Skin science article
MediCube Age-R Glutathione Glow Toner Versus The Ordinary Multi Peptides + Copper Peptide 1%
MediCube Age-R Glutathione Glow Toner Versus The Ordinary Multi Peptides + Copper Peptide 1% This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Glutathione to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots. This anti-aging serum is formula
MediCube Age-R Glutathione Glow Toner Versus The Ordinary Multi Peptides + Copper Peptide 1%
This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Glutathione to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Lactococcus Ferment Lysate and Copper Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Triethylhexanoin
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Butylene Glycol
1,2-Hexanediol
Methylpropanediol
Niacinamide
Phenyl Trimethicone
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Parfum
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Ethylhexylglycerin
Allantoin
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Carum Petroselinum Extract
Glutathione
Sodium Gluconate
Adenosine
Cellulose Gum
Hexyl Cinnamal
Gluconolactone
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Linalool
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Borago Officinalis Extract
Salvia Sclarea Extract
Limonene
Alpha-Arbutin
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Thioctic Acid
Biotin
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Tripeptide-1
Tripeptide-3
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Hexapeptide-9
Water, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Parfum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Glutathione, Sodium Gluconate, Adenosine, Cellulose Gum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Gluconolactone, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Linalool, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Limonene, Alpha-Arbutin, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Thioctic Acid, Biotin, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-3, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Hexapeptide-9
Glycerin
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Copper Tripeptide-1
Pentapeptide-18
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
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
Pentylene Glycol
Acacia Senegal Gum
Xanthan Gum
Carbomer
Polysorbate 20
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Sodium Benzoate
Caprylyl Glycol
Phenoxyethanol
Chlorphenesin
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
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
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.
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!