Skinboosters vs Fillers: Why They’re Not the Same
Many people fear hyaluronic acid injections because they imagine fake, puffy results. The truth is, fillers and skinboosters are not the same. Fillers add structure and volume, while skinboosters focus only on skin hydration and glow - with no change to your face shape.
When people hear the words hyaluronic acid injections, many immediately picture overfilled cheeks or an unnatural, “fake” look.
It’s one of the most common fears I hear in clinic: “I don’t want to look puffy or different.”
Here’s the truth: while both fillers and skinboosters can contain hyaluronic acid, they are completely different treatments with very different purposes.
Let’s clear up the confusion.
Fillers: Structure and Support
Fillers are gel-like products, often made of hyaluronic acid, designed to add volume, shape, or contour.
They are placed deeper beneath the skin, where they can:
- Restore lost volume (like in cheeks or temples)
- Enhance features (chin, jawline, lips, or nose bridge)
- Soften folds or hollows (under-eyes, nasolabial folds)
Think of fillers as structural support - like scaffolding that restores balance and harmony to your features. When used thoughtfully, they don’t change who you are. They simply soften tiredness and bring back a sense of proportion.
Skinboosters: Hydration and Glow
Skinboosters, on the other hand, are not fillers.
Though they’re also made from hyaluronic acid, their goal is skin quality, not structure.
Placed very superficially (just under the skin’s surface), skinboosters act like an injectable moisturizer:
- Boosting hydration
- Smoothing fine lines
- Improving texture
- Restoring a healthy, radiant glow
They don’t change the shape of your face. Instead, they make your skin look fresher, healthier, and more luminous - in a way that creams or serums can’t reach.
Why the Confusion?
Because both treatments use hyaluronic acid, people often think they’re the same. But the key difference is how the product is formulated and where it’s placed:
- Filler = firmer gels, placed deeper, for structure
- Skinbooster = ultra-light gels, placed superficially, for hydration
If fillers are like architecture, skinboosters are like skincare - working from within.
Final Thoughts
Not all hyaluronic acid treatments are about changing your face. Skinboosters, in particular, are about bringing out your natural glow without altering your features.
So if your fear of looking “fake” has held you back, I hope this helps you see that there are gentle, subtle treatments designed only to help you look fresh — never overdone.
With care,
Dr. Chia Min Shan
