Botox® During Pregnancy – Safe Alternatives for Healthy, Beautiful Skin
November 26 2025 – Dr. Luise Berger
Free shipping from €200
Start your free skin analysis
Made in Germany
Collect valuable loyalty points with every purchase
November 26 2025 – Dr. Luise Berger
It is recommended to stop Botox® treatments at least three months before planning a pregnancy. This ensures that the botulinum toxin is fully metabolised and no longer poses any potential risk.
No – Botox® is strictly off-limits during pregnancy. There are no sufficient safety studies, which is why medical specialists strongly advise against it. To protect both mother and child, Botox® should be completely avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
However, there are highly effective, pregnancy-safe anti-ageing ingredients that work as gentle alternatives:
• Spilanthol
• Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8)
• Syn-Ake
These muscle-relaxing peptides can visibly soften expression lines, relax the skin and stimulate collagen production – without injections. In high concentrations, these ingredients are found in products such as the Vit C + BioBotox® Serum and the Hyaluron Lifting Serum from DOC BERGER EFFECT.
Botox® is also not permitted during breastfeeding. There is no reliable data on whether the substance can pass into breast milk. As a precaution, the rule is: no Botox® while breastfeeding.
Effective anti-ageing skincare and non-invasive treatments that are safe and well tolerated are the best alternatives to Botox® during pregnancy. These include:
• Vitamin C for radiance and a more even complexion
• Hyaluronic acid in serums and creams for deep hydration and plump, smooth skin
• Protective day creams that shield against environmental stressors, UV exposure and blue light
• Innovative muscle-relaxing peptides (e.g., Argireline, Spilanthol, Syn-Ake), which — inspired by the mechanism of Botox® — can visibly relax expression lines for several hours. They are especially effective on crow’s feet, under-eye lines and the forehead, while supporting collagen production and preventing new wrinkles. Popular options include the Vit C + BioBotox® Serum and the Hyaluron Lifting Serum from DOC BERGER EFFECT, which both contain these advanced anti-ageing peptides.
Long term, high-quality anti-ageing skincare is considered the best alternative to Botox®. Particularly effective are peptides such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) or Spilanthol, known for their muscle-relaxing properties and often described as “Botox®-like”. They work by gently relaxing facial muscles, smoothing expression lines and stimulating collagen production.
An example is Lifting Eye Wonder from DOC BERGER EFFECT, which contains Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and was awarded Best Eye Cream by Glamour. It visibly smooths the delicate eye area.
A peptide serum containing Argireline or Spilanthol is considered the closest topical alternative to Botox®. It gently relaxes facial muscles, reduces expression lines and leaves the skin visibly smoother — without injections. Many users rely on the anti-ageing serums from DOC BERGER EFFECT.
Frown lines can be visibly softened without Botox® through a combination of:
• Peptide serums (Argireline, Spilanthol, Syn-Ake)
• Hyaluronic acid and collagen for plumping
• Targeted relaxation exercises for the forehead muscles
After approximately three months, the botulinum toxin is fully broken down. From this point on, pregnancy is considered safe in relation to a previous Botox® treatment.
A suitable face cream during pregnancy should:
• contain no retinol, vitamin A derivatives or highly concentrated acids
• instead include soothing and hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or panthenol
• be formulated as clean and gentle as possible
Botox® can be resumed once breastfeeding has fully ended, in consultation with your physician. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it remains strictly prohibited.
Key Takeaways
• Botox® is off-limits during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Hormonal changes can intensify wrinkles and pigmentation.
• Safe alternatives include Argireline, Syn-Ake and Spilanthol.
• DOC BERGER EFFECT serums are formulated with exactly these peptides.
• Retinol is not suitable during pregnancy – alternatives include niacinamide and bakuchiol.
• Daily sun protection is essential.
• Once breastfeeding has ended, Botox® can be used again.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body undergoes profound changes. Hormones, lack of sleep and stress affect not only overall wellbeing, but also the skin. Many women notice that facial lines become more visible or that the skin loses firmness.
A classic wrinkle treatment with Botox® is not permitted during this sensitive phase, as there are still no sufficient studies confirming its safety. As a precautionary measure, Botox® is therefore avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
But don’t worry: there are gentle and safe alternatives to Botox® during pregnancy and breastfeeding that can help smooth the complexion and give the skin a fresher appearance – entirely without injections.
Certain peptides have shown in studies that they can help inhibit muscle contractions at the skin’s surface – similar to Botox®, yet significantly gentler and more natural. These include:
Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8): Often referred to as “Botox® in a bottle”. Argireline can slow the development of new wrinkles by gently relaxing the facial muscles and softening expression lines. Especially on the forehead and around the eyes, it can reduce fine lines and offer preventive benefits.
Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate): Syn-Ake is a synthetic peptide inspired by a protein found in temple viper venom. It has a smoothing effect and can refine the appearance of the skin by reducing the visible depth of expression lines. Unlike Botox®, it does not create a “frozen look”, but preserves the natural movement of the facial features.
Spilanthol (Paracress Extract): This plant-based ingredient is well known in traditional herbal medicine. Spilanthol produces a local relaxing effect on the skin’s surface and can visibly smooth fine lines, especially around the mouth and eyes. It is also an excellent complementary ingredient in combination with vitamin C to promote a fresh, radiant appearance.
Conclusion on Peptides
Peptides such as Argireline, Syn-Ake and Spilanthol are not substitutes for Botox®, but gentle, versatile active ingredients that work preventively, reduce fine lines and leave the skin looking smoother and more vibrant – without injections and without downtime. This makes them an ideal option for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
At DOC BERGER EFFECT, we rely precisely on those active ingredients that can serve as a safe “alternative” to Botox® during pregnancy:
Vit C + BioBotox® Serum – combines highly concentrated vitamin C with Spilanthol (paracress) to relax facial expressions and promote a fresh, radiant glow.
Hyaluron Lifting Serum – unites Argireline and Syn-Ake with hyaluronic acid for intensive smoothing and deep hydration.
Lifting Eye Wonder – a delicate eye fluid enriched with caffeine and Argireline to gently soften crow’s feet and fine laughter lines.
Time Machine – a luxurious night cream with growth factors, squalane, Argireline and a telomere-protecting ingredient.
Together, they offer potent Botox® alternatives in both serum and cream form, perfectly suited for your daily skincare routine.
During pregnancy, the skin becomes more sensitive and more prone to wrinkles and pigmentation. Many women, for example, experience dark patches around the mouth – often hormonally triggered melasma. This makes consistent sun protection especially important during this period.
Daily sunscreen is essential, regardless of the weather. Ensure that your SPF is free from hormonally active, allergenic or irritating filters. Our Anti-Pollution Day Cream provides reliable protection against UVA/UVB rays, blue light and infrared radiation, effectively preventing pigmentation – all without concerning additives.
Although retinol is one of the most effective anti-ageing ingredients, it is strictly off-limits during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Fortunately, there are gentle yet highly effective retinol alternatives you can safely use during this special time:
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, you accomplish extraordinary things. Your body changes, hormones shift, and sometimes the skin reflects that. While Botox® is not permitted during this time, safe alternatives such as peptides (including Spilanthol, Argireline and Syn-Ake), consistent sun protection and retinol-free active ingredients allow you to continue caring for your skin effectively.
Once breastfeeding has ended, you can consider classic wrinkle treatments again in addition to your skincare routine. Highly sought-after is Dr. Luise Berger, specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Munich. As a woman and mother, she understands the unique needs of her patients and is renowned for her expertise in wrinkle treatments and female body surgery. Her work focuses on delivering natural, harmonious results.
Day Cream with Blue Light/Infrared Protection & SPF 30+ – for All Skin Types
Luxurious High-Tech Night Cream with Juvinity® & Growth Factors– for Mature Skin
November 26, 2025 – Dr. Luise Berger
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body undergoes profound changes. Hormones, lack of sleep and stress affect not only overall wellbeing, but also the skin. Many women notice that facial lines become more visible or that the skin loses firmness.
Keep readingSeptember 16, 2025 – Dr. Luise Berger
Perioral Dermatitis (also called POD, “mouth rash,” or “stewardess disease”) is an inflammatory skin condition that appears as small red pustules, papules, and flaking around the mouth, nose, or eyes. The skin looks irritated, feels tight and burning – many sufferers experience a significant impact on their daily life.
Keep readingSeptember 5, 2025 – Dr. Luise Berger
Most traditional eye patches should be removed after 15 to 20 minutes, as they may start drawing moisture away from the skin. However, our DOC BERGER EFFECT Hydrogel Eye Patches are formulated to be deeply hydrating and gentle, making them suitable even for overnight use.
Keep readingDiscover More
Newsletter
Join our skin care community and never miss any news!
Currency