Where to purchase: Available at Cult Beauty (LINK) / Mini Version (If you want to Sample): LINK / Sephora (LINK)
Price: £55
Volume: 50ml
Made in: The USA
What is it?: A Moisturiser containing Signal Peptides (i.e. stimulates the skin to product collagen), Growth Factors (stimulates skin regeneration, wound healing and collagen and elastin synthesis), Skin-supporting Amino Acids (i.e. they either moisturise the skin or fortify the skin’s barrier). To improve the skin’s texture and hydration.
What does it do?: Aims to reduce fine lines + wrinkles + stimulate collagen + reduce the signs of sun damage + strengthen the Skin.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin types
What I think: I would say this is great for Dry Skins and Normal Skin types.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: The Full Size has great packaging. It’s a plastic tub with a screw top lid for the sample, but the full size comes in airtight packaging where you press the button down to expel product (Like the Inkey List Peptide Moisturiser).
pH?: pH of 4.0.
Directions: ”Apply morning and night onto clean, dry skin to provide the skin with proteins and moisture. You can mix this with a serum, cream or oil.” (From the DE Website).
How I use it: I use this in the PM at the last step of my skincare routine. Due to how heavy this makes my skin feel, I do not use it under makeup.
Key Ingredients: Pygmy Waterlily Stem Cell Extract – a Potent Antioxidant. Folic Acid (B Vitamin) is also an antioxidant.
Epidermal Growth Factors are included (Peptides) which help plump up the skin and firm the skin (E.g – SH-Oligopeptide-1 (EGF). HOWEVER, it is not recommended to use if you have psoriasis or high skin cancer risk factors (just stick to SPF and Retinol).
Other Growth Factors Included: Sh-Oligopeptide-2 (An Epidermal Growth Factor) / Sh-Polypeptide-1 (Growth Factor) / Sh-Polypeptide-9 (Growth Factor) / Sh-Polypeptide-11 (Growth Factor).
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (part of Matrixyl 3000 which reduces skin inflammation). Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (The other part of Matrixyl 3000 – stimulates Collagen Production).
Other Notable Peptides: Acetyl Glutamine is included which helps soothe and strengthen the skin + Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14 (Part of the X50 Antiaging CC Powder which is meant to improve elasticity and reduce the look of wrinkles) + Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate (Conditioning).
The Amino Acids Included are: Peptides, such as Alanine (Hydrates the Skin), Arginine (a Natural Moisturising Factor), Valine + Threonine (skin hydrators), Serine (Moisturising), Proline (Helps improve wrinkles when paired with the other Amino Acids Included! I.e. Glycine + Leucine. Phenylalanine (Helps with Pigmentation). Isoleucine (Barrier repair + Moisturiser), Histidine (Moisturiser), Glycine (moisturising, helps with wrinkles + possibly wound Healing).
NOTE: Hyaluronic Acid is also included (Hydrating) and Linolenic Acid (Moisturising).
Full Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, CetearylAlcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil,Bacillus/Soybean/ Folic Acid Ferment Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract,sh-Oligopeptide-1, sh-Oligopeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-9,sh-Polypeptide-11, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alanine,Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine,Threonine, Valine, Acetyl Glutamine, Coconut Alkanes,Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspartic Acid, Linoleic Acid,Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate,Sodium PCA, PCA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20,Polysorbate 60, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, HydroxyethylAcrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum,Isomalt, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol,Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenylpropanol, Glyceryl Caprylate,Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract
NOTE: The Incidecoder / Skincarisma have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: This has a very nice creamy texture. It’s not sticky or tacky BUT It does leave a SLIGHT greasy feeling for me. It’s definitely moisturising, but I’m surprised that it’s definitely more creamy / emollient > hydrating + watery. This layers fine as well. HOWEVER this is NOT for me. This feels heavy, it makes my skin feel like it can’t breathe and also it just SITS on top of my skin and doesn’t seem to absorb. And if I sweat or feel slightly hot when wearing this, I can totally feel this product sitting on my skin – It’s so similar in texture to the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask (Review HERE).
A slightly Transluscent Cream
This definitely Moisturises the skin!
Youtube Video
Hopefully you can tell the texture of this cream isn’t waterlight thin.
Fragrance?: No added Fragrance and/or Essential Oils
Good Under Makeup?: Yes, especially for Dry Skins (no balling up or layering issues + fills in fine lines for an even foundation application – for dry skins).
How long have I been using this?: A week (because I just couldn’t keep wearing this).
The Effect?: Moisturised skin. As I had to stop using this product after a week (I just couldn’t handle the heavy, unbreathable texture), I can’t say about how the peptides have affected my skin, but I will say, judging from the evidence and the science – these peptides do seem to help with skin firming all together. That’s why I’m saying this product is not a failure BUT it’s definitely more suited to those with dry and very dry skins.
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What I like:
- Fragrance + EO Free
- Skin Firming Peptides are included (Not just one, but a bunch)
- Didn’t Sting or Irritate
- Moisturising
- Layers fine (no balling up etc)
- Great, hygienic Packaging (For the Full-Size Product)
What I don’t like:
- The Price
- SO THICK (Feels like my Skin can’t breathe)
- Surprisingly more emollient than it is hydrating and because this isn’t lightweight, it’s an issue for me
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 2/5 – Happy this is Fragrance + EO Free (Just a personal Preference) and this is definitely moisturising. Also, I like that this IS PACKED with anti-ageing peptides, and of course the packaging is very good (for the full-size). BUT this is NOT lightweight, it doesn’t feel like a nice refreshing cream and it’s very unpleasant to apply on my Oily-Combo Skin (Even in the PM). I think Dry skins would very much appreciate this, but it’s a no from me.
Would I repurchase?: No! The texture and wearability of this is very incompatible with my skin type and needs.
Dupe?: The Inkey List Peptide Moisturiser (Review HERE) – Even the packaging is the same (however I would say this contains more Anti-ageing peptides than the Inkey List). A good K-Beauty Peptide Cream Dupe is the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream (Review HERE). In terms of texture, the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask (Review HERE) is also unbearably thick for me, so I think Dry skins would like it too!
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My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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My Skincare Regime 
The Full Size comes in attractive packaging. The sample comes in a plastic tub with a screw-top cover, while the full amount comes in an airtight container with a button to press to discharge the product. Thank you!
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Thank you so much for the insightful comment!
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