Clinicians Complex Peptide Plus Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingCaprooyl phytosphingosine, Ceramide ap + 19 moreStrong evidence
“Peptide Plus Cream”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: helianthus annuus seed oil, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: caprooyl phytosphingosine, caprooyl sphingosine, ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide eos, ceramide np, ceramide ns, hexapeptide-3, palmitoyl oligopeptide
Anti-agingHexapeptide-3, Palmitoyl oligopeptideModerate evidence
“The formula creates a visible lifting effect on the skin, helping to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 45% in just 8 weeks.”
This product contains hexapeptide-3, palmitoyl oligopeptide. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Arnica montana extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCetearyl alcohol~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCeteareth-20~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Glyceryl stearate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePalmitoyl oligopeptide~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl oligopeptideElaeis guineensis extract~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrapeptide-3~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexapeptide-3~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Hexapeptide-3Squalane~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlycerin~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinOctyldodecanol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolSodium hyaluronate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateButylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBehenic acid~0.55–0.8%
Cholesterol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolCeramide eop~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopCeramide eos~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eosCeramide np~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCeramide ns~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide nsCeramide ap~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCaprooyl phytosphingosine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A component of ceramides. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Caprooyl phytosphingosineCaprooyl sphingosine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A component of ceramides. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Caprooyl sphingosineArnica montana extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Arctium lappa root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Arctium lappa root extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractRosa damascena extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractHypericum perforatum flower/leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractSaponaria officinalis extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium pca~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaCetyl esters~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften upper layer of the skin and can enhance penetration of other ingredients into the upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl estersPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoatePolysorbate 20~0.25–0.45%
Cetyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholSodium laureth sulfate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Works as a foaming cleansing agent
More about Sodium laureth sulfateTriethanolamine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCarbomer~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPropylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDiazolidinyl urea~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaMethylparaben~0.1–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl stearate, Unknown, Palmitoyl oligopeptide, Elaeis guineensis extract, Tetrapeptide-3, Hexapeptide-3, Squalane, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Sodium hyaluronate, Butylene glycol, Behenic acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide eop, Ceramide eos, Ceramide np, Ceramide ns, Ceramide ap, Caprooyl phytosphingosine, Caprooyl sphingosine, Arnica montana extract, Arctium lappa root extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Rosa damascena extract, Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Saponaria officinalis extract, Sodium pca, Cetyl esters, Unknown, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl alcohol, Sodium laureth sulfate, Triethanolamine, Citric acid, Carbomer, Propylene glycol, Diazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Clinicians ComplexPeptide Plus CreamYOUR PRODUCT | RevolutionCeramides Moisture Cream | REVOLUTION SKINCARECeramides Moisture Cream | Peter Thomas RothWater Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 58% |
| Price | $46.62 | $12.00−$34.62 | $12.02−$34.60 | $22.28−$24.34 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 15 | 10 of 15 | 11 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Clinicians Complex - Peptide Plus Cream" works well for improving skin hydration This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (caprooyl phytosphingosine, ceramide eop, ceramide np, ceramide ns and cholesterol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains ceramides (caprooyl sphingosine 0.20% - 0.40%, caprooyl phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.50%, ceramide ap 0.25% - 0.45%, ceramide ns 0.30% - 0.55%, ceramide np 0.35% - 0.60%, ceramide eos 0.30% - 0.55% and ceramide eop 0.40% - 0.65%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (hexapeptide-3 1.10% - 1.40% and palmitoyl oligopeptide 2.00% - 2.40%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 57.21$ up to 77.30$ in the United States and for 98.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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