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One of the questions you get a lot when blogging about skin care is: “Do you really think XYZ is worth all that money?”. And it is one of the hardest to answer, because it comes down to so many different (and very personal) things.
I asked myself that question recently, while I was testing the pixi Retinol Eye Cream, and compared it to my current favorite one, the Instytutum Ultimate Anti Wrinkle Brightening one. pixis offer is much more affordable, and comes very close when you look at the ingredient list, but would it actually be able to dethrone my pricey favorite?
That will be revealed at the end of this post. Until then, let´s focus on doing a proper review!
What the pixi Retinol Eye Cream claims
Formulated to improve elasticity, smooth & protect the delicate skin around the eye area. Super nourishing, this cream restores, renews, and helps minimize the look of fine lines.
Facts
Prize and size
The tube comes with a syringe like applicator (which I love) and contains 25 ml. It costs 22$ on the website here. As always with eye cream you only need a tiny amount, so 25 ml will last you a long time.
Texture and smell
One thing that surprised me was how firm the actual product is, I need to actually apply quite a bit of pressure to get it out of the tube. Once on the skin though it spreads without tugging and sinks in quick enough. I did not notice any scent upon application.
How to use the pixi Retinol Eye Cream
Retinols are supposed to be used at night, and while I think this cream could be used in the mornings, the firmer and richer texture makes it better for night time use. If used in the mornings it has a tendency to disrupt makeup I put one top.
Ingredients of the pixi Retinol Eye Cream
Favorable ingredients
- Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado): Emollient, rich in antioxidant, fatty acids
- Glycerin: Humectant, draws moisture to the skin
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Emollient, emulsifier
- Shea Butter: Emollient
- Jojoba Seed Oil: Emollient, moisturizing, lightweight, controls sebum production
- Squalane: Occlusive, non-oily oil, natural in skin
- Hydroxyethylacrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: Thickener
- Panthenol: B 5, humectant, penetrates into deep layers of skin, moisturizing, antiinflammatory
- Retinol: deactivates the matrix metalloproteinases that break down collagen, increases cell turnover, and improves skin’s moisture retention
- Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract: Rich in bioflavonoids, antioxidants and Vitamin A
- Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract: Antioxidant
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: Inhibits melanin biosynthesis while scavenging free radicals. Rich in polyphenols that act as antioxidants
- Hydrolyzed Collagen: Humectant
- Tocopherol: Vitamin E, antioxidant
- Adenosine: Aminoacid, anti-inflammatory, helps with barrier repair
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Smaller form of Hyaluronic Acid, humectant
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Emollient
- C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester: Emollient
- C18-36 Acid Triglyceride: Emollient
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: Part of the Matrixyl Complex, stimulates collagen production
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-7: Peptide, anti-inflammatory
- Caffeine: Antioxidant, helps depuff the undereye and reduces the appearance of dark circles
Other ingredients
- Potassium Cetyl Phosphate: Surfactant
- Sorbitan Laurate: Emulsifier
- Xanthan Gum: Viscosity Control
- Disodium EDTA: Chelating Agent
- Polysorbate 60: Emulsifier
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
- Laureth-23: Emulsifier
- BHT: Preservative
- BHA: Preservative
Retinol comes at the middle of the ingredient list, which leads me to believe that the actual concentration is not very high. It is paired with a variety of emollients, occlusives and quite a few soothing ingredients like Panthenol and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-7. There are several plant extracts that work as antioxidants (but can be irritating for sensitive skin) as well as Caffeine and another peptide that aims to increase collagen production. The included Licorice Root Extract helps with hyperpigmentation that you might experience under the eyes.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
It is super nourishing and with the added humectants, retinol and peptides designed to smooth and firm the eye are.
How does the pixi Retinol Eye Cream compare to…
Instytutum Ultimate Anti Wrinkle Brightening Eye Cream
Another eye cream that combines nourishing ingredients with Retinol and peptides. The peptide used by Instytutum is the Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, while pixi uses Palmitoyl Tripeptide 1 and 7 – all are similar in what they aim to do in the skin.
But while the ingredient list is very similar, I still prefer the Instytutum version. The texture is a tad more elegant, I feel like I look fresher when I use it – but it is about four times as expensive.
Is it really worth that money? I feel like that is a personal decision and based on your budget and your main concerns. For me it is, yes, but the small difference in texture might not be that important to you.
Read my full review of the Instytutum Anti Wrinkle Brightening Eye Cream here.
Would I repurchase?
Maybe.
I like it, but not as much as the Instytutum version, so I probably will stick to repurchasing that one.
Which skin type do I recommend the pixi Retinol Eye Cream to?
If you are above the age of 30 and want to incorporate a retinol in your eye routine, this is a great budget version to try, no matter which skin type you have. Only sensitive skins should be careful, as the plant extracts might lead to irritation.
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