Skin science article
MEDI-PEEL Hyaluron Dark Benone Peptide 9 Ampoule Eye Patch Versus Dear, Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter
MEDI-PEEL Hyaluron Dark Benone Peptide 9 Ampoule Eye Patch Versus Dear, Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter This anti-aging eye mask is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. This ant
MEDI-PEEL Hyaluron Dark Benone Peptide 9 Ampoule Eye Patch Versus Dear, Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter
This anti-aging eye mask is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Caffeine and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Carrageenan
Butylene Glycol
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Hyaluronic Acid
Pearl Extract
Polysorbate 80
Tocopheryl Acetate
Ubiquinone
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Copper Tripeptide-1
Oligopeptide-29
Oligopeptide-32
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propylene Glycol
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Propanediol
Pentylene Glycol
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Betaine
Allantoin
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
Sucrose
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Cellulose Gum
Potassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
Calcium Lactate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Sorbitan Caprylate
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Diamond Powder
Titanium Dioxide
Oleth-10
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Polysorbate 60
Simethicone
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Aluminum Hydroxide
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Arginine
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Ethyl Hexanediol
1,2-Hexanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Parfum
Water, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Pearl Extract, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Caprylate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diamond Powder, Titanium Dioxide, Oleth-10, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysorbate 60, Simethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Stearic Acid
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Caffeine
Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Panthenol
Pantolactone
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Sorbitan Isostearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Arachidic Acid
Oleic Acid
Palmitic Acid
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Betaine, Caffeine, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
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
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative".
It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time.
The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles.
So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging.
A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw:
While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone).
Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations.
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.
Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
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.
Oligopeptide-29 is an antioxidant and is a peptide.
Oligopeptide-32 is a peptide.
Propanediol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
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!