What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantUrea
BufferingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantBetaine
HumectantEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Urea, Carnosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Betaine, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Resveratrol, Astaxanthin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Palmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Superoxide Dismutase, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isohexadecane, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Retinal, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDextran
Tripeptide-32
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRoyal Jelly
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingPalmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Niacinamide, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dextran, Tripeptide-32, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Royal Jelly, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Phenylpropanol, Palmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. Itâs often referred to as a âBotox-likeâ ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, itâs not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isnât a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesnât turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isnât backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
sh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1Water. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum