Versus

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - US Versus The Saem Gold Lifting Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 19, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and peptides

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 fragrances and oils

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
Protini Polypeptide Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Glycerin

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

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Nymphaea Alba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-11

Peptide Icon

Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

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

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Alanine

Masking

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Histidine

Humectant

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Phenylalanine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Serine

Masking

Threonine

Valine

Masking

Acetyl Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking

Linoleic Acid

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

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

PCA

Humectant

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Isomalt

Humectant

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Tocopherol

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

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Phenylpropanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract

Skin Conditioning
Gold Lifting Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

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

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Cyclomethicone

Emollient
0 / 0 Silicon Icon

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Triethylhexanoin

Masking

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

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

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cetearyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Emulsifying
3 / 2 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phellinus Linteus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Arctium Lappa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C12-13 Pareth-23

Cleansing

Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C12-16 Alcohols

Emollient

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Absorbent

Palmitic Acid

Emollient
2 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Emollient
1 / 2

C12-13 Pareth-3

Emulsifying

Acrylates Copolymer

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Alcohol Denat.

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

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning

Glycosyl Trehalose

Emulsion Stabilising

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cellulose Gum

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate

Humectant

Raffinose

Skin Conditioning

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Skin Conditioning

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Agar

Masking

Gellan Gum

Calcium Alginate

Masking

Disodium EDTA

Lecithin

Emollient

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Inulin Lauryl Carbamate

Emulsion Stabilising

Gold

Cosmetic Colorant

Vp/Polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester

Caramel

Cosmetic Colorant

Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

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

Folic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Cleansing

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Acacia Senegal Gum

Masking

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

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

Tromethamine

Buffering

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethylhexanoin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, C12-13 Pareth-23, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Dimethicone, Squalane, C12-16 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C12-13 Pareth-3, Acrylates Copolymer, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Betaine, Alcohol Denat., Polysorbate 60, Polyquaternium-51, Glycosyl Trehalose, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Raffinose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Agar, Gellan Gum, Calcium Alginate, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Gold, Vp/Polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester, Caramel, Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Folic Acid, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tromethamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491

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, 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
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.

As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also

Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.

Learn more about Cetearyl Olivate
Emulsifying

Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.

This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.

Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.

Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Sorbitan Olivate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.

This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.

As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.

This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.

We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.

Learn more about Lecithin
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.

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.

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 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.

Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.

In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.

Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.

Learn more about Polysorbate 60

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
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.

When to use

590 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream 58 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 18 ratings
Expensive (7) Hydrating (6) Works Well (4)
sillygirl's avatar

sillygirl

1 year ago
Review

for the price point of this moisturizer i feel like i expected a lot more?

i mostly used this moisturizer at night paired with my tretinoin and i found that the 2 worked well with each other. it’s a really nice almost gel-like cream texture with a light fragrance. i found it a little hard to blend while my face was still damp which is when i usually apply moisturizer. i don’t feel like it did Show more

#expensive
#hydrating
#works well
zankhaft's avatar

zankhaft

1 year ago
Review

My HG facial moisturizer. It makes my face feel so soft and velvety. It dries quickly, is gentle even when my face is on fire and it has a slight "chemical" smell that I tend to like. I love the pump as well. I use this when I need a good hit of luxury.

#expensive
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

The Saem Gold Lifting Cream 82 ingredients

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