3 skincare products that can help you look younger without Botox, according to experts

• While certain signs of aging are best treated with cosmetic procedures, some products can help.
• There are skincare products that can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, according to experts.

The demand for plastic surgery has boomed throughout the pandemic, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Botox, in particular, was ranked as the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure of 2020.

While certain signs of aging are best treated with cosmetic procedures, some products are proven to treat wrinkles without a needle, experts say.

"People think Botox and filler are skin treatments, but they're not. They're just a quick fix and the skin can only handle so much," celebrity facialist Lisa Harris told Refinery29.

Products like retinol, epidermal growth factors, and vitamin C serums can reduce signs of aging by treating fine lines, making wrinkles less deep, and lightening hyperpigmentation.

Microdosing retinol

Often touted as the holy grail of anti-aging skincare products by dermatologists, retinol exfoliates the skin to prevent aging.

Retinol works by gently chemically peeling the skin and increasing cell turnover to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. Typically, retinol is used daily before a person goes to bed.

"Retinol is FDA approved for fine lines and wrinkles because it helps improve cellular turnover," Dr. Julie Russak, an NYC-based dermatologist, previously told Insider. "This treats many skin concerns, including acne and acne scarring as it helps to smooth out the surface of the skin and promote new healthy skin cells."

While retinol can help make skin look more even, Harris told Refinery29 it's important to not overuse it because too much can cause damage.

"I often repair people's skin from using too much retinol. It can cause sensitivity like redness and dryness, which can be terrible," Harris said.

Harris said people should start with a low dose of retinol with a concentration of 0.2%.

Epidermal growth factors (EGF)

Because retinol chemically exfoliates the skin, people with sensitive skin may experience dryness and inflammation while using it. If you have sensitive skin, epidermal growth factors (EGFs) might be better catered to your skin than retinol, dermatologists say.

EGFs work similarly to retinols and treat wrinkles and fine lines by increasing cell turnover to create collagen, melanin, and keratin. EGFs send signals to receptors in your skin cells to ramp up production, which can reduce the look of dark spots and wrinkles.

The biggest downside to EGFs are their price, as Insider previously reported they are normally found in high end beauty products.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another preventative measure you can use to protect your skin from aging. As a common anti-aging ingredient, vitamin C can stimulate the production of collagen, which is what keeps the skin youthful and mark-free.

According to the Mayo Clinic, adding vitamin C to your skincare regiment can lighten hyperpigmentation spots, scarring, and treat fine lines.

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which means it can protect the skin from outside pollutants that prematurely age the skin.