Overview
The wrinkle treatment Strivectin comes with a long and interesting story. Strivectin was developed and manufactured by the Klein-Becker research laboratories. However, in its original incarnation Strivectin was intended for use as a cream for treating severe stretch marks. Unmarked samples of the product began making their way around the Klein-Becker offices. In what would end up being a happy accident for the firm (but would probably earn them a whopping negligence lawsuit today) employees who received the Strivectin trial samples assumed it was a facial moisturizer and began incorporating the product into their morning beauty routines. To their amazement, these users reported that their skin began looking younger after prolonged use of the cream. Klein-Becker switched their marketing angle from stretch marks to wrinkles, and now Strivectin is one of the best selling anti-wrinkle treatments on the market today.
Klein-Becker has also grown the brand, and the Strivectin line now also includes a hand cream and an eye cream, as well as what appears to be a highly concentrated serum. While the product functions are different, it seems that the actual formulas used for the products are similar. The primary difference between standard Strivectin and the subsequently developed spot treatments seems to be in the product application directions. Unfortunately, full ingredient lists for all products are not posted on the official product website, leaving potential users with some questions.
Product Details
The primary active ingredient found in the original Strivectin formula is a peptide complex called “Pal-KTTKS.” Not many details are given about this ingredient, but we do know that it was heavily researched by Klein-Becker for it’s capabilities as a stretch mark remover.
The full list of active ingredients found in Strivectin is as follows: Deinized Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sesame Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerine, Sweet Almond Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Striadril Complex (consisting of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Siegesbeckia Orientals Extract, Polyglyceryn Methacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Glucosamine HCL, Algae Extract, Yeast Extract, Urea, Butylene Glycol, Hydrocotyl Extract, Coneflower Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Imperata Cylindrica, Root Extract, Bearberry Extract and Licorice PTH), Glycerin, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Glycerul Stearate and PEG-100 Searate, Cocoa Butter, Stearic Acid, Shea Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mango butter, Peppermint Oil, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Butylene Glycol, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcabamate, Disodium EDTA, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.
The Good
- Product contains an active peptide.
- Company offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
- Product is available online from official website.
The Bad
- Product contains parabens, which are an artificial preservative that has been linked to contact dermatitis in some cases.
- No free product trial is offered.
- Not much info is given about the “miracle” peptide “Pal-KTTKS.”
- Brand-derivative spot treatment products do not appear to be that different form the main product.
The Bottom Line
At $135.00 for a 6 oz. tube of Strivectin, this certainly is one of the more expensive wrinkle treatments on the market. We are not sure if we’re comfortable using a treatment designed to alter the skin’s molecular structure without a little more background information. Strivectin does come with a great background story, but some current user testimonials or before/after photos would make us more comfortable spending that kind of money.