Frownies Patches: This 1880s Beauty Secret Reduces Wrinkles Naturally (TikTok-Approved!)

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Frownies patches: A close-up of two packs of Frownies facial patches being held by a woman.

Frownies patches have earned their cult status among celebrities and beauty fans for their simple promise: to naturally reduce wrinkles while you sleep. Sounds too good to be true? Not according to the resounding positive reviews of this beloved women-led brand!

The history of Frownies goes way back; these facial patches were first created in 1889 as a non-invasive yet effective way to ward off deep expression lines.

These patches have been a big part of pop culture, from starring alongside Meryl Streep in the 1992 classic Death Becomes Her to countless features in all the top magazines from O, The Oprah Magazine to Life Magazine. Fun fact: Frownies were forever immortalized as the “best wrinkle treatment patch” by Good Housekeeping!

Fast forward 130 years since their launch, today these anti wrinkle patches continue to be Hollywood’s biggest beauty secret for graceful aging – and are now taking over TikTok!

The big question: Do Frownies work

Here at Haul of Fame, we use our signature research process to bring you A-list beauty finds backed by in-depth consumer, market, and media research. We’ll discuss how Frownies work and take a look at some Frownies reviews, before and after photos, and more.

Are Frownies better than Botox? Do Frownies work if you already have wrinkles? Read on as we walk you through all your biggest questions on Frownies facial patches!

What Are Frownies Patches?

Being in the anti-aging business since 1889, Frownies patches are a not-so-secret Hollywood favorite and have amassed a huge following among celebs and beauty fans today who swear by the patches’ effectiveness in reducing wrinkles.

Frownies Facial Patches are non-invasive paper patches that are usually worn overnight while sleeping. The goal: To reduce and prevent facial wrinkles and frown lines.

Good to know: Frownies patches are HRIPT-tested to be hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and suitable for sensitive skin. They are also vegan, latex-free, and silicone-free; for beauty enthusiasts looking to avoid silicone-based skincare, these patches have an edge in the common Frownies vs silicone patches debate.

The brand offers two types of facial patches to target specific areas of the face:

  • Forehead & Between Eyes Wrinkle Patches: for frown lines, forehead creases, and wrinkles between eyes
  • Corners of Eyes & Mouth Wrinkle Patches: for crow’s feet and smile lines

How Do Frownies Work?

Paper patches that work their wrinkle-busting magic while you sleep sound like an absolute dream – but really, how do they work?

The secret lies in its splint-like effect; Frownies target the underlying facial muscle. The wrinkle patches essentially function as a cast that holds the muscle in place. This helps the muscle to relax and release the crease, giving the skin a smoother look.

For best results, the brand recommends using Frownies Facial Patches for a minimum of 3 hours for the first 30 consecutive nights. Following that, the patches can be used 3 to 4 times a week for maintenance.

How To Put Frownies On

Wondering how to apply Frownies patches? There’s an art to it, and fifth-generation Frownies frontwoman Helen Morrison shares the step-by-step tutorial in this video:

To recap, here are the 7-step Frownies instructions:

  1. Separate the patch by gently tearing along the perforations.
  2. Massage your facial lines for about 10 seconds to stimulate circulation.
  3. Moisten the shiny side of the patch with water.
  4. Smooth your skin using two fingers of one hand, and press the patch onto the skin with your other hand. Make sure the patch is crease-free.
  5. Hold the patch in place until it stays on the skin. Repeat with more patches until the entire muscle area is covered.
  6. Leave on for a minimum of 3 hours – overnight is ideal.
  7. To remove the patches, soak the patches in water; they should slide off easily.

According to the brand, noticeable results can take up to four weeks of proper consecutive usage. However, keep in mind that as with any skincare routine, results tend to vary depending on skin type and depth of existing wrinkles.

Frownies Ingredients: Are They Safe?

Frownies facial patches contain a short list of ingredients: natural weighted unbleached Kraft paper, Nulomoline (derived from pure cane sugar), dextrin (derived from starch), and methyl salicylate wintergreen.

Verification of these Frownies patches ingredients on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database indicates low hazard risks.

The patches do not contain active ingredients; the anti-aging effect they produce is based on the muscular response to the cast-like function of the patches.

Paper has been the brand’s material of choice since the 1880s when these patches were first invented to avoid any unwanted Frownies side effects; it’s a lot more breathable on the skin compared to plastic-based patches, and less likely to cause a reaction compared to latex and silicone.

Frownies Reviews: What Are People Saying?

With more than 17,000 positive Amazon reviews of Frownies, here’s what fans of Frownies are saying about these facial patches:

I absolutely LOVE Frownies! I see a noticeable difference after the first night. Yes, the wrinkles come back by the end of the day, but with consistent use, they come back less and less. To the people who say it hurts when you remove: you have to completely saturate them and they will slide right off.” – Amanda

I’m 36 and have been using these for the last 2 years now. I use them to prevent forehead lines (“elevens”) and they absolutely work! I am not into Botox and do not plan on getting it, so these will do and they’re great.” – Ana

I would highly recommend these forehead wrinkle patches to anyone looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They’re easy to use, effective, and very affordable. I’ve been using them for a few weeks now and I can see a noticeable reduction in the depth and appearance of my face wrinkles.”  – Dean

Read more reviews on Frownies here.

Going through Frownies Amazon reviews, you’ll also find a portion of Frownies patches reviews that indicate that they do not work.

While results will differ from one person to another, there’s one main thing to keep in mind: Frownies patches are meant as a natural and long-term treatment for wrinkles; they are not meant to produce immediate results. Just like a good workout routine, these patches require a consistent regime for noticeable results.

Frownies Before And After

Search for Frownies reviews before and after and you’ll be met with some pretty impressive sharings; beauty writer Charlotte Palermino credits Frownies for the reduced tension in her face while beauty-over-40 YouTuber Sissi the German continues to enjoy smoother skin 5 years on.

These facial patches can produce some stellar results; here are some Frownies patches before and after sharings from the brand’s collection:

This Frownies before and after photo shows softened forehead wrinkles and between eyebrow wrinkles.
Source: Frownies

In this before and after, you can see how the forehead lines and between-eyebrow wrinkles soften in appearance with the use of the Forehead & Between Eyes Wrinkle Patches.

This Frownies before and after photo shows a marked reduction in smile lines.
Source: Frownies

This Frownies before and after photo shows a marked reduction in smile lines with the use of the Corners of Eyes & Mouth Wrinkle Patches.

Where To Buy Frownies Patches

You can shop for the Frownies Facial Patches range on the Frownies online store or Amazon (where you can even purchase the Frownies forehead patches):

More Frownies Best-Sellers

For an anti-aging boost in other areas of the face, check out these other popular picks by Frownies:

Frownies Under Eye Cactus Collagen Gels

A woman holds up the Frownies Under Eye Cactus Collagen Gels.

This at-home treatment is perfect for smoothing fine lines around the eyes and soothing puffiness; have some handy for your self-care Sunday routine!

Shop for Cactus Collagen Under Eye Gels

Frownies Lip Lines Gentle Lifts 

A woman holds up the Frownies Lip Lines Gentle Lifts.

These gentle spot treatment patches are great to tackle fine lines in the smaller areas of the face, like above and below the lips.

Shop for Gentle Lifts for Lip Lines

Frownies Serum Patch for Forehead Wrinkles

A woman is applying the Frownies Serum Patch for Forehead Wrinkles on her face.

For the ultimate forehead wrinkle remover kit, boost your skin-smoothing routine with the Frownies Serum Patch.

Shop for Serum Patch for Forehead Wrinkles

Frownies Peptide Neck and Chin Mask

A product shot of the Peptide Neck and Chin Mask.

Support firmer and tighter skin around the jawline and neck area with this peptides-rich mask.

Shop for Peptide Neck and Chin Mask

Frownies Alternative

Frownies alternative: A product shot of Facial Smoothies, a popular Frownies alternative.

Facial Smoothies are a popular alternative to Frownies patches; they’re a favorite beauty pick for those looking for something reusable and more cost-effective.

Shop for Facial Smoothies Wrinkle Remover Strips

FAQs On Frownies Patches

Do Frownies Patches Actually Work?

In a lot of cases, Frownies patches do actually work; they seem to exhibit positive results with proper and consistent use. For better results, it’s recommended to use the wrinkle patches consecutively for the first 30 days, with a minimum usage of 3 hours each time.

How Long Does It Take For Frownies To Work?

How long it takes for Frownies to work depends on a lot of factors, including skin type and depth of wrinkles. Generally, Frownies users tend to see noticeable results in 4 weeks.

Are Frownies Better Than Botox?

Frownies vs Botox: Which is better? Given the solid results they produce, these wrinkle patches can be an excellent alternative to Botox if you’re interested in an anti-aging approach that’s pain-free, non-invasive, and a whole lot more affordable.

Do Frownies Work If You Already Have Wrinkles?

Frownies likely work if you already have wrinkles; they can help reduce the appearance. The amount of time it takes to get a smoother appearance will differ according to how deep the wrinkles are.

Which Celebrities Use Frownies?

Celebrities who use Frownies include Rashida Jones, Raquel Welch (who raves about Frownies in her autobiography), and Rene Russo. These anti-wrinkle patches are a known Hollywood beauty secret and are especially popular with personalities who practice a more natural Botox-free skincare approach.

Summary: Frownies Patches

There’s a reason why Frownies patches have withstood the test of time – these anti-wrinkle face patches are incredibly easy to use with promising results to boot!

Our verdict? Well, the Frownies patches USA Today piece brings up a good point about women’s beauty standards, but ultimately we’re big believers in doing what works best for you.

Overall, these frown line patches are a useful tool for anyone looking to age gracefully, and they’re especially great as a non-invasive, minimal-effort option.

Have you tried these Frownies tapes? Which ones did you try and how was your experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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2 Comments

  1. Hi there, I’m so glad you talked about the frownies patches! I’ve been seeing videos about them all over the internet! I think I’ll give them a try now. I hope they help reduce my fine wrinkles around my eyes.!

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