How to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles — Without Botox
Wellness & SelfcareSkin Care

How to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles — Without Botox

Help restore your skin to its youthful glow with these dermatologist-approved approaches.
How to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles — Without Botox
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Updated on October 23, 2025
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You respect anyone who wants to get Botox (or other injectables, like fillers), but you’re not there yet yourself. Maybe you’ll never get there because you can’t deal with needles, or the price tag puts these wrinkle-reducing options out of your budget. After all, the average cost of a botulinum toxin injection (Botox is one of several available brands) is $435.

Luckily, there are other things you can do for your skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Here are six options to consider.

1. Use Sunscreen, the Holy Grail Anti-Aging Product

Believe it or not, you need to wear sunscreen every day, whether it’s sunny or stormy — the ultraviolet (UV) light that damages skin can penetrate through clouds, rain, and fog.

 “Sunscreen is the most important anti-aging product you can use. Ninety percent of the aging on our skin is from the sun,” says Robert Anolik, MD, a dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.
Keep in mind: Proper daily sunscreen application means using enough — one ounce, or about enough to fill a shot glass — and remembering to reapply it every two hours, even if it’s a high SPF or waterproof formulation.

 Over time, the sunscreen layer becomes uneven because of movement, rubbing, water exposure, and the skin’s accumulation of sweat and oils.

 Reapplying ensures you actually get the SPF protection listed on the bottle.
And while prevention is the best strategy when it comes to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, daily SPF does something more. After participants in one small study applied a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen containing ceramide daily for a month, researchers found that their skin redness was significantly reduced, water loss through the skin decreased by over 20 percent, and skin hydration was greatly improved, indicating that sunscreen can also improve skin barrier function and keep skin looking plump.

2. Try Retinoids, the Ultimate Skin-Plumping and Firming Superheroes

Among all the available products, if there’s one you ask your dermatologist for, make it a retinoid. “A daily sunscreen and nightly retinoid can actually prevent the need for injectables,” says Lauren Ploch, MD, a dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia.

Retinoids, a form of vitamin A available only by prescription, can increase collagen, one of the proteins that make up skin’s supportive structure.

 (Retinol, a type of retinoid that’s gentler on skin but may produce less-dramatic anti-aging effects, is one of several compounds in the retinoid family that’s available over-the-counter.) Increasing collagen production can lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles. “[Retinoids] also increase the number of cells that make collagen (called fibroblasts) in our skin, keeping it plump and firm,” says Dr. Ploch.
It can take several weeks to see improvement after you start a topical retinoid, so be patient.

There’s also a chance retinoids will be irritating to your skin. In that event, Dr. Anolik suggests using it every other night and making sure to moisturize. Industry-sponsored research has found, however, that the often-recommended method of “sandwiching” a water-based moisturizer with a common prescription-strength retinoid, tretinoin (Retin-A) — applying moisturizer both before and after tretinoin — reduced the efficacy of tretinoin by a whopping 300 percent. But applying moisturizer either before or after tretinoin maintained about the same efficacy as applying the medication on bare skin.

And if you’re pregnant, take a pause on your retinoid — this skin-care product has been associated with congenital disabilities in some research, though more studies on humans are needed.

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3. Schedule an In-Office Laser Treatment, a Needle-Free Way to De-Age Your Skin

If you want to go beyond topicals, but you don’t want to make the jump to injectables, ask your dermatologist if one of the many laser treatment options available would be right for your skin needs. “Resurfacing lasers do so many things, including reducing brown spots and blood vessels, remodeling collagen, and increasing collagen production,” says Anolik.

While the lasers of yesterday used to leave skin angry and fiery red, they’re now more sophisticated and maintain efficacy while causing minimal injury to the skin, he says. He likes PicoSure and Clear + Brilliant for reducing the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. “We can pick and choose from these [laser products] with patients. They each have their benefits, and I often alternate different strategies at different visits,” says Anolik.

That said, know that these treatments can be expensive. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser skin resurfacing treatments cost about $1,829, with other types of laser treatments costing about $697 on average, plus any possible associated fees, like anesthesia and facility charges.

 Keep in mind that both skin resurfacing and other types of laser treatments may require multiple sessions.

 Still, they can do things that injections can’t, such as targeting discoloration. Talk to your doctor about your goals and whether you're a good candidate for one of the many lasers on the market.

4. Ask Your Dermatologist About Microneedling, Which Can Fade Scars and Smooth Wrinkles

Another option to treat age-related skin changes is microneedling. “Microneedling is a less invasive procedure that can treat wrinkles and scarring,” says Ploch. It can also be great for people with dark skin, because it’s less likely to cause hyperpigmentation than laser- and light-based devices, according to one small study.

Microneedling uses a roller device that’s studded with micro-fine needles, or an electronic pen with needles at the tip. The device is rolled or moved across the skin after a numbing cream has been applied, and the needles penetrate its outermost layers. These pricks trigger the skin’s healing process, boosting collagen and elastin production.

People who do it say it’s usually painless, and you can even buy dermal rollers for use at home, though the results won’t be as dramatic as those you’d see from a dermatologist’s office, and you’re at increased risk of infection and scarring.

 This procedure can cost anywhere from $100 to $700, says Manish Shah, MD, a plastic surgeon in Denver.

5. Use Dietary Supplements, Which May Fight Wrinkles

Along with sun protection and dermatology procedures, there are some skin supplements that have research-backed benefits. For example, in one review, people who took collagen peptides orally saw favorable results on skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles compared with a placebo group.

 Researchers suggested that 90 days of oral collagen peptide supplementation is effective at reducing signs of skin aging.

That said, there isn’t a wealth of human research on collagen supplements. More studies are needed before they’re recommended.

6. Follow a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle, 2 Musts for Good Skin

When it comes to smart skin-care habits, there’s no replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle. In the fight to keep lines and wrinkles at bay, your daily habits matter. Smoking, exposure to pollution, alcohol consumption, poor sleep, and poor skin-care practices like skipping sunscreen were all connected to increased signs of aging, one research review found.

 Its authors suggested that a balanced diet full of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting skin, and that regular exercise has anti-aging skin benefits as well.
A group of compounds found in the body — advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), harmful substances that accumulate in tissue when sugars react with proteins, fat, or certain acids in the bloodstream — have increasingly been the subject of research on skin aging.

 One research review found that clinical trials of oral and topical supplements had mixed results when it came to reducing AGEs in skin, though several, including oral and topical fish collagen peptides and a topical carotenoid cream, were found to be effective.

 Still, the authors noted that disease management and lifestyle modification is the primary method for reducing AGEs-related skin aging.
Another to-do: Get adequate, high-quality sleep. For adults, that would be seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

 In a study of 60 healthy women, those who were characterized as “good sleepers” had 30 percent less water loss through the skin barrier and better skin recovery from ultraviolet light exposure than the “poor sleepers” in the study. What’s more, they were also happier with their appearance than those who slept poorly.

 And who can argue with that?

The Takeaway

  • If you’re looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles but think Botox or other injectables, like fillers, aren’t right for you, you’re in luck — other options exist to address signs of aging.
  • Protect your skin from UV damage by using sunscreen daily and treating it with topical retinoids. These are two of the most effective ways to prevent signs of aging, and both can reduce existing signs of aging.
  • If you’re looking to boost collagen production and reduce scarring, consider seeing a dermatologist for laser skin remodeling or rejuvenation, or microneedling.
  • Research shows a healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial for skin to age well: Not smoking, limiting alcohol, working out, and sleeping enough can all slow the skin’s aging process.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Botulinum Toxin. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
  2. Venosa A. 5 Sneaky Ways You’re Being Exposed to the Sun’s UV Rays. Skin Cancer Foundation. June 21, 2022.
  3. How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen? Cleveland Clinic. March 25, 2025.
  4. Answering (Almost) Every Sunscreen Question. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. May 29, 2022.
  5. Cao Y et al. Efficacy of Ceramide-Containing Sunscreen on Skin Barrier. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. August 29, 2023.
  6. Retinol. Cleveland Clinic. June 17, 2022.
  7. Bader K et al. “Open Sandwich” Moisturization Regimen Does Not Affect Bioactivity of Retinols and Retinoids. Dermatology. March 24, 2025.
  8. Putra IB et al. Skin Changes and Safety Profile of Topical Products During Pregnancy. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. February 2022.
  9. Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
  10. Laser Skin Resurfacing: Top 8 Things You Need to Know. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. March 17, 2021.
  11. How Many Clear + Brilliant® Laser Treatments Will I Need? Capital Laser & Skin Care. May 1, 2024.
  12. Alster TS et al. Microneedling Treatment of Striae Distensae in Light and Dark Skin With Long-Term Follow-Up. Dermatologic Surgery. April 2020.
  13. Microneedling. Cleveland Clinic. May 23, 2022.
  14. de Miranda RB et al. Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplementation on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Dermatology. March 20, 2021.
  15. Hussein RS et al. Influences on Skin and Intrinsic Aging: Biological, Environmental, and Therapeutic Insights. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. November 27, 2024.
  16. Twarda-Clapa A et al. Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs): Formation, Chemistry, Classification, Receptors, and Diseases Related to AGEs. Cells. April 12, 2022.
  17. Choi JY et al. Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs): Formation, Chemistry, Classification, Receptors, and Diseases Related to AGEs. Antioxidants. April 20, 2025.
  18. Oversleeping: Bad for Your Health? Johns Hopkins Medicine.
  19. Afzal UM et al. Sleep Deprivation and the Skin. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. June 8, 2023.
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Susan Bard, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.

She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.

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Jessica Migala

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Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

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