Macrene Actives

High Performance Eye Cream

Name: Macrene Actives - High Performance Eye Cream
Brand: Macrene Actives

Efficacy 100/100·High irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 3 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Based on the ingredients included, "Macrene Actives - High Performance Eye Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin.

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "Macrene Actives - High Performance Eye Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (acetyl glucosamine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid and glycerin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Cholesterol, arginine, helianthus annuus seed oil, squalane and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: lecithin, ergothioneine and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. 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 for 309.00$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Product claims breakdown

Anti-aging

ACETYL GLUCOSAMINE at ~1.3–1.5% + 7 more curated actives

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine.

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: arabidopsis thaliana extract, aspartic acid, resveratrol, serine, threonine.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATERole: Under-dosedBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.~1.7–2.1%

ACETYL GLUCOSAMINERole: Key activeAn effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin~1.3–1.5%

ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA EXTRACTRole: Key activePlant extract that might be helpful in repairing sun damage but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking~0.45–0.65%

ASPARTIC ACIDRole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles~0.35–0.65%

ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS LEAF EXTRACTRole: Key activeA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain fragrand compounds like linalool that can be irritating~0.3–0.6%

RESVERATROLRole: Key activeHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone~0.65–0.95%

SERINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.35–0.65%

THREONINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.4–0.6%

Moisturizing

23 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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: alanine, arginine.

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: arginine, helianthus annuus seed oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine

ARGININERole: Key activeAn amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin~0.35–0.65%

ASPARTIC ACIDRole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles~0.35–0.65%

CHOLESTEROLRole: Key activeAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.45–0.7%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.3–5.2%

GLYCINERole: Key activeHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function~0.35–0.65%

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILRole: Key activeA 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~1.6–2%

HISTIDINERole: Key active~0.35–0.65%

HYDROLYZED SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.8%

ISOLEUCINERole: Key activeAn amino acid that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function~0.35–0.65%

PALMARIA PALMATA EXTRACTRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

PCARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.4–0.6%

SCENEDESMUS RUBESCENS EXTRACTRole: Key activeA micro-algae extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, support its barrier function, amd might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking~0.5–0.75%

SERINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.35–0.65%

SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATERole: Key activeA 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~0.55–0.8%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.6–0.9%

SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMERRole: Key activeAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.85%

SODIUM LACTATERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.4–0.6%

SODIUM PCARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.4–0.6%

SQUALANERole: Key activeAn 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.~5–6.1%

THREONINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~0.4–0.6%

TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS SPOROCARP EXTRACTRole: Key activeMushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.65%

ALANINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking~0.35–0.65%

Evens skin tone

ACETYL GLUCOSAMINE at ~1.3–1.5% + 3 more curated actives

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine, resveratrol.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

RESVERATROLRole: Key activeHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone~0.65–0.95%

ALANINERole: Key activeAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking~0.35–0.65%

Anti-oxidation

RESVERATROL at ~0.65–0.95% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product contains antioxidants (resveratrol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - ilex paraguariensis leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

BISABOLOLRole: Key activeAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties~0.3–0.6%

CAFFEINERole: Key activeMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes~0.35–0.65%

ERGOTHIONEINERole: Under-dosedCan help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking~0.4–0.65%

ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS LEAF EXTRACTRole: Key activeA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain fragrand compounds like linalool that can be irritating~0.3–0.6%

PALMARIA PALMATA EXTRACTRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.6%

RESVERATROLRole: Key activeHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone~0.65–0.95%

TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS SPOROCARP EXTRACTRole: Key activeMushroom extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.65%

Irritancy

17 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 17 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ilex paraguariensis leaf extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain fragrand compounds like linalool that can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.6%est.

Chrysanthemum parthenium extractCould have anti-inflammatory effect on skin, but can be irritating as well. Can be added to products for its smellHigh~0.3–0.6%est.

AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateBeing a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.Low~1.7–2.1%est.

ResveratrolHelps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin toneLow~0.65–0.95%est.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerAttracts water into the upper layer of the skinLow~0.55–0.85%est.

Scenedesmus rubescens extractA micro-algae extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, support its barrier function, amd might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lackingLow~0.5–0.75%est.

Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skinLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Arabidopsis thaliana extractPlant extract that might be helpful in repairing sun damage but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lackingLow~0.45–0.65%est.

CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesLow~0.35–0.65%est.

Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productLow~0.4–0.6%est.

PhosphatidylcholineUsed to enhance the delivery of other ingredientsLow~0.4–0.65%est.

Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeLow~0.35–0.6%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Sodium stearoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.35–0.6%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.1–0.2%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.15–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skinHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

Theobroma cacao extract—High~0.35–0.65%est.

Palmaria palmata extractRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skinHigh~0.4–0.6%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

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High Performance Eye Cream

Product summary

Irritation risk

Price

Product claims breakdown

Ingredients

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