Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Firming Eye Serum Versus StriVectin Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles PLUS

Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Firming Eye Serum Versus StriVectin Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles PLUS

This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 and Caffeine to soften the look of wrinkles.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Dimethicone

Pentylene Glycol

Silica

Squalane

Undecane

Glycerin

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Tridecane

1,2-Hexanediol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Cetyl Alcohol

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Hydroxyacetophenone

Propanediol

Tridecapeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Sodium Phytate

Sorbitan Oleate

Diosmine

Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract

Caprylyl Glycol

Xanthan Gum

Glyceryl Caprylate

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Tocopherol

Water, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Squalane, Undecane, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tridecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Tridecapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Oleate, Diosmine, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tocopherol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Myristyl Nicotinate

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Glyceryl Stearate

PEG-100 Stearate

Myristyl Myristate

Isocetyl Stearate

Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer

Stearyl Alcohol

Arachidyl Alcohol

Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate

Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone

Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Coffea Arabica Seed Extract

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Caffeine

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Bisabolol

Adenosine

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables

Lecithin

Panthenol

Fructose

Behenyl Alcohol

Arachidyl Glucoside

Polysorbate 80

Ethylhexylglycerin

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Polysilicone-11

Isohexadecane

Disodium EDTA

Pantolactone

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Resveratrol

Poloxamer 338

Aminomethyl Propanol

Mica

Tin Oxide

Phenoxyethanol

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

CI 77891

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Myristyl Nicotinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Myristyl Myristate, Isocetyl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Lecithin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructose, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Pantolactone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Resveratrol, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Poloxamer 338, Aminomethyl Propanol, Silica, Mica, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin

Emollient, helping to soften skin

Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas

Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.

The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.

Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.

As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.

Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.

Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.

Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).

Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:

Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.

On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.

Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract is derived from marine bacteria found in Antarctic ocean. It has humectant and skin soothing properties.

You’ll most often find this ingredient listed under the trade names Antarcticine or Arctalis.

According to a manufacturer, these ingredients encourage skin regeneration and smoothness by stimulating collagen and elastin production. A manufacturer study found creams containing 1–5% Antarcticine increased skin hydration and reduced wrinkle depth around the eyes.

The manufacturer also claims this extract can help regulate oily skin by reducing sebum production, shine, and minimizing pore size.

Some people have reported that ferments may trigger Malassezia folliculitis. For this reason, we list it as not fungal-acne safe, though individual reactions can vary.

Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.

Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.

The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.

It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.

In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.

Sorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.

You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.

Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.

The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.

Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

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