This calming serum is formulated around Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 to calm redness.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Alpha-Arbutin to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Tetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Tetrapeptide-21, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, Tetrapeptide-30, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
This synthetic peptide is made up of four amino acids designed to calm redness and irritation. It also goes by the name Telangyn.
Your skin has a built-in defense system that fights off bacteria and responds to damage; part of that system involves a natural peptide called LL-37. LL-37 usually does its job and moves on, but sometimes it can go into overdrive (especially in reactive or rosacea skin) and triggers too much inflammation. This is where redness, visible blood vessels, and irritation come from.
That's where Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 comes in. It turns down the signals that cause this inflammatory overreaction. As a bonus, keeping inflammation in check also protects collagen and other structural proteins from being broken down by enzymes.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient also calms UV-related inflammation and helps reduce excess pigment production.
This ingredient is considered safe for all skin types and has been shown to work at low concentrations (0.05%).
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40Caprylyl 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 GlycolHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
