Simple Skincare Protect 'N' Glow Triple Protect Moisturizer SPF 30 Versus Superdrug Me+ Peptide Moisturiser
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Isopropyl Myristate, Isohexadecane, Steareth-21, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zingiber Officinale Root Juice, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Isoamyl Laurate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Citrate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
