Injectable Hydration Is Apparently a Thing—Here's What It Did to My 40-Plus-Year-Old Skin

If you told me a few years ago that I’d one day be voluntarily injected with a moisturizer, I probably would have made a face straight out of the Kombucha girl meme—equal parts confusion and surprise with a touch of curiosity. But here we are, in the era of injectable glow, or specifically, the time of SkinVive. For the uninformed, SkinVive is a newer hyaluronic acid injectable that’s FDA-approved to improve the smoothness of the cheeks, resulting in a more glowy, hydrated, and healthy-looking complexion.

I first learned about SkinVive last year, during a press trip hosted by Allergan Aesthetics, which produces both SkinVive and the well-known filler brand Juvéderm. As someone who has spent the last couple of years watching her skin transition from oily to craving moisture like one of my houseplants that I’ve neglected (due to menopause!), I’m definitely the target audience. When the brand offered me the chance to experience the treatment gratis, I simply couldn't resist. I booked an appointment with Sophia Kim, MSN, FNP-BC, a nurse practitioner specializing in aesthetic medicine and the clinical director of Skin Detour in Beverly Hills. (She’s also one of Allergan’s national trainers.)

The first thing I learned about SkinVive was this: SkinVive is not filler. And no, it's not Botox, either. It’s something in its own lane; an injectable that hydrates your skin from the inside out. “It’s injected into the dermis layer of the skin, unlike fillers, which can be injected at different layers depending on their properties,” explained Kim. “Some fillers are placed deeper, into the periosteum (the membrane that covers the surface of the bone), while others go into the subcutaneous, fatty layer. But in this case, SkinVive is injected more superficially compared to deeper filler injections.”

Why SkinVive Is Great for Over-40 Skin

SkinVive can be used on any skin type, but some of us elder millennials might especially benefit from the treatment. "Anyone ages 21 and over can be a great candidate, but those who have drier skin—especially for the perimenopausal and menopausal age groups, they’ll likely notice the biggest improvement,” she said. “Again, SkinVive isn’t a filler, so it doesn’t add volume. Instead, it brings moisture to the skin, which can make it feel a bit plumper, but it doesn’t volumize, per se. Think of it as simply delivering hydration to the skin.” Another interesting tidbit? She said that if you have skin that’s on the thicker side rather than thinner, you may find that the absorption of your skincare is better.

SkinVive’s magic lies in its subtlety. It doesn’t “freeze” anything or fill in lines—it simply improves texture, hydration, and skin radiance. The HA in SkinVive activates the aquaporin-3 protein in the skin, which is responsible for facilitating water transport. Basically, it makes your face better at being moisturized. “Not only will it give nice hydration, but it also helps with the texture of your skin. So, you're going to notice smoothness. You might notice minimizing of your pores, too, and overall complexion is just going to be a lot more even,” she explained. She also said that noticeable results would start to appear about a week post-treatment, gradually improving until reaching peak efficacy around the one-month mark, with benefits lasting up to six months.

What You Need to Know Before Getting SkinVive

I didn’t prepare too much before getting SkinVive, but I knew to skip a martini the night before, since alcohol can make you more susceptible to more bruising and excessive bleeding. (Same thing with blood thinners and certain supplements.) You’ll also want to stop using retinoids for a day or so before your appointment.

I did experience a couple of obstacles—the first time, I realized I needed to get clearance from my rheumatologist since I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and SkinVive is not recommended for individuals with active autoimmune diseases. Then, I realized I had gotten a flu shot a few days before, so we had to reschedule yet again. (You need to wait two weeks before or after any vaccine. )“Some contraindications would be patients who are pregnant, nursing, or have autoimmune conditions. Also, those who have allergies, including lidocaine, which is very, very rare,” said Kim.

What It’s Like Getting SkinVive for the First Time

I arrived at my (technically third) SkinVive appointment with clean, makeup-free skin. Kim slathered my cheeks with numbing cream. Once I was all good and numb, Kim proceeded to inject my face with small injections. I lost count after a while, but it may have totaled out to around 50 pokes across both cheeks. Two syringes are the standard—one for each side—but it can be customized based on dryness or skin condition. (She used a total of three for me.) As for cost, it varies by practice, but two syringes start at about $650.

It didn’t hurt, but it felt uncanny. (If you’ve ever gotten Botox or regular filler and “hear” the syringe in your face, you know what I’m talking about.) The entire process took approximately 15 to 20 minutes. As for downtime, it was pretty minimal. I had small needle pricks and some redness immediately post-treatment, but nothing too crazy. I was told to avoid working out, sweating, or wearing makeup for the first 24 hours, and hold off on any actives like acids or retinol for about three days. I did notice a small bruise on one cheek, but it was barely noticeable and went away after a couple of days.

My Results After Getting SkinVive

Aside from a gentle face wash and SPF, I let my skin rest for a few days before going into a supporting skincare routine (more on that below). As for the actual results, I started noticing a difference about a week later. Like Kim said, it wasn’t a big, obvious change. I didn’t have a super hydrated, dewy complexion or anything like that, but something about my face looked better, and it was really evident when I put on makeup.

My foundation went on smoother, and my skin just looked healthier. You know that day or two after you get a facial, and your skin just welcomes everything you put on it with open arms? That’s what SkinVive is like. Also, my moisturizer is working with my skin better. Usually, I’d notice a tightness in my skin in the middle of the day, but not anymore. It feels more balanced. Subtle, sure, but just enough of an improvement to make me convinced that this is the low-key tweakment I needed. If this natural-looking, lit-from-within glow can last six months, consider me a SkinVive devotee!

My Favorite SkinMedica Products to Use After Getting SkinVive