SKINVIVE: hyaluronic acid microdroplets for smoother skin

SKINVIVE is made by Allergan Aesthetics, part of AbbVie, at its plant in Pringy, France. In clinical papers it appears under its development code, VYC-12L. Unlike a volumising filler, it is placed in many small amounts within the skin to improve smoothness, fine lines and hydration rather than shape.

Korea’s MFDS database lists the same product as “Juvederm VOLITE, SKINVIVE by Juvederm, SKINVIVE” under one import licence, so you may hear either name in Seoul.

SKINVIVE went through the FDA’s premarket approval (PMA) route, the pathway for higher-risk devices, as a supplement to the Juvéderm PMA. The May 2023 decision (P110033/S059) covers “intradermal injection to improve facial skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21”. A June 2026 supplement (P110033/S099) added intradermal and/or subdermal injection to reduce neck lines (both records checked 18 October 2026).

Because this is premarket approval, “approved” is the correct word for SKINVIVE. Devices that reach the US market through the 510(k) route are “cleared” instead.

In the randomised, evaluator-blinded US trial, 131 adults received SKINVIVE and 71 served as untreated controls. One month after the last injection, 57.9% of treated adults improved by at least one grade on both cheeks on the smoothness scale and 58.3% on the fine-lines scale, against 4.5% and 5.4% of controls. Response rates held steady through six months, and six treated participants reported treatment-related adverse events ^[1].

Participants’ own ratings told a similar story: 85.5% rated their cheeks improved at one month and 83.1% at six months. Average pain scores were below 3 out of 10, and the most common reactions, redness, swelling and lumps, mostly settled within three days ^[2]. The US patient labelling adds that some side effects may last longer than two weeks, and that accidental injection into a blood vessel, though rare, can cause vision problems including blindness, stroke or scarring; vision changes, whitening skin or unusual pain during or after treatment need immediate attention.

For the neck, the manufacturer’s June 2026 announcement reports that 74.8% of treated participants improved by at least one point on its neck lines scale at one month and 66% maintained it at six months, and states that results last six months with optimal treatment.

The pivotal trial enrolled adults aged 22 and over whose cheek skin was rated moderately to severely rough on the smoothness scale; 86.1% were women and the median age was 58 ^[1]. In practice that describes people bothered by crepey texture and fine lines on the cheeks, not by hollowing or sagging. If volume loss is the main concern, a filler or collagen stimulator is the more fitting tool.

In short, SKINVIVE changes the surface feel of the skin quickly, while Sculptra builds collagen over months. In Sculptra’s cheek trial, 71.6% of treated adults met the response goal at 12 months ^[3] (FDA record for the cheek indication). Some people use both, for different layers and different concerns.

Yes. AbbVie Korea holds MFDS import permit 수허18-134호, dated 9 May 2018, for a Class 4 tissue-repair biomaterial. The licence describes cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel with 0.3% lidocaine hydrochloride injected into the skin “to temporarily improve moderate to severe fine lines of the cheek in adults” (MFDS database, checked 18 October 2026).

Prices checked 2026-10-18; confirm at consultation. Ask how many syringes your face, or face and neck, will need, since price is per 1 cc.