Is Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl a dupe for The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA? If there’s a peptide that may really fight wrinkles, it’s Matrixyl.
With most peptides, you have to take the manufacturer’s word they work. I’m not saying they’re lying, but they do have an interest in hyping up their anti-aging properties. Matrixyl has some independent research backing up its anti-wrinkle claims. We just don’t how well it compares to tried and tested powerhouses like retinol. Could be just as good. Could be way less powerful.
That’s why I’m not investing the big bucks in a peptide serum. I like to try the cheapest option first and, IF it works, upgrade to a more complete formula (budget serums are great on your wallet, but they’re one-trick ponies). The two most popular options at the drugstore are The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA and Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl. Are they dupes and which one is better?
What Ingredients Do The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA And Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl Have In Common?
MATRIXYL TO BOOST COLLAGEN AND FIGHT WRINKLES
Hands up if you think both serums contain 10% of ONE peptide, Matrixyl? That’s what the name implies. But, there are several types of Matrixyl and they’re all a little different (is it me or are they making skincare unnecessarily complicated?!). Both serums contain the same two types of Matrixyl:
Matrixyl 3000: Made up of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, it helps stimulate the production of collagen to firm skin, strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and soothe sensitive skin.
Matrixyl Synthe’6: A.k.a. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, it’s designed to boost collagen production by stimulating the 6 major constituents of the skin matrix (collagen I, III, IV, Hyaluronic Acid, Fibronectin A and Laminin-5). Unlike Matrixyl 3000, we don’t have independent studies showing it works yet. But I guess it’s good to have it in there, anyway (you know, in case it turns out to work).
Related: The Truth About Peptides In Skincare: Do They Really Work?
Struggling to put together an anti-aging routine that works? Download your “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” cheatsheet below. It features product recommendations + right order application:
What Else Is In These Matrixyl Serums?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
REVOLUTION SKINCARE 10% MATRIXYL
Aqua/Water/Eau: A solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients in the formula. It also hydrates skin.
Propanediol: A fatty alcohol that enhances the penetration of active ingredients into the skin.
Glycerin: It increases skin’s moisture level, leaving it softer and suppler.
Butylene Glycol: It enhances the penetration of active ingredients into your skin. It also hydrates it a little.
Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that keeps bacteria from growing into your skincare products.
Potassium Sorbate: Another preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, helping your serum last longer.
Disodium Edta: A chelating agent, a fancy word for ingredients that bind to the trace elements found in water and neutralise them before they can spoil the formula.
Carbomer: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin: Another chelating agent that bind to the trace elements found in water and neutralise them before they can spoil the formula.
Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water and oil mix together, so the formula doesn’t separate into two layers.
THE ORDINARY MATRIXYL 10% + HA
Aqua (Water): The main solvent in the serum, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
Glycerin: A common humectant, it draws water from the air into the skin, increasing its hydration level during the day.
Butylene Glycol: Another humectant that hydrates skin. It also enhances the absorption of active ingredients into the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate: A humectant that attracts and binds to your skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. It makes skin super soft and supple.
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin: A chelating agent, a fancy word for ingredients that bind to the trace elements found in water and neutralise them before they can spoil the formula.
PPG-26-Buteth-26: It makes skin softer and smoother. It also prevents the oily and watery parts of a formula from separating into a gooey mess.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: An emollient and emulsifying agent. It makes skin softer and smoother and prevents the watery and oily ingredients from separating into two layers.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6: It thickens the texture of water-based emulsions and gives them a non-sticky finish.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: Another chelating agent. It binds with metal ions in the water, preventing them from adhering to your skin.
Carbomer: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water and oil mix together, so the formula doesn’t separate into two layers.
Ethoxydiglycol: A solvent that helps the absorption of other ingredients in the formula.
Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that prevents the inhibition of germs and bacteria from growing into skincare products.
Chlorphenesin: Another preservative that inhibits bacteria contamination and helps the formula last longer.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl uses Propanediol, a type of fatty alcohol that enhances the penetration of active ingredients into your skin. Enhanced penetration = better results (unless you have sensitive skin. Then, it could mean more irritation).
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA has Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of Hyaluronic Acid that better penetrates skin. It’s super hydrating: it attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water! All that extra moisture plumps up your skin, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It gives skin a dewy glow. And, it makes it softer to the touch.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
To make this serum part of your The Ordinary routine I recommend following my scientist friend’s course called Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary – in it she’s teaching you how to design a The Ordinary skincare routine to get makeupless skin you love. Click here to check it out now. (affiliate link)
What’s The Texture Like?
Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl has a silky and hydrating texture that glides on like a dream and sinks in quickly.
What’s The Packaging Like?
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA comes in a white bottle with a dropper applicator. It’s sleek and practical to use.
Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl took (too much?) inspiration from The Ordinary. The bottle, complete with dropper applicator, is almost identical. The only difference? It has some rose gold accents.
How To Use Them
You can use these serums morning and/or night, after cleansing and exfoliation. Unless they’re in an oily-base, apply them after Vitamin C and retinol serums.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA has the most hydrating formula and it’s just a teeny tiny cheaper. If The Ordinary serum is out of stock, switch to Revolution. Otherwise, why fix what isn’t broken?
Price & Availability
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA ($10.90/£10.40): Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Nordstrom, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta
Revolution Skincare 10% Matrixyl (£10.00): Available at Look Fantastic
Is The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA A Dupe For Revolution Skincare Matrixyl 10%?
THE ORDINARY
REVOLUTION SKINCARE
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
10% Matrixyl
10% Matrixyl
OTHER INGREDIENTS
Hyaluronic Acid, a powerful hydrator.
No other key ingredients of note.
TEXTURE
Thin, clear gel.
Lightweight and silky.
PACKAGING
White bottle with dropper applicator.
White bottle with rose gold accents and a dropper applicator.
PERFORMANCE
It hydrates skin. It’s also said to stimulate collegen production.
It’s said to stimulate collegen production. But we don’t know if it does this better than retinol, the gold standard for this.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL
Low.
Low.
Yes, these two are almost identical dupes. Whichever one you pick, you can’t go wrong. The Ordinary is a bit more hydrating, so it’s better for dry skin. Said that, keep in mind there’s no proof Matrixyl is the miracle cure for wrinkles brands make it out to be. It can help with wrinkles, but we don’t know if it does this better than retinol or other powerful anti-aging ingredients. If you’re curious, give it a try, but it’s by no means a must have in your skincare routine.
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
Revolution Skincare Matrixyl 10% Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
