Frownies Review: Do They Really Work?

Every so often, a beauty product creates a buzz. Frownies wrinkle patches have entered the spotlight, but do they hold up to the hype? I have been testing them out and am sharing my review below!

Most of us treat aging as a rite of passage but what if there was another way to approach the wrinkles of time that didn’t require an injection or surgery?

I’m all for aging gracefully and that means finding natural ways to keep my skin smooth and glowing. Recently I experimented with Frownies wrinkle patches because forehead lines are a real thing now! 

When I first heard about Frownies, I was a little skeptical but like any beauty product or treatment, I was hopeful. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts and honest review of Frownies wrinkle patches

*Suzi(Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Frownies Facial Patches
I was surprised to learn that Frownies have been around since 1889.

What Are Frownies Wrinkle Patches?

In case you haven’t heard of Frownies they are essentially patches that aim to lessen the effect of deep expression lines. In fact, their tag line is “the original wrinkle patch”. Sounds pretty impressive, right? 

The Frownies company has been around since 1889 and has been passed on to five generations of women committed to ageless beauty. Frownies were created for women to look and feel their best long before botox and surgeries were available.

The current President, Kat Wright, is a Naturopath, Yoga Instructor and wellness educator. Kat along with her three daughters carry on the Frownies legacy and continue to inspire women to excellence and wellness.

What started off as a simple wrinkle patch has expanded to a variety of patches and skincare products including masks, body washes, cleansers, serums, moisturizers and more.

Patches include:

Related Content: Best Organic Skin Care For Anti-Aging

Frownies Facial Patches
Frownies Facial Patches use minimal ingredients to achieve their results.

What Are Frownies Made Of? 

Frownies, due to their mechanism of action, are technically a non-toxic product because the ingredients in the adhesive stay on the surface of the skin and don’t absorb into the skin. However, one of the ingredients in the adhesive is considered a toxin, there’s always something, right?

Material

Frownies are made of unbleached kraft paper and natural, plant based ingredients. No silicone material is used because it is a common allergen.

Adhesive Ingredients

The adhesive is a water activated starch-based adhesive. It includes Nulomoline derived from sugar cane, Methyl salicylate, a chemical compound from the wintergreen plant, and Dextrin, a carbohydrate. 

It is hypoallergenic and tested by a dermatologist to be safe for sensitive skin. However, Frownies still recommends testing a patch on your wrist first to rule out any reactions.

The aforementioned toxin is the ingredient, Methyl salicylate. It has been noted in the Journal of Emergency Medicine that small amounts of Methyl salicylate can result in serious toxicity.1 You may say well this review is in reference to toddlers, but it’s still worth considering if you are planning on using Frownies long term.

woman wearing frownies facial patches
Soften and reduce wrinkles by wearing Frownies while I sleep? Sounds easy enough!

The Science Behind Frownies

Claims Of Frownies Benefits

Frownies claim to soften wrinkles while you sleep by reducing signs of aging by minimizing expression lines.

Frownies recommends using their facial patches every night for 30 nights to receive lasting results. After 30 nights, they suggest wearing their facial patches a minimum of three to four days a week in order to maintain proper facial posture.

According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, there is evidence of temporary improvement of crow’s feet but not lasting results when using topical adhesive pads.2

How Do Frownies Work?

Wrinkles form from repetitive movements so Frownies patches work like a splint to smooth out wrinkles by training muscles and constricting the movements that promote wrinkles. 

Frownies come in different sizes to fit different areas of the face. The patches react with water and become stiff and hard to help retrain the facial muscles.

Frownies Facial Patches
You can purchase different facial patches depending where you are targeting fine lines and wrinkles.

How To Apply Frownies

Step 1

Wash face. If you use a moisturizer, allow it to dry before applying a facial patch. It’s usually best just to forgo the moisturizer because it can prevent the patch from adhering properly.

Step 2

Wet the shiny side of the patch. Frownies recommends using their Rose Water Hydrating Spray for this step.

Step 3

Hold the skin taut with two fingers and press the patch into the skin with the other hand. Press down until the patch adheres to the skin.

Step 4

You’ll most likely need to apply another patch so that the line or wrinkle is completely covered and the muscles creating that expression line are isolated. The patches will overlap but this is to be expected.

Step 5

Wear for a few hours or overnight. 

Step 6

Remove the patches by first soaking them to release the adhesive, there should be no need to pull or tug to get the patches off.

Frownies Video Tutorial

Customer Reviews 

Here’s what customers are saying about Frownies on the interwebs:

These patches are amazing!! They are Botox in a box!!

I was skeptical at first, but Frownies really work. My forehead wrinkles are almost gone after using Frownies for 30 days and my eyes are less droopy.

Love these I really wasn’t expecting these to work very well.But boy was I wrong I absolutely love these and they work so very well.

It’s a bit of a process but I can’t believe how I look in the morning! It’s obviously temporary but it’s working so well I think my wrinkles aren’t as bad anymore.

I’m not sure if they are “working” for me… I haven’t noticed much of a “lasting” difference. Immediately as I remove them in the morning, my skin looks smooth! But it doesn’t seem to last. I’m not gonna give up quite yet tho.

I do see results in the morning with a smoother forehead. However, as the day progresses that disappears as I raise my forehead. It’s as if I never used them… I’ll see if that changes.

The general consensus seems to be that most people experience temporary relief from wrinkles but not everyone experiences lasting wrinkle-free skin even after using them for a few weeks.

It should also be noted that the facial patches are commonly used for the forehead or in between the eyes wrinkles not on other parts of the face. This is due to the fact that sleeping with a stint near your mouth is uncomfortable and may render you speechless (as in a Botox-like paralysis of the mouth) while wearing the patch!

woman wearing frownies wrinkle patches
You want to start by wearing your Frownies wrinkle patches every night for 30 days.

Frownies FAQ’s

1. How long should Frownie patches be worn for best results?

Frownies should be worn every night for 30 nights for lasting results. To maintain wrinkle free skin, Frownies recommends wearing the patches for 3-4 nights every week.

2. Are there any side effects associated with prolonged use?

Frownies are supposed to be safe to use for long periods of time, however it’s possible that allergies or irritation could develop at any time. 

3. Are Frownies suitable for all skin types? 

Yes, Frownies are safe for all skin types including sensitive skin.

4. How quickly can I expect to see results with Frownies?

Many people experience smoother skin and softening of their wrinkles after one use, however, it’s short-lived. To see lasting results and not have your wrinkles reemerge by the end of the day, Frownies recommends wearing them for 30 days.

woman before wearing Frownies compared to after wearing Frownies
My forehead fine lines are where I saw the most improvement. (I do my best to take before and after’s in the same light and the same time of day)

Frownies Review

I tested Frownies for 3 months.  During this time, I wore them every night, except for 5 days.  I wanted to see if I could tell the difference in not wearing them for those 5 days and I felt like I did see a difference. My lines from certain expressions started to be more visible. 

I was impressed how it helped to smooth out my forehead lines.  This is where I have seen fine lines start to form.  By wearing the Frownies consistently on my forehead for months I noticed them smooth out and minimized.  The Frownies gave me a more lifted look overall.  I was also more aware of what expressions were causing those specific fine lines too by wearing the Frownies and this helped me not make the expressions as much.  

All that to be said, I will continue to use them!  I am impressed with how muscles will react when lifted or pushed.

woman wearing frownies wrinkle patches
After the results I saw with wearing Frownies for 3 months I will continues to use them. I think you cannot only improve existing fine lines and wrinkles, but you can prevent future ones!

Conclusion: Do Frownies Actually Work?

Yes, I do think Frownies actually work!  I can tell a difference using them after several weeks. Consistency is key as it is all about retraining the muscle.

Have you tried Frownies wrinkle patches? Share your thoughts below!

If you liked this post, check out these past posts:

References

  1. Journal of Emergency Medicine (2007) Are one or two dangerous? Methyl salicylate exposure in toddlers
  2. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2017) Antiwrinkle effect of topical adhesive pads on crow’s feet: How long does the effect last for?

Cheers, Suzi

Suzi

Suzi is a wife, and mama who is passionate about sharing her natural lifestyle with those around her. She created Gurl Gone Green to show how our everyday decisions, from what we use on our face, home and the food we eat affect us more than we know. She loves holding space where people can weed through the marketing clutter to find truth, and ultimately make the best decision for their families.

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