VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence Stick Balm
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging7 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The formula is powered by ginseng-derived PDRN to brighten dull skin, reduce wrinkles and restore skin elasticity.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, hexapeptide-9, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, tripeptide-1.
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.
Moisturizing16 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This dewy stick balm keeps skin soft and moisturized while on the go.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, 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 hexapeptide-8, ceramide np, copper tripeptide-1, hexapeptide-9, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, tripeptide-1
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Octyldodecanol~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolHelianthus annuus seed oil~6.4–9.5%
- 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 oilPhytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate~5–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleateButyrospermum parkii butter~4–6%
- 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 butterSynthetic wax~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency
More about Synthetic waxMicrocrystalline wax~2–3.1%
Dipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~1.4–2.1%
- 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 GlycerinBisabolol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An 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
More about BisabololCaprylyl glycol~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolGlyceryl caprylate~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateAdenosine~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineWater~0.4–1%
Squalane~0.45–1.1%
- 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 SqualaneButylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 glycolCeramide np~0.4–1%
- 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 np1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.8%
Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.7%
Copper tripeptide-1~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A naturally occurring peptide. One of the most studied peptides in dermatology. It is sometimes abbreviated GHK-Cu. Belongs to the class of carrier peptides. It stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen in skin. It is released in skin wounds and inflammation to support healing. It accelerates wound-healing of the skin and can stimulate hair growth. There are preliminary studies that confirm that copper tripeptide can help support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles and decrease inflammation in skin.
More about Copper tripeptide-1Hexapeptide-9~0.15–0.65%
- 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-9Acetyl hexapeptide-8~0.15–0.6%
- 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 hexapeptide-8Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4~0.15–0.55%
- 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-4Tripeptide-1~0.15–0.65%
- 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 Tripeptide-1Panax ginseng root extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractCollagen extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium dna~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Octyldodecanol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Synthetic wax, Microcrystalline wax, Dipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate, Glycerin, Bisabolol, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl caprylate, Adenosine, Water, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Ceramide np, 1,2-hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Copper tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-1, Panax ginseng root extract, Collagen extract, Sodium dna
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "VT Cosmetics - PDRN Essence Stick Balm" 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 hexapeptide-8, hexapeptide-9, glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol) 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). Ceramide np, tripeptide-1, butyrospermum parkii butter, helianthus annuus seed oil and squalane 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.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide np 0.40% - 1.00%). 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 (tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.65%, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 0.15% - 0.55%, acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.15% - 0.60%, hexapeptide-9 0.15% - 0.65% and copper tripeptide-1 0.20% - 0.70%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, 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.
- Adenosine 0.45% - 1.05%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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 18.43$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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