I’m fine with admitting that my 40+ skin could possibly benefit from injectable filler, but I’m also fine with admitting that the thought of a needle going into my face or how I might look if the filler doesn’t “settle” properly scares the heck out of me. So when I saw the rave reviews for Invity Youth Activating Instant Filler ($65), a noninvasive, cosmeceutical-grade serum that promises filler-like effects with no needles required, I was certainly intrigued.

Could the serum make my skin tighter, my cheeks fuller, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, all without the time and cost of professional filler injections? It was time to try it and find out.

Invity Youth Activating Instant Filler — $65.00

How it works

The serum is designed to deliver skin-firming results both immediately and over time. The brand promises a “flash filler effect,” meaning that your skin will look TK within the first five to 60 minutes after application. This is all thanks to the inclusion of rhizobian gum, which has elastic properties known to produce a quick lifting effect (especially around the eyes), and acacia gum, a popular skincare ingredient known for its ability to give fast skin-lifting results.

The serum also uses patented technology that diffuses hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant known to draw moisture into the skin, into the skin twice as deeply as conventional methods. This allows the hyaluronic acid to work instantly to plump and firm skin as well as improve hydration over time by helping skin retain moisture more effectively.

Finally, the formula includes NAD+, a coenzyme that supports skin cellular repair and reduces sensitivity as well as a chemical compound that boosts collagen production to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Putting it to the test

Invity’s Youth Activating Instant Filler comes in a box containing five individually packaged syringes, each filled with 3 ml. of formula (which should be enough for 15 applications). I liked the syringe applicator because it allowed me to dispense the product slowly, without any waste. Instructions say to apply the serum to the forehead and frown lines, crow’s feet and under the eyes, nasolabial area, and marionette lines using upward motions. I needed to use far less than the recommended 1/3 of the syringe to get a complete application.

The instructions also advise avoiding facial movements until the product is fully absorbed. That’s not difficult. Users report their faces tightening immediately after application, and I experienced the same. Almost instantly, my cheeks felt slightly frozen, and if I moved my facial muscles too much, I felt a slight pulling sensation.

I was eager to see if the serum could really deliver a “flash filler effect,” and decided the best way to try it was by applying the product only to one side of my face. About a minute after doing so, I asked my teenage daughter if she could tell which side I’d put the serum on. Without hesitation, she pointed to the left side of my face and said, “It looks more lifted.”

I looked in the mirror, and she was right (or left, in this case). One half of my face was plumper, fuller, and definitely more lifted than the other. The deeper lines also didn’t seem as prominent on that side. I was skeptical I’d see such striking results, but this serum is definitely going to be a go-to for me before any big night out. I’ve continued to use the serum nightly and while I’m not seeing much improvement in my “11 lines,” I am noticing overall that my face looks firmer and fuller from the eyes down.

Sooner or later, I’ll take the plunge and try injectable fillers. In the meantime, it’s good to know I can get similar, noticeable results in minutes—no needles necessary.