Shiseido Vital Perfection LiftDefine Radiance Serum Versus MEDI-PEEL Peptide 9 Volume And Tension Tox Cream
This brightening serum is formulated around 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Caffeine to brighten dull-looking skin and soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Copper Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMaltitol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingPolyvinyl Alcohol
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientBatyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenic Acid
CleansingPEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
SurfactantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Myristyl Myristate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
Buffering2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucosamine Hcl
Citronellol
PerfumingLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialInositol
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentNasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Maltitol, Triethylhexanoin, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Batyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Parfum, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Myristyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, Caffeine, Citric Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Metaphosphate, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Tocopherol, Glucosamine Hcl, Citronellol, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, CI 77492, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, CI 77491, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cellulose, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingStearic Acid
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingIsopentyldiol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantLeontopodium Alpinum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCollagen
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantFructan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGold
Cosmetic ColorantDiamond Powder
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Beeswax, Isopentyldiol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Collagen Extract, Collagen Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol, Fructan, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Arginine, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, PEG-100 Stearate, Gold, Diamond Powder, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 Water