Versus

Decorte AQ Meliority Intensive Radiance Glow Ritual Versus Kosé Dr. Phil Cosmetics IC.U Algex Ex

Serum
Serum
Japanese Brand Japan
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on February 05, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 25 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain peptides and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, oils and silicones

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
AQ Meliority Intensive Radiance Glow Ritual

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate

Emollient

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate

Skin Conditioning

Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice

Skin Conditioning

PEG-400

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Petrolatum

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Alnus Firmifolia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract

Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Clematis Vitalba Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Delesseria Sanguinea Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract

Skin Conditioning

Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract

Masking

Jania Rubens Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lonicera Caerulea Fruit Juice

Humectant

Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Maltose

Masking

Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mucuna Birdwoodiana Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract

Astringent

Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Santalum Album Wood Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Sesamum Indicum Sprout Extract

Humectant

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tocotrienols

Skin Conditioning

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Algin

Masking
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Di-C12-15 Pareth-8 Phosphate

Cleansing

Disodium EDTA

Disodium Succinate

Masking

Ethyl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethyl Olivate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Lecithin

Emollient

Oleyl Alcohol

Emollient
4 / 2 Fatty Alcohol IconFragrance IconBad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Oleyl Oleate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-8

Humectant

Phytosteryl Oleate

Skin Conditioning

Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

Skin Conditioning

Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

Skin Conditioning

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Sorbitan Oleate

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

Emulsifying
0-1 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Succinic Acid

Buffering

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Paraffinum Liquidum

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Diisostearyl Malate

Emollient

Alteromonas Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycosyl Trehalose

Emulsion Stabilising

Iris Florentina Root Extract

Masking

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate

Humectant

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate

Cleansing

Triceteareth-4 Phosphate

Emulsifying

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Squalane, Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, PEG-400, Petrolatum, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Adenosine, Alnus Firmifolia Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Clematis Vitalba Leaf Extract, Delesseria Sanguinea Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract, Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Lonicera Caerulea Fruit Juice, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Maltose, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mucuna Birdwoodiana Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Sesamum Indicum Sprout Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Algin, Carbomer, Cholesterol, Di-C12-15 Pareth-8 Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Succinate, Ethyl Oleate, Ethyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Lecithin, Oleyl Alcohol, Oleyl Oleate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, PEG-8, Phytosteryl Oleate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Silica, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Mica, CI 77891, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Glycosyl Trehalose, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ectoin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, CI 77491

Dr. Phil Cosmetics IC.U Algex Ex

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

We don't have a description for Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate yet.

Skin Conditioning

You might know this ingredients as Matrixyl, a famous peptide.

Peptides are building blocks for protein. Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 consists of five amino acids. These amino acids include: 2 lysines, 2 threonines, and serine

This ingredients 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.

Thus, Matrixyl may help improve the look of wrinkles.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.

Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.

Learn more about Isohexadecane
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

This long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.

It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.

Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.

Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Humectant

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.

This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate
Emulsifying

Sorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.

It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.

According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.

Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.

Learn more about Sorbitan Oleate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.

Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.

Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic.

Learn more about Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising

We don't have a description for Glycosyl Trehalose yet.

We don't have a description for Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate yet.

We don't have a description for Triceteareth-4 Phosphate yet.