Versus

Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream with Peptides and Ceramides Versus Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - US

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on March 19, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Polypeptide-121 Future Cream with Peptides and Ceramides

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate

Emollient

Tridecyl Trimellitate

Emollient

Propanediol

Solvent

Sh-Polypeptide-121

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

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

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hydrolyzed Cannabis Sativa Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Pea Protein

Emollient

Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract

Emollient

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Hydrolyzed Linseed Seed

Humectant

Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer

Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ceramide AP

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

Ceramide NP

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

Cetearyl Alcohol

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

Cetearyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dilinoleic Acid

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Masking

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Erythritol

Humectant

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Glucose

Humectant

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

T-Butyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconCan worsen Dry Skin Icon

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

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Triheptanoin

Skin Conditioning

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying
Protini Polypeptide Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

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

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Nymphaea Alba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

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

Sh-Oligopeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-9

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-11

Peptide Icon

Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

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

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Alanine

Masking

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Histidine

Humectant

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Phenylalanine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Serine

Masking

Threonine

Valine

Masking

Acetyl Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

PCA

Humectant

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Isomalt

Humectant

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Phenylpropanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Skin Conditioning

Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.

Our skin uses proline as one of the building blocks for producing collagen.

In medicine, proline is used as an osmoprotectant. This means it helps prevent oxidative degradation in other drugs.

Our bodies are able to produce proline naturally, but certain conditions may inhibit this production. In that case, proline can be obtained from eating egg whites, soy protein, dairy products, asparagus, mushrooms, and seaweed.

Learn more about Proline
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol
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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
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
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 
Emulsifying

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
Buffering, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an amino acid that helps build proteins and moisturizes skin. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

Glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized as amino acids transport moisture throughout our skin.

As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed glycine may help our skin produce more collagen.

Learn more about Glycine
Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate
Buffering, Humectant

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.

This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

32 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
590 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream with Peptides and Ceramides 59 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Heavy (1)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

I love the texture, it feels like a very luxurious product, although, once you apply it to your face it feels a little bit oily. I guess it's better for people with dry skin and not oily like mine. The good part, is that despite the oiliness of the formula it's non-comedogenic and it hasn't given me any acne breakouts. If you have oily skin, I would recommend only during winter, and preferably at Show more

#expensive
#hydrating
#heavy
#absorbs well

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream 58 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 18 ratings
Expensive (7) Hydrating (6) Works Well (4)
sillygirl's avatar

sillygirl

1 year ago
Review

for the price point of this moisturizer i feel like i expected a lot more?

i mostly used this moisturizer at night paired with my tretinoin and i found that the 2 worked well with each other. it’s a really nice almost gel-like cream texture with a light fragrance. i found it a little hard to blend while my face was still damp which is when i usually apply moisturizer. i don’t feel like it did Show more

#expensive
#hydrating
#works well
zankhaft's avatar

zankhaft

1 year ago
Review

My HG facial moisturizer. It makes my face feel so soft and velvety. It dries quickly, is gentle even when my face is on fire and it has a slight "chemical" smell that I tend to like. I love the pump as well. I use this when I need a good hit of luxury.

#expensive
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well