Innovations in technology are all part of the growing uptake in tweakments and cosmetic procedures like Botox and filler, but if there’s one trend we’ve noticed in 2023, it’s that they’re now starting to impact product development, too. A new generation of skincare products are blurring the lines between in-salon and at-home treatments, allowing consumers to replicate the effects of professional cosmetic procedures, minus the cost and downtime. These tweakment product dupes are all about fast results and instant gratification, targeting universal concerns like dull skin and fine lines, and harnessing the latest ingredient technologies.
“Tweakment products have been gaining popularity with consumers because they offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional Botox and fillers,” says Dimitra Davidson, President and COO of Indeed Labs. “Today’s tweakment products include ingredients that work in a similar way to more traditional treatments but are much less evasive. They’re safe to use at home, can be used daily, and are often formulated with additional ingredients for added benefits.” Of course, one major factor in the growing popularity of tweakment products is affordability in comparison to in-salon treatments—as the cost-of-living crisis cuts down our disposable incomes. In-salon treatments with a reliable practitioner can cost hundreds of pounds, and with the commitment needed to maintain results, this cost can easily add up into the thousands. “Price conscience consumers and those looking for needle-free alternatives are definitely gravitating to tweakment products as alternatives,” adds Davidson. “But that doesn’t exclude the consumer who also uses traditional treatments such as Botox and filler who turns to tweakment products for added benefits and to prolong the effectiveness of their treatments.”
Like the treatments they replicate, tweakment products are predominantly aimed towards those who want to address or prepare for signs of ageing, like loose skin, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles. “At Medik8, our bestselling products consistently fall within the youth renewing and boosting category,” says Daniel Isaacs, Director of Research at Medik8. “Purchasing trends include sculpting, firming, tightening, plumping and glowing skin benefits for fast, tweakment-like results. With new breakthroughs and innovation in science skin tech, consumers are reaping the rewards with advanced formulas delivering long-term, long-lasting results that are easily available.”
Of course, if you’ve ever looked into booking an in-salon cosmetic procedure, you’ll know that they’re not without their risks. “In today’s society we are a lot more clued up about the realities of invasive skin and facial procedures and that damage they can cause to us in the longer term,” says Inge Thermon, founder of FaceGym. “I know this all too well. During my time as a journalist, I tried and tested multiple procedures which left me suffering the impact of injectable abuse. It wasn’t until one particular face-lifting procedure left me housebound, that I realised enough was enough, and I decided there must be a better way to age confidently and beautifully.”
For Thermon, this was her eureka moment and the start of FaceGym. The brand has pioneered a workout-inspired approach to facial massage, and now has eleven global studios, a product line, and offers digital workout appointments. “We provide a natural, non-invasive alternative that delivers the instantly visible results but also provides lasting benefits for both the skin and muscles,” she explains. “I think the fact that we are now able to produce so many devices which offer the professional results of a spa or aesthetic treatment but from home has been the biggest game-changer in this area over the past few years. At FaceGym we are creating tools and devices that deliver high-end results and making them accessible to the consumer wherever they are.”
Another brand to capitalise on the tweakment trend is Indeed Labs, whose ‘Botox in a bottle’ serum Snoxin II went viral on TikTok last year and was, for months, impossible to get hold of. “Snoxin II improves skin’s elasticity and smoothness, revealing fresher and more vibrant skin. This targeted solution provides instant and long-terms results as it softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Davidson. “The star ingredient is a biomimetic peptide, XEP-018™. This peptide blocks signals sent from the brain to the facial muscles to contract and relax the muscles instantly. As the peptide accumulates, this active provides both instant and lasting effects as it continuously works to help the skin repair itself by allowing new collagen to grow and mature, increasing skin elasticity.” It’s easy to see why this has been hailed as a ‘Notox’ treatment, since Botox itself works by preventing muscles from contracting.
While the pros of topical tweakment products range from their affordability and convenience to the fact you can take a much safer approach to targeting your concerns, you will just have to wait a little longer for those results to show. It’s also worth remembering that no product can ever truly replicate the exact effects of a cosmetic procedure, particularly when it comes to face-altering treatments like filler and Botox. “It is only worth investing in tools and tweakment products if you will use them regularly and consistently (often, this means daily),” says esthetician and skin expert Katie Onyejekwe. “Otherwise, save your money.”
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