‘My skin feels fresher, plumper and brighter thanks to serum’

With consumers increasingly seeking noninvasive methods to achieve smoother, rejuvenated skin, the phrase ‘Botox in a bottle’ is trending in the skincare industry. Although it’s essentially a catchy marketing slogan (no topical skincare product can immobilise wrinkle-forming muscles like Botox), numerous innovative products are emerging that aim to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

One such product is the new P-Tiox Neuro-Peptide Serum from SkinCeuticals, a brand celebrated by beauty editors, skincare specialists and dermatologists for iconic products like C E Ferulic. This new serum features a multi-peptide complex along with PHA, niacinamide and laminaria extract to target nine different types of wrinkles, from crow’s feet to forehead lines, according to SkinCeuticals.

Priced at £130, it’s not a budget option (though new customers can enjoy a 10% discount on the SkinCeuticals website). The Mirror’s Beauty and Wellness Editor Laura Mulley has been testing it against her current favourite wrinkle-reducing serum, Medik8’s Liquid Peptides Advanced MP.

She said: “I’ve sampled and enjoyed many SkinCeuticals products before, and it’s a brand I trust due to its clinical trials and expert recommendations, so I had high expectations for this serum. And it was love at first application.

“P-Tiox is a beautifully crafted formula: it’s lightweight and fluid, yet rich. It absorbs instantly while providing ample hydration (so much so that I’ve been skipping moisturiser and heading straight for SPF in the mornings). Plus, it pairs well with all my other skincare and makeup products.”

Laura has only been using it for a week, but says the immediate and short-term results are ‘so impressive that I’m already dreading running out’. She said it “instantly revitalises my skin, making it appear fresher, plumper, and brighter – we’re talking ‘glass skin’ level of radiance.” 

Laura added: “I’m due for a Botox top-up, and I genuinely believe this serum makes the fine lines on my forehead less visible, likely due to its instant brightening and smoothing effects. Before this, I was using the much-lauded Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, which I adore), but found it slightly drying, necessitating additional skincare products.

“SkinCeuticals’, however, is wonderfully hydrating and serves as a true ‘one-and-done’ anti-ageing serum.”

One the product’s downside, Laura added: “I had to pinpoint one, it would be that it might be a tad too potent for extremely sensitive skin (I experienced a slight sting on some flaky skin from an old blemish).” Naturally, it comes with a hefty price tag. However, newcomers to the SkinCeuticals website can enjoy a 10% discount upon signing up, and additional deals may be available on LookFantastic.

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Naturium Multi-Peptide Advance Serum is highly recommended by beauty editors and is currently discounted from £27 to £21.60.

Elsewhere, No7’s  Future Renew Serum is ‘clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage’, according to the brand. It’s on sale at Boots for £34.15, down from £37.95.