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Unicorn tears – if a brand decides to name their products like that, they lost me as a customer for sure. I prefer a less romantic, more to the point approach, which is why I get along so very well with The Ordinary products: The name is what is inside the bottle.
Fancy? No. But easy to work with for sure!
I recently learned the hard way though that seemingly straight forward names can be misleading! You see, when I placed my THE INKEY LIST order, I hesitated before clicking „Add to basket“ when it came to THE INKEY LIST Collagen. It was recommended by Caroline Hirons, but the science behind topically applied collagen is sparse, to say the least.
It was only when I received the product that I realized my mistake: THE INKEY LIST Collagen does, in fact, not contain collagen. It targets collagen production with an amazing cocktail of peptides!
What THE INKEY LIST claims
They say you only miss things once they’re gone and, sadly, our love for collagen (the natural skin protein that helps to support skin’s firmness, suppleness and elasticity) tends to appear only once we realise its production has begun to slow down – sob. A perfect antidote to this sorry state of affairs, THE INKEY LIST’s Collagen Serum stars clever peptides called Matrixyl 3000 and Syn Tacks, which mimic the effect of natural collagen, keeping your skin looking plumper and smoother for longer. The formula also helps to boost collagen production, so your skin will look increasingly firm and supple in the long run too. Minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and targeting sagging, this skin-boosting potion is like an elixir of youth for your complexion.
Facts
Prize and size
One bottle contains 30 ml and retails for 8,99 £ on Cult Beauty here. It has one of these push caps that are easy to use with wet hands, but make it a little difficult to control how much product you get.
Texture and smell
A clear liquid, not exactly runny but easy to distribute. No noticeable scent.
Application and effects
The serum sinks in quickly without leaving a residue or stickiness on the skin. As I have no means to measure collagen production at home I can´t report on how it affects it – serums like this are for prevention.
Ingredients
Favorable ingredients
- Glycerin: Humectant
- Butylene Glycol: Humectant
- Propanediol: Increases penetration of acids, Humectant
- Leikonostoc/Radish Root extract: Firming, adstringent
- Hyaluronic Acid: Humectant
- Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine: Peptide, part of Syn-tacks (patented anti aging molecule), stimulating production of Laminin V, Collagen IV, VII and XVII and Integrin ß
- Palmitoyl Dipeptide-6 Diaminohydroxybutyrate: Peptide, second part of of Syn-tacks (patented anti aging molecule), stimulating production of Laminin V, Collagen IV, VII and XVII and Integrin ß
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1/-7/-38: Matrixyl complex, increases synthesis of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans (no independent studies)
Other ingredients
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative
- Hydroxyethylcellulose: Lubricant, thickening
- Disodium EDTA: Binding Agent
- Carbomer: Thickener
- Polysorbate 20: Surfactant
A few humectants, one supposedly firming plant extract, but the star of the show here are for sure the peptides. Matrixyl 300 is the one that created the most buzz in terms of firming, and you will find this one combined with Syn-tacks, another peptide combination showing promising results in terms of increased collagen production.
Does it live up to its claims?
Hard to tell.
As I stated above, it is all about prevention with these products, and I can´t really measure my collagen production. It does contain the ingredients to back up the claims though.
Would I repurchase?
Yes.
It would be a tie between this one and The Ordinary „Buffet“ (Review), as I try to have some kind of peptides in my routine to target saggy skin and both of them offer that without breaking the bank. (Read more about the benefits of peptides in skin care here)
Who do I recommend it to?
If you want peptides, but are on a budget, this is the one for you. To be honest, I think anyone above the age of 35 should use a product like this, and I don´t see much that should prevent you from buying this one.