Two years ago, I decided to lay off the injectables. Don’t get me wrong — I have nothing against them. But one bad Botox experience (think: straight-across brows and droopy eyelids) completely turned me off, and I’m convinced the delicate skin around my eyes has never fully recovered.
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to find skincare that plumps fine lines and revives lacklustre skin without needles, and I’ve discovered some real gems. Still, I kept my Botox doc’s number on hand, just in case. But nothing has been as effective as The Ordinary’s new Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Serum. In fact, it’s finally convinced me to delete their contact.
What does The Ordinary’s Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Serum do?
The bottle may be small (15ml, to be exact), but the formula inside is mighty. And while The Ordinary is synonymous with tongue-twisting product names, don’t let that put you off. Without getting too science-y, volufiline — a whopping 92% of the formula — is the star ingredient. It’s the trade name for sarsasapogenin, a plant-based molecule that’s suddenly making waves in skincare, particularly for its ability to boost volume in areas prone to becoming slack over time, like under the eyes, the cheeks, temples and around the mouth.
The second mainstay ingredient is 1% Pal-Isoleucine, which combines lipids (or fats) with amino acids. This not only makes the serum easier to absorb but also helps support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin — the proteins that give skin its strength and suppleness. (There’s a reason it has earned the nickname ‘filler in a bottle‘ among TikTok’s beauty enthusiasts.)
How do you use The Ordinary’s Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Serum?
I was among the first beauty editors to get my hands on this serum a few weeks ago, and I’ve been testing it ever since. Despite its complex ingredients list, it’s surprisingly easy to use. After moisturiser, just shake the bottle, dispense a few drops onto your fingers (there’s no dropper this time, nor any need to mix it, like some other volufiline products), and gently massage it into your skin.
The formula is what The Ordinary describes as anhydrous, or water-free, so it feels more like a lightweight oil than a traditional serum. Still, it sinks in quickly without leaving a trace of grease or shine, and it hasn’t broken me out once. Even better, it works both morning and night, though if I’m using it in the AM, I always follow with a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen (yep, even in winter). The Ordinary mentions that a “slight tingling sensation” may occur, but I didn’t feel a thing, and my skin usually reacts to new ingredients.
Does Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Serum really work?
I’ve been using this serum every morning for almost two weeks (swapping it out for my trusty retinal cream in the evening: The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Serum) and I’ve noticed the most difference in the fine lines under my eyes, around my mouth and on my forehead. While it won’t do exactly what filler or Botox can, my skin is a little smoother, softer, plumper and tighter. Here’s how I know it’s really working: there’s much less texture for my foundation and concealer to settle into throughout the day. Now, I leave my top-up products behind when I head out for the day.
At £19.50, it’s a tad more expensive than The Ordinary’s other serums, but if you ask me, the bounce-restoring benefits far outweigh any I’ve tried — even the brand’s Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum, which I used down to the very last drop, convinced it was Botox in a bottle.
I’m more than halfway through my bottle of the Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Serum, but I’ve set a reminder to add another to my basket when it finally launches online on Thursday 13 April. That is, if it doesn’t fly off the virtual shelves before I can check out…