Why won’t you come out?!
I had been pressing the pump for 5 minutes straight and not one single drop had come out of Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum. Not one.
I handed the bottle to Mr BWB in frustration. After taking it apart, he figured out what the problem was: the tube connected to the pump dispenser is so short, it doesn’t even touch the serum inside!
I don’t know if I was given a faulty bottle (I sincerely hope so!), but I have to shake it and turn it upside down to get something out of it. Not worth the hassle for the results I got…
- What’s In Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This NOT For?
- Packaging
- Does Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum?
PEPTIDES TO FIRM SKIN
Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum proudly boasts three types of Matrixyl, a peptide said to boost collagen and firm skin
- Matrixyl: The fancy name of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, it stimulates collagen production in concentrations between 4% and 8% and reduces wrinkle depth by 68%.
- Matrixyl 3000: Made up of Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, it stimulates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid (according to the manufacturer).
- MATRIXYL® synthe’6™: A.k.a. Palmitoyl Tripeptide- 38, it stimulates the production of 6 components of the skin’s matrix, including 3 types of collagen and hyaluronic acid (according to the manufacturer).
I’m not a huge fan of Matrixyl. The initial research is promising and I know people who use it with good results. But I need to see more independent research supporting these claims before I switch from retinol.
If you’re 50+, are already using retinol and other collagen boosters, and want to throw Matrixyl in the mix because you feel your skin needs all the help it can get, go ahead. If you’re younger, stick to sunscreen and retinol. Don’t use what you don’t need yet – especially when there’s not much proof it works.
Related: 8 Ways To Replenish Lost Collagen For Firmer Skin
MICA TO MAKE SKIN GLOW
Glitter has no place in skincare. Sure, I want my skincare to give me a dewy glow, but not by adding shimmers to my serums, you know what I mean?
The shimmers in Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum are really fine. You need to be super close to your skin to see them. Still, I feel cheated. Why not use hydrating hyaluronic acid or collagen-boosting Vitamin C to achieve the same effects? They do something good for your skin.
Mica (that’s the glitter here) can only play tricks with the light. It reflects light from the face, so that it looks smoother and brighter.
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Glycerin is a moisture magnet. Literally.
Glycerin acts like a magnet that attracts to it the moisture in the air. Once it’s in its grasp, it drops this moisture into your skin and binds it there.
The result? More moisture = softer, smoother, more hydrated skin.
Related: Why Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Products?
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
Gel-like, siliconey texture that spreads like a dream and sinks immediately into the skin.
Fragrance
Floral and subtle.
How To Use It
In the AM, after cleansing but before sunscreen. At night, just before moisturiser.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum is way too shiny for my taste. If you have oily skin, you may want to use a mattifying powder on top to counteract the shine. That’s my issue here. I want a dewy glow, not a slick shine, if you know what I mean? I just use it at night, so it doesn’t bother me much.
The first thing I noticed is how soft it makes my skin. I accidentally touched my face when I woke up the next morning and was like “Wow! Why is it so silky?!”
I can’t say it did much else. It makes my skin a little smoother, but that may have something to do with its light tricks. But is it firmer?
Hard to tell. After a month, it feels a little tighter, but it’s not a massive difference that makes me want to put up with the crazy shine and crappy bottle. You may feel differently about that and that’s cool.
I can’t say I’m impressed. Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum intrigued me enough to want to give Matrixyl another go, but its formula leaves a lot to be desired.
Who Is This For?
If you like skincare that glows, you’ll love this.
Who Is This NOT For?
- Anyone who doesn’t like shimmers in skincare products
- Oily skin
- If you want a serum that firms skin, there are better options around (like any retinol serums)
Packaging
A purple bottle with a pump applicator that doesn’t pump out the product (read the introduction again for all the drama).
Does Prai Radiant Gemstone Caviar Triple Matrixyl Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This luxury serum combines three forms of derm-approved peptide Matrixyl® at optimum levels for unbeatable results on multiple signs of aging. | It does contain three forms of Matrixyl, but I didn’t see much of a difference. Keep in mind that most of the evidence about its effectiveness comes from the manufacturer (not the most reliable source). |
| The addition of genuine precious gemstones and mega-hydrators helps to create visibly smoother, plumper, brighter skin by morning. | True. It also makes it excessively shiny. |
Price & Availability
Available at: $44.95 at QVC
Do You Need It?
No. It doesn’t really do much of anything.
Dupes & Alternatives
- The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA ( £9.60)
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide- 38, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Silica, Mica, Laureth-7, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Zingiber Cassumunar Root Oil, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Amethyst Powder, Tourmaline, Nephrite Powder, Ruby Powder, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Amber Powder, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Red 17 (CI 26100), Fragrance (Parfum)
there is a night version of this serum, recently launched in Canada. It uses morphomics which is the combo of these matrixyl ingredients. I really like this serum and I am thinking of getting a 2nd bottle. Some Prai products are hit and misses for me. They do have some really good products.
Jeff, that’s good to know! Thanks for sharing.
You’re so honest Gia, I love it
LMG, thank you!