I’ll never forget the girls’ weekend when one of my best friends in her early 30s admitted, almost slyly, that she was getting Botox. “Just a little,” she confessed. “Around my crow’s feet and forehead.” Not long after, other friends started sharing the same confession. An acquaintance even launched a Botox subscription service. I felt like I was the only one not hopping on the trend. But I’m the type of woman who gets her hair cut and colored twice a year—and a pedicure? Maybe once a year, if I’m lucky. The more I looked into Botox, the more I realized I couldn’t imagine keeping up with the maintenance or the cost. So at 34, I decided I was going to explore a trendy “Botox alternative” I had heard about instead: face tape.
While I wasn’t quite ready try injections, I also wasn’t keen on embracing the fine lines around my eyes or the creases across my forehead. Instead, I started searching for alternatives to Botox that felt easier, more affordable, and lower-maintenance.
A few friends swore by wrinkle patches (also called face tape) as a natural alternative to Botox. So I ordered four different brands to test. Could face taping be a real solution for smoothing wrinkles, or was I falling for a well-marketed placebo? To find out, I tried them myself and asked skin experts what they actually think about wrinkle patches and face taping.
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My reviews of popular face tapes and wrinkle patches
From microneedling patches infused with active ingredients to medical-grade silicone and kinesiology tape options, I tested a mix of formulas, price points, and application styles to see which face tapes truly smoothed fine lines. And which options felt more like social media hype than offered real results.
Peace Out Wrinkles Microneedling Patches
I started with Peace Out Wrinkles’ Microneedling Patches, which are infused with retinol, peptides, and Vitamin C, and free of parabens and other harsh ingredients. They came highly rated online.
Although the word “microneedling” sounds intimidating, the patches looked and felt like medium-sized Band-Aids. I applied them to my forehead and upper cheeks before bed.
“I felt like I noticed some softening, though I wasn’t entirely convinced.”
In the morning, I peeled them off and was left with Band-Aid-like impressions on my face that lingered for hours. My kids woke up late that day, and I was hustling them to school because I did not want to be seen signing them in at the front office with marks across my face. Thank goodness I work from home.
Did they work? They didn’t cover much surface area, but after two uses, I felt like I noticed some softening, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. At $28 for six patches, the price felt a bit steep.
These dissolving microneedling patches are infused with age-fighting retinol, peptides, and Vitamin C to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
$28 for six patches
Heali Beauty Tape
Next, I tried Heali’s Beauty Tape, infused with magnesium, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and green apple stem cells. This product was athletic tape in pre-cut strips, which covered more surface area than the first brand I tried. I taped up my forehead and crow’s feet, then went to bed, thinking, “The things we do for beauty.”
“I noticed the effects immediately—my forehead looked smoother… This one was an overall winner for me.”
These weren’t as easy to remove as the Peace Out patches, but I didn’t wake up with any noticeable impressions. And I noticed the effects immediately—my forehead looked smoother. The price point was also better: $27 for 84 pre-cut strips in varying sizes. This one was an overall winner for me, and I’d use it again.
Designed to gently support the skin while helping soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, this beauty tape is perfect for overnight use, makeup prep, or anytime your routine needs a boost.
$27 for 84 pre-cut strips
Wrinkles Schminkles Wrinkle Patches
Wrinkles Schminkles’ Wrinkle Patches use 100% medical-grade silicone with no added active ingredients. That makes them a potentially safer option for pregnant or nursing moms. Plus, I genuinely love how their branding focuses on skin confidence rather than anti-aging shaming.
Overall, the product was simple to apply (don’t forget to remove the film, or they won’t stick!) and was the most comfortable to wear of all the brands I tried. They did leave an impression on my face, but nothing like the Peace Out brand.
“Did I notice a difference? Yes, my forehead looked visibly smoother.”
Did I notice a difference? Yes, my forehead looked visibly smoother. The forehead patches come in packs of two, and the eye patches in packs of six, each for $30. But, they are reusable up to sixty times, and you can bundle to save.
This bundle targets eye, forehead, and mouth wrinkles with a non-invasive treatment to help rehydrate, smooth and refine your skin.
$81 for a bundle of reusable patches
Deinde Overnight-Sculpting Face Tape
The Deinde Overnight-Sculpting Face Tape is made of medical-grade kinesiology adhesive strips. This is another additive-free option marketed as safe for sensitive skin. It’s a good alternative to the Heali Beauty Tape if you want a product without any additional ingredients, especially for pregnant and nursing mothers. The product’s price point is $18 for 128 individual pre-cut tapes.
“It’s a good alternative to the Heali Beauty Tape if you want a product without any additional ingredients.”
The brand also has a Radiance-Restoring Overnight Face Mask that’s fragrance-free, gentle, and soothing—it has Naringenin, which is supposed to help support skin from showing signs of aging.
Deinde’s Overnight-Sculpting Face Tape is made from medical-grade kinesiology adhesive strips that gently lift, firm, and smooth to support skin’s natural structure and soften the look of fine lines by morning.
$18 for 128 individual pre-cut face tapes
Grace & Stella Eye Masks
As a perpetually tired mom who often sports dark circles under her eyes, I was especially curious about Grace and Stella’s Eye Masks, which promise to reduce puffiness and firm delicate under-eye skin.
These are worn for 15-20 minutes at a time, making them an easy addition to my morning routine. They come in a variety of colors, each promising different results—energizing, moisturizing, illuminating, revitalizing, restoring, and more. I tried the glittery gold Energizing Eye Masks and the pink Moisturizing Eye Masks.
“Out of the bunch, these aren’t overly sticky, making them a gentler option for a daily skincare routine.”
Out of the bunch, these aren’t overly sticky, making them a gentler option for a daily skincare routine. They run about $24 for a pack of 24.
Frownies The Original Facial Patches
I couldn’t try face tape without trying the “OG” face patch: the Frownies. They were different from all the other products as they’re made with Kraft paper. Frownies sells a rose water hydrator or calming toner that you can spritz on the patch’s shiny side to make it adhesive. Or, you can just use warm water. Once it gets tacky—after up to 90 seconds—you apply the patch to your skin.
Admittedly, the Frownies weren’t as easy to apply as some of the other brands, and I didn’t love the smell of the rose water hydrator spray. But I did like how much volume they covered. I was able to paste them over nearly my entire forehead before they hardened into a cast. It took some getting used to, but I slept fine in them. They’re also said to be free and clear of harsh chemicals.
You have to really wet them down to get them off as they’re quite sticky. Mine left red marks that faded within an hour or so.
“I was able to paste them over nearly my entire forehead before they hardened into a cast. It took some getting used to, but I slept fine in them.”
The brand says to use them daily until you’ve achieved skin cell turnover, which can take up to 12 weeks. They are $25.95 for 144 patches.
These patches are made from paper with a water-activated adhesive and are free of chemicals.
$25.95 for 144 patches
A hydrating face mist that helps activate your Frownie face patches.
$16.90 per bottle
Expert opinion: Does face tape actually work to smooth fine lines?
Although I did notice smoother-looking skin after using these products, I couldn’t shake the question: Was this a real improvement or just in my head? So, I asked the experts. Valerie Aparovich, a biochemist and cosmetologist-aesthetician at OnSkin, explained to me that wrinkle patches “create an immediate draining and smoothing effect on the skin, naturally making wrinkles less prominent.”
However, she emphasized that the results are short-term and superficial—unless the patches contain active ingredients like retinol or peptides, which can improve skin quality over time with consistent use.
Dr. Robert Schwarcz, a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon and facial aesthetics specialist, describes wrinkle patches as “an easy, non-invasive, low-risk, painless, and inexpensive approach to temporarily solving a problem” that can be done anytime, anywhere.
Is face tape really an alternative to Botox?
Unfortunately, not really. Aparovich explained that while patches may “improve skin resilience through occlusion and hydration, and smooth skin texture through a drainage effect—temporarily reducing the prominence of wrinkles,” there are no topical anti-aging products on the market that work as Botox does. Botox relaxes the muscles beneath, while patches only hydrate the surface, she explained.
Are there risks to taping your face?
Anyone with acne, rosacea, or sensitive skin should be cautious of using face tapes or wrinkle patches, Aparovich warned. “If you are concerned about how your skin will react, do a patch test first on the inside of your forearm and always consult your physician,” Dr. Schwarcz added.
He also noted that frequently pulling on the skin could potentially weaken collagen over time, so face taping likely shouldn’t be a daily addition to your routine.
Would I use face tape again?
Yes! In my experience and, according to experts, wrinkle patches may not really be a substitute for Botox, but they can be a low-risk way to temporarily soften fine lines and creases on the face. I think they’re a good beauty product to have on hand when you want a quicker, budget-friendly glow-up.
Other budget-friendly skincare options
Aparovich shared that she ultimately believes the best anti-wrinkle strategy is prevention. Eating a balanced diet, achieving adequate hydration, avoiding harmful habits, and maintaining a consistent skincare routine that includes cleansing, treatment serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen can all help the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For long term support, she recommended using a retinol paired with a peptide cream.
Dr. Schwarcz suggested light chemical peels as “an affordable yet powerful way to brighten and refresh the skin.” While not as transformative as injectables, he noted they can still create a noticeable, natural-looking improvement.
This multitasking powerhouse serum blends DRMTLGY’s proprietary Cerapep Technology with a copper peptide complex, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate to visibly smooth wrinkles, calm sensitivity, and reinforce skin’s barrier.
This advanced glow serum addresses uneven skin tone and enhances skin elasticity, helping to maintain a clear, radiant, and resilient complexion.
This anti-wrinkle face cream with retinol and hyaluronic acid helps moisturize and smooth skin.
A quick-fix eye treatment that helps tighten, firm, and smooth the look of under-eye bags, fine lines, and wrinkles for a temporary effect.
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Kris Ann Valdez, Contributing Writer
Kris Ann Valdez is a mom and freelance journalist who covers parenting, lifestyle, and science-based topics. Beyond The Everymom, Kris Ann contributes to national outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Parents, and Scary Mommy. She’s also the creator of “The Guide Girl,” a Substack dedicated to inspiring writers to pursue publication.
