At-home microneedling: how to use the vials step by step

What at-home microneedling is

Microneedling literally means “micro-needles”. At home, it is a cosmetic ritual, different from in-clinic microneedling: a concentrated serum and an applicator used with gentle taps, without pressing, to spread the serum over your whole face. Gentleness is key: there is no need to press harder to get results.

Choose according to your goal

• Wrinkles and signs of ageing. Look for formulas that soften the look of wrinkles, correct visible signs of ageing and deeply moisturise. A common active is retinal, a vitamin A derivative.
• Dark spots and dull tone. Look for formulas that help lighten the look of dark spots and even out skin tone, with actives such as kojic acid, tranexamic acid and vitamin C.
• Nourishment and hydration. Look for formulas that nourish and moisturise the skin and leave it looking revitalised, with caffeine and the antioxidant action of vitamin C.

Use one product at a time: finish one treatment before starting the next.

Prepare your skin

• Clean skin in good condition. Use it on skin free from irritation or lesions, and not right after hair removal, a peel or time in the sun. Work on a clean face, with freshly washed hands.
• The first time, do a patch test. Apply a little serum to a small area, for example along your jawline, and wait 24 hours to check that your skin tolerates it.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check first with your doctor. Bear in mind whether the formula contains retinal.
• The best time: the evening. Your skin can absorb the serum calmly and stay make-up-free for the hours that follow.
• An applicator just for you. Do not share it and, if it is single-use, do not reuse it after the treatment.

Step by step

1. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
2. Prepare the vial and applicator following the instructions that come with the product.
3. Apply with gentle taps all over your face, without pressing and avoiding the eye area. Work section by section (forehead, cheeks, nose and chin) until the applicator is empty.
4. Let your skin absorb the serum completely, without rinsing.
5. Finish with a moisturiser.

After the treatment

• 12 hours without make-up. Leave your skin make-up-free for the next 12 hours.
• Sunscreen the next morning and on the following days.
• Let the serum take centre stage. On those days, save exfoliants, peels and retinol for later.
• Recycle the packaging. In Spain, the box goes in the blue bin and the applicator in the yellow one.

How often to use it

Always follow the product instructions and do not use it more often than they say.

How it fits into your routine

The vials are the extra step in your daily routine. On the days without a vial, carry on with your usual steps: cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturiser and, in the morning, sunscreen. If you are unsure about the order, we explain it in our guide on the order to apply serum, eye cream, moisturiser and sunscreen. And for the eye area, which the vials do not cover, there is our Botox Effect Eye Cream.

If you are focusing on dark spots, you may also like our guide to the actives that even out skin tone.

If you want to try microneedling at home, our Botox effect microneedling kit includes 2 x 5 ml vials of Botox-effect serum, with an anti-ageing peptide complex, and a microneedle roller applicator that spreads it evenly over your face.

Use one vial per session, avoiding both the eye area and the lips. The kit page has the full directions and precautions. You will find the kit in our microneedling vials section.