What is the difference between skin boosters and biostimulators?

Skin booster and biostimulator treatments, London and West Malling, Kent

In aesthetics, new treatments are constantly evolving to help us age better, with more natural and regenerative options than ever before. Two of the most talked-about categories are skin boosters and biostimulators. On the surface, they might sound similar, but they actually work in very different ways. At Illuminate Skin Clinic, we often combine them in tailored plans because together they can completely transform the way skin looks and feels.

So what is the difference between skin boosters and biostimulators, and how do you know which one is right for you?

What are skin boosters?

Skin boosters are injectable treatments designed to improve hydration, elasticity, and overall skin quality. They are usually made from hyaluronic acid, a molecule that naturally occurs in the skin and attracts water. When injected just beneath the surface, skin boosters create a reservoir of hydration that leaves skin plumper, smoother, and more radiant.

Think of skin boosters as a “glow treatment.” They don’t change your facial shape or add volume like fillers do. Instead, they work more subtly to refresh the skin, soften fine lines, and restore that healthy, dewy look that can be lost with age, stress, or lifestyle.

Popular examples include Profhilo and Sunekos, both of which are patient favourites here at the clinic. Results are gradual and natural, often most noticeable after a couple of sessions, and they can last for around six months.

What are biostimulators?

Biostimulators, on the other hand, go beyond hydration. Rather than simply moisturising the skin, they encourage your body to regenerate itself by producing new collagen and elastin. These treatments target the underlying structure of the skin, improving strength, density, and firmness over time.

We work with some of the most advanced biostimulators available today:

HArmonyCa – a unique dual-action injectable that combines hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxyapatite. It provides immediate lift while also stimulating collagen for long-term skin support.

Juvelook and Lenisna – Juvelook and Lenisna – these are the latest biostimulators, created with the most up-to-date technology. They combine the immediate hydrating effect of hyaluronic acid with the long-term collagen stimulation of PDLLA, a safe and well-established ingredient in aesthetics.

Juvelook is designed for more delicate areas, particularly around the eyes or for treating sunken scars, where it helps to smooth and refresh the skin. Lenisna has a stronger volumising and lifting effect, making it ideal for use in the face, around the mouth, on the neck and even other areas of the body where skin has lost firmness.

Both treatments encourage the skin to regenerate itself gradually, with results that continue to improve over time and last far beyond the initial hydration.

Julaine is a next-generation PLLA-based injectable that promotes active collagen regeneration with progressive results over time. It’s particularly effective at restoring volume and support in areas such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines, making it an exciting anti-ageing treatment that both rejuvenates and restructures the skin..

Unlike skin boosters, the results from biostimulators take time to develop, as collagen stimulation is a gradual process. But the effects are longer lasting – often 12 to 18 months or more – because the improvements are coming from your own skin.

How are they different?

The main difference between skin boosters and biostimulators lies in their focus. Skin boosters hydrate and improve the surface quality of the skin, making it smoother and more radiant. Biostimulators work deeper, targeting the structure and resilience of the skin by stimulating new collagen and elastin.

In other words, skin boosters give you glow, while biostimulators give you strength and lift. Both are powerful in their own right, but they achieve different goals.

Can you combine skin boosters and biostimulators?

Absolutely, and in many cases, this is where the magic really happens. We often recommend combining these treatments because they complement each other beautifully. Skin boosters work on the surface to refresh and hydrate, while biostimulators rebuild the skin’s internal scaffolding.

The result is skin that not only looks luminous but also feels firmer, stronger, and more youthful.

Which treatment is right for you?

Choosing between skin boosters and biostimulators really depends on your concerns. If your skin feels dull, dehydrated, or crepey, skin boosters are likely the right place to start. If you’re noticing sagging, thinning, or a loss of firmness, a biostimulator may give you the structural support you’re looking for.

During a consultation, we’ll assess your skin, talk through your goals, and design a plan that’s tailored to you. Often, the best results come from using both together as part of a longer-term skin strategy.

Skin boosters and biostimulators are not competitors – they’re complementary tools that both play a role in keeping skin healthy and youthful. Skin boosters deliver hydration and glow, while biostimulators rebuild collagen and restore structure. Together, they can transform not just how your skin looks but also how it behaves over time.

If you’d like to find out which treatment is right for you, we’d love to welcome you to Illuminate Skin Clinic for a consultation. With expert guidance and a tailored plan, you can achieve skin that is radiant, resilient, and truly supported from within.