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Reviewers Call This Tightening Serum 'Botox In A Bottle' — For $12

If you’re in your 20s, reviewers say you should “start doing this now!”

Reviewers Call This Tightening Serum 'Botox In A Bottle' — For $12

Skin care enthusiasts swear that microneedling — puncturing skin with tiny needles to stimulate collagen production and boost skin care absorption — is the ultimate key to smoother, clearer and more radiant skin. If you’re looking for a gentler and far cheaper take on the trend, allow us to show you Medicube’s Zero Exosome Shot 2,000 facial serum, especially when it’s under $12 on Amazon. A “liquid microneedling” serum, it’s designed to emulate the treatment in a non-invasive way, leaving skin “super soft and supple” after only a few uses. Even better? Today this Prime Day bestseller is back to its Prime Day price at 40% off its usual Amazon price and 50% off its price at other retailers.

Here’s how it works: the serum is infused with super tiny, “needle-shaped” sea sponge particles that create a microneedling-like effect on the skin.

According to the brand, those particles (officially called spicules) create micro-channels on the skin’s surface, helping to boost absorption of the serum’s skin-repairing exosomes, along with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, to help smooth texture, minimize the appearance of pores and revive dull skin. Those microscopic “needles” should feel like a gentle tingling on the skin rather than a harsh pierce.

The brand recommends using it at night, before bed and says you can start trying it twice a week. You’ll apply a pea-sized amount to your clean, dry face, let it set for up to 30 minutes, without rinsing, then apply your moisturizer and other products on top before going to bed.

One user calls it “microneedling in a jar,” which “helps my other serums and moisturizers penetrate better.” “I do not have sensitive skin and still only use a little because it stings,” they said. Another deems it “botox in a bottle” that “makes me feel like I am really taking care of my skin.”

Reviewers assure — it doesn’t hurt!

“I was nervous to try this because of the spicules, since I’ve never used a spicule-based product before,” one wrote. “...I was pleasantly surprised by how mild it actually feels on the skin...There is a very slight pokey sensation on application, but it’s not painful or irritating- just noticeable enough to know it’s there. By morning, my skin looks noticeably smoother, more refined, and almost glass-like.”

“This is a great replacement to needling,” says shopper Rosie, “[and] it really helped get my serums deeper into my skin. Be prepared. It does feel like little needles in your face, but it doesn’t hurt. It just feels a little tingly.”

The formula can help even out your skin tone and surface, plus add some brightness to your face if you’re dealing with dullness.

This stuff may seem intense, but skin care purists swear by it, saying it works after just a few uses and the results are incredible.

One reviewer explains: “I’m 31 years old, my skin is textured with dark spots, dull and I have a chubby face with few fine lines, scars and huge pores on the apples of my cheeks and some on my nose. […] Today (the next morning) I noticed my pores are visibly smaller […] even after one use. It’s like an exfoliant that my skin needed.”

Another user, in a review titled “reverse large pores and remove acne scars,” says: “I’ve been doing this for two weeks now, in the hopes of removing all of [the] hyperpigmentation all over my face, which came from years of acne scars. IT IS A MIRACLE! Before using the exosomes, it was slowly...slowly..fading the dark marks. Now, they are after just 2 weeks, about 35% gone.”

While this face serum may show huge promise, let’s not forget: Skin care is different for everybody. What may work for you may not work for someone else. In other words, your mileage may vary.

Don’t sleep on this deal if you’re looking for something new and effective for your skin care routine. Grab this microneedle-like facial serum while it’s under $12 right now, and check out what reviewers have to say about it below!

“This is a great replacement to needling it really helped get my serums deeper into my skin. Be prepared. It does feel like little needles in your face, but it doesn’t hurt it just feels a little tingly. If you wanna get your serums deeper into your skin and get better results. This is the product for you. 100% recommend This” — Rosie

“I had my doubts with this stuff. For starters I thought it would probably hurt to much to use it, then I also thought maybe it wouldn’t work. I was wrong on both accounts! This stuff has made my face brighter, it’s not sticky or runny, it’s perfect and light weight. It does hurt a bit when rubbing it in, sort of like fiber glass, but it doesn’t last long and the results were noticed within 2 weeks!! Smaller pores, less blackheads, overall less breakouts to!” — Nicole Haga

“Must Buy Strong One. Use Every 3 Days. I use mainly on my neck and chest that I’m seeing tech neck and lines from sleeping. I don’t see any results but I def feel a tingle. I rub it in and then use the medicube collagen cream over it you can use anything over it that’s hydrating that collagen cream is good but very sticky so good to use before bed. I got it on Sale $12 so I always stock up it’s a good product and I can’t see the harm in using this. Seems like a great product and I wish it came out sooner honestly. Girls that are in their 20s have no idea how good they have it. Start doing this now.” — palmtrees & Pearls

“I only heard about this product because I kept seeing ads for another brand named Musely. In those ads, it showed a woman with similar acne dark spots and scarring and the after photos which seemed fake. They were not fake. After looking at the reviews, then researching online, I saw that the one ingredient in it that seemed to be doing the major work to break up discoloration and help collagen increase is called “Exosomes” and since I already had the other ingredients in the Musely brand already (hyaluronic, etc.) I decided to look for just the exosomes, add that to my regime and pray it worked. The reviews on this brand, “Medicube” were excellent, and the product was extremely affordable, so I bought my first bottle just two weeks ago. After double cleansing, I tone with Micellar water, then wearing gloves, I use the Dermastamp and press hard (ouch yes but worth it!), slightly rocking the needles so that the channels are wide enough to absorb the product well. Then I rub on the Medicube Exosome shot serum, then layer a thick layer on of Genuine Black & White Color Correction Skin Tone Cream and go to bed. I’ve been doing this for two weeks now, in the hopes of removing all of the hyperpigmentation all over my face, which came from years of acne scars. IT IS A MIRACLE! Before using the exosomes, it was slowly...slowly..fading the dark marks. Now, they are after just 2 weeks, about 35% gone. The large pores are diminishing too - I honestly thought that clear, smooth skin was for “other” people, never me. This product has given me so much hope. The results are real and I cannot wait to see how things go 3 - 6 months from now. You have to be consisent thought, do this daily and I also use Black Girl Sunscreen - it is sheer, and has no bad ingredients which I want to avoid. Once the dark marks are gone, I’ll stop using the tone cream, and use the exosomes / Dermastamp to enhance my normal serums going forward.” — irenegirl

Looking for products loved by reviewers with mature skin? Check out these favs, courtesty of HuffPost Shopping.

1.
Target

Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector body and face lotion (17% off)

We've covered this affordable face and body cream from Gold Bond before, and it doesn't seem like its popularity is going away any time soon. If you're dealing with thin, fragile, "crepey" skin, this non-greasy, fast-absorbing product is specifically formulated to firm and hydrate the skin with seven moisturizers and three vitamins. You can use this on your face as well as your neck, arms, the backs of your hands or wherever else you notice your skin looking dry, thinner and more fragile. Hit the coupon for 17% off at Amazon.

Promising Amazon review: "If you are looking for a truly budget friendly, and exceptionally versatile line of facial & body care, this is it. I have used the Crepe erase on my arms and legs for 2 weeks and I see a real game changer. Are my arms and legs devoid of all crepiness? NO! Don't let any brand tell you that they can make any natural aging bodily changes disappear. However, this cream, when used consistently will provide a temporary plumpness to those crinkled areas. Sufficient to give you confidence to wear short sleeves, or straps, along with shorts or swimsuit. I am 65, I am happy and grateful to have reached my mature age, nevertheless, I want and will give my skin all the effective products to keep them as supple as is possible." — marihad t arrus

2.
Amazon

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA liquid exfoliant

Containing beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to help clear the buildup of dead skin, this Paula's Choice exfoliant can reduce enlarged pores, as well as blackheads and whiteheads. It can also smooth your skin's texture while improving the skin barrier. You can grab this in a travel size or a full 4-ounce bottle.

Promising Amazon review: "I’ve been using this stuff for about 6 weeks and my skin did a lot of purging for the first couple of weeks like a lot the the “bad” reviews on here said, but it was helping get all the gunk out from under my skin including some really tough white heads and hard little bumps in my skin so I was happy to ride it out. Now after six weeks of using at night, I can see a huge difference in my skin, especially in the pore size on my cheeks and nose. I’ve always had large pores and a few acne scars here and there since I was a teenager and it’s made me self conscious my whole adult life, but for the first time EVER, I look at my skin and all I see is smooth, healthy skin! I am early 40s and the fine lines in my forehead and around my eyes are virtually gone too. I’m amazed! Looks like I have a filter on! So happy I found this product!" — MF

3.

TruSkin Vitamin C facial serum

You may have heard of the TruSkin Vitamin C serum, which we noticed is a top seller, especially during major sales like Amazon Prime Day. The vitamin C can assist in brightening and evening your skin tone, not to mention supporting your skin's collagen production. Other soothing ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil deliver a boost of hydration and can nourish and calm your skin. If you're concerned about dark spots and dark circles, in addition to fine lines or wrinkles, the formula of this serum can help.

Promising Amazon review: "Since adding this vitamin c serum to my morning & evening skincare routine, I have noticed that my complexion appears clearer and brighter. Discolorations from the sun on my forehead have faded almost completely after four weeks.

I was dubious at first, as I have mature, sensitive skin and only use products that my dermatologist recommends. Yet, this serum absorbs right into the skin as soon as applied, is so gentle and lightweight, and works well with my other medical grade serums. This has become a staple product for me." — cml

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)