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Did you see the story released over the weekend about Botox and its possible link to decreased ability to empathize? Excessive Botox has long been linked with an expressionless face, but it turns out that inability to physically express emotion (through frowning or other facial gestures) might actually inhibit your ability to feel empathy toward people. It seems when humans can’t mimic the facial expressions of others, the ability to actually feel those emotions could be reduced.

As an anti-aging skincare strategies go, Botox is also prohibitive both financially and as a time-investment. In addition to a high price-tag, the treatments need to be touched up fairly often to remain effective. (But they are really effective.) If you don’t have a trust fund or are terrified of needles, here are five skin treatments that don’t require a trip to the dermatologist.

1.) DDF Wrinkle Relax: Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula- also known as DDF- is a popular, dermatologist-style line due to their simple, effective products. DDF Wrinkle Relax is rich in water-binding sodium hyaluronate, and contains lipopeptide Matrixyl to plump and reduce fine lines. Acetyl Hexapeptide is also among the reparative ingredients in this skin serum.

2.) Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum: “Peptide” is a word you hear a lot in relation to damage-repairing and age-defying creams, and PTR’s Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum. Ingredients like NEURO-BLOKK^TM seem a bit- well, unscientific- but the product is designed to increase skin elasticity and hamper the muscle contraction that causes fine lines. At $150, it’s nearly a drugstore bargain in the realm of high-impact creams and treatments.

3.) Natura Bisse Diamond Drops: This top-shelf cream contains a skin-protecting ingredient called “Marine DNA.” Marine extracts are very popular in skincare, largely because in order for plants to thrive under water, they need highly concentrated nourishment. Diamond Drops isn’t a moisturizer- it goes on over your cream to protect and repair skin. In addition to its high tech ingredients, it also contains soothing lavender oil to calm skin and reparative grapeseed extract.

4.) Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème: This fancy gold container houses an antioxidant-packed cream that is focused on renewing and repairing age and environmental damage skin has sustained. Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème contains ingredients from a French vineyard that are put through a “17-step purification process (that) extracts every drop of the vines’ essence.” Hydroin, ectoin and hydroxyectoin are among the ingredients cited in this thick, skin-smoothing cream.

5.) Erno Lazlo ThranspHuse pHixation: Sometimes you need some on the spot, same-day results. Billed as a “surgiceutical” product, this lip-gloss like container proffers a “cooling, concentrated formula” with “Marine filling spheres” to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid draws and holds water, and a green tint masks redness.

Signs of aging aren’t necessarily the enemy, but a luxe, high-tech cream feels pampering and effective in your skincare routine. Have you found any high-impact creams or treatments that reduce damage? What’s your biggest skincare splurge?

Do you really need toner? Toner has undergone an interesting transformation in the past few decades. When I was in skincare school, even our relatively modern study material referred to it by the mostly now-dated term “astringent.” That word conjures up tactile memories of pretty unpleasant sensations for even the oiliest of skin types due to its harshness. (Like “cream rinse” for conditioner and “dungarees” for denim, it appears this term has been rightfully retired.)

As you probably know if you’ve experienced intermittent skin issues, breakouts and irritation often go hand in hand. Even when your skin is producing crazy amounts of sebum, using a toner with lots of alcohol can greatly exacerbate the problem. (The layman’s version of this phenomenon that I’ve been taught is that when oily skin is stripped frequently of oil, it creates even more to compensate. While I wouldn’t advise adding oil, as some believe, I have witnessed this vicious cycle on the faces of breakout-plagued clients.) The vast majority of skin-types don’t require such severe intervention, even if your first impulse is to dissolve the oil away with “stronger” ingredients- essentially, Seabreeze is out.

So as you’re allocating your skincare budget, is toner worth the investment? Yes and no. The best strategy for toner use is not to strip skin, even if it feels temporarily good to get it squeaky and oil-free. Although you won’t find many high-end beauty fans rocking toners like the aforementioned Seabreeze or cleansers like classic Noxzema, ingredients like camphor, clove or menthol products often appeal to oily-skin types and exacerbate the breakout cycle. Toners with harsh ingredients are certainly not going to benefit your skin.

However, toners do have a place both in the cleansing routine and in skincare overall. In facials, estheticians often use the product between every step of a facial, regardless of facial style. Toner has many functions- it serves as a second step for cleansing, removing residual traces of eye-makeup remover and cleanser. It provides a layer of hydration to skin (this is important) before moisturizer is applied- moisturizer, both for face and body, works best when there’s a little bit of moisture to lock into skin.

Toner can also be used to refresh skin throughout the day, and add little moisture. Lastly, toner can be used to set makeup when lightly applied in a spray toner bottle.

For Oily Skin: Try Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner with hydrophilic hyaluronic acid. Citrus provides a slight astringent effect without stripping skin of essential moisture.

For Dry Skin: Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner has firming Alpha Lipoic Acids to soothe skin and diminish fine lines.

For Combination Skin: DDF Aloe Toning Complex is soothing and provides all over moisture.

For All Skin Types: Rosewater, a common ingredient in certain cuisines, is one of the oldest and most revered toners for all skin types. It’s refreshing and inexpensive, and can be found at food markets and decanted into sprayers for frequent use.

Do you use toner frequently or even daily? How do you work toner into your skincare routine?

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