Juvederm vs Restylane: what the sources say

MedSpaGrades editorial teamUpdated 22 Oct 20264 sources checkedHow we write

Both Juvederm and Restylane are brands of hyaluronic acid dermal filler. People often ask which is better. The sources we read do not name a winner, and we do not either. This page explains what they have in common, what the sources say varies between products, and what to ask.

What they have in common

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a society of plastic surgeons, lists Juvederm and Restylane among hyaluronic acid filler brands, with Belotero, Revance RHA and Revanesse. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), a society of dermatologists who do surgery, does the same. The FDA says hyaluronic acid is a temporary filler material, a sugar present in the body that swells with water in gel form, sometimes chemically modified (crosslinked) to last longer in the body. It says the effects of hyaluronic acid fillers last approximately 6 to 12 months.

The FDA regulates dermal fillers as medical devices. It says fillers carry risks, including bruising, swelling, lumps and, most seriously, accidental injection into a blood vessel.

What varies, according to ASDS

ASDS says every hyaluronic acid filler has unique characteristics that influence where on the face it is injected, how deep, and how long it lasts. This is true within a brand as well as between brands. Juvederm and Restylane each sell several products. ASDS names these hyaluronic acid products: Belotero Balance, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft and Voluma.

For lip volume and structure, ASDS says Restylane Silk, Restylane, Juvederm Ultra and Belotero are commonly used. For nasolabial folds and marionette lines, it says Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane, Restylane Lyft and Belotero Balance may be selected. For cheeks, it says Voluma or Restylane Lyft are most commonly used. It adds that outcomes and longevity vary with injection location, product, age and skin.

So the useful comparison is between specific products for a specific area, not between two brand names. That comparison belongs in the patient labeling of the exact products your provider offers.

What we did not find

We did not find a source that compares Juvederm and Restylane head to head, and we did not read the labeling of any individual product in either family. Anyone who tells you one brand is better in general is giving an opinion, not something these sources say. The FDA does say that unapproved versions of Juvederm have been sold in the United States, including online, and that you should not buy filler sold directly to the public.

How to decide, as a conversation

The choice of product is made with your provider. For each product on its own, see Juvederm and lip filler.