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I tested the firming moisturiser that is said to improve the appearance of fine lines. I put this £138 product to the test, seeing if it is worth the premium price tag.
There is a plethora of anti-ageing products on the market, from retinol creams and serums to exfoliating acids. While I am sceptical of some marketing spiel, good-quality dermatologist-approved skincare always piques my interest. As a 42-year-old beauty journalist, I find the best skincare offers key ingredients with tangible benefits while slotting easily into your daily routine.
With all of that in mind, I was keen to try Perricone MD's pro-strength firming moisturiser, a new addition to the brand's lineup. The formula contains neuropeptides, a growing buzzword in skincare, said to help promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines by inhibiting the chemical signals that cause them. While premium skincare brand Perricone MD has an entire product collection containing this ingredient, the pro-strength firming moisturiser was my first port of call to try. The cream is billed as offering long-lasting moisture to visibly boost skin thickness and improve elasticity, all while reducing the look of sun damage. These are bold claims, so I was interested to see whether they stand up to testing.
First impressions
My main skin concerns are dryness and dullness, so I often reach for hydrating moisturisers with brightening ingredients to create a dewy look that can, in turn, make skin appear plumper. So I had high expectations of this £140 formula. On first application, I was impressed with the consistency – it is creamy without being greasy. It absorbs quickly and adds a subtle glow due to its hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and nourishing shea butter. Despite having sensitive skin, I experienced no irritation when testing the formula; instead, I found it to be soothing. Without makeup, I saw an even finish to my skin, but it also works well as a primer under foundation.
Key ingredients and benefits
The neuropeptide is the hero ingredient here, but I would need to use the moisturiser for longer to comment on any signs of increased firmness or elasticity. I will update this review with how my skin looks over time. As with all products promising to reduce wrinkles, topical skincare can only do so much to diminish fine lines. Having said that, this moisturiser's ingredients are effective at temporarily improving the appearance of wrinkles. There are more affordable moisturisers that will offer similar results, for example, The Ordinary's natural moisturising factors and La Roche Posay's cicaplast – but this one definitely feels more luxe to use. For those who want to treat themselves, Perricone's firming formula has visible skincare benefits and is indulgent.
Is it worth the price?
If you are looking to splurge on a fancy new moisturiser, this is an indulgent product to buy. The rich texture hydrates the skin and leaves a nourishing, not sticky or tacky, layer. While undoubtedly a treat purchase, Perricone MD's pro-strength firming moisturiser gave my 42-year-old skin a hydration boost and worked well as a primer, too.
How I tested
My main skin concerns are dryness and dullness. I go for hydrating products with brightening ingredients to create a dewy look that can, in turn, make skin appear plumper. I added the firming moisturiser into my daily routine for a week, wearing it on bare skin and underneath makeup. During this time, I looked at the product's consistency, how it felt on my skin and any visible effects such as improved tone, firmness or smoothness. I also noted how well the formula worked with other products and whether I would continue using it as part of my usual skincare lineup.
- Formula: I looked at the moisturiser's key ingredients and their potential skincare benefits.
- Application: I tested the moisturiser underneath makeup and on bare face days, looking at the feeling on my skin, how well it layered with other products and the results seen.
- Results: I noted the immediate effect on my skin, and any lingering benefits, too.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest tests thousands of products to bring our readers genuine reviews and honest verdicts. Our skincare reviews are the result of hands-on testing by beauty experts. We only publish first-hand praise for a product when it has been tried, tested and approved by one of our reviewers. Helen Wilson-Beevers is a beauty journalist with more than a decade of experience testing skincare products. Within this time, she has tested budget-friendly beauty brands like CeraVe and The Inkey List, as well as covering more premium picks like Laura Mercier. Helen is in her forties and has dry skin, so she has a keen eye for products supporting both hydration and a youthful appearance.
