Versus

Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum Versus Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Serum
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on August 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

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

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Glycine Max Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Borago Officinalis Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide

Emulsion Stabilising

Tocotrienols

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

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

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

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Panthenol

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

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

PCA

Humectant

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

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Nymphaea Alba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dextran

Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

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

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Acetyl Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Isomalt

Humectant

Lecithin

Emollient

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Aspartic Acid

Masking

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Sterols

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

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

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Phenylpropanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning
Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

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
Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
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.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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
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, 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
Antimicrobial, Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

When to use

74 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
84% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
473 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
70% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum 77 ingredients

Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 32 ingredients

4.9 /5
from 7 ratings
Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1)