Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“The nourishing formula hydrates the skin, giving it a youthful glow.”
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:
imperata cylindrica root extract, peg-8.
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: glycine soja oil, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, linoleic acid, niacinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, panthenol
Anti-aging5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Noticeably improve the look of expression lines and deep wrinkles with PharmaClinix Wrinklex Cream 50ml, now available at Face the Future Advanced Skin Clinic and Online Shop.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, retinyl palmitate.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: linoleic acid, retinyl palmitate
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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: retinyl palmitate.
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) 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 - imperata cylindrica root extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium 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.
Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester~23–34%
- 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 dipeptide-1 cetyl esterPalmitoyl pentapeptide-4~4.8–7.2%
- 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 pentapeptide-4Retinyl palmitate~4.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitatePanthenol~3.3–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCalcium pantothenate~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps support skin barrier function improving skin hydration and reducing sensitivity
More about Calcium pantothenateNiacinamide~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideLinoleic acid~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidTocopherol~1–1.6%
- 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 TocopherolIsopropyl myristate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateImperata cylindrica root extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Imperata cylindrica root extractPeg-8~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 alcoholGlycine soja oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilCetyl palmitate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateIngredient list view
Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Retinyl palmitate, Panthenol, Calcium pantothenate, Niacinamide, Linoleic acid, Tocopherol, Isopropyl myristate, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Peg-8, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycine soja oil, Cetyl palmitate, Unknown
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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.
| PharmaClinixWrinklex CreamYOUR PRODUCT | MEDI-PEELRevitenol Cream | Serendi BeautyLa-bloom Vital Repair Cream | iUNIKBeta Glucan 3X Barrier Cream 50ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 73% | 71% | 71% |
| Price | $43.56 | $26.30−$17.26 | $74.42+$30.86 | $23.78−$19.78 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 3 of 11 | 2 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 | Oligopeptide-1 | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "PharmaClinix - Wrinklex Cream" works well for improving skin hydration 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 (panthenol, imperata cylindrica root extract and peg-8) 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). Emollients in this formulation (linoleic acid, glycine soja oil, isopropyl myristate, cetearyl alcohol and cetyl palmitate) 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
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of niacinamide (niacinamide 1.80% - 2.70%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 4.50% - 6.70%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- This moistruizer also contains peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 4.80% - 7.20% and acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester 23.00% - 34.00%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, 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 peptides in skincare are helpful. They 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.
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 3.30% - 5.00%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Another helpful ingredient in this moisturizer is Linoleic Acid. It is one of the fatty acids naturally present in skin. It is part of the skin barrier. Preliminary research shows that it might be able to reduce clogged pores.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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 96.53CA$ in Canada, for 78.37$ in the United States and from 28.30£ up to 34.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 2
- 3Calcium pantothenate modulates gene expression in proliferating human dermal fibroblastsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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