Biotulin

Biotulin is a German vegan skincare brand founded in 2014, built around an anti-wrinkle gel that it positions as a topical, needle-free alternative to botulinum toxin injections. Its flagship Supreme Skin Gel became widely known in the beauty press under nicknames such as "Botox in a bottle" and "organic Botox," helped by reports that it was used by high-profile public figures. The brand remains active, selling directly to consumers through its own online store across European and North American markets.

The company centres its formulas on spilanthol, a plant extract that it says softens the small facial movements that deepen lines over time. Biotulin describes its approach with the tagline "Powered by nature, proven by science" [2], framing the range as a meeting point between biotechnology and plant-derived ingredients.

Biotulin was founded in November 2014, when two founders launched the first production of the product in Aachen, Germany [1]. The individual founders' names are not recorded in the available sources. The company has described the brand as growing out of an interest in vegan cosmetics, combining biotechnology with what it calls high technology to develop its first product, the Supreme Skin Gel.

The brand's central idea is a non-invasive answer to facial ageing. Rather than relaxing muscles by injection, Biotulin presents a gel that is dabbed onto the face and neck and is said to ease expression lines for a limited period. The company markets the line as fully vegan and free from sulfates, parabens, fragrance, silicones and GMOs, and states that its products are not tested on animals [5].

Spilanthol sits at the heart of this positioning. The compound is derived from Acmella oleracea, a plant commonly called paracress or the "toothache plant," and Biotulin describes it as a natural extract that softens facial micro-contractions. The company contrasts it directly with injectables: according to Biotulin, spilanthol "softly inhibits facial muscle contractions" without causing the full muscle paralysis associated with botulinum toxin, so natural expressions are preserved [5]. The brand has also called the ingredient "the new retinol without the photosensitivity." On its own ingredient page the company tempers the comparison, noting that spilanthol "may not reach the intensity of injected treatments" for more pronounced wrinkles and recommending a patch test before use [5].

The Supreme Skin Gel is the brand's signature product and the anchor of its catalogue. Around it, Biotulin has built a small skincare line that includes the Soft Cream and Rich Cream moisturisers, the EyeMatrix eye treatment for dark circles, and Hydrolon, a loose powder marketed for an even complexion. The range extends into adjacent categories with a micellar cleansing water, a mascara concentrate, hand cream, and accessories such as a jade roller and a micro-needling dermaroller.

Alongside spilanthol, the company names hyaluronic acid and Imperata cylindrica, a drought-resistant plant, as supporting ingredients chosen for moisture retention. Biotulin attaches specific performance figures to the Supreme Skin Gel: it cites a "−6.8%" reduction in wrinkle depth within the first hour and a "−10.4%" reduction after 28 days of twice-daily use, attributing the latter to an instrumental PRIMOS test on 30 women [2]. The company also states that wrinkle depth decreased significantly in 75% of volunteers within one hour, with residual effects observed after 24 hours [1]. These are the brand's own stated results rather than independently published findings.

Biotulin's public profile rests heavily on celebrity association reported by the beauty press. The most repeated story concerns the Princess of Wales, Catherine (widely referred to in the coverage as Kate Middleton): a 2020 Marie Claire article reported that she had recommended the cream to Michelle Obama, citing a statement attributed to the former First Lady's makeup artist, Carl Ray, that Obama "has been using this organic Botox gel regularly on the recommendation of Kate Middleton" [6]. The same article noted that Ray had not directly confirmed the account [6]. UK outlet Grazia tested the gel as a "Botox-in-a-bottle" product "reportedly used by Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle" [7], and further coverage named Kim Kardashian among reported users [8]. Much of this reporting frames the celebrity links as "reported" or "rumoured" rather than confirmed.

The brand has quoted beauty titles including Gala, ELLE and Glamour on its homepage, with Glamour describing it as "the perfect B*tox alternative." In its home market of Germany, the actor Heiner Lauterbach has been publicly associated with the brand [10].

The brand's core "Botox alternative" efficacy claim has drawn scepticism from dermatologists. In the 2020 Marie Claire coverage, Dr. Maryam Zamani said she was sceptical that a cream could block muscle movement, while acknowledging that the product's moisturising component could be helpful [6]. Biotulin's own ingredient page similarly advises that "natural Botox alternative" claims "warrant cautious interpretation" [5].

Biotulin remains active. Its direct-to-consumer store operates with current pricing, stock and shipping to European and North American customers, and the brand runs an ambassador programme. As of 2026 the storefront carried its full product line and displayed roughly 9,090 customer reviews at an average of 4.46 stars [2].