What Is Volufiline | Benefits and How to Use It

If your feed has been shouting about “filler in a bottle” lately, you’ve already met Volufiline. Thanks to The Ordinary, this plant-powered plumper went from beauty-lab secret to the ingredient everyone’s asking about (your group chat included).

But can a serum really do what a needle does? Spoiler: not quite. We’ve got the lowdown on what Volufiline is, what it can and can’t do and how to make it work in your routine, with a healthy dose of realism from Dr Mo, founder of Dr Motox Clinic. Already sold? Every Volufiline formula we stock is waiting for you here.

What is Volufiline?

The short version? Volufiline is a plumping ingredient made from a plant root. It mixes an extract from a plant called Anemarrhena asphodeloides with a light oil, and it was created by Sederma, the ingredient experts at Croda. The plant compound behind all the buzz is sarsasapogenin, according to Croda.

Want to know if it’s in your product? Check the ingredient list for Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract. That’s your clue.

Decoding the label: spotted “92%” on The Ordinary’s bottle? That’s the whole Volufiline blend (the plant extract plus the oil, as its supplier lists it), not 92% pure active. Dr Mo has a handy rule for this: “A large percentage on the packaging may refer to an ingredient blend rather than the amount of the active molecule.”

How does Volufiline work?

Think of Volufiline as a targeted plumper. It’s designed to help specific spots look fuller, bouncier and smoother, which is why it usually comes in formulas you dab exactly where you want them. Layer it over a hyaluronic acid serum for a double dose of bounce.

The small print? Most of the research behind Volufiline comes from its supplier rather than independent studies, and very little of it looks at the face specifically. Translation: keep your expectations realistic.

What are Volufiline’s skincare benefits?

Manage your expectations and Volufiline can still earn its spot on your shelf. Formulas starring it are designed to:

Leave targeted areas looking fuller: your cheeks, smile lines or under-eyes, depending on the formula.
Smooth the look of fine lines: especially when teamed with plumping sidekicks like pal-isoleucine. If fine lines top your list, this is where it shines.
Give skin a cushiony, comfortable feel: courtesy of the silky oil it’s blended into.
Go exactly where you need it: no all-over application and no wasted product.

Why it’s Cult: it’s the needle-free name on everyone’s lips, and it slots into almost any routine as a final, targeted step.

Does Volufiline actually work?

Honest answer? It depends on what you’re expecting. A Volufiline formula may leave skin looking smoother and plumper, but it’s not a stand-in for injectable filler. Dr Mo doesn’t mince his words.

"Filler in a bottle’ sets an expectation I wouldn’t give a client. Volufiline is marketed around a proposed effect on fat cells, but strong independent clinical evidence for meaningful facial volume replacement is limited. A moisturising formula may leave skin looking smoother and fuller. That doesn’t demonstrate that it can replace lost facial fat or provide the structure and precision of an injectable filler."

So, should you skip it? Not at all. Before any treatment at his clinic, Dr Mo puts each client on a personalised skincare plan, and that can include products with Volufiline. Want his full verdict on what skincare can and can’t copy? Read Needle vs No Needle.

How to use Volufiline in your skincare routine

Volufiline likes to have the last word. Here’s where it slots in:

Cleanse: start with a clean canvas.
Prep: layer your serums, like hyaluronic acid or peptides.
Moisturise: follow with your go-to moisturiser.
Target: apply your Volufiline formula to clean, dry target areas, exactly as the directions say. Using The Ordinary’s serum? Give it a shake and apply after moisturiser.
Protect: mornings always end with facial SPF. No exceptions.

Volufiline plays nicely with hydrators and peptides. Using retinol or retinal too? Save it for the evening. And if you’re tempted to add everything at once, take Dr Mo’s advice: “Add one new product at a time so you can judge how your skin responds.” Still not sure what goes where? Our guide to layering skincare clears it up.

As with anything new, patch test first (especially if your skin is on the sensitive side) and stop using it if you notice any irritation.

The best Volufiline skincare

Ready to give it a go? Here’s every Volufiline skincare pick on Cult right now.

The Ordinary Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% Plumping Serum

The one that started it all. The Ordinary teams Volufiline with 1% pal-isoleucine, an ingredient chosen to help fine lines look plumper, in a lightweight, water-free formula. Smooth it on after moisturiser wherever you’d like a little extra bounce, from your cheeks to your jawline or lips. Want the full story? Our deep dive into The Ordinary Volufiline serum has all the details.

£19.50

The Ordinary Plump & Regenerate Duo

Why stop at one? This duo pairs the Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% serum with The Ordinary’s GF 15% Solution, a plant-based serum for smoother-looking skin and softer-looking fine lines. Use the GF solution morning and evening, then finish with Volufiline on your target areas. Pick up The Ordinary Plump & Regenerate Duo and you’re sorted.

£33.00

Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm

Plumping, but make it portable. Medicube’s twist-up stick balm combines PDRN, collagen and Anemarrhena asphodeloides root extract (Volufiline’s plant extract) with retinol, peptides and caffeine. Swipe it wherever you want a dewy boost, from dry patches to smile lines. It even works over makeup. Keep the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm in your bag for midday top-ups.

£19.50

Then I Met You Snail Mucin Eye Cream

Calling all tired-looking eyes. Then I Met You combines 30% snail mucin with 5% Volufiline, plus 1% caffeine for a fresher-looking eye area. Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and collagen leave the area looking plumper and brighter, and the cool ceramic tip turns every application into a mini massage. Bonus: you can use the Then I Met You Snail Mucin Eye Cream on smile lines too.

£46.00

Volufiline FAQs

Is Volufiline the same as filler?

Nope. Filler is an injectable treatment carried out by a practitioner. Volufiline is a cosmetic ingredient you apply to the surface of your skin. Dr Mo puts it plainly: “I wouldn’t recommend buying a serum with the expectation that it will rebuild cheeks or correct under-eye hollows.”

How long does Volufiline take to work?

There’s no set timeline. It varies from person to person and formula to formula, so use it consistently, exactly as directed, and give it time before you make up your mind.

Can you use Volufiline on your lips?

Some formulas, including The Ordinary’s serum, list the lips as a target area. Always follow the directions for your specific product and skip any broken skin.

Can you use Volufiline under your eyes?

Some formulas are made for it, like Then I Met You Snail Mucin Eye Cream. Just keep products out of the eyes themselves, and don’t expect it to fill under-eye hollows. If that’s on your mind, Dr Mo suggests speaking to a professional.

Can you use Volufiline with retinol?

Absolutely, they can share a routine. Introduce them one at a time, keep your retinoid for the evening and wear SPF every morning.

The final verdict? Volufiline won’t replace a needle, and it doesn’t need to. As a targeted extra step, it can leave skin looking smoother, fuller and more cushioned. Keep your expectations real, stay consistent and let your favourite formula do the rest.

WHAT IS VOLUFILINE?

In this article