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3 Plexaderm Alternatives That’re Cheaper (But Still Effective)
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by Masha Vapnitchnaia
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Plexaderm Rapid Reduction Serum: A skin-care product that delivers on the promise implied by its name —wherever you apply it, you'll notice an instantaneous tightening and lifting effect. But as miraculous as it is, its $60 price tag is not. Luckily, the best Plexaderm alternatives are formulated with similar active ingredients and yield equally impressive skin-smoothing results, but at a fraction of the cost. Before you start shopping for a cheaper version, though, it's good to know how the original works.
What To Look For In A Plexaderm Alternative
The two key ingredients behind Plexaderm's dramatic (though temporary) effects are sodium silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate, which are both minerals derived from shale clay. These work together to basically create a thin film on the surface of the skin (the under-eye area is the most popular place) that, when dry, pulls it taut, thereby giving the illusion of firmness.
The other magical element at play here is instant gratification. In roughly 10 minutes or so following proper application, Plexederm users rave that they see a noticeable difference smoothing of the areas on which the product was applied. Per the brand, those results should continue to be seen for up to 10 hours.
So, when you’re on the hunt for a good Plexaderm alternative, remember to look for products that check the same boxes: Immediate lifting that will lock in place for most of your day.
Below, you'll find three products below that Amazon reviewers report live up to the hype. Just keep in mind that no matter which you choose, less is always more — you only need a pea-sized amount and you always want to allow the elixir to fully dry before moving on to the next step in your routine.
Shop The Best Alternatives To Plexaderm
In a hurry? Here are the top picks for instant eye-lift creams.
- The Overall Best Plexaderm Alternative: Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye
- Another Great Plexaderm Alternative With Caffeine: Dr. Brandt Skincare No More Baggage
- The Best Plexaderm Alternative Under $25: Sudden Change Under-Eye Firming Serum
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The Overall Best Plexaderm Alternative
- Also available on Walmart, $26
You'll find both sodium silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate near the top of the INCI list of this Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Eye Tightener, plus there are bonus skin-tightening components including an argatensyl complex and what the brand refers to as "Eyeliss," which is a trio of peptides that work together to help visibly diminish the look of puffiness under the eyes. The product is also formulated with antioxidants vitamin C and E, as well as moisturizing vitamin B. Wait five minutes after application before applying makeup. Use it in the morning and you can expect to see tighter, smoother skin for about six to eight hours.
One reviewer wrote: "For years, I've used Plexaderm to lift the bags under my eyes. [...] I purchased a tube of Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener and was amazed! The product works extraordinarily better than Plexaderm and lasts many hours longer. I'm hooked and am getting ready to purchase another.”
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Another Great Plexaderm Alternative With Caffeine
- Also available on Sephora, $42
This Dr. Brandt eye gel is formulated with caffeine to further help reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles. Also present are the key Plexaderm ingredients, sodium silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate, as well as algae and plant extracts. Unlike the rest of the picks on this list (which suggest application only on dry skin), the instructions say to apply the skin tightener after an eye moisturizer by warming a tiny amount between your fingers and patting it gently under your eyes. And though the directions don't include suggested drying time, several Amazon reviewers report that five to 10 minutes seems to be the ideal amount.
One reviewer wrote: "This product quickly diminished my under-eye puffiness significantly. After allowing it to dry, I easily applied concealer with no problems. Results lasted all day for me. Putting this on re-order asap!”
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The Best Plexaderm Alternative Under $25
- Also available on Walmart, $30
Though Sudden Change’s formulation has slightly different ingredients as the picks above — it uses serum albumin and hyaluronic acid instead of sodium silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate — it's the option you'll want to go for if you're looking for the most inexpensive way to replicate the effects of Plexaderm. (You get two bottles for under $25, and two drops under each eye should do the trick.) The brand claims that the maximum tightening effect should happen within about three minutes and last all day, and while some reviewers report a residue if you use too much, most say that it does in fact work.
One reviewer wrote: "I have been using this product for years! You can start seeing a difference within a few minutes. Only complaint is that it tends to become flakey if put on too thick. It works better with a small amount.”
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