Image skincare The MAX Contour Gel Creme
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl tetrapeptide-2, Glycerin + 16 moreStrong evidence
“This contouring gel-creme defies the visible effects of gravity, restores the look of firmness and volume to the lower face and delivers a moisture-melting effect with key peptides that lift and plump skin’s appearance.”
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 acetylated 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, jojoba esters.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl tetrapeptide-2
Anti-agingAcetyl tetrapeptide-2, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 2 moreModerate evidence
“Reclaim skin’s youthful contours with Image Skincare’s innovative active ingredients including an anti-gravity peptide that lifts and firms skin’s appearance and a lipo-filler that helps to counteract the appearance of sagging skin and redefine the appearance of facial contours.”
This product contains acetyl tetrapeptide-2. This ingredient 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil expressed, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.4–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolUndecane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a non-greasy finish on the skin
More about UndecaneIsononyl isononanoate~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateIsodecyl neopentanoate~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateOctyldodecyl myristate~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Octyldodecyl myristatePentylene glycol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolTridecane~1.2–1.4%
Cetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- 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 alcoholLauroyl lysine~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineJojoba esters~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba esters1,2-hexanediol~0.55–0.8%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterOrbignya oleifera seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in calming down inflammation in skin
More about Orbignya oleifera seed oilCalanthe discolor extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.4–0.6%
- 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 CarbomerAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil expressed~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateLimonene~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIris pallida leaf cell extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAmodimethicone~0.3–0.6%
T-butyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumGluconolactone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium carrageenan~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.35%
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Acetyl tetrapeptide-2~0.15–0.3%
- 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 Acetyl tetrapeptide-2Maris sal~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentration
More about Maris salCalcium gluconate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product
More about Calcium gluconateHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.2%
- 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 oilIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Undecane, Isononyl isononanoate, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Octyldodecyl myristate, Pentylene glycol, Tridecane, Cetearyl alcohol, Lauroyl lysine, Jojoba esters, 1,2-hexanediol, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Orbignya oleifera seed oil, Calanthe discolor extract, Carbomer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil expressed, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Limonene, Iris pallida leaf cell extract, Sodium hydroxide, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Tocopheryl acetate, Amodimethicone, T-butyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Gluconolactone, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium carrageenan, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Linalool, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2, Maris sal, Calcium gluconate, Helianthus annuus seed oil
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Product summary
"Image skincare - The MAX Contour Gel Creme" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (acetyl tetrapeptide-2 0.15% - 0.30%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that theynare helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Humectants (sodium acetylated hyaluronate 0.30% - 0.55% and glycerin 4.40% - 5.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 116.00$ up to 122.00$ in the United States, from 84.50£ up to 2456.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 179.50CA$ in Canada and for 387.23A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
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