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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum versus Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ .

Published on July 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe eye moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain peptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Eye Moisturizer German Brand Germany
Eye Moisturizer American Brand United States

Eye Moisturizer

Eye moisturizers help add moisture back into the skin around the eyes; these can be creams, gels, or serums.

Eye Moisturizer

Eye moisturizers help add moisture back into the skin around the eyes; these can be creams, gels, or serums.

Price

Shop

Buy Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum

Starts at $29.94
Shop

Buy Instant FIRMx Eye™

Starts at $27.92

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 13.

4
What it does: Antioxidant

Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone is an antioxidant and is a type of silicone.

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Dipeptide-2 is a peptide.

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

This ingredient consists of four amino acids and palmitic acid. These amino acids are arginine, proline, glutamine, and glycine.

This ingredient has many benefits. These benefits include boosting collagen production, fighting inflammation, and reversing UV damage.

By preventing our bodies from producing interleukins, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 helps fight inflammation. An interleukin is a chemical that signals to the body to produce an inflammatory response. Interleukin production is accelerated by UV radiation.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 35.

8
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Steareth-20 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from stearyl alcohol.

It possesses surfactant properties. This means it reduces surface tension and helps oils, dirt, and pollutants to be washed away.

The 20 stands for the number of ethylene oxide used to create this ingredient.

Learn more about Steareth-20

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 31.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 30.

11
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 32.

12
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 34.

13
What it does: Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid

QMS Medicosmetics Epigen Depuff Pollution Shield Eye Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye™ contains this as ingredient number 9.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

43% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
23% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
31% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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