6 days ago
Skinvive Injectable Review: Cost, Results, and More
I've struggled with dry skin for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I dealt with painful eczema that burned. In middle school, my scalp was so dry and flaky that I'd coat my hair in oil and sleep in a shower cap. Now in my 20s, my face is constantly thirsty no matter how many layers of skincare I slather on.
I've tried every face mist, buttery moisturizer, and hydrating serum out there. And while skincare definitely helps support my skin barrier and offers temporary relief, it's not a heal-all solution for the chronic dryness I've endured my entire life. So when I heard about Skinvive, an injectable moisturizer that's basically like a supercharged hydrator in a syringe, I was immediately intrugued. As a filler/botox/injectable virgin, I was a bit hesitant about the treatment. But after years of dealing with dry skin, I was ready to try anything.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Skinvive, including what it is, how much it costs, what results to expect, and my honest experience four months post-treatment. Plus, I tapped expert insight from plastic surgeon David Shafer, MD, for his insights too.
Skinvive is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable. For your skin, it works to improve hydration from within, as well as smooth skin texture and increase luminosity.
'Skinvive is injected right underneath the top layer of the skin to act as an instant hydrator," says Dr. Shafer. It's injected into several spots across your cheeks in a grid-like pattern using a tiny needle. 'It upregulates the aquaporin channels, which are the connections between cells that help promote water and moisture balance in the skin, creating a more hydrated, moisture-rich environment,' he explains.
While Skinvive is packed with hyaluronic acid for hydration, it goes beyond just quenching dry skin. 'Skinvive helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improves texture, and gives the skin a smoother, more luminous appearance,' says Dr. Shafer. After one session of Skinvive, patients can expect the following results:
I personally noticed the hydration benefit more than anything else (though I'm not exactly the target demographic for fine lines just yet). Not only is my skin no longer overly dry or tight, but I also don't need to use as much moisturizer or serum as I used to. Plus, my makeup goes on way smoother thanks to my plump and hydrated face.
It takes about three to four weeks to see the full effects of Skinvive. 'You're waiting for that hydration to kick in via the boost of those aquaporin channels,' says Dr. Shafer. 'Once it starts working, the effects can last a good three to six months.'
It wasn't something I noticed overnight, but about a month after my treatment, I thought to myself wait, my skin hasn't flaked or itched in weeks.
Yes, Skinvive is perfectly safe to get alongside Botox and fillers. 'It's a natural add-on for patients already getting injectables,' says Dr. Shafer. 'It's not a filler, and it's not Botox—it's a whole new category of treatment. It's an injectable skin hydrator.'
One isn't necessarily better than the other, they're just different. 'They both involve injections, but filler adds volume and structure to the skin, while Skinvive adds hydration,' explains Dr. Shafer. The treatment process is similar, but the effects serve different skin goals. If you want to combat dryness, Skinvive is the best option here.
Price: Skinvive injections start at around $750 per treatment. It's definitely not a budget-friendly alternative to moisturizer, but the cost is on par with many traditional filler and injectable appointments.
Soreness: I felt some discomfort during the treatment, but I had numbing cream on, so it was tolerable. As someone who's never had anything injected into their face (and who's even scared of flu shots), the anxiety leading up to my appointment was worse than the actual pain. The treatment itself took less than ten minutes, and the only side effects I experienced were some swelling and tenderness on my cheeks for about a day following.
Overall, Skinvive is definitely worth it if you have super dry skin that no moisturizer or product can fully quench, especially in the winter months. If you're on the oilier side, it's not a must-have, but it could be a nice way to support and hydrate your skin barrier from the inside, without needing to layer on extra creams, serums, and moisturizers.
It's also been a surprising win for my acne-prone skin. Since I'm not loading up on as many hydrating products, I've noticed fewer breakouts overall. Looking back at old selfies, my skin was definitely more congested and I broke out more frequently before Skinvive. Plus, it's a really nice skin-smoother if you're dealing with uneven texture or fine lines.
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers everything in the skincare space from sunscreen to serums. For this story, she got a Skinvive treatment to see the results first-hand, and also spoke with Dr. Shafer for all his insight on the injection.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You'll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it's usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles' entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
