This is my first experience with a Syn-tacks based potion (other than my DIY efforts) and I can say that Arcona's Peptide Firming Complex ($70 in the shop) is highly likely to become part of my daily routine. After using it on my neck and decollete for a couple of weeks, my swan-like is beginning to resemble the skin on my face, which has had far more lotion lavished on it over the years.

Syn-tacks is, I have speculated, a possible contender for Matrixyl 3000's anti-aging crown. Like M3000, Syn-tacks is an antioxidant that is made by combining two peptides.  According to the manufacturer of Syn-tacks, these two peptides interact with the most relevant protein structures of the dermal-epidermal junction and stimulate a broad spectrum of things responsible for youthful skin - laminin V, collagen types IV, VII and XVII and integrin - all at once.

But that's not all, Arcona is a veritable cocktail of 'out there' peptides. There is the other new kid on the block, Syn-coll is a small peptide with a unique sequence to mimic the human body’s own mechanism to produce collagen via TGF-β. The claims for Syn-Coll are eye-brow raising, to say the least. Collagen production is increased by 119% and the manufacturer says it will actually remove wrinkles. All I can say is that my neck looks really different, much smoother and, well, younger.

Another peptide, marketed under the name of Thymulen, is meant to stimulate and differentiate the keratinocytes that are the major cells of the epidermis. The theory behind it is kind of complicated. The idea, if I'm not dumbing it down too much, is that Thymulen compensates for the decline of the thymus (the organ responsible for T-cells and growth factors) as we get older.

Clearly, all these peptides pack some punch. But, wait, there's more: epidermal growth factor (remember ReLuma), dextran (it took me a while to work this one out, but it seems dextran enhances the anti-aging activity of the weak acids and reduces skin irritation that is sometimes caused by the weak acid active), myrtus communis leaf extract to revive cellular metabolism and last, but not least the humble yet antioxidant pea.

Finally, there is nothing, I repeat nothing to dislike. No silicones, parabens or any other nasties lurk in this serum. All in all, great find.

Ingredients in Arcona Peptide Firming Complex

Aqua, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Dextran Complex, Acetyl Tetrapeptide 2 (Thymulen 4 Pentapeptide), Palmitoyl Tripeptide 5 (SYN-Coll Tripeptide), Diamino Butyloylhydroxyehreonine (SYN-tacks Peptide), Epidermal Growth Factor, Palmityol Dipeptide, L Sodium Hyaluronate, Diaminohydroxytbutyrate, Mica