Cruelty-Free and Needle-Free: Botox Alternatives

Nothing Fishy (use code ENGNF15 for 15% off first purchase) is a plant-based collagen supplement, sold in glass bottles with refill pouches.

Check with GP before taking supplements if pregnant/nursing or on medication or supplements. Keep away from children and pets.

Designed to mimic human collagen (which we start to lose  in our mid 20s), this avoids bovine (cow) collagen, and promises stronger skin, hair, nails and joints in just 8 weeks.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and when it begins to decline, you may notice more fine lines, duller skin, thinner hair, weaker nails and creakier joints!

This supplement replicates the correct amino acid formulation of type-1 human collagen, via controlled fermentation. It also is enriched with vitamin C, biotin, bamboo, ginseng and matcha for extra support.

Available in natural or mango flavour, just add one daily scoop to 500ml of water, juice or any favourite drink. They recommend mixing the natural flavour into flavoured drinks.

Don’t mix with coffee, as this can reduce effects (don’t take within 30 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee either).

In 8 weeks, expect:

• A visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
• A visible reduction in skin redness
• A visible increase in skin smoothness

Despite taking 8 weeks for visible results, this supplements begins to work within 2 days, giving 135% increase in collagen production. And you should start seeing the first visible results within 2 weeks.

Why choose natural Botox alternatives?

Botox is used to reduce face wrinkles. But not only is it a poison (used in medicine to stop sweating) and expensive, it’s also painful. And campaigners want it banned for cosmetic use, as the law now says no cosmetic product can be tested on animals.

But as a medical product, each fresh batch of Botox is tested on mice. Natural Botox alternatives are therefore kind to mice, the planet and your skin. They are also less expensive, and don’t hurt!

Obviously one way to stop wrinkles is to avoid strong sun. Most natural sunscreens contain zinc oxide (toxic to pets) so wash off before letting them kiss you (same with cosmetics and some deodorants).

Green People Line Eraser Serum

Green People’s line eraser serum is made with sea holly stem cell extract, to boost hydration by as much as 95%, while baobab firms and baicalin works to restore skin to ten years before! This can firm skin within 15 minutes, and sinks into the skin, free from irritating alcohol.

It can also visibly rejuvenate lines around the lips and eyes, use for four weeks to notice smoother skin.

Avoid beauty products with essential oils if pregnant/nursing. Many skincare items contain cocoa butter and/or zinc oxide (also found in sunscreens, cosmetics and deodorants). So if you live with pets, wash your skin before letting pets kiss you, or avoid items containing them.

Most kerbsides recycle plastic packaging. You can also recycle (including pipettes and hard-to-recycle items) at any Boots store (look for the recycling box).

What is a beauty serum?

It’s basically a blend of oils and other ingredients to deliver potent active ingredients into the skin, although know that nothing really can penetrate the dermis, only just under the epidermis, so don’t fall for ‘wonder serums or creams’.

Most skin moisturisers sit on the surface to lock in moistures. But serums usually have smaller molecules so can address specific skin concerns like lines, dehydration or pigmentation (age spots).

They tend to have a higher ratio of active ingredients compared to skin creams, and many are high in antioxidants like vitamin C to protect from pollution and UV rays. Some contain hyaluronic acid to provide intense hydration (look for vegan brands, as some hyaluronic acid is from the combs of roosters).

A few anti-ageing ones contain retinol or alternatives. These are designed to increase cell turnover to help booster your own collage and reduce fine lines. But they can make skin more sensitive, so keep out of sunlight after use, or avoid for very sensitive skin.

Likewise those with salicylic or glycolic acids, used to exfoliate pores, and often used to help people with acne or congested skin. Serums with niacinamide (B3) are used to balance oil production (and calm redness).

How to use beauty serums

Serums are applied to the face, neck and décolletage after cleansing the skin, but before you apply skin cream. You only need a few drops to pat onto the skin. Recommended by dermatologists, choose one with natural ingredients. They don’t have to be silly expensive, it matters more what they are made with.

Frownies (anti-wrinkle patches to stick on your face!)

Frownies have been around since the 30s, when Hollywood stars would wear them overnight, before heading to the Oscars. These are temporary fixes that stick to your face using water-based adhesive for a few hours to ‘iron out wrinkles’. Do not use on neck area, nor under the eyes.

When you take them off, your wrinkles return! But they are cheap and harmless, acting like splits on lines between the eyes and crows’ feet. Just tear the perforations, massage your wrinkle lines for 10 seconds, then press and leave for a few hours, soaking with water to remove.

Plenty of users say Frownies help soften their ’11s’ (lines between the eyebrows) and make deep furrows less noticeable over time. For best results:

• Cleanse and dry your face before applying.
• Moisten the patch edges for a better grip.
• Wear overnight at least three to four times a week.

Many see firmer skin in just a few weeks.

Omvits (plant-based collagen supplements)

Kind Collagen is a quality vegan supplement, to help plump up your skin without animal collagen (from bones and hooves). Easy to take, it has fantastic results, ideal for people with dry or ageing skin.

This version absorbs 5 times better, and is infused with (vegan) hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for maximum benefits. To use, just blend the unflavoured powder into smoothies, water or coffee. Each pack contains 30 servings. Free delivery over £25.

Over 8 weeks, clinical studies from users found:

• 53% reduction in fine lines
• 47% reduction in hair fall
• 50% improvement in hair growth
• 22% improvement in skin hydration
• 21% improvement in skin elasticity
• 21% improvement in hair thickness

Vegan Vitality: another vegan collagen supplement

Vegan Vitality (code ENGNAT15 for 15% discount) offers a vegan collagen that uses plant-based extracts like acerola cherry and bamboo, plus L-lysine, biotin and 5 essential vitamins.

Sold in easily-recycled kraft paper packaging, this is 3rd party tested by independent labs for quality and safety. These supplements use a blend of vitamin C, silica, zinc and copper (along with protein amino acids) to help you create your own collagen naturally.

Raw Beauty Lab (from a former Miss World contestant!)

Raw Beauty Lab offers a vegan collagen supplement trusted by over 20,000 happy customers. Created by a former Miss World contestant (and scientist –  who obviously wanted more than world peace) and her husband, it’s sold with a reusable scoop and a special version for pregnancy (don’t use the other one as it contains vitamin A – still consult with GP before using). 

You should start seeing results within 4 weeks, and there are plenty of before/after photos to view before you buy. Just mix the powder (in plastic-free packaging) into water, juice or smoothies.

The brand also offers vegan collagen facial masks and a vegan collagen jelly, in a glass jar. You can use standalone or with the supplements. The only caveat as is that none of them, will make you look like her (she ‘s a former Miss World contestant!)

Recently, this brand also has released the supplement in capsule form, along with a facial mask and beauty collagen facial jelly, which you can use standalone, or in conjunction with the supplement.

Feel (quality vegan collagen in sustainable packs)

Feel Pro Collagen is one of the world’s first vegan collagen supplements, designed to  beautify you, from inside out! It’s designed to support skin, hair and nails, with visible results in 90 days. It’s also vegan, not tested on animals and sold in plastic-free packaging.

Use code partner20 for 20% discount (not bundles or subscriptions). If you do subscribe, sign up for an account to earn discount rewards.

Just add a 10g (2 teaspoons) serving daily to water or juice. In two flavours (peach strawberry or pineapple grapefruit). 1 pack includes 30 servings. This is very sensitive to moisture and humidity, so store in a cool dark place, ensuring the lid is firmly sealed.

If you accidentally damage the packaging, the company recommends transferring the contents to a reusable silicone bag.

Feel Pro Collagen Gel

Alternatively, you can purchase this product as Pro Collagen Gel (cherry or watermelon flavour).

Collagen levels begin to decline in our skin from age 25, and makes up a third of all protein in our body. So when it begins to diminish, this can lead to skin ageing. Taking collagen supplements can help to replenish that which is lost, leading to plumper skin.

Feel Collagen is made by fermenting plant ingredients, then formulating them to the exact ratio found in human collagen. Unlike marine or bovine (cow) collagen, this supplement absorbs much better, due to its smaller molecule size. Just 1g equals 4g of marine or bovine versions. It’s also the only type identical to human collagen, containing all 18 amino acids.

This supplement is clinically proven to:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles by 22.4% in 28 days (and 32.9% in 8 weeks).
• Increase collagen production in the body by 135%, and double collagen production in just 2 days.
• 80% of users in trials report big improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and suppleness.

These are genuine customer reviews from the company website:

Been taking for 4 months. Really noticed a difference in my skin and hair.

Within 2 weeks noticed skin starting to smooth. After a couple of months, I noticed joint paint easing.

Tastes delicious. Skin feels plumper. Hair feels thicker.

Feel Vegan Beauty Gummies (for skin, hair & nails)

Feel Beauty Gummies are clinically proven to offer results in 90 days. Just take 2 gummies a day with food.

Keep away from children and pets, as they look like sweets, and could be choking hazards.

The star ingredient in these beauty gummies is Careflow^® (which helps to prevent collagen breakdown) along with biotin (vitamin B7) and selenium, which are both good for skin, hair and nails. These gummies also contain edible hyaluronic acid, which directs moisture and blood flow to skin, to promote a healthy glowing complexion. Some brands of hyaluronic acid are not vegan (even sourced from roosters).

It’s important to take Feel Beauty Gummies for at least 3 months. This supplement will also benefit hair growth. But everyone loses 50 to 100 hairs a day. So as the healthy new hair grows and old hairs fall out, you may feel that the beauty gummies are having no effect. But they are!