Skin science article
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus Neogen Real Peptide Serum
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus Neogen Real Peptide Serum This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Bifida Ferment Lysate to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacina
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus Neogen Real Peptide Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Bifida Ferment Lysate to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Propanediol
Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
Betaine
Isododecane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Copper Tripeptide-1
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Glycerin
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Acetyl Glutamine
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Propylene Carbonate
Lecithin
Caprylyl Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Dextran
Tocopherol
Acetic Acid
Lactic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
1,2-Hexanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Betaine, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Copper Tripeptide-1, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Tocopherol, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Dipropylene Glycol
Niacinamide
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Xanthan Gum
Adenosine
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Agar
Ubiquinone
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Morinda Citrifolia Flower Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Tripeptide-1
Tripeptide-29
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Hexapeptide-12
Hexapeptide-9
Tripeptide-2
Nonapeptide-1
Hexapeptide-11
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Agar, Ubiquinone, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Tripeptide-2, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11
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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
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.
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!