It had to happen - once botox swept onto the scene and captured many of us seeking younger looking skin - you knew that a cosmetic alternative was bound to follow.

Skin care manufacturers were quick to launch their own versions of botox - the 'botox alternatives' - creams and serums that were claimed to be 'better than botox' in many cases.

Botox alternatives are 'line relaxers' - just like real botox.  These anti aging skin care products aim to soften expression lines caused by repetitive facial movement (frowns, smiles and laughing to you and me).

The active ingredients in most botox alternatives are peptides or neuro-peptides. Peptides are similar to amino acids that exist naturally in the body and target the tiny muscles that cause subtle (and some not so subtle!) expression lines.

There are a large number of products that use peptides. Some of the most well-known include Prevage - a botox alternative developed in conjunction with Allergan - the makers of the injectible Botox serum.

There are also some botox alternatives that use another emerging ingredient - GABA - the body's natural muscle relaxant. Freeze 24/7 is one of the most well known of these products. Although GABA on it's own applied topically would not have any effect at all on the underlying muscles, the manufacturers claim that it works because it is combined with a range of other highly active anti aging ingredients. 

But - the question still remains do botox alternatives work?

Well - there are a lot of highly positive customer reviews for many of these creams.  If they weren't working dissatisfied customers would be the first sign.  Also - many top celebrities are known to use botox alternatives either instead of or in between botox injections to prolong the anti-wrinkle effect.  Finding out what celebrities and actresses use is often a good way to the best anti aging products since celebrities have the power and the money to use what works.  

A new product - Dr Brandt Crease Release - based on the GABA technology already has a huge celebrity following and rave reviews from satisfied customers on many beauty sites and forums.

Providing you're clear about what to expect, botox alternatives are probably a good buy.  Relaxing creams and serums will impact the tiny surface muscles near the skin's surface so you will definitely see improvement in many lines and wrinkles. You'll also probably see improvement in overall skin tone, brightness and radiance with many of the products due to the combined effect of many of the highly active anti aging ingredients.

What you shouldn't expect is that any botox alternative will totally remove or eliminate the look of your deeper lines and wrinkles. No topically applied product can do this. In fact not even botox itself could do this.  On the other hand, botox alternatives should give you younger looking skin without any pain, they won't cause frozen face or droopy eyelids and you don't have to go to the doctor or clinic to get them. 

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