Versus

Medik8 Liquid Peptides Versus Numbuzin No.9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner

Serum
Toner
British Brand United Kingdom
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 16, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and peptides

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 common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

What's inside

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Liquid Peptides
No.9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner

Water

Skin Conditioning

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

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

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Solvent

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tripropylene Glycol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Glyceryl Glucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xylitylglucoside

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Anhydroxylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment

Antimicrobial

C20-40 Pareth-10

Emulsifying

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Xylitol

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

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

Sodium Dna

Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ceramide NP

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

Sodium Phytate

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

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

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

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

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Phytosterols

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

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract

Emollient

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

T-Butyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cyanocobalamin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Adenosine Triphosphate

Skin Conditioning

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Skin Conditioning

Resveratrol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Pullulan

Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate

Cleansing

Palmitic Acid

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

C12-14 Alketh-12

Emulsifying

Pisum Sativum Peptide

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Stearic Acid

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

Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Dextran

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Elastin

Emollient

Soluble Collagen

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3

Skin Protecting
Peptide Icon

Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Astringent
Good for Minimizing Pores Icon

Disodium EDTA

Myristic Acid

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

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Mannose

Humectant

Sh-Octapeptide-4

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Sh-Decapeptide-7

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

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

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

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

Copper Tripeptide-1

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

Hexapeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Nonapeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Arachidic Acid

Cleansing
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Collagen

Moisturising
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Elastin

Skin Conditioning

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

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

Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Oligopeptide-29

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Oligopeptide-32

Antiseborrhoeic
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5

Humectant
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Acetyl Hexapeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Acetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1

Peptide Icon

Dipeptide-4

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Hexapeptide-11

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lauric Acid

Cleansing
4 / 1 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Nonapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-26

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Octapeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

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

Pentapeptide-13

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

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

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Tetrapeptide-44

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Tetrapeptide-30

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Tripeptide-10 Citrulline

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Tripeptide-32

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Tripeptide-29

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-22

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

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

Sh-Polypeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-11

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

Sh-Polypeptide-3

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-16

Skin Protecting
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-62

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Water, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, C20-40 Pareth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Dna, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Phytate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Phytosterols, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine Triphosphate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Resveratrol, Pullulan, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Palmitic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dextran, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Soluble Collagen, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Mannose, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Arachidic Acid, Collagen, Elastin, Glutathione, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Lauric Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-7, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-26, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Octapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-13, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-44, Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-32, Tripeptide-29, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-62

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline, is a popular peptide in skincare. It’s often referred to as a “Botox-like” 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, it’s 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 isn’t 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-8
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
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
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

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
Skin Conditioning

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).

This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.

Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.

Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.

This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).

Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.

This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.

By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.

Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning

This synthetic, signal peptide has unique skin conditioning properties in that is a matrikine-mimetic compound.

First of all, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 is a signal peptide; signal peptides tell the body to create more collagen.

What is a matrikine-mimetic compound?

This peptide has the ability to mimic matrikines in skin. Our skin created matrikines by breaking down matrix proteins into peptides.

Matrikines play a role in:

Though further research is needed, this ingredient seems pretty promising. In one study, women over the age of 40 with visible photoaging used a vitamin C serum with this ingredient for 56 days (15% ascorbid acid, 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide‐38). The results found improvement in skin roughness and skin tone.

This peptide is also part of the famous Matrixyl synthe’6, a blend of ingredients that also includes glycerin, water, and hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin.

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning

This synthetic peptide is created from lysine, valine, and palmitic acid.

According to the manufacturer, in-vitro studies show tissue growth and collagen synthesis. Another in-vivo study found 60 volunteers saw a significant reduction in wrinkles after 84 days.

Due to its palmitic acid base, this peptide may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
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

When to use

267 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
42 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

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