The [pH]ix The [pH]iller Peptide+ Serum Versus Votre Peau Serum Peptide Concentrate

The [pH]ix The [pH]iller Peptide+ Serum Versus Votre Peau Serum Peptide Concentrate

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Tripeptide-10 Citrulline to soften the look of wrinkles.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract

Pullulan

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Acmella Oleracea Extract

Allantoin

Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Glycerin

Ascorbic Acid

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Tripeptide-10 Citrulline

Tripeptide-1

Lecithin

Butylene Glycol

Xanthan Gum

Carbomer

Triethanolamine

Caprylyl Glycol

Dimethicone

Cetyl Alcohol

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Glyceryl Stearate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer

Paraffinum Liquidum

Trideceth-6

Propylene Glycol

Diazolidinyl Urea

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Tetrasodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Benzoate

Alcohol

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Pullulan, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate

Ammonium Sulfate

DMDM Hydantoin

Sodium Sulfate

Water, Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer, Ammonium Sulfate, DMDM Hydantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Sulfate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylyl Glycol

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.

We don't have a description for Acrylamide/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer yet.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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!

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