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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% versus MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence .

Published on March 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 18 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and peptides

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Canadian Brand Canada
Essence South Korean Brand South Korea

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (4)
Peptides (10)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (6)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Water • Glycerin • Lactococcus Ferment Lysate • Copper Tripeptide-1 • Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 • Pentapeptide-18 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 • Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate • Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Sodium Hyaluronate • Allantoin • Glycine • Alanine • Serine • Valine • Isoleucine • Proline • Threonine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Arginine • Aspartic Acid • Trehalose • Fructose • Glucose • Maltose • Urea • Sodium PCA • PCA • Sodium Lactate • Citric Acid • Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Hydroxide • Butylene Glycol • Pentylene Glycol • Acacia Senegal Gum • Xanthan Gum • Carbomer • Polysorbate 20 • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Sodium Benzoate • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin

Water • Glycerin • Methylpropanediol • Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether • Niacinamide • Cyclopentasiloxane • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cyclohexasiloxane • Elaeis Guineensis Oil • Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate • Arginine • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Decyl Glucoside • Betaine • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Hydroxyethyl Urea • Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil • Dimethicone • Decylene Glycol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Myristic Acid • Hexylene Glycol • Carbomer • Propanediol • Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract • Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract • Butylene Glycol • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Urea • Allantoin • Ammonium Lactate • Adenosine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans • Laureth-23 • Propylene Glycol • Disodium EDTA • Buteth-3 • Centella Asiatica Extract • Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract • Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water • Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract • Fructan • Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract • Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate • Benzyl Glycol • Alcohol Denat. • Decyl Alcohol • Tristearyl Citrate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Glucose • Desamido Collagen • Hydrolyzed Collagen • Tranexamic Acid • Tributyl Citrate • Trideceth-6 • Sodium Polyacrylate • Pentylene Glycol • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract • Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract • Asiaticoside • Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Hyaluronic Acid • Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract • Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Sorbitan Laurate • Polysorbate 20 • Raspberry Ketone • Polysorbate 80 • Chondrus Crispus Extract • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester • Astaxanthin • Hydrolyzed Elastin • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 • Madecassoside • Madecassic Acid • Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 • Copper Tripeptide-1 • Asiatic Acid • Oligopeptide-29 • Oligopeptide-32 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Oligopeptide • Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 • 1,2-Hexanediol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Totarol • Caprylyl Glycol • Parfum • Brilliant Black 1 • Yellow 11 • CI 19140

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 1.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 2.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Copper Tripeptide-1 is a peptide naturally found in body fluids. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Studies show this ingredient tells our body to create more collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Elastin is the protein responsible for giving our skin elasticity. Our bodies start to slow down collagen and elastin production with age.

Boosting collagen and elastin production can help create a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin. It's a win-win situation!

Studies show this ingredient can help with scar healing. This is because it breaks down damaged collagen, the main component of scar tissue. It may also help with reducing sunspots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone.

This ingredient is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help the body fight off free-radicals. Free radicals are molecules that damage our cells, such as pollution and tobacco smoke.

More benefits: Copper Tripeptide-1 helps maintain tissues in blood vessels and promote natural hyaluronic acid in skin.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 4.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 93.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a peptide. A common name for this peptide is Argireline.

Argireline has a similar function to botox. It prevents muscle movement and contractions. By preventing muscles from moving, Argireline also prohibits the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. However, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.

Argireline tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 5.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 92.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a 3-amino acid peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a signal peptide. This means it tells our skin to create collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 can help reduce wrinkles and make the skin look more youthful.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 7.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 98.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

This ingredient consists of four amino acids and palmitic acid. These amino acids are arginine, proline, glutamine, and glycine.

This ingredient has many benefits. These benefits include boosting collagen production, fighting inflammation, and reversing UV damage.

By preventing our bodies from producing interleukins, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 helps fight inflammation. An interleukin is a chemical that signals to the body to produce an inflammatory response. Interleukin production is accelerated by UV radiation.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 8.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 97.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.

The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 12.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 35.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 13.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 40.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 14.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 37.

10
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 24.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 15.

11
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Loved

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms. In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.

As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin. This helps hydrate skin.

Our skin's natural microbiome contains many saccharides that act as prebiotics. These prebiotics help strengthen our skin's microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.

Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.

Plants and algae make glucose during the process of photosynthesis. It is then used to make cellulose, the building blocks of cell walls.

Learn more about Glucose

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 28.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 60.

12
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.

As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.

Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.

In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.

Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

Learn more about Urea

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 30.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 36.

13
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 38.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 32.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 39.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 67.

15
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 42.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 28.

16
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 43.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 81.

17
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 46.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 104.

18
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% contains this as ingredient number 47.

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence contains this as ingredient number 102.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

63% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
18% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% 49 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 3 ratings

MEDI-PEEL Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence 108 ingredients

Peptide9 Volume White Cica Essence hasn't been rated yet.
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