Skin science article
Coxir Black Snail Collagen Serum Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Coxir Black Snail Collagen Serum Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Snail Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier. This barrier-repair moisturizer is formula
Coxir Black Snail Collagen Serum Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Snail Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Propylene Glycol
Alcohol
1,2-Hexanediol
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
PEG/PPG-18/4 Copolymer
Betaine
Allantoin
Adenosine
Butylene Glycol
Carbomer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Copper Tripeptide-1
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Oryza Sativa Extract
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Snail Extract
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Arginine
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Parfum
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, PEG/PPG-18/4 Copolymer, Betaine, Allantoin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Snail Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Dimethicone
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Serine
Glycine
Alanine
Threonine
Proline
Lysine Hcl
Glutamic Acid
Sodium PCA
PCA
Sodium Lactate
Urea
Sodium Chloride
Citric Acid
Fructose
Maltose
Trehalose
Glucose
Pentylene Glycol
Synthetic Beeswax
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethiconol
Caprylyl Glycol
Sodium Hydroxide
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Glycine, Alanine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Betaine, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Trehalose, Glucose, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Glycerin (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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!