botox, but it’s not a good fit for me-at least not right now. I personally didn’t like the way it made me feel. Over the last year, I’ve tried a handful of at-home techniques, and these are the ones that have earned a permanent spot in my skin-preservation routine. Of course none of the tools below are straight alternatives to injectables, but they can help prevent wrinkles from forming or slow them down.
Face tape
Face tape, when I remember to use it, has become one of my favorite injectable alternatives. It doesn’t treat wrinkles, but it helps train the face to relax habitual expression lines and can give a temporary smoothing effect. Think of it as a little reminder to stop scrunching your forehead or clenching your jaw.
I’ve used this product and this product; the first is stiffer and more expensive, but my personal favorite.
Microneedling pen
Last spring I bought a microneedling pen and discovered how surprisingly easy it is to use at home-and how nice it is to control both the amount of needles and the depth for a customized recovery time. At-home microneedling is intentionally more shallow than an in-office treatment for safety reasons, but it’s still incredibly effective for boosting skin texture and glow over time. I learned so much from one creator’s tutorials, and thanks to her, microneedling is now part of my monthly routine.
Here’s the microneedling pen I use. For needle cartridges, I alternate between 12, 18 and 36 needles depending on how strong of a treatment I want (less needles equals a more aggressive session).
Chemical peels at home
For gentle exfoliation, mandelic acid at 22% and 40% is my go-to. It’s mild, beginner-friendly, and great for brightening. If you want something stronger, there are also glycolic, lactic, and even TCA peel options depending on your comfort level and your skin’s 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-preventing pillow
I love sleeping on my side and stomach, which unfortunately means I create wrinkles while I sleep. Switching to a wrinkle-prevention pillow has been a game changer. I removed some of the stuffing to get the neck support just right, but once I dialed that 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-crease lines.
I love this pillow but adjust the stuffing to fit your neck’s needs.
Red light therapy
I’ve 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 extensively about this one here, if details are your thing.
You can find my favorite device right here.
I hope this helps narrow your list of more natural ways to preserve your skin’s radiance as you age. Remember, what works for me might not work for you-listen to your skin and enjoy the process.
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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 treating wrinkles on the face. 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 treating wrinkles on the neck. 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 an at-home chemical peel 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 from an anatomical study. Forensic Medicine and Anatomy Research, 3(2), 48-56. Retrieved from https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=55294
