Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cellular Eye Repair Gel . . .DANGER!
Written: Jul 19 '09 (Updated Jul 20 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: Gel feels soothing on skin
Cons: Price, complete lack of effectiveness, risk of causing facial skin sagging due to active ingredient
The Bottom Line: DO NOT use this product. Not only does the main active ingredient have a possibility of causing facial skin sagging, but it doesn't reduce eye-wrinkles in the slightest.
hempem's Full Review: Peter Thomas Roth Anti Aging Cellular Eye Repair G...
It's a long name for a product that had my 41-year-old, starting-to-see-visible-under-eye-lines self pretty excited about. I asked my brother for a few Christmas items, and included Peter Thomas Roth's "Anti-Aging Cellular Eye Repair Gel" on that list, along with Jane Iredale cake eyeliner and one of her eye-liner brushes.
The Jane Iredale eyeliner was fantastic, as was the brush that allowed me to apply it with great precision and artistry. However, the greatest eyeliner in the world can't make up for those fine lines (alas, at age 41 I think they have graduated into actual wrinkles) underneath the eye that are ever present reminders of my silly self-absorption on physical perfection when many in the Third World struggle for clean drinking water. But I digress.
So until I gain enough inner peace and accept fully the aging process and equate my self-image with qualities such as joy and wisdom, I will probably continue to waste my Christmas Gift Lists on beauty products. And truly, I regret that my brother spent his money on Peter Thomas Roth's completely ineffective product.
CLAIMS
The $42.00, (groan) .76 oz jar has a clear glass base containing a clear gel with a white screw on lid. I prefer gels over creams, because gels lack the oil that can block the pores around the eye area, causing the small white bumps called "milia" that cannot be extracted like a whitehead.
The label makes such amazing claims that I really do wish there were FDA regulations on such things. The claims, listed on http://www.PeterThomasRoth.com are as follows:
"Firm-CELL 4™, a unique complex of four powerful anti-aging peptides that reduce the severity of deep wrinkles and fine lines. Argireline®, a Neuropeptide and Hexapeptide cocktail that prohibits muscles from contracting which prevents the formation of lines & wrinkles. SYN®-COLL, a peptide that mimics the body’s own mechanism to produce collagen. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-7, peptides that work synergistically to promote collagen production while stimulating fibroblast cells in the skin, enabling them to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamins A, C & E, anti-oxidants that protect against free radicals. Arnica Extract helps speed up the healing process. Marine Collagen, firms, smoothes and lifts the skin. Sea Algae helps to promote the retention of moisture in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate improves elasticity and hydration by retaining 1000 times its own weight in water. Glycosaminoglycans increases skin firmness and elasticity, helps to improve the appearance of sagging skin and fine lines, decreases skin redness and under eye circles."
MY EXPERIENCE
I was especially irritated by the claim stating that the ingredients "prohibit muscles from contracting which prevents the formation of lines & wrinkles." Why? Because this JUST ISN'T TRUE. And it sounded convincing enough to sell me on the product over other similar ones - like it has similar effects to one of the Freeze products or BOTOX - but in fact, I have applied this stuff and stood in front of the mirror and attempted to see or feel ANY difference. I returned 15 and then 30 minutes later. Nothing. It just doesn't live up to its claims.
Also, claiming that 'Arnica extract' helps "speed up the healing process" isn't exactly useful. What healing process? I mean, unless this gel is prescribed for plastic surgery under the eyes . . . or maybe it is referring to emotional healing after discovering the product simply doesn't work. If so, why am I still grieving?
And even more confusing is that the website, under "Usage" for this product, says, "Use when eyes are irritated or puffy." Huh? Is this an anti-aging product or not? What is its purpose? Now I will say this one positive thing . . . I love the feel of this gel on the skin around the eyes. It didn't irritate my eyes, either, which is something many other eye-products have done. And the gel is soothing. But I can't afford $42.00 products for a soothing feeling. And nowhere on the actual JAR of product does it say, "Use when eyes are irritated or puffy." It simply says, "Apply twice daily," and lists as the first three claims the part about being a powerful anti-wrinkle product.
I have used this eye cream since December 2008 in an attempt to see if the results just took longer than I expected, and honestly, there is no difference at all. In fact, sadly, I have seen some progression in my under-eye lines and even wrinkle or two. Almost a big more sagging. And guess what? This eye gel may be to blame for it (see below). At age 41, your skin begins to deteriorate FAST. You need powerful active ingredients that DO something, and I want visible results at the least.
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients from the website (noted above):
Nice ingredients - lots of botanicals and vitamins, some green tea in there . . . cucumber extract.
The big guns ingredient - the one claiming to do the BOTOX-like paralysis of muscle contractions - is Acetyl hexapeptide-3, or Argireline.
I visited a website called http://www.SmartSkinCare.com that had the following to say about this so-called wonder ingredient.
"So far, the evidence to support the benefits of Argireline is skimpy at best.In a clinical study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, acetyl hexapeptide-3 at a 10% concentration has been shown to reduce the depth of wrinkles up to 30% after 30 days of use. There are no other credible clinical studies to be found. The benefits and adverse effects of long-term use, if any, are unknown."
Note that the concentration is at 10% in this study - you are not told anywhere what concentration is in the Peter Thomas Roth Eye Gel, and I'm guessing it is quite small.
THEN it had THIS to say, which prompted me to throw the remaining dregs of this product into the bathroom wastebasket.
"There is one more concern worth mentioning. Botox injections target specific muscles, whereas Argireline (if it indeed works)is likely to relax most of your face. And while Argireline may reduce wrinkles, it may also, in theory, increase facial sagbecause the neurotransmitters whose release Argireline inhibits, help maintain facial firmness."
RUN FOR THE HILLS, MARTHA!!!!
OBVIOUS CONCLUSION
I don't recommend this product. In fact, I actually recommend staying AWAY from it for the negative effects it may have on your delicate under-eye skin. Who wants increased facial sagging? I could kick myself for not doing my research FIRST.
I really liked http://www.SmartSkinCare.com for this reason. If nothing else, I discovered a resource to explore further products before purchasing, or asking my family members to purchase with their own hard-earned money.
Reduce the severity of wrinkles and puffiness around your eyes. Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cellular Eye Repair Gel combines anitoxidants and peptide...More at SkinCareRx.com
Reduce the severity of wrinkles and puffiness around your eyes. Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cellular Eye Repair Gel combines anitoxidants and peptide...More at AnneMichele.com
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