Overview
Relastin is produced and distributed by Revanance of Mountain View, California. It is perhaps best known as the company that offers skincare products endorsed by famous fitness guru Denise Austin. While it is nice to have endorsements by celebrities and famous people, it is also important that the products perform as promised. Relastin products operate under an interesting main premise. Instead of trying to restore lost compounds such as elastin to the skin by attempting to deliver more elastin via a cream, Relastin products contain ingredients that are intended to stimulate the skin to produce more of its key compounds. Relastin offers an eye treatment called Eye Silk, which we will review here.

Featured Ingredients
Relastin Eye Silk operates under the same premise as other Relastin products and attempts to stimulate production of elastin and other key skin components to encourage restoration of youthful beauty. According to the company, this will not only help make skin near the eye look tighter and firmer, and thus reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and other types of wrinkles, but it will also help to diminish under-eye puffiness and dark circles. To accomplish these goals, Eye Silk contains a unique Zinc Complex, which includes a specially absorbing form of the mineral Zinc along with other compounds. Unfortunately, we do not know what those compounds are. It is true that Zinc has been found to perform some anti-aging effects on the skin, but this research is still underway. More importantly, we are not aware of any research showing a connection between Zinc and elastin production, so we cannot verify whether or not Eye Silk accomplishes the goal of increased elastin production. Plus, we are not sure of the connection between this effect and a reduction of eye puffiness and dark circles, except perhaps via a promotion of enhanced circulation. But Relastin does not present any scientific material confirming our suspicion.

Web Site Description
The Relastin Web site is constructed quite nicely and it is easy to find information about the company, Denise Austin and the products. There is an interesting graphic representation of how Relastin formulas are supposed to work on the skin, and some intriguing before and after photos. In addition, there are plenty of customer testimonials and endorsements from dermatologists and other skincare professionals. Eye Silk does have some customer survey data, which was taken after they used the formula for 2 to 4 weeks. Most of the effects, such as reduces wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles, measured in the 75% to 80% range, which is fairly high. But it is not, in our experience, as high as some other premier products (like Eye Renewal Collection, which scores in the 85% to 90% range). But these effects are moderately impressive. The key missing component from the web site, however, as mentioned earlier is that the company does not fully disclose all the ingredients in the Eye Silk formula, and there is a lack of scientific proof between the ingredients and its effects on the eye area.

Positives
- Relastin takes a sensible approach to anti-aging by encouraging production of elastin

- Product does have moderate effects in a majority of users

 Negatives
- Not enough information about ingredients other than Zinc Complex

- Percentages from survey may be low in comparison to other products in this category

- No free trial of the product is offered

Conclusion
While we are impressed that the company that produces Relastin was able to get an endorsement from Denise Austin, who remains one of the top fitness advisers in the field, we are not totally committed to recommending the Eye Silk formula. We have the highest respect for Ms. Austin and her efforts in educating consumers about health and beauty, but we think we need more information about Eye Silk and its ingredients before we can recommend it.

Overview
Aloette Cosmetics, according to the company’s web site, is currently ranked as one of the top 250 small businesses in the U.S., based on its rapid success as an alternative to Avon and other similar companies. Although Aloette offers a full line of cosmetics and skincare products for purchase directly from its web site, much of the distribution of the products seems to be focused on independent consultants, much like Avon or Amway. Even thought the Aloette business model is slightly different than these other entities, we felt it was worth noting. Aloette currently offers an eye treatment formula known as Advanced Eye Recovery Pro Eye Cream with DermaBind.

Featured Ingredients
Aloette’s Advanced Eye Cream is meant to be used on crow’s feet, under-eye puffiness and dark circles. The product’s main active ingredient is the company’s unique DermaBind combination of peptides. As you may know, peptides are signaling molecules that help to relax the facial muscles or stimulate the production of collagen and other key skin components. Aloette claims that DermaBind helps to “bundle” collagen, which we supposed would help keep collagen from breaking down and causing wrinkles. Unfortunately, we could not find any research information supporting this claim.

Aloette’s Advanced Eye Cream contains many other peptides as well, which are intended to reduce puffiness and dark circles. These peptides are derived purified soy, rice and yeast concentrates, which is an original approach that we have not seen too often. These specific peptides are meant to promote circulation and reduce swelling, both of which can aggravate puffiness and dark circles. However, we are not sure about the exact effects, and Aloette does not provide any clinical research to substantiate the effect of these peptides. Perhaps it is keeping this information secret to avoid copying by competitors, but for our purposes we were unable to determine whether the formula does in fact perform these benefits. 

Aloette contains dozens of other ingredients, ranging from glycoproteins derived from sea life in the Antarctic to botanicals such as Aloe Vera, Green tea and Willowherb, which are supposed to provide enhance protection and moisturization. However, beyond listing these ingredients, the company does not offer any more specifics about how these effects are attained.

Web Site Description
The Aloette web site contains plenty of information about the company and how a potential consultant can start his or her own business with Aloette products. As mentioned before, the company offers a wide range of products for the skin, and the potential effects are described in moderate detail. However, the web site does little more than explain the benefits and list the ingredients. There is no clinical data supporting the formulas’ effects, even though the company does include a full ingredient list, which we appreciate. Moreover, the web site does not post any customer testimonials, so it is difficult to determine how real people are using these products.

Positives
- Includes complete listing of ingredients in the formula

- Its consultant business model may seem more sound than competitors

 Negatives
- Does not substantiate anti-aging claims

- Unclear how peptides are supposed to reduce dark circles

- No customer testimonials are included; No free trial is offered

Conclusion
We are impressed that Aloette continues to build upon its financial success, and we feel that those willing to go through the trouble of setting up their own independent cosmetic business should seriously consider becoming a distributor for Aloette. Unfortunately, our impression of the Advanced Eye Cream is less enthusiastic, mainly because we cannot verify whether the formula’s claims are accurate.

Overview
Vivier Pharma was started in 1997 by founder Jess Vivier. According the company’s web site, many of the skin care products were created after the discovery of Vivier’s unique vitamin C IDS delivery system, which apparently carries Vitamin C and other ingredients deeper into the skin than other competitive formulas. The IDS system is supposed to have a depository/retention effect that not only delivers its active ingredients, but also helps keep those ingredients within skin for longer so that they can perform a therapeutic effect for longer periods of time. Unfortunately, we did not find any clinical research proving these effects for the IDS system, but that did not keep us from conducting a full review of its 3 Eye Therapy formulas: Eye Contour Serum, Firming Eye Contour Cream and Dark Circle Diminishing.

Featured Ingredients
Eye Contour Serum is intended to counteract the aging process in the eye contour area. Specifically it is meant to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles through the use of Vivier’s unique IDS delivery of Vitamin C. Studies show that Vitamin C not only helps to protect the skin against free radical damage, but when delivered into the inner layers of the skin, may help to stimulate production of collagen, elastin and other key compounds. Unfortunately, it does not look as if there are any other active ingredients in this formula. in our experience, Vitamin C - regardless of the potency of the delivery system - cannot reduce lines and wrinkles on its own, and works best when combined with other collagen boosters like Glucosamine Complex or moisturizers like Hyaluronic Acid. The Eye Contour Serum contains neither of these compounds, and by its own admission, Vivier states that this formula is “not a moisturizer,” so a separate formula must be used.

The Firming Eye Contour Cream apparently does perform both a reduction in wrinkles and promotes the retention of moisture, which may make it superior to the Vivier Eye Contour Serum. The Firming formula contains Acetyl Hexapeptide 3, which is a specific peptide that is intended to produce effects similar to Botox. While Botox freezes facial muscles to keep wrinkle-causing contractions from occurring, Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 does so by relaxing those same muscles. It is important to note that AH3 is much more mild than Botox, but it may take a few weeks or months to see any benefit.  The Vivier Dark Circle Diminishing formula contains the same Vitamin C IDS system as the other two formulas, but also contains Vitamin K for dark circles. While Vitamin K does seem to have some effect on reducing dark circles - because it helps to promote healthier circulation in the eye area - this benefit seems to be limited. Once again, we feel that Vitamin K is best used when combined with other more powerful circulation enhancers, such as Actiflow, as well as skin lightening systems like Lipolight.

Web Site Description
The Vivier web site does seem fairly out of date in terms of its design and presentation. While it is quite clear how each of the formulas are supposed to work, and while we do not doubt that these formulas will provide some benefits for most consumers, the web site does lack scientific data on its ingredients. In addition, interested consumers cannot purchase any of the Vivier formulas directly from the company - one must find a local physician and purchase the products from a professional. This can be quite inconvenient. In addition, no customer testimonials are posted on the web site, so we cannot be sure how these formulas work in real people.

Positives
- Vivier does seem to have a unique technology with its Vitamin C IDS system

 Negatives
- Most of the formulas rely only on one or two ingredients for their effect - may be too mild

- No scientific research is presented showing the effects of the IDS system

- Products cannot be purchased directly from the company

- No customer testimonials are included; no free trial is offered

Conclusion
While we are fairly confident that the Vivier IDS delivery system will promote the deep penetration and retention of Vitamin C, the other aspects of the company make us hesitant to recommend it at this time.

Overview
Provectin Plus appears to be an alternative to Strivectin-SD. Provectin Plus is produced and distributed by Walgreens drugstores and is primarily available through its retail stores. But Provectin Plus can also be purchased online at Walgreen’s web site. While we are aware of Strivectin’s success through its online and print marketing efforts - and it makes sense that others would try to capitalize and offers its own versions of this formula - we have had only mixed results with Strivectin. Thus, we did not initially have high hopes for Provectin Plus, either, especially in terms of its ability to fight aging in the eye area.

Featured Ingredients
Provectin Plus contains virtually the same ingredients as Strivectin-SD. Therefore, it seems to be primarily intended as a formula for aging in the entire facial area. For example, it contains both Matrixyl 3000 and Argireline, which are known for their effects on wrinkles and fine lines. Matrixyl 3000 does seem to have an ability to fight again by stimulating the production of collagen, which will counteract a main cause of wrinkling. In addition, Argireline does have some potential as an amino acid derivative that helps to relax facial muscle contractions, which are often responsible for cause wrinkles and fine lines to form. Based on these ingredients alone, we think that Provectin Plus may offer at least a moderate anti-wrinkling effect. However, we also know that Strivectin received many complaints about its SD formula because it caused irritation in the eye area for many of those who used it, which is why they created a separate formula that contain a non-irritating base.

To be fair, Provectin Plus does contain one ingredient that is different from Strivectin SD. It contains Dermaxyl, which is a complex of enzymes meant to promote healthy circulation in the blood vessels that supply the eye area skin. This could have a potential to help reduce puffiness and dark circles, but in our experience Dermaxyl has only a moderate effect unless it is combined with other circulation-enhancing ingredients, such as Actiflow, or lighteners and brighteners like Lipolight. Therefore, in our opinion Provectin Plus will only produced limited results, and it may take a while to notice them. 

Web Site Description
Provectin Plus does not have its own web site but rather, as we mentioned, the product is offered on Walgreens company web site and through its retail stores. Therefore, the information provided on the web site was rather limited in nature. Only a basic list of ingredients was provided and a brief overview of the main effects given. No customer testimonials were included.

Positives
- Dermaxyl does seem to have a moderate effect on dark circles

 Negatives
- As an alternative to Strivectin, may not contain optimum ingredients

- Product is not available as a free trial

- No customer testimonials are included

Conclusion
Since we are not impressed by Strivectin facial anti-aging formula or its eye treatment product, it makes sense that we likewise would have our doubts about Provectin Plus, which is promoted as an alternative to Strivectin. Interestingly enough, we actually think that Provectin might actually have limited results for the eye area because of its inclusion of Dermaxyl, but would keep expectations low.