“I don’t know if The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide can reduce wrinkles and I’m not sure I care. The blurring effect is insane and my skin has never been this soft.”
That was me trying this baby on for the first time. I think you can say I got a little carried away. The first impression is definitely positive.
But first impressions can be deceiving. I’m all for products that blur out my imperfections in the short term, but I also want them to get rid of them for good in the long run. Can The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide do both?
What’s In The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide?
SILICONES TO BLUR OUT IMPERFECTIONS (IN THE SHORT TERM)
Don’t hate. At least not before knowing the whole story. There’s a reason (or four) why silicones are so popular in skincare: they blur imperfections.
Silicones settle into every little nook and cranny of your face. They fill in your fine lines and wrinkles so they look smaller, airbrush away large pores and just make the entire complexion look smoother.
Plus, they reflect light well. When the light hits your skin, your complexion brightens up. Not to mention, they give great slip to products, so they glide on so smoothly.
So why do people hate them? Two myths:
- Silicones suffocate skin: Silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of big molecules with wide gaps in between. Your skin can still perspire – and active ingredients penetrate – through these gaps.
- Silicones are comedogenic: Silicones themselves aren’t comedogenic. But if you use products with comedogenic ingredients before slathering on silicones, they can get trapped underneath and give you pimples.
Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
HEPTAPEPTIDE-7 TO FIGHT WRINKLES (IN THE LONG TERM)
Heptapeptide-7 is a synthetic peptide made up of seven aminoacids. It’s specifically designed to mimic the “natural sequences found as part of the body’s own defense and repair system.“
The idea is to recreate the system your body uses to repair itself, so it can get rid of wrinkles on its own. Does it work?
A 2010 study done on 50-something women found that Heptapeptide-7 boosted the production of collagen, reduced forehead wrinkles and improved the overall texture of your skin. Brilliant, right?
Not so fast. This study (the only one I’ve found so far) was done by Helix BioMedix Inc, the company that makes Heptapeptide-7. I’m not saying the peptide doesn’t work. But we do need independent studies before we can tell how well it works.
Related: The Truth About Peptides: Do They Really Work?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Thickish white lotion with a siliconey feel that glides smoothly on the skin and sinks in quickly.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
Morning and/or night, after exfoliation and anti-aging serums (retinol, Vitamin ), but before moisturiser.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I seriously can’t stop touching my face when I have The Inkey List Hepta-peptide on. It makes it softer than a baby’s.
The lotion does a great job at blurring imperfections. I’ve tried it on just one side of my face and, instantly, the larger pores around my nose and the fine lines around my eyes looked smaller.
FYI, the texture may be that of a lotion, but this ain’t a lotion. It’s not moisturising (and it’s NOT supposed to be). It’s more like a primer. It helps you create a smooth canvas, giving you that my-skin-but-better look.
If you’ve got dry skin, you definitely need a moisturiser on top. Oily skin? It dries to a matte finish and helps you keep the excess oil at bay for a few hours. You’ll love it.
The Inkey List Hepta-Peptide certainly keeps its blurring short-term promises. But can it get rid of wrinkles in the long run, too?
I can’t really tell. I’ve used it for more than a month and can’t say I saw a big difference. The silicones blur my fine lines away, but when I wash off my face in the evening, they’re still there.
Granted, it may just be it needs more time to work. Even retinol (the gold standard for antiaging) takes up to a couple of months to boost collagen and make the smallest dent in your wrinkles. I’ll keep you posted if I see any changes as I go through the bottle.
Who Is This For?
Mature, oily-skinned ladies who are looking for a mattifying lotion with a blurring effect AND are interested in trying out new peptides.
Who Is This NOT For?
If you don’t fit the profile in the “Who Is This For?” section, you don’t need this.
Packaging
A sleek and practical white and black bottle with a pump applicator.
Price & Availability
£14.99 at Cult Beauty and Look Fantastic
Do You Need It?
Nope, no one needs peptides. But if you want to try them, this is an affordable way to do it.
Dupes & Alternatives
I don’t know of any dupes for this product.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Caproyl Prolinate, Laureth-12, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carnosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Heptapeptide-7, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate.
theres barely any of the peptide in this. I am not impressed with any of their products
Jeff, unfortunately, this is the case with most peptide serums.