I've dabbled a bit in the world of Botox and filler over the past year or so, and I'll be honest—I haven't completely loved it. On one hand, I love that Botox can really smooth out the forehead area and get rid of those pesky lines, but I don't like that it seems to last for a shorter amount of time each treatment, which is a complaint I've heard from other people. That doesn't exactly make it worthy of a long-term investment in my eyes since it's also pretty expensive. Filler, on the other hand, does last longer, but it looked a bit strange and unnatural around the under-eye area for me. I probably wouldn't get it again and would rather do something like an in-office treatment to boost hydration.
If you're like me and have had a similar experience with fillers, you're in luck. There's a new kid on the block that can address dehydration issues in an even better way than traditional filler. Skinvive is a new hydrating booster treatment that recently hit the market and gives the skin a serious glow. I spoke to Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, Skinvive's lead investigator, a dermatologist, and Macrene Actives founder, about the treatment. She broke down everything to know about it for us below.
What is Skinvive?
I wasn't too familiar with Skinvive and what it has to offer before talking with Alexiades. I knew about traditional dermal fillers, having had a bit of experience with them myself. I didn't really love getting filler, but I was intrigued to hear more about Skinvive and how it's different.
"I served as lead investigator and lead author on the FDA-approved clinical trial for Skinvive by Juvéderm," says Alexiades. "Skinvive is the first new filler class to be released to the market in decades. It is the first and only intradermal microdroplet injection approved in the U.S. that's designed to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks. Skinvive is a smooth, low-viscosity gel that’s injected as intradermal microdroplets into the dermal layer of the skin. Prior fillers actually were injected under the skin subdermally, which allowed them to lift and fill deep creases. In contrast, Skinvive can be used to reduce fine lines and to actually go into the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Treatment is designed to improve skin smoothness and increase hydration. We believe that due to improved skin smoothness and hydration, light reflects better off the cheek area, resulting in patients reporting a lasting glow."
How is Skinvive different from traditional fillers?
Although Alexiades mentioned a few reasons why Skinvive is different above, she went into more detail about the makeup of this formula and how it operates.
"The unique low viscosity of Skinvive allows for intradermal targeting and greater diffusion, spreading throughout the plane to provide a hydration effect as compared to a localized wrinkle reduction, volumizing, or lifting effect," she says. "In contrast, prior fillers were thicker and therefore would be injected in the plane right below the dermis, resulting in wrinkle reduction and lift, but not performing the unique function of Skinvive in providing hydration directly to the dermal skin itself. Skinvive is not intended to add volume to the cheeks and thus is a booster, not a filler. Another key difference is that Skinvive is approved for skin smoothness and skin quality—two unique indications not achieved by prior fillers. Finally, Skinvive is approved across all skin phototypes I–VI, meeting an unmet need in this category!"
What kind of results can you expect, and how much does it cost?
I love that Skinvive offers a boost of hydration at the deeper levels of the skin. Skin dehydration is usually the cause of fine lines and wrinkles, and that's something I've been dealing with myself. I'm super interested in trying out this treatment, so I asked Alexiades what kind of results we can expect after getting this.
"Skin will immediately appear smoother and more luminous. In my first author-randomized, multi-center, evaluator-blind, controlled pivotal clinical study, 58% and 56% of patients treated with Skinvive by Juvéderm saw a ≥ 1 point improvement on the Allergan Cheek Smoothness Scale (ACSS) at one month and six months respectively. In a patient-reported satisfaction-with-skin questionnaire, 63% of patients were satisfied with how radiant their skin looked at six months compared with 11% before treatment (Alexiades et al Dermatologic Surgery 2023)," Alexiades says.
Another key way you can maintain results is by using the right skincare. There are so many products out there that can give your skin a hydration boost and glow. Luckily for us, Alexiades also has an incredible line of products that works great for this. She explains, "One of the reasons I obtain the best results in the world post-procedure is because my patients utilize Macrene Actives following any procedure, from injectables to lasers. This increases the efficacy of the outcome multifold, such that instead of a series of treatments, patients often report they only need one. It is common in my practice for patients to decrease their need for injectables such as botulinum toxin (Botox) or fillers to only once a year because of continued use of Macrene Actives."
"In my patented formulations, I have incorporated all the classes of actives that one would ideally require to restore the skin to the way it was before starting to deteriorate at roughly the age of 25," she continues. "These classes include peptides for boosting skin components, microencapsulated hyaluronic acid to augment the result of injectables such as Skinvive, antioxidants to repair damage due to exposures, barrier restorers, redness reducers, brighteners, and the list goes on."
As far as pricing goes, this one is on the steep side, so you have to be prepared to invest if you're looking to get the treatment. Alexiades says it can run you anywhere from $500 to $2000 annually, depending on what your skin goals are.
Below, shop a few of my Macrene Actives favorites along with other great products that'll boost your skin's glow.
Hydrating Products That Give Your Skin a Glow
The Macrene Actives face cream is packed with 50 plant-derived actives that provide the skin with total rejuvenation. Copper peptides firm and tone, while encapsulated hyaluronic acid boosts hydration deep within the skin. The texture is also so lightweight it doesn't even feel like you're wearing a hydrating cream.
The Macrene Actives serum is a favorite of mine. I love that it has everything your skin needs in one, so you can truly simplify your routine. It contains peptides, vitamin C, glucosamine, algae extracts, and more. Your skin will look healthier than ever.
As far as cleansers go, this one is a bit creamier in texture, so it may take some getting used to if you normally use a foaming wash. Over 20 plant surfactants, antioxidants, and hydrators help gently exfoliate the skin, targeting blemishes without overdrying the skin.
This is my favorite squalane oil on the market. It's budget-friendly, gives your skin an immediate glow, and hydrates without clogging your pores. It has worked wonders for my dehydrated, acne-prone skin.
Although this vitamin C serum is pricy, it's one of the best I've used and is a holy-grail product for acne-prone skin. It's gentle and effective but never irritates my skin. It contains a tiny bit of retinol along with vitamin C, copper tripeptide growth factors to help with fine lines, and vitamin E to hydrate. I use this daily, and it just gives my skin the most incredible glow.
Hyaluronic acid isn't always the best ingredient for everyone, but if it does work well for you, this serum hydrates and gives you that glass-skin effect almost immediately.
This is my favorite sunscreen right now because it is totally noncomedogenic, is safe for sensitive skin, and contains glow boosters and ceramides to support the skin barrier.
This hydrating toner from Fresh leaves your skin so soft. The addition of fresh rose petals to the formula helps calm and soften the skin while removing impurities.
I love mixing this glowy gel with my foundation to give it some extra radiance.
