Wallet-friendly skin care brand The Ordinary grabbed our fickle attention last year when it developed a $10 serum that many users claimed was like “Botox in a bottle.” Recently, the lo-fi beauty company has formulated a new product that’s proving to be just as innovative and just as effective, according to skin care experts and to many who have tried it. The Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% plumping serum is the latest in The Ordinary’s age-defying product lineup, specifically targeting the areas we experience volume loss and sagging the most — and it’s just $21 a bottle.As its name suggests, this potent serum contains a whopping 92% concentration of Volufiline, a trademarked ingredient that creates a subtle, instant plumping effect by supporting lipid content in the skin, producing a natural and temporary “filler-like” appearance, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Lee, who is also the owner of and owner of Epoch Dermatology in Garden City, New York.“Derived from the root of the anemarrhena asphodeloides plant, it promotes lipid storage and fat cell maturation in targeted areas, helping increase volume and soften hollow contours,” Lee said. “The result is smoother, fuller-looking skin.”In addition to Volufiline, Lee said that the plumping contains pal-isoleucine, a unique type of amino acid that helps reinforce the skin’s structural support by promoting collagen and elastin activity. “This strengthens the skin barrier, improves hydration, and enhances overall skin resilience. By providing added structural integrity, it helps plumped areas appear more lifted and smooth, visibly softening the look of deeper lines,” she said.Volufiline users are applying this result-proving formula on the areas of their face where volume loss and aging show the most, like along the nasolabial folds, the orbital area, hollow temples and the furrowed-brow glabellar lines that form in the center of the forehead. And to great effect, we might add. “This product works. I’m 52, and my skin is nice for my age, but I did have hollows under my eyes and marionette lines,” one Sephora shopper lamented. “This product helped so much, I couldn’t believe it,” they said.Many other Volufiline users attribute its consistent use to an overall increase in skin hydration and a “juiciness” that we might associate with youthful and healthy appearing skin. Others even apply this slightly oily serum directly to their lips to treat lines in a more subtle way than injectable filler might. “Most noticeable plumping [is] on the lips that lasts almost a whole day,” another Sephora customer wrote, while another claimed: “In just two uses, my lips look like they did in my early 20s (I’m 38).”Like most things, proper application of this concentrated serum is key to ensuring you get the best results possible, without causing unnecessary sensitivity or irritation. Based on brand guidance, you only need to apply a few drops to key areas like the temples and around the mouth, on top of your moisturizer as your last step in your skin care regimen. According to Lee, she thinks this is an excellent, affordable adjunct to in-office procedures, helping improve the skin’s structure while optimizing and extending the results of professional treatments. But even if you are just looking at the Volufiline serum for solo use, plenty of organic users insist it’s made a visible difference on its own. See several examples down below, or waste no more time in possibly getting plumper skin. Promising Sephora reviews:“This product actually works! At 51 I have some volume loss and annoying dynamic lines under my eyes that give the appearance of shadows and bags. This product fills my under eye. No stinging!” — funbobbijules“I am 61years old with advanced #11 lines between my eyes and moderate vertical lining around my mouth. have been using this daily for about a month.I have definitely noticed a softening of said wrinkles. I apply it on top of moisturizer and have not experienced any stinging at all. I frigging love my results!” — GretschGirl“I bought this from The Ordinary website when it first came out mid November. I didn’t get this for free. I will definitely be buying a second bottle from Sephora. This product works. I’m 52 and my skin is nice for my age but I did have hollows under my eyes and marionette lines. This product helped so much I couldn’t believe it. Although you have to use it right. You use it AFTER your moisturizer as your last step. You only need a couple drops and put a little under the eyes, on the temples, on the marionette lines (smile lines), and lips. Make sure you don’t go too close to your eye because your eyes will burn, so leave a small space (you don’t want it getting on your bottom eyelashes). Also less is more. It won’t take long to see improvement, but it will be slight at first, just keep using it. I saw slight improvement in a week. I can’t get over the change it’s made in my undereyes and marionette lines. I ordered it from The Ordinary on November 14, 2025, I got it maybe a week later, so I’ve had for about six weeks.I’ve seen a lot of improvement in these six weeks.This product does work and is now one of my two holy grails.” — mef123“I can definetly see the results. I’ve been using this product for a few weeks now and I can visibly see the difference in my target areas, which are the hollows of my eyes, my fine lines in my forehead and my naso labial folds. My skin also looks more hydrated and feels more plump.” — Kmcstylo“This is amazing. I can’t believe how effective this is, or that there aren’t thousands of reviews. With most skin care, I’m only pretty sure that it does anything beyond hydration. I’ve been using this for about three weeks, and the hollows of my eyes look significantly better. I can’t wait to see what I look like in a couple months!” — juliallThe experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.For more effective and affordable skin care products by The Ordinary, take a look at these top serums (a few of which I own and love) from our previous coverage:AmazonAn elasticity-boosting copper peptide serumI use The Ordinary's multi-peptide copper serum at least four or five times a week in my nightly skin care routine for its ability to keep my skin feeling plump and hydrated. Dermatologists previously told HuffPost that copper peptides in particular "boost collagen production and elastin, which in turn can improve skin texture, firmness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." They can even provide antioxidant protection and support the structure of the skin as it ages. The Ordinary’s serum is a glycerin-based formula featuring hyaluronic acid so it's very hydrating and features five different peptides. AmazonA serum reviewers call "Botox in a bottle"A few weeks ago The Ordinary’s 10% argireline solution came across my TikTok feed with reviewers claiming that it's "Botox in a bottle." After speaking with a board-certified dermatologist, I learned that this lightweight and water-based solution features a 10% concentration of Argireline, otherwise known as acetyl hexapeptide-8. It's a fancy name for a skincare ingredient that may reduce the appearance of expression lines by working as a neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptide similar to how the neurotoxins in Botox work. This could help soften dynamic expression lines and deep-set wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. Promising Sephora review: “MIRACLE product is not an understatement! I cannot believe EVERYONE is not raving about this product. I’ve been on a (seemingly futile) journey trying every serum under the sun in a desperate attempt to delay Botox. After just two weeks of usage, my forehead lines have faded SIGNIFICANTLY. An effective topical product for people with overactive forehead muscles? At this price point?? Life-changing.” — NoctiflorousAmazonA reparative serum to tackle crepey skinThis age-support serum uses a solution of growth factors and plumping peptides to help support the skin's natural elasticity and "signal its natural repair mechanisms," according to the brand. By promoting this process, this daily serum may help regenerate the look of dull, thin and crepey skin. Promising Sephora review: "I don’t normally write reviews on skincare products until I’ve used them for at least 30-45 days, but this serum has produced phenomenal results in just 2 weeks!! If you want firmer, tighter and smoother skin you need to buy this!! I am genuinely blown away by this serum! This is best serum The Ordinary has produced yet!" — caringaboutme
‘It Helped So Much I Couldn’t Believe It’: This Affordable Plumping Serum Has Reviewers Gobsmacked
Reviewers claim this potent serum is making a significant difference in their marionette lines, hollow undereyes, aging lips and more.






