Skin science article
Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum Versus iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Serum
Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum Versus iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Serum This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles. This anti-aging serum is formul
Peach & Lily Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum Versus iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Squalane and Copper Tripeptide-1 to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Dipropylene Glycol
Glycerin
1,2-Hexanediol
Betaine
Copper Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Tetrapeptide-21
Tetrapeptide-30
Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Dipeptide-2
Tripeptide-1
Hexapeptide-9
Nonapeptide-1
Collagen Extract
Serine
Methionine
Cysteine
Arginine
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Sodium PCA
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
Helianthus Tuberosus Root Extract
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Potassium Hyaluronate
Squalane
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Gellan Gum
Butylene Glycol
Adenosine
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Polyquaternium-51
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Caprylyl Glycol
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tetrapeptide-21, Tetrapeptide-30, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dipeptide-2, Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Collagen Extract, Serine, Methionine, Cysteine, Arginine, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Sodium PCA, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Helianthus Tuberosus Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Gellan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Diheptyl Succinate
Pentylene Glycol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Oligopeptide-1
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47
Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate
Ceramide NP
Niacinamide
Centella Asiatica Extract
Beta-Glucan
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Panthenol
Allantoin
Bisabolol
Zinc PCA
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
C14-22 Alcohols
Sodium Polyacrylate
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Carbomer
Sorbitan Olivate
Cellulose Gum
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Cetearyl Olivate
Mannitol
Phosphatidylcholine
Cetyl Alcohol
Decyl Glucoside
Dipotassium Phosphate
Propanediol
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Phytate
Tocopherol
Xanthan Gum
Potassium Phosphate
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
Phenoxyethanol
Hydroxyacetophenone
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Diheptyl Succinate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-1, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47, Acetyl Sh-Hexapeptide-5 Amide Acetate, Ceramide NP, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Sodium PCA, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Betaine, Bisabolol, Zinc PCA, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Sodium Polyacrylate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Carbomer, Sorbitan Olivate, Cellulose Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Olivate, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Cetyl Alcohol, Decyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Phosphate, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sodium PCA (the salt of PCA) is one of the most well-established humectants in skincare.
Why is it so special? Your skin already makes it naturally; it's a natural component of your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the mix of water-binding compounds inside your skin cells that keeps things soft and hydrated.
As a cosmetic ingredient, it grabs water and holds it in the upper layers of skin to smooth roughness and ease dehydration.
There's some clinical support for the NMF approach with a study showing that a cream built to mimic the skin's NMF significantly boosted hydration.
Safety-wise, this ingredient non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and non-phototoxic in testing, with minimal skin absorption.
It also works really well with other hydrators like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and typical usage is somewhere between 0.2-4%.
Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
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!